Eastern Iowa's housing market is not behaving like the rest of the country's, and for many buyers, yes, now is the best time to build a house. The Cedar Rapids Metro and Cedar Valley remain a seller's market, and the honest answer still depends on your rate, your local options, and what happens to the home you're in today

Every so often, our team hits the road to see what other builders are doing. This September we headed west for the HBA of Greater Des Moines 2026 HomeShowExpo to tour new homes, trade ideas, and see which trends homeowners are loving right now.

A new home in the Cedar Rapids Metro or the Cedar Valley typically runs from the low $300s to the low $600s all in, land included. If you've typed how much does it cost to build a house into a search bar, that range is the real, local answer, not a national average with nothing to do with Iowa.

Most Skogman homes are complete in about 6 months. That's faster than the current national average of 9.1 months for a single-family home, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Construction, as reported by NAHB Eye on Housing. Here's what that timeline looks like, phase by phase, and what can move it.

As new home design trends continue to shift toward flexibility, today’s homebuyers are looking for spaces that can do more. Instead of single-purpose rooms, buyers want flexible floor plans, multipurpose rooms, smart storage, and modern home features that adapt to busy schedules, growing families, work-from-home needs, hobbies, and everyday life.

Marion, Iowa has become much more than a city near Cedar Rapids. Over the last decade, it has continued to grow into a destination of its own — with a thriving Uptown district, local events, parks, trails, new city improvements, expanding neighborhoods, and a business community that continues to gain momentum.

Today’s new homes are being designed with more than just the interior in mind. Outdoor spaces are becoming an important part of how homeowners relax, entertain, and enjoy their home every day.

For many homebuyers, deciding whether to build a home or buy an existing house is one of the biggest decisions in the home search process. In Iowa, more buyers are discovering the advantages of building a semi-custom home, where the home is designed and built specifically for them before construction begins.

A new neighborhood is taking shape in Marion. Boulder Ridge, Skogman Homes’ newest single-family community, offers a prime location, flexible homebuilding options, and convenient access to everything the Marion and Cedar Rapids area has to offer.

At Skogman Homes, “built locally” isn’t just a tagline — it’s part of who we are. From the products we source to the companies we partner with and the people who work on site, we intentionally choose local whenever possible. That approach builds stronger relationships, supports trusted workmanship, and results in homes crafted with care by people who take pride in what they do.

We work with 50+ local contractors, suppliers, and tradespeople to build homes that aren’t just well-constructed, but community-constructed. These long-standing partnerships support Eastern Iowa’s economy while bringing added craftsmanship, reliability, and attention to detail to every home we build.

Here’s a closer look at just a few of the local companies who help shape our homes — and strengthen the communities we serve.