Aaron Jones - RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement

Aaron Jones

RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement

About Aaron Jones

Thank you for checking out my profile.  My name is Aaron Jones and I am the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Lakes Realty.  I specialize in lakeshore home sales on West Lake Okoboji, East Lake Okoboji, Big Spirit, Lake Minnewashta, Lower Gar Lake, and Upper Gar Lake.   Below you will find over 150 testimonials on Zillow.
I have been selling real estate since 2012. I am a lifelong resident of Lake Okoboji and my family has been in construction for about 60 years. I grew up in construction and understand construction costs, and this has helped me immensely in adding value for my clients. Prior to selling real estate, I managed a furniture manufacturing facility in Milford, IA. I learned a lot about lean manufacturing and have brought many of those concepts into our business here, mainly focused on efficient technologies in real estate. I have a great team of 24 agents that work together to find buyers for our clients. I have 2 incredible employees, and also have a technology business partner in India, and we have been developing real estate management and paperless transaction management solutions, along with our own proprietary electronic signature service (www.signfast.com and www.leadcity.com) and we use these solutions daily in our office. I have built 5 homes since I was 26, 4 of them being lake homes, and I invest everything I have in real estate. 
 
I’m very proud of our agents in so many ways, but the success is partially defined by the numbers. In 2020, our office closed more Dickinson county transactions than any other office, and in Dickinson county, we beat all other offices in Sales volume by over $20,000,000. We know how to market; we know how to treat people, and we know how to do the right thing, regardless of dollar signs. Lastly, since 2015, I have closed more transactions than any other agent in the MLS in Dickinson county, and I’m proud to say that I was #1 in sales volume in 2020 for the entire MLS. When you hire me to sell, you will get ethical, professional service with expertise in online marketing, social media marketing, and web lead generation, which will produce a buyer for your home.  When you hire me to buy, you will have someone in your corner that will find you that perfect home, even if that means sending out mailers or contacting owners through facebook to find you that special place.
 

 

Aaron's Listings (22)

$5,248,000

Status: Active
3711 Fairfield Street, Okoboji, IA 51355

  240591

 8

 7

  5,803


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442) & RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, BROOKE JONES (641.420.2172)
Price Decreased

$3,100,000

Status: Active
2109 Browns Bay Avenue, West Okoboji, IA 51351

  240979

 5

 4

  4,320


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)

$2,950,000

Status: Active
16400 Bayside Drive #B, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  240842

 5

 6

  5,100


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Built in 2024

$1,439,000

Status: Active
16392 255th Street #B, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  240431

 5

 5

  3,690


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Built in 2024

$1,100,000

Status: Pending
3307 Highway 71, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  240985

 N/A

 N/A

  7,116


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Pending

$1,025,000

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
465 240th Street #406, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241019

 4

 3

  2,226


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-No Show

$998,000

Status: Active
465 240th Avenue #205, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240697

 4

 3

  2,219


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased

$849,000

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
86 HWY 9, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  220125

 N/A

 N/A

  367,210


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased Active Contingent-No Show

$824,900

Status: Active
445 240Th Avenue #305, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241021

 3

 2

  1,934


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)

$634,900

Status: Active Contingent-CTS
290 240th Avenue #218, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241035

 5

 3

  2,678


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-CTS

$589,000

Status: Pending
290 240th Avenue #287, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241020

 4

 3

  1,632


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Pending

$585,000

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
290 240th Avenue #216, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241011

 4

 3

  2,112


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-No Show

$544,900

Status: Active
435 240th Avenue #301, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240984

 3

 2

  1,436


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased

$499,000

Status: Active
16914 Inner Lane #C1, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  240968

 2

 1

  1,216


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased

$448,900

Status: Active Contingent-No Show
290 240Th Avenue #16, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  241123

 3

 2

  1,155


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-No Show

$439,800

Status: Active
290 240th Avenue #155, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240880

