Cal Ernst
Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty
Agent spoken language: English
I work with all buyers and sellers to make their experience “special”! I’m dedicated to YOUR real estate needs, not mine!
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
When you’re making one of the largest investments of your life, you should know the professional background of your Real Estate Agent. I have been in sales all my life and started my career with IBM as an Account Representative. I was with IBM for 11 years and learned everything I know about sales and marketing from one of the greatest companies of our time. I always tell people that I got my MBA from IBM and ended my career there as a Systems and Financial Specialist.
The allure of finance was so strong that I became a Stock Broker and Financial Advisor. I started with a regional company in Cedar Rapids known then as Securities Corporation of Iowa(SCI). After nine years with SCI, I sought a more national company and joined Dain Bosworth. Through mergers and acquisitions, Dain finally became known as RBC Financial Company, a division of Royal Bank Canada. I worked as an Institutional Broker and my clients were bank trusts, insurance companies, money managers and mutual funds. You may have money invested with some of my former clients.
After 22 years in the financial industry, I retired to a life of leisure. Not really! All I’ve ever known is work, and real estate sales is something I’ve always wanted to do. Being able to blend my experience in finance with real estate, allows me to provide a unique perspective to your housing and mortgage needs. I LOVE what I’m doing.
EDUCATION
My educational background consists of the following institutions:
- Springville Community High School
- North Iowa Area Community College, AA
- University of Northern Iowa, BS
- University of Iowa, Graduate Studies
- IBM President’s Council
- RBC Chairman’s Council
- IBM Financial Analysis Certification
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
I grew up in Springville, Iowa, and played all sports, but still managed to graduate as a member of the National Honor Society. My dad drove a truck for Standard Oil, and I would ride with him as we delivered gas and diesel fuel to farmers in the area. I have two brothers and two sisters, and we all worked when we weren’t in school. The Cedar Rapids Gazette was delivered by an Ernst for 15 years in Springville. When I say that “all I know is work”, this is what my life consisted of growing up. I mowed 10 lawns a week when I was 12, baled hay on the farms when I turned 14 and worked at the Shell gas station from age 16 all through high school.
Our parents were strict and demanded a lot from us including working hard, getting good grades, and graduating from college. They couldn’t afford to pay for college, but we all found a way to get there and graduate. I played basketball and baseball and graduated from UNI in 1972.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
I am a member of several committees and was on the Board of Directors for the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors(CRAAR) from 2018-2020. I’ve volunteered and/or taught for several organizations including:
- Junior Achievement
- United Way
- Ex Club
- Rotary Club of America
- Elmcrest Country Club
- Zach Johnson Foundation – Kids on Course
PERSONAL INTERESTS
My personal interests have changed with time. After college, I played fast pitch softball all over the country for Rockwell Collins and the Iowans. Our teams won three state tournaments. We were fortunate to play in three National and two World tournaments and, I was lucky enough to be named to All American teams twice. I was inducted into the Iowa and Cedar Rapids Softball Halls of Fame in 1995.
My passions have now changed to golf and traveling, and I love both. When I’m not working, you’ll find me on the golf course. My traveling passion is historic Europe. I’ve traveled to London, Windsor, Paris, Versailles, Nice, Grasse, Cannes, Ventimiglia, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Venice, Rome, Florence, Sienna, Pompei, Pisa, and Naples. We just went to Australia in 2017. My daughter was working for a medical device company and lived and worked in Melbourne for three years. We traveled all over the southern peninsula and to Sydney. I have a few other places I would like to go, but finding a slow time in real estate is the challenge.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
I’ve done volunteer work for several community activities including:
- Zach Johnson Foundation, Kids on Course
- Junior Achievement
- Washington High School Activities
- Marion Girls Softball
- YMCA Girls Basketball
- Linn Mar AAU Basketball
- Cedar Rapids Panthers Basketball
- Coe College Softball
SPECIALTIES
I try not to close my eyes to any real estate opportunity. The homes that I’ve helped buyers and sellers with range from under $100,000 to over $1,000,000. I believe my background and experience allows me to connect with any buyer or seller.
CONTACT DETAILS
2200 1st Ave NE , Cedar Rapids - IA 52402
Testimonials
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David Zirbel
Jan 24, 2025
5
We found Cal through Zillow, and have had a great experience working with him. He reached out almost immediately after the request, and has been receptive to our wants and needs every step of the way in purchasing and selling. He has a wealth of knowledge on the market and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a realtor in the area.
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Sep 12, 2024
5
We are new to Cedar Rapids area and first-time home buyer. We happened to get connected with Cal and then he guided us through the process finding a perfect home. He understood our needs well and was available when we needed. With Cal's help we got an understanding of home market and able to make a good selection for our home. Cal was available for home visits and patient in answering questions. We looked at a number of different houses and Cal made those house visits seamless. I appreciate working with Cal and recommend using Cal's support in home buying. Thank you, Cal.
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Jul 07, 2021
5
I’ve worked with Cal on a few occasions and I am very grateful for all he’s done. He was patient with my wants and needs and never did I feel like he was only out to make a check. I definitely would recommend Cal for any realtor needs you may have
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Jul 07, 2021
5
Cal was absolutely wonderful to work with! He patiently explained the process to me as a first time home buyer and was always available for questions. I will definitely recommend Cal to anyone looking to buy or sell their home.
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Mar 26, 2022
5
We used Cal to help us buy our first home in 2016. When it was time to sell 5 years later, I didn't even need to consider or think about using a different agent. Cal is a professional and absolutely trustworthy. He is available any time and is responsive. He literally did everything, and all I needed to do was pack. Our house sold in 1 day.
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Jun 08, 2021
5
We sold our Bemidji MN fishing resort to move back home to Cedar Rapids, during the covid-19 peak period. There were many ups and downs with the sale of MN our resort...it took over a year. In Cedar Rapids, Cal stayed patient and kept providing the info we needed every step of the way. He was very professional. Very reliable. We ended up in a great house. It was a pleasure working with Cal. We highly recommend him.
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Jun 11, 2021
5
Cal was great to work with! He understood what I was looking for in a house and answered all of my questions. I felt like he was truly looking out for me during the whole process. He was very responsive when I had questions or concerns.
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Julie Jensen
Jun 09, 2025
5
Cal’s expertise in realty real shown through in his guidance and service in representing us for buying and selling! Cal was extremely reliable in responding to questions either in person or through email and phone. Cal did an excellent job of completing all necessary paperwork in a timely manner. We really appreciated the personalized care he provided throughout the entire processes. Cal is a realtor that can be trusted to be your best advocate with buying or selling homes.
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Jul 17, 2021
5
Cal was friendly, knowledgeable, and cared for needs in looking for a new place to live. If we had an interest in a condo we wanted to see, he got an appointment for us very quickly. I will definitely use Cal as our realtor in the future.
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Feb 16, 2024
5
Cal Ernst was our realtor for the sale of my parents' home in Marion Iowa. I am also a remodeling contractor from Wisconsin. I found Cal to be honest, diligent, and his knowledge of the local market was spot on. The house sold eventually for exactly what he told me it would sell for, even though I encouraged him to try for a higher price initially. I've bought and sold a number of properties, Cal is one of the best I have worked with.
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