If you've outgrown your home in Johnston, Urbandale, or Clive, you may be planning to list in the spring. That's the default most sellers reach for. But the market isn't waiting for spring.
In a story out today, Scott Steelman, president of the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors, said many renters may buy a home before the end of the year, or right at it. In other words, buyers are shopping right now, and the market keeps moving through the holidays.
So should you list now or wait? Let's run the numbers first.
The numbers: buyers didn't slow down this fall
September was a strong month across the Des Moines metro, even with more homes for sale than last year. Here's what the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors reported, per NewsRadio 1040 WHO:
Des Moines metro | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Active listings | 5,028 | — | +14.2% |
Closed sales | 1,207 | 1,152 | +4.8% |
Median sales price | $310,000 | $305,000 | +1.6% |
Average days on market | 61 | 51 | +19.4% |
More listings and more sales at the same time. That tells you buyers are still out there. It also tells you homes are taking longer to sell, which matters if you're planning two moves at once.
These are metro-wide figures. Your suburb and price point can run differently, which is why I look at your specific neighborhood before giving you a timeline.
Why renters matter to a move-up seller
The buyer for the home you've outgrown may be renting right now. Steelman said a high share of people in the metro are renting and may consider buying before or at the end of the year.
If you're moving up, your current home is usually the starter or mid-size home in its neighborhood. That's often exactly what a first-time buyer wants. A renter with a lease ending in December or January doesn't care that it's "off-season." They care that the right home is on the market when they're ready.
If your home isn't listed, they'll buy someone else's.
The real question: is your home ready?
The season matters less than your home's condition and your plan for the next one. Here's how I'd think about it:
Your situation | What I'd do | Why |
|---|---|---|
Home is ready: repairs done, decluttered, you know your next step | List this fall | Spring typically brings more sellers. Listing now means fewer homes competing with yours. |
Home needs work: repairs, updates, a lot of packing | Use the winter to prepare, then list | A home that shows well sells faster. Rushing an unready home to market costs more than waiting. |
Not sure what your home is worth | Get a valuation first | Your current home funds the next one. Every other decision starts with that number. |
Either way, list with a plan, not a guess.
Plan for 61 days, not a weekend
Homes in the metro averaged 61 days on market in September, up from 51 a year ago. When you're selling one home and buying another, those extra days change your plan.
A few ways move-up sellers handle the timing:
- Sell first: You know your number before you shop. You may need a longer closing or a short-term rental between homes.
- Buy first: You move once, on your schedule. Your offer may include a contingency on selling your current home, which some sellers accept and some don't.
- Same-day closings: Sell in the morning, buy in the afternoon. Two closings, one moving truck. It takes careful coordination, but it's the cleanest move when the timing lines up.
Which one fits depends on your equity, your budget, and how much flexibility you have. Talk with your lender about your financing options before you choose. I'll help you map the timeline around whatever they tell you.
Start with what your home is worth today
I grew up in Urbandale and live in Johnston. I work with homeowners across Johnston, Urbandale, Ankeny, Grimes, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Clive who are moving from the home they've outgrown to the one they'll stay in.
Curious what your home would sell for right now? Start at peterjonesrealty.com/home-valuation. Then we'll sit down, run the numbers, and decide together whether this fall or next spring makes more sense for you. No pressure either way.