 3

 3

  1,465


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased

$415,000

Status: Active
630 Linden Drive #1147, Arnolds Park, IA 51331

  240649

 N/A

 N/A

  1,480


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)

$389,000

Status: Active
1850 23rd Street #50, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  241092

 3

 2

  1,440


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Built in 2023

$334,900

Status: Active Contingent-CTS
3356 Prairie Meadow Drive #B, Milford, IA 51351

  241082

 2

 2

  1,376


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-CTS

$319,000

Status: Active Contingent-CTS
4507 Tallgrass Circle, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  241073

 3

 2

  1,365


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Active Contingent-CTS

$229,900

Status: Active
1652 Exchange Street #30, Okoboji, IA 51355

  240122

 2

 2

  1,052


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
Price Decreased

$219,000

Status: Active
00 32nd Street #Lot 1,2,3, Spirit Lake, IA 51360

  241172

 N/A

 N/A

  11,587


Listed by : RE/MAX LAKES REALTY, AARON JONES (712.320.9442)
New Listing

Area Insights

Beware the (I'll get your home sold in a week) agent

Beware the (I'll get your home sold in a week) agent in The

I hear this one all the time from prospects looking to list their house. "Well, agent xyz told us that if we listed with her, she'd have it sold in a week." This would fall into the category of "If it sounds too good to be true, the probably is." The majority of agents are not going to make this claim, but rather will give you an honest market analysis, inform you as to how weak or strong the market is, especially the market in which your home resides, and present the objective facts. A good agent will then lay out an effective marketing plan, where the majority of the focus should be on "online marketing". Be careful to not get caught up in empty promises, reduced commissions, and being talked in to lowering your price below market value (unless you must have a quick sale). The key to choosing a good listing agent is to objectively determine who is going to provide you the best opportunity to sell your home. Will your listing agent also aggressively work to find buyers, or will they just list your home and wait for another agent to do the work.

The Family Diner

The Family Diner in Spirit Lake

The Family Diner is Spirit Lake, IA is a local favorite! They offer up a large portion for small money, but whether you come early or late you may be in for a wait. With homemade bread and the largest sausage patty you have seen, The Family Diner is consistently delicious. They are open only for breakfast and lunch and closed two days a week. In my former career at Stylecraft, the family diner was definately a favorite when our friends would visit from North Carolina. They were always inpressed with the bread and rolls and corn beef hash.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Spirit Lake

Terrace Park

Terrace Park is located in Brown's Bay on West Lake, Okoboji. It is one of the largest public beaches on West Lake and has entertained beach goers for many years. Next to Terrace Park is Boys Town out of Omaha, Nebraska. I remember as a kid spending entire days at terrace park, either riding bicycle or taking a moped (yes a moped) down to meet with friends and playing king on the dock. In 2010, the morning after "the storm", Terrace Park was carnage. Boat were stacked on top of each other. Trees were uprooted, and hoists were tossed around. Boats and other water craft were found in Terrace Park that belonged to owners on the North end of West Lake.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

Boulders Inn

Boulders Inn and Suites promises to make your Okoboji vacation comfortable and relaxing. This new hotel just south of Emerald Hills golf course between Milford and Arnolds Park offers 40 rooms with suites to meet your individual needs. One of the best things about Boulders Inn is that it is within walking distance of the Taco House. For some of you, I know that can be a big deal!

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Milford

Okoboji Boat Works

Okoboji Boat Works in West Lake Okoboji

Okoboji Boat Works is home to "The Fish Shack" and "The Inconvenience Store". Formerly a marina of thriving boat sales since 1890, OBW now offers up many different rentals, a 24 hour gas dock, excursion boats, and more. I remember the days as a child of fishing for crappie and blue gill here and along the docks of Smith's Bay. Though the scenery has changed, the outstanding fishing has not.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

