Sell a Condemned House in Des Moines, IA
A condemned property cannot be lived in, rented out, or sold through traditional channels. But it can still be sold to EasyOffer. We buy condemned houses in Des Moines as-is — no remediation, no demolition, no compliance work required on your part.
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Takes less than 30 seconds. No obligation.
Market Snapshot: Des Moines, IA
Latest available data from public sources. Updated .
Median Home Value
$194,700
Census ACS 2024
Zillow Home Value Index
$203,014
+0.9% YoY
Zillow ZHVI
Median Sale Price
$200,000
Redfin
Days on Market
61 days
Redfin
Population
214,133
-0.3% since 2020
U.S. Census
Median Household Income
$65,932
Census ACS 2024
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.9%
Redfin
Active Inventory
543 homes
Redfin
Owner-Occupied
60.5%
Census ACS 2024
Price per Sq Ft
$186/sqft
Redfin
Recent Sales
141 homes
Redfin
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
BLS
Property Tax
$3,496/yr
Census ACS 2024
Median Age
34.6 years
Census ACS 2024
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Census ACS 2024
Avg. Commute
20 min
Census ACS 2024
| Metric | Value | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $194,700 | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Zillow Home Value Index | $203,014 | +0.9% YoY | Zillow ZHVI |
| Median Sale Price | $200,000 | — | Redfin |
| Days on Market | 61 days | — | Redfin |
| Population | 214,133 | -0.3% since 2020 | U.S. Census |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 96.9% | — | Redfin |
| Active Inventory | 543 homes | — | Redfin |
| Owner-Occupied | 60.5% | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Price per Sq Ft | $186/sqft | — | Redfin |
| Recent Sales | 141 homes | — | Redfin |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | — | BLS |
| Property Tax | $3,496/yr | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Median Age | 34.6 years | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | — | Census ACS 2024 |
| Avg. Commute | 20 min | — | Census ACS 2024 |
Why Homeowners in Des Moines Choose EasyOffer
Des Moines's median home value is $203,014 (Zillow, 2026), up 0.9% year-over-year. With 214,133 residents declining 0.3% since 2020. homes here sell in a median of 61 days with a 96.9% sale-to-list ratio. Des Moines has unemployment at 5.6% (BLS), a poverty rate of 15.0%, median property taxes of $3,496/year (Census ACS). the median resident age is 34.6 years.
Condemned properties in Des Moines are costly liabilities. You still owe property taxes, you face potential fines for non-compliance, and the municipality may eventually demolish the structure and bill you for it. No traditional buyer can finance a condemned property, and most investors will not touch them. EasyOffer specializes in these situations and pays cash.
Des Moines consistently ranks as one of the most affordable major metros in the U.S. with a median home sale price around $174K and average price per square foot of $170. The city's stable insurance and financial services economy provides a reliable foundation for consistent, if modest, real estate appreciation.
We also serve property owners in nearby Pleasant Hill, West Des Moines, Urbandale, and throughout Iowa.
Serving Des Moines and Surrounding Areas
Neighborhoods We Serve
East Village
A vibrant historic district east of the State Capitol featuring boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and cafes in beautifully restored buildings, serving as the creative and cultural heart of downtown.
Sherman Hill
The oldest neighborhood in Des Moines with Victorian-era homes, walkable access to downtown shops and restaurants, and an intimate community feel that has made it a favorite for urban professionals.
Waterbury
Celebrated as one of Des Moines' most desirable neighborhoods with a median home value around $470K, featuring stately homes, manicured lots, and a quiet suburban atmosphere within city limits.
Notable Landmarks
Iowa State Capitol · Pappajohn Sculpture Park (Western Gateway) · Des Moines Art Center · Principal Park (minor league baseball)
Major Employers
Principal Financial Group (headquarters) · Meredith Corporation / Dotdash Meredith · Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (headquarters) · EMC Insurance Companies
Top Schools
Natural Hazard Awareness
Des Moines faces significant flooding risk along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, as demonstrated by the catastrophic 1993 Great Flood that cut off water to 250,000 residents for two weeks, along with tornado and severe thunderstorm risk during spring and summer months.
How It Works
Here is how owners of condemned properties in Des Moines sell to EasyOffer:
Tell Us About Your Property
Enter your address and contact info. Takes 30 seconds.
Get Your Cash Offer
We analyze your Des Moines property and send a fair, no-obligation offer.
Close and Get Paid
Pick your closing date. We handle paperwork and pay all closing costs.
Tell Us About Your Property
Enter your address and contact info. Takes 30 seconds.
Get Your Cash Offer
We analyze your Des Moines property and send a fair, no-obligation offer.
Close and Get Paid
Pick your closing date. We handle paperwork and pay all closing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a condemned house in IA?
Yes. A condemned designation means the property cannot be occupied, but it can still be sold. The condemnation transfers to the new owner, who then decides whether to rehabilitate or demolish.
What makes a house condemned in Des Moines?
Properties are condemned when they violate building codes to the point of being unsafe for occupancy. Common reasons include structural failure, fire damage, extensive water damage, mold, or lack of essential utilities.
Do I still have to pay taxes on a condemned property?
Yes. Property taxes continue to accrue on condemned properties regardless of their condition or occupancy status. Selling eliminates this ongoing cost.
Will the city demolish my condemned house if I do not sell?
Many municipalities will eventually demolish condemned properties and charge the owner for demolition costs. Selling to EasyOffer removes that risk and liability from you entirely.
How do you value a condemned property in Des Moines?
Our offer is based primarily on the land value, location, and zoning in Des Moines. If the structure has rehabilitation potential, that factors in as well. You receive a transparent valuation breakdown.
Can I sell a condemned property if there are liens against it?
Yes. Liens including tax liens, code violation liens, and municipal liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing. The title company resolves all encumbrances.
What Our Sellers Say
“My mom passed and I inherited her place in Antioch. It needed a ton of work and I live out of state so I couldn't deal with contractors or showings. They came out, looked at it, and had a number for me the next day. We closed in 9 days. The whole thing was so much easier than I expected.”
Inherited Property
“Honestly I was skeptical at first because I'd heard horror stories about cash buyers lowballing people. But they explained exactly how they came up with the number and it was fair. We were behind on payments and they got everything done in a week. No last-minute changes, no surprises at closing.”
Avoided Foreclosure
“My husband got transferred to Dallas and we had about three weeks to figure out the house. A friend told us about EasyOffer. They gave us a cash offer that same afternoon and worked around our move date. We closed 11 days later without having to do a single showing or open house.”
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