Des Moines Housing Market Continues Summer Momentum with Added Inventory

August 10, 2026

The Des Moines metro housing market continued to offer buyers more options in July, with inventory, while homes moved more quickly, according to the latest housing statistics from the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®.

“July’s numbers show a market that continues to provide opportunity for both buyers and sellers,” said Scott Steelman, president of the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®. “Inventory is up from this time last year. While sales activity naturally fluctuates from month to month, the year-over-year numbers point to steady demand and a healthy summer market across the metro.”

Active listings continued steady upward momentum as the summer progressed. The 4,486 active listings of July represented a 6.5% increase from the 4,213 active listings of one year ago, and a 5.2% increase over the 4,263 active listings of one month ago. 

Closed sales proved a mixed bag in July with 1,366 closed sales, an increase of 7.8% compared to the 1,267 closed sales of July 2025. Conversely, closed sales decreased 18.2% from a high 1,670 closed sales of June. 

Pending sales mirrored closed sales: the 1,259 pending transactions of July represented a 1.2% increase from the 1,244 pending sales of one year ago, while month-over-month the metric dropped 10.2% from 1,402 pending sales of June. 

Median sales price came to $320,000, a 6.7% increase from the $300,000 median sales price of July 2025, and a 0.3% increase from the $319,000 median sales price of last month. 

The 49 days on market in July represented a 2% decrease from the 50 days on market last year, and a 15.5% decrease from the 58 days on market recorded in June. 

Conventional financing accounted for 976 transactions, or 71.4% of all sales in July. Homebuyers paid cash for 214 transactions, or 15.7% of sales, while FHA loans were used in 87 transactions, or 6.4% of sales.