Bridges Bay Resort

Bridges Bay Resort in East Lake Okoboji

Bridges Bay Resort is built on the land purchased a few years prior which used to be owned by the Nielsen family of Arnolds Park. This huge complex consists of a hotel, 3 condo buildings (a 4th is under construction), and over 100 vacation cabins. A popular part of the resort is the indoor waterpark that cabin and condo owners have access to, but also, so does the public for a fee. Braccos is a fantastic summertime restaurant and bar which is frequented by boat, by car, and by foot, especially from the owners of the condos and cabins. All of the units at Bridges Bay have an opportunity for a boat hoist, and it is an extremely popular destination for out of towners looking for a vacation spot in Okoboji. Because Bridges Bay is not within the city limits, many owners utilize property management companies to help them rent their units by the day, week, and month. I've personally sold and shown many condo and cabin units and would be delighted to help.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in East Lake Okoboji

Cheap vs high end quality. A buyer's perspective.

Cheap vs high end quality.  A buyer's perspective. in The

Here's the scenario. You are building a house or remodeling your house. Material costs are up. Labor costs are up. You ask yourself, where can I save a buck? Before answering this question, you must be careful, especially if your home is located in an area where other quality homes are built, whether on the lake, off the lake, or in higher valued developments such as golf course developments, etc. Growing up in construction and with a plethora of new construction and remodels under my belt, let me share with you some of the easy things that your future buyers will recognize when they are looking for quality.
1. One of the first things buyers of higher end homes will look for is to determine if the owner used hollow core doors. It's an immediate sign that the seller was looking for ways to save money (where else then did they cut back that I can't see???)
2. The second most obvious is the counter tops. Did the sellers spend for a quality granite, quartz, or other hard surface, or was formica used?
3. The third item that might stick out is the cabinetry. Do the drawers have dovetail construction with hardwoods? Did they use "soft close" drawers? Are there pull outs for the pots and pans?
4. Flooring is an easy one also. Was laminate used, or is it engineered or hardwoods? Does the carpet convey a quality feel and plushness? Is there a nice thick pad underneath the carpet?
5. Though there are many other items to look at, cheap vs quality lighting and plumbing fixtures are probably the next major focus.

There is nothing wrong with with using lower cost materials, especially when trying to keep a project within budget, especially when trying to build more house for less money. Just be aware that most buyers looking to spend in excess of $300k for off lake homes and $500+ for East Lake chain homes, and $1M+ for West and Big Spirit will expect the very best materials and finishes.

Arrowood Resort

Arrowood Resort in Okoboji

Arrowood is a year-round conference center and hotel with over 100 guest rooms, whirlpool suites and a "Great Room" for hosting group events and hospitality suites. Formerly known as Village East, the resort offers an outdoor pool, deck, playground, volleyball and croquet courts and a heated indoor pool area. Hotel goers can also enjoy an on-site salon, Minervas Bar and Eatery and lit parking. Located on Brooks National Golf Course, Arrowwood Resort offers some of the finest lodging around. Years ago, Brooks Golf Course clubhouse was actually housed on the rear side of Arrowood, but since then, the course has been converted to 27 holes with a a new separate clubhouse. Also, the Racquet Club was a part of the facility, offering workout facilities, racquet ball, and tennis. However, with the addition of the YMCA, the racquet club was unsustainable and converted into retail.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Okoboji

The Three Sons

The Three Sons in Milford

Founded in 1960, the Three Sons has been a staple of Milford, IA retail. From Herman and Emil Richter, owners, was born the University of Okoboji, a ficticious university that calls the entire Iowa Great Lakes the campus of the U of O. Part of the experience of shopping the three sons, if walking the old battered floors, and taking a trip upstairs for half price, plus a buck. Brands you would expect in Milford Iowa are abundant, such as Patagonia, Oakley, Under Armour, Tommy Bahama, and more. There are currently 2 other stores; one at the amusement park, and another near the Regal Beagle called the bridge store. No self-respecting visitor to Okoboji leaves without visiting one of their stores.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Milford

