The January 2026 Des Moines real estate market update shows signs of normalization — not contraction.
After a full year of shifting conditions in 2025, we’re seeing a market that is stabilizing, with steady pricing, improving rates, and slightly higher inventory levels.
Here’s what the data shows.
2025 Des Moines Real Estate Market Overview
Before diving into January’s numbers, it’s important to understand how 2025 closed across the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS.
- Total Homes Sold: 13,691
- Median Sale Price: $285,000
- Active Inventory (Year-End Snapshot): 4,078
- Months of Inventory (Late 2025): 6.9
- 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (Late 2025): ~6.18%
What 2025 Told Us
Inventory gradually increased throughout the year, giving buyers more options compared to the ultra-competitive years prior.
Despite that growth in supply, pricing remained steady. The median sale price held at $285,000, reinforcing that the market adjusted — but did not decline.
The shift was from extremely competitive to more balanced conditions.
January 2026 vs. January 2025: Year-Over-Year Comparison
Now let’s compare the same time period year-over-year.
Median Sale Price
- January 2025: $283,000
- January 2026: $295,000
- +4.2% year-over-year
Home values continue to rise.
Active Inventory
- January 2025: 3,498 homes
- January 2026: 3,882 homes
- +11% year-over-year
There are more homes available compared to last year, creating slightly more competition for sellers — but still healthy overall levels.
Closed Sales
- January 2025: 92
- January 2026: 114
- +23% year-over-year
Despite higher inventory, more homes closed this January than last year — a strong signal of continued buyer demand.
Months of Inventory
- January 2025: 3.8 months
- January 2026: 4.2 months
The Des Moines market remains seller-leaning, though trending toward balanced conditions.
Mortgage Rates
- January 2025: ~6.95%
- January 2026: ~6.10%
Improved mortgage rates compared to early 2025 have helped sustain buyer activity and pricing stability.
What This Means for Sellers in Des Moines
The headlines matter:
- Prices are up year-over-year
- Inventory is higher
- Buyers have more options
- Homes are still selling
This is not a declining market. It is a normalizing one.
In a market like this, strategy matters.
Proper pricing, preparation, and positioning are what separate homes that sit from homes that sell.
If you’re preparing to list this year, review our complete Home Selling Process in Des Moines to understand how timing and strategy work together.
What This Means for Buyers
Buyers today have:
- Slightly more inventory to choose from
- Improved rates compared to early 2025
- More negotiation flexibility than in 2021–2022
Opportunity still exists — particularly for well-qualified buyers.
Thinking About Selling in 2026?
Before making a move, start with clarity.
Request your personalized home value and strategy consultation to review:
- Recent comparable sales
- Current competition
- Neighborhood demand
- Strategic timing considerations
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As we move into 2026, the Des Moines real estate market is showing signs of normalization — not contraction.
Below is a clear breakdown of where we stand after a full 2025 year and how January 2026 compares to the same time last year.
2025 Des Moines Real Estate Market Overview
Before looking at January specifically, here’s how 2025 closed out across the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® MLS:
- Total Homes Sold: 13,691
- Median Sale Price: $285,000
- Active Inventory (Year-End Snapshot): 4,078
- Months of Inventory (Late 2025 Snapshot): 6.9
- 30-Year Fixed Rate (Late 2025): ~6.18%
What this tells us:
Inventory gradually built through 2025, giving buyers more options compared to the ultra-tight years prior. Despite that increase in supply, pricing remained steady, with a median sale price of $285,000.
The market shifted from extremely competitive toward more balanced — but it did not decline.
January 2026 vs January 2025: Year-Over-Year Comparison
Looking specifically at the January-to-January comparison:
Median Sale Price
- January 2025: $283,000
- January 2026: $295,000
- Change: +4.2%
Home values are still rising year-over-year.
Active Inventory
- January 2025: 3,498 homes
- January 2026: 3,882 homes
- Change: +11%
There are more homes on the market than a year ago. That means increased competition for sellers — but still healthy levels overall.
Closed Sales
- January 2025: 92
- January 2026: 114
- Change: +23%
Despite higher inventory, more homes closed this January than last year.
Months of Inventory
- January 2025: 3.8 months
- January 2026: 4.2 months
The market remains seller-leaning but is trending closer to balanced conditions.
Mortgage Rates
- January 2025: ~6.95%
- January 2026: ~6.10%
Lower rates compared to early 2025 likely helped support buyer activity and pricing stability.
What This Means for Sellers in Des Moines
The headlines matter:
- Prices are up year-over-year.
- Inventory is higher, meaning pricing strategy matters more.
- Buyers have more options than last year.
- Homes are still selling — and at strong values.
This is not a declining market.
It is a normalizing one.
Sellers who prepare properly and price strategically are still achieving strong results.
If you’re unsure where your home fits in this shifting environment, reviewing the full home selling process in Des Moines before listing can help you understand how pricing, preparation, and timing work together.
What This Means for Buyers
Buyers now have:
- Slightly more inventory
- More negotiation room than 2021–2022
- Improved mortgage rates compared to early 2025
That creates opportunity — particularly for well-qualified buyers.
Thinking About Selling in 2026?
Before making a move, start with clarity.
Request your personalized home value and pricing strategy consultation to review:
- Comparable sales
- Current competition
- Neighborhood demand
- Strategic timing considerations
Data sourced from the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®
Thinking About Selling in Des Moines?
Start with a clear pricing strategy and a personalized home value analysis.