Sell My Vacation Home Fast in Des Moines, IA
Vacation and second homes in Des Moines depend on a seasonal buyer market that can leave your property listed for months. EasyOffer buys vacation homes directly for cash — any time of year, any condition. Skip the seasonal waiting game and get a fair, no-obligation offer within 24 hours.
Get Your Cash Offer
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. recent transactions show 141 homes sold at $186/sqft (Redfin). property taxes average $3,496/year. the average commute is 20 minutes.
Vacation home sales in Des Moines are driven by seasonal demand, and second-home mortgage requirements have tightened significantly. Higher down payment requirements, second-home surcharges, and interest rate sensitivity mean fewer qualified buyers. Selling for cash eliminates buyer financing risk and lets you close on your terms regardless of market seasonality.
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
Selling your vacation home in Des Moines is straightforward with EasyOffer. Here is how it works:
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 my vacation home outside of peak season?
Yes. Vacation home demand from traditional buyers is heavily seasonal, but our cash offer process works year-round. You do not need to wait for peak season to get a fair price.
What if my vacation home is part of a short-term rental program?
We buy vacation homes in Des Moines with or without active short-term rental commitments. Existing Airbnb, VRBO, or rental management agreements can transfer or terminate at closing — either way works.
Do I need to furnish or stage my vacation home before selling?
No staging or furnishing is needed. We buy vacation homes as-is. If the property includes furnishings you want to include in the sale, we can factor that in. Otherwise, take what you want.
What about the capital gains tax implications of selling a second home?
Second homes do not qualify for the primary residence capital gains exclusion. We recommend consulting your tax advisor on the implications. However, a faster sale can help you plan your tax strategy with more certainty.
Can I sell my vacation home if I am behind on property taxes or HOA dues?
Yes. Outstanding property taxes, HOA dues, or other liens can be resolved at closing from the sale proceeds. These issues do not prevent you from receiving or accepting a cash offer.
How fast can I sell a vacation home that is hours from where I live?
Distance is one of the biggest reasons vacation home owners choose EasyOffer. We handle everything remotely — from evaluation to closing. You can sell your Des Moines property without making multiple trips.
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.”
Job Relocation