Miller's Bay

Miller's Bay in West Lake Okoboji

Miller's Bay, on the west side of West Lake is a popular spot for boaters in the summer to just go chill out, throw an anchor, and relax. On the weekends, this bay is filled with boats tied up to each other offering families the opportunity to have the kids swim, or you might find a bunch of party animals chugging beers and enjoying the summer sun. Either way, everyone is having a great time, and so if you are out and about, just know that Millers Bay is where boaters go in the summer to be where the party is at.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

Other Team Members

Leah Hilpipre Huse - Broker Associate, RENE, ABR, SRS 4
Leah Hilpipre Huse

Broker Associate, RENE, ABR, SRS

 712.832.0051

 leah@bojihomes.com

 B63745000

Licensed in Iowa.

Will Kretsinger - REALTOR 7
Will Kretsinger

REALTOR

 712.301.4040

 will@bojihomes.com

 S60894000

Licensed in Iowa.

Write a Review on Zillow | See All Reviews on Zillow

Reviews On Zillow

(231 reviews on Zillow)
231 Recent Sales on Zillow

Aaron and his team were great to work with and made the entire process seamless from start to finish. We were originally intending to sell the property on our own but Aaron found a buyer for us in the process and made the whole experience both easier and smoother than had we continued trying to sell entirely on our own. It was definitely worth having Aaron as part of the team for getting this done.

paulk02
11 Mar, 2024

Aaron was a pleasure to work with on the sale of our Okoboji cabin. We will 100% be working with him again in the future when we look for another vacation home in the area.

David Buck
08 May, 2024

I wanted to share my excellent experience in selling my house through Aaron Jones and the RE/MAX team. Aaron Jones did an excellent job of marketing my home and answering any questions I had. Once a purchase agreement was signed, RE/MAX also let me use their enclosed trailer for moving purposes. Beth Toliver also was great at keeping me informed during the closing process. I would definitely recommend Aaron Jones and the RE/MAX team when you are buying or selling a property.

Bojigolf4
12 Sep, 2024

Working with Aaron was easy and enjoyable. He was very helpful in the process and knowledgeable. Always willing to answer a question and set up tours. Aaron is a really nice guy and provided many tips and pointers regarding purchasing and owning the property that were beneficial.

canistotahawks
12 Aug, 2024

When we started looking for a location to start our business, Aaron was very helpful and easy to work with. His schedule was flexible to meet our needs. The entire process was simple and he took care of us all the way through the purchase and even after when we ran into a couple issues with the A/C and garage doors. We would definitely work with Aaron again in the future!

thelakesglass
21 Aug, 2024

Aaron did an amazing job selling the property! He has a great staff and a large network that can put buyers and sellers together! Thanks buddy Awesome job!

aloewe0
18 Jul, 2024

Aaron was right there every step of the way to guide us throw the process, and responsive to our endless questions. Purchasing this property from another state provided a different set of challenges for us as buyers. IE. Knowing the ins and outs of Iowa Real Estate, Area Utilities, and a remote final walk thru. Aaron was right there every step of the way. Thanks Aaron!

matthewlsmith4
21 Jun, 2024

Aaron Jones did a fantastic job for us from start to finish. He was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire process. He helped us sell two properties and purchase a third all essentially within one weekend. This shows how well-connected and knowledgable he is in the lakes area. We highly recommend him for your home buying or selling needs.

BradShidler
13 Aug, 2024

Aaron is the local area expert of real estate! Aaron is exceptional to work with. He makes buying a house at Okoboji Fun! This is the 2nd property that Aaron has helped us buy and he makes it so easy! Would highly recommend Aaron Jones from Remax Realty !

lducommun
08 May, 2024

Aaron has a great approach and blended patience with persistence to deliver for us as his client! He spent the necessary time to get to know what was important to us and then showed us several properties to confirm what we described and pointed out the trade-off's of different attributes. We would definitely use his expertise again.

lisaschreck22
17 Sep, 2024