Des Moines Housing Market Remains Active as Winter Arrived
December 11, 2025
Though winter began to make its mark on the Des Moines housing market, shifting into a seasonally-typical position in November, inventory and pending sales remained a bright spot across the metro.
“As winter rears its head, many communities brace for a traditionally slower housing market, we’re not seeing that just yet in the metro,” Eric Webster, Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® president, said. “The energetic market we witnessed this fall, buoyed by decreases in interest rates and seasonably warm weather, continues to fuel our early winter market. Buyers and sellers remain active and ready to work with their REALTOR® of choice to find their next home.”
Pending sales, compared year-over-year, illustrated that activity, the month saw 951 pending sales, a 8.9% increase from the 873 pending sales of a year ago. The metric highlights optimism that while winter weather makes its presence known, buyers continue to seek out opportunities in the metro housing market.
Conversely, the figure represents a 17.2% drop from October’s 1,148 pending sales, illustrating just how robust the early fall market was in the metro.
Home sales themselves, however, dipped 3.7% to 973 closed sales in November, compared to the 1,010 sales last year. The month-over-month comparison recorded a 15.8% dip from the 1,155 homes sold in October.
Home inventory rose to 4,369 in November, a 15.9% increase compared to the 3,769 active listing at this time last year. When compared to October, inventory saw a slight decrease of 3.3% from the 4,519 listings recorded last month.
Days on market increased by 18.8%, jumping from 48 days in November 2024, to 57 days this year. Monthly, days on market dropped from 59 days.
Median home prices increased 7.6% to $312,000 compared to the $290,000 median home price of 2024. The median price did not change month-to-month, holding steady at $312,000.
Of the 973 total homes financed in November, 686 - or 70.5% - were financed conventionally. Cash financing accounted for 165 - or 17% - of homes financed. And finally, 71 FHA loans accounted for 7.3% of closed homes sales.
REALTORS® Give Back with $50,000 Donation
As food insecurity remains a significant challenge across Iowa, metro REALTORS® are stepping up to give back.
The Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS® recently donated $50,000 to the Food Bank of Iowa, strengthening its long-standing commitment to supporting Central Iowa communities. The Food Bank of Iowa continues to face elevated demand as more individuals and families rely on food assistance to meet basic needs.
This contribution will help the Food Bank of Iowa meet growing demand and ensure more families have access to nutritious meals. DMAAR leaders say the donation reflects both the association’s dedication to community well-being and the important connection between strong, supported neighborhoods and a healthy real estate market.
“REALTORS® are deeply connected to the neighborhoods where we live and work,” Webster said. “Strong communities start with meeting basic needs. When families are fed and supported, neighborhoods thrive, and that stability strengthens our schools, our workforce, and our real estate markets. We’re honored to support the Food Bank of Iowa in the vital work they do every day.”