The Des Moines-West Des Moines market right now
Sales figures: Redfin Data Center, market tracker (Redfin, a national real estate brokerage), Des Moines, IA metro area, May 2026, all residential property types. Typical value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research, August 2026, mid-tier homes, seasonally adjusted. These are area-wide figures, not a value for any one home.
With about 2.6 months of supply, this is a market that leans toward sellers by the usual rule of thumb, and homes sold for about 1.1% below their list price on average.
Show the numbers
| Month | Median sale price |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | $308,500 |
| Apr 2026 | $297,000 |
| Mar 2026 | $315,000 |
| Feb 2026 | $292,000 |
| Jan 2026 | $295,500 |
| Dec 2025 | $294,250 |
| Nov 2025 | $300,000 |
| Oct 2025 | $312,000 |
| Sep 2025 | $305,000 |
| Aug 2025 | $304,900 |
| Jul 2025 | $300,000 |
| Jun 2025 | $313,500 |
| May 2025 | $305,500 |
| Apr 2025 | $300,000 |
| Mar 2025 | $299,000 |
| Feb 2025 | $287,500 |
| Jan 2025 | $292,500 |
| Dec 2024 | $293,250 |
| Nov 2024 | $294,400 |
| Oct 2024 | $294,500 |
| Sep 2024 | $300,000 |
| Aug 2024 | $292,500 |
| Jul 2024 | $300,000 |
| Jun 2024 | $310,000 |
| May 2024 | $300,000 |
Source: Redfin Data Center, Des Moines, IA metro area. Monthly figures, not seasonally adjusted, so some ups and downs are just the time of year.
What the metro area covers
The Census Bureau counts about 753,913 people in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, across 6 counties. Property taxes, recording fees and some transfer taxes are set county by county, so check the county your home is in.
| County | Population (2024 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Polk County, IA | 516,185 |
| Dallas County, IA | 115,343 |
| Warren County, IA | 56,343 |
| Jasper County, IA | 38,107 |
| Madison County, IA | 17,161 |
| Guthrie County, IA | 10,774 |
Towns with the most ZIP codes in the area: Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Adel, Booneville, Bouton, Dallas Center, Dawson, De Soto, Dexter, Granger.
Population and counties: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2023 metro delineations.
Iowa rules that affect sellers
Transfer tax
Iowa charges a real estate transfer tax of 80 cents for each $500 of the sale price above the first $500 (about 0.16%). The seller customarily pays it.
Source: Iowa Code 428A.1 (rate); HomeLight Iowa transfer tax guide for customary payer (secondary)
Seller disclosure
Yes. Iowa Code chapter 558A requires the seller (or the seller's agent) to give the buyer a written disclosure statement, on the Iowa Real Estate Commission's form, before making or accepting a written offer. If it is delivered late, the buyer can withdraw within 3 days of personal delivery or 5 days of mail or electronic delivery.
Source: Iowa Code 558A.2
Who handles the closing
Iowa uses its own title system: an abstractor compiles the abstract of title and an Iowa-licensed attorney examines it and issues a title opinion. Closings are handled by attorneys or by certain other licensed real estate professionals approved as closers. An attorney is not legally required for the seller.
Source: Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority, Iowa Title Guaranty participating professionals
Also worth knowing
If the home has a septic system (a private sewage disposal system), Iowa requires it to be inspected by a DNR-certified inspector before the sale or deed transfer, and a substandard system requires repair.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Time of Transfer Inspection Law
Also worth knowing
A groundwater hazard statement must be filed with the deed. It lists any known wells, private burial sites, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, solid waste disposal sites and private sewage systems on the property.
Source: Iowa Code 558.69
Also worth knowing
The seller's disclosure statement must cover the property's condition, significant structural defects and the presence of lead water service lines.
Source: Iowa Code 558A.4
Checking an agent's license
Real estate agents in Iowa are licensed by the Iowa Real Estate Commission (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing). You can look up any agent before you work with them.
Iowa Real Estate Commission (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) license lookup
Rules checked 2026-09-30. They change, and local practice varies: confirm with your title company, closing attorney or agent before relying on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.