Think You're Ready to Move Up? Watch This First.

You've been sitting on it for a while now. The kids are sharing a room. The home office is the kitchen table. You're circling listings in Johnston and Ankeny on weekends, running mental math in your head, wondering if the timing actually works. You're not alone — and you're probably closer than you

Can You Afford to Move Up? The Real Equity Formula for Des Moines Families (2026)

If you bought a starter home in West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, or Ankeny 7-10 years ago for around $250,000, you've probably been casually browsing Zillow wondering: "Can we actually afford to move up?" I help families make this exact transition every month in the Des Moines northwest suburbs, a

Des Moines Housing Market 2026: What Move-Up Buyers Need to Know

If you’re thinking about upgrading to your next home in Des Moines, 2026 presents a rare and often misunderstood opportunity. Most move-up buyers I talk to are wrestling with the same question: “Should we sell now… or wait?” That hesitation makes sense. After years of dramatic headlines — bidding wa

Why Community Involvement Matters to Me — Beyond Real Estate

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about the idea of community. Not just in the sense of neighborhoods, streets, and school districts—but in the broader way we show up for one another as neighbors, parents, volunteers, and citizens. Like many people, I’ve felt frustratio