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Living in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines offers one of the widest ranges of housing choices in Central Iowa, from historic neighborhoods and affordable starter homes to downtown condos, established residential areas, acreages near the metro, and higher-end properties.
Location can make a substantial difference in value even between nearby neighborhoods. Property condition, updates, school boundaries, lot characteristics, and comparable sales all play a role in determining whether a home is priced appropriately.
After more than 30 years in real estate appraisal, I help buyers look beyond photos and asking prices to evaluate the things that can affect both today's value and future resale potential.
Established Neighborhoods
Des Moines has a wide variety of established neighborhoods with different home styles, ages, lot sizes, and price ranges. Buyers should consider condition, major updates, location, and recent comparable sales—not simply price per square foot.
First-Time & Affordable Homes
Des Moines provides opportunities across a broad range of price points. I help buyers evaluate property condition, potential repair costs, and comparable sales before deciding what a home is worth and how to structure an offer.
Investment & Income Property
Duplexes, multi-family properties, and rental homes require a different level of analysis. Purchase price is only the beginning—rents, expenses, condition, location, and resale potential all matter.
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September 2026 Des Moines Market Update
The Des Moines housing market is shifting into a more balanced fall market. September homes sold for a median price of approximately $228,000, while the median time to sell increased to about 21 days.
Buyers are gaining some negotiating room. Homes closed at approximately 98.5% of their final list price and about 97.3% of their original asking price, making accurate pricing increasingly important for sellers.
Approximately 295 new listings entered the Des Moines market during September, while residential sales totaled roughly $37 million.
For buyers, a slower pace can provide more time to evaluate condition, comparable sales, and value before making an offer. For sellers, the numbers reinforce the importance of pricing correctly from day one rather than testing the market at an aggressive price.
Retired appraiser insight: Price alone doesn't determine value. Property condition, location, improvements, comparable sales, and neighborhood trends all matter when determining whether a Des Moines home is positioned correctly.
If numbers matter to you, whether you're buying or selling, I'm the kinda agent you need!
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- Median sale price: ~$228,000
- Median list price: ~$220,000
- List price per sq. ft.: ~$200
- Median days to sell: ~21 days
- Median CDOM: ~26 days
- Close-to-list price: ~98.5%
- Close-to-original-list price: ~97.3%
- New listings: ~295
- September sales volume: ~$37 million
- Active listing volume: ~$217 million