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Meet Our Team

The Captivate Real Estate Team is a dynamic group of professionals committed to excellence in real estate. With a combined wealth of experience and deep connection to our community, we aim to be your trusted partners in every step of your real estate journey. Our team is not just about transactions; it's about building lasting relationships. 

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Jes Kettleson

Born and raised in Iowa, Jes has made the Cedar Valley her work, her life and her home.  Ranging from communities like Reinbeck all the way up to Charles City, her knowledge of areas and people are extensive.  Jes has over 20 years of experience in many facets of real estate including closings, title, lending, and real estate law, but her favorite is by far selling.  She has a passion for making clients into friends and also looking out for her people and their best interests.

 

Jes has so many favorite parts of real estate, but some of her favorites are working with first time home buyers, helping assist with tricky sales deals, and working through negotiations.  Keeping everyone informed and solving problems before they happen is her “real estate superpower” and she is always available to answer any questions no matter what the material (and some questions definitely get a little off the wall).

 

When Jes isn’t helping her clients, you can find her drinking coffee, doing yoga, working on the next big project, reading or being with her husband, Erik, and daughter, Aya.  Even though she has a super small family, she always treats her clients as if they were her family and she cannot wait to welcome you in. 

 

Working with Jes is like having a real estate advisor on your side every step of the way.  She wants you to learn and earn through real estate and she wants to learn from you.  Making houses into homes…that is her why.

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Courtney Rueber

As a northeast Iowa native, Courtney has intimate knowledge of the area and a strong desire to make her home, your home. Courtney moved to Cedar Falls back in 2015 to attend school at the University of Northern Iowa (Go Panthers!).  She became very fond of the area during that time and loved everything that the Cedar Valley had to offer so she decided to plant some roots. Working in real estate the past 3+ years has allowed her to see all the backend aspects and details of the real estate process from start to finish.  Coming from a long family line of contractors she has been to construction sites and on top of roofs since she could walk.  Finding a career path that aligned with houses and real estate just made sense.

 

There are multiple reasons why Courtney loves real estate. Her favorite has to be the fluidity of it. She loves the pace and the change. No client, no house, no market is ever the same. She loves that she can keep bettering and educating herself for her clients. You truly learn something new everyday in this profession and that is not an exaggeration. 

 

In all of her spare time, you can find Courtney planning her next new adventure, drinking chai tea at a local cafe, with her nose in a book, ordering Chinese takeout, taking her fur babies on a walk, or spending time with her fiancé, Dakota. Courtney is a big family girl and that is reflected within her profession as well. She wants everyone to be treated like family. Her business is built on communication, dedication, and transparency. The perfect recipe to obtain success for all of her clients!Courtney’s true passion is people. Selling beautiful houses is just a bonus. She loves helping her clients every step of the way with one of, if not the biggest investment of their life. Seeing a house become a home is a pretty indescribable feeling. Real estate is a way of life, more than just a career for her. She wants relationships to continue past closing day!

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Cara Shanks

Cara was born and raised in Waverly before deciding to attend college in Indiana. In addition to earning her degrees in public relations and leadership, she met an Indiana boy and married her husband, Jordan. After college, they lived in Indianapolis for another 5 years while Cara worked as the Senior Event Services Manager at the luxury hotel, Conrad Indianapolis. It was an adventuresome ride filled with stunning (and challenging) events, high profile guests, and many learning opportunities that developed Cara’s customer service skills, problem solving techniques and her ability to remain calm throughout various situations.

 

Having grown up watching her mom, Tammy McKenzie, develop her successful real estate career, it was a natural fit for Cara to hop into the field when her and Jordan moved back in 2015. With 30+ years of real estate experience under Tammy’s belt, Cara says she couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. She has loved learning from and working alongside her mom for the past several years and is excited to offer that experience and knowledge with her clients.  

 

One of Cara’s favorite parts of real estate is connecting with her clients to better understand their wants and needs and gain their trust. She is passionate about making sure they feel educated and empowered in the home buying/selling process, and that they have someone they can trust on their side to advocate for their best interests. Cara is very close with her family and she wants her clients to feel like they are treated as she would treat her family members.

 

When Cara isn’t helping her clients, she is doing mom-life with her three kids: Lennon, Bodi & Archer. If she finds a moment of spare time, she enjoys reading, drinking coffee, sitting on her front porch, going for a walk or spending time with her extended family. Cara loves being involved in the community that she calls home. She feels it was a great place to grow up and she knew she wanted to raise her family here as well. Cara looks forward to helping you with your real estate transaction and considers it an honor to be able to help you with this life transition. 

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Angie Brunssen

Angie was born and raised in the Great State of Iowa and is happy to call Northeastern Iowa home for the past 8 years,  She spent a few years in St. Louis,  Missouri where she worked as the Marketing Administrator for a cement company and cultivated her handmade business into one of the top shops on Etsy.  She also mentored and coached other creatives to find their niche and grow their own businesses.   

 

Fast forward to 2020, she was tired of working behind the computer screen and making only trips to the post office as her social life.  For years, Angie dreamed of getting her realtor license so she could use all of her talents...the love of people, the passion for creativity and all things in between - and the time was right and she went for it!  Her mentor encouraged her to take the realtor exam before she thought she was ready and she passed on the first time - she knew this career was  meant to be!  She loves helping her clients in all stages of their life - from first time home buyers to those ready to downsize and let someone else take care of the lawn and landscaping, she is passionate about helping her clients find the perfect 'nest.'  Her gift of gab and extensive knowledge of the market and the Cedar Valley makes her a valuable member of the team. 

 

You'll find Angie hanging out with her friends, her daughter, Jill, or her furbaby Rosie Lu (who thinks she is Facebook famous).  She's recently started working out at the W in Waverly, so be sure to say 'hi' if you see her!  She also makes quick trips to visit her retired parents who live full time in Florida and part time in Waverly.  She's always got her phone and/or her laptop with her, so always available. Angie loves her clients and treats them like family.  From Day 1, her clients know they are in the best hands.  She keeps her clients informed every step of the way, and makes it her goal to make the buying and selling process fun and memorable adventure.

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Jami James

Jami has always been an Iowa girl. She was born & raised in Reinbeck and went to College at the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with a degree in Marketing. Jami has an extensive background in sales and has always enjoyed building and maintaining relationships.

 

Jami and her husband, Mike, moved to Waverly 17+ years ago when they started James Custom Homes & Concrete, INC. Jami has over 15 years of contracting experience and over 3 years of real estate experience – these in combination have allowed her to have an intimate knowledge of the housing market. She prides herself on having a strong work ethic, a positive attitude and attention to detail.  Her goal is to make her clients feel comfortable and at ease with the process of buying or selling by providing clear communication and updates along the way.   She strives to ensure that the process is fun, easy and stress-free.  Her clients can count on her every step of the way.

 

When Jami is not helping her clients she enjoys coffee, traveling, walks and spending time with family & friends.  She has three amazing kids – Emma, Austin & Annalise and two fur babies – Gus & Nala.  All of which keep her busy and on her toes!

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7103 Chancellor Dr., Ste #100 Cedar Falls, IA 50613 
805 W Bremer Ave Waverly, IA 50677
Licensed Salesperson in the State of Iowa.
Each office is independently owned and operated.
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