Des Moines Real Estate Market 2026: Local Forecast & Who It Favors Most

If you’ve been paying attention to housing headlines lately, you’ve probably seen plenty of predictions about what 2026 will bring.

Lower mortgage rates.
A calmer market.
Better affordability.

Those forecasts — from places like Redfin and Realtor.com — aren’t wrong.

But they are national.

And Des Moines doesn’t move on national averages.

It moves on local jobs, local inventory, and local confidence. That’s why applying national predictions without local context is one of the biggest mistakes buyers and sellers will make heading into 2026.

Here’s what the Des Moines real estate market actually looks like — and who stands to benefit most.

What the 2026 Housing Forecasts Say Nationally

Nationally, the 2026 outlook is fairly consistent:

• Mortgage rates are expected to ease compared to recent years

• Affordability should slowly improve

• Housing markets are expected to rebalance after years of extremes

That’s useful context. But averages across the country include coastal markets, high-cost metros, and investor-heavy regions that behave very differently than Central Iowa.

To understand 2026 in Des Moines, we need to translate those trends locally.

Mortgage Rates in Des Moines: Why Local Buyers Feel the Shift First

National forecasts often talk about rates settling in the low sixes in 2026.

Here’s what makes Des Moines different.

In Q4 of 2025, local lenders were already quoting mortgage rates under 6% — something many national headlines hadn’t caught up to yet.

That matters because Des Moines buyers are payment-driven, not speculation-driven. Even small improvements in rates make a noticeable difference in monthly payments at our price points.

When rates ease nationally, Des Moines often feels the impact earlier — and more clearly — than larger, more expensive markets.

That’s why buyer confidence tends to return faster here.

Des Moines Housing Inventory Hit a 12-Year High — Here’s Why That Matters for 2026

One of the most important signals heading into 2026 happened quietly.

In Q4 of 2025, Des Moines' inventory reached a 12-year high.

Inventory doesn’t reset on January 1st. What builds late in the year sets the tone for the months that follow.

That tells us something important:

• We are not heading back into an extreme shortage market

• Buyers will have more options than they’ve had in years

• Sellers will need a strategy, not wishful pricing

This isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of balance — and balanced markets reward preparation.

Home Price Outlook for Des Moines in 2026: Stability, Not a Crash

Some people hear “slower price growth” and immediately think “trouble.”

In Des Moines, slower growth is actually healthy.

Our market hasn’t experienced massive price spikes over the past few years, so we don’t need dramatic corrections. Instead, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of steady, predictable appreciation.

That’s good for homeowners building equity.
And it’s good for buyers who don’t want to feel priced out overnight.

Stability creates confidence — and confidence drives activity.

Who the 2026 Des Moines Housing Market Favors Most

Not everyone benefits equally in a balanced market. Here’s who 2026 favors most in Des Moines.

1. Prepared Buyers

Buyers who are pre-approved, payment-comfortable, and clear on what they need — not buyers waiting for “perfect” conditions.

More inventory gives prepared buyers leverage, options, and negotiating power.

2. Sellers Who Price Correctly from Day One

With higher inventory, the market rewards realistic pricing and good preparation. Homes still sell — but strategy matters.

The days of overpricing and hoping are gone.

3. Move-Up Buyers Who Plan the Order

Move-up buyers benefit from steadier prices and more inventory — but only if they plan the sell-and-buy process correctly.

Timing and coordination matter more than ever.

4. Long-Term Thinkers

Des Moines has always been a long-term market. People making decisions based on stability, not fear or hype, tend to do best here.

2026 rewards clarity over urgency.

The Real Takeaway for 2026

National forecasts provide a starting point — not a strategy.

The biggest mistake buyers and sellers will make in 2026 is waiting for headlines to give them permission to act, instead of understanding what’s happening locally.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or planning a move in Des Moines in 2026, the smartest step isn’t guessing.

It’s getting local context.

Thinking About Your Next Move?

If you want to talk through how these 2026 trends apply to your specific situation — whether you’re buying, selling, or moving up — I’m happy to help.

Because in Des Moines real estate, local insight beats national predictions every time.