Buy First or Sell First? The Des Moines Move-Up Buyer's Most Stressful Question — Answered

QUICK ANSWER Should I buy my next home or sell my current home first in Des Moines? Most Des Moines move-up buyers use a coordinated contingent strategy: list your current home first to get it under contract, then make a contingent offer on your next home with a shortened contingency window and comp

The Hidden Costs of Moving Up to a Bigger Home in Des Moines Nobody Tells You About

  QUICK ANSWER What are the hidden costs of moving up to a bigger home in Des Moines? Beyond the down payment and mortgage, Des Moines move-up buyers face transaction costs of $35,000–$43,000 on a typical combined sale and purchase, plus day-one costs at the new home of $15,000–$30,000 (window treat

Are We Overextending Ourselves Financially? How to Know If You Can Afford to Move Up in Des Moines

  QUICK ANSWER Can I afford to move up to a bigger home in Des Moines? Most dual-income families in Des Moines earning $150,000–$250,000 combined can comfortably afford the $475,000–$575,000 move-up market in Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale — especially after applying home equity toward the down pay

Will My Home Equity Be Enough to Move Up in Des Moines?

Why Move-Up Buyers in Des Moines Overestimate Their Equity Your Zillow estimate says your home is worth $340,000. You owe $195,000. You do the math: $145,000 in equity. That should be more than enough to move up to a 4-bedroom home in Johnston or Ankeny, right? This is the most common miscalculation