Skogman Realty history

In the early 1980's, Bill Knapp, then chairman, realized real estate companies, especially those in development, had to have access to more financial resources.

Its sales force ballooned to more than 500 agents by 1985, and its market share approached 40 percent.

Beginning in 1993, the company acquired Byers & Happel in Cedar Rapids and Carol Jones, Realtors of Springfield, Missouri.

Knapp's most bold and daring acquisition came in 1995 when Iowa Realty purchased long-time rival, Des Moines' First Realty/Better Homes and Gardens, now Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty.

The mergers and acquisitions culminated in 1998, when MidAmerican Energy acquired AmerUs Home Services, Inc., including Iowa Realty.

Iowa Realty continued to expand in 2001 with the acquisition of United Title and Settlement in Eastern Iowa consisting of Scott County Title, Linn County Title and Real Estate Links.

In 2002, Crowley Commercial Real Estate was purchased reinstituting Iowa Realty commercial real estate in the metro market.

In 2003, Skogman Homes made a decision to expand into Cedar Falls, in order to provide Cedar Valley families the same quality of life as those in Cedar Rapids.

Feeling at home in the Cedar Valley, Skogman opened its first development, Quail Ridge, in 2005.

Rick retired in 2008 passing the reins over to his son, Chris, who is currently the President.

A second office began servicing businesses and residents of Johnson County in 2009.

Today, Skogman has four neighborhoods in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, and has built over 500 homes. Based on the success of Quail Ridge, Skogman was awarded the “Quality of Life” award from the City of Cedar Falls and Cedar Falls Utilities in 2013.