How to Sell FSBO in Des Moines, Iowa (2026)
Des Moines is the insurance capital of America — home to Principal Financial Group, Nationwide Insurance, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and dozens of other insurance companies that employ a combined 50,000+ professionals in the metro. The city's economy also includes Wells Fargo (major Des Moines presence), Pioneer (DuPont) agricultural sciences, Iowa State University (30 miles west in Ames), and a growing tech sector within the financial services ecosystem. Des Moines is reliably among the US's most affordable metros with strong median incomes from the insurance industry.
Median Polk County home prices run $240,000–$290,000. On a $265,000 Des Moines home, 3% is $7,950. Iowa Association of REALTORS® MLS (IMLS) flat fee listing runs $149–$399.
Des Moines Market Context (2026)
Des Moines's market is driven by stable, recession-resistant insurance industry employment. Insurance companies don't lay off engineers and actuaries in recessions the way manufacturing firms do — the employment base provides consistent housing demand. The city's affordability relative to its income levels (relatively high for a mid-sized Midwest city) creates a strong move-up buyer market.
Key submarkets: West Des Moines (premium suburb, large insurance company campuses); Clive (premium inner suburb, West Des Moines adjacent); Johnston (north suburb, strong schools); Ankeny (fastest-growing suburb, north of Des Moines, Costco distribution and tech employers); Urbandale (established middle-class northwest suburb); Pleasant Hill and Altoona (eastern working-class suburbs); Waukee (southwest fastest-growing metro area, excellent new schools).
IMLS (Iowa Association of REALTORS® MLS) covers Polk, Dallas, Warren, and surrounding counties. Most flat fee services for Des Moines list on IMLS.
Iowa Seller Disclosure Requirements
Iowa Code §558A requires the Disclosure Statement for Iowa Residential Property. Sellers provide it before entering into contract; buyers have 5 days after receipt to rescind. Iowa's form covers standard residential disclosure categories.
Key Des Moines/Polk County items:
Radon — Iowa's Most Universal Disclosure Issue
Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the US. The state's glacial soils over uranium-bearing geology produce radon throughout much of Iowa. Polk County is in Iowa's elevated radon zone.
Iowa Department of Public Health data suggests that approximately 71% of Iowa homes have radon levels above 2 pCi/L and 35-40% above 4 pCi/L (the EPA action level). Iowa buyers are familiar with radon and will likely request testing.
Disclose any radon testing results. If you have a mitigation system, disclose it and have documentation. If untested, expect buyers to include a radon contingency in their offer.
1993 and 2008 Iowa Floods
The 1993 Iowa Floods devastated large portions of Iowa, including some Des Moines neighborhoods. The 2008 floods hit Iowa City and Cedar Rapids harder than Des Moines but caused some damage in the metro.
If your property was affected by either event, disclose it. FEMA disaster records are public — buyers and attorneys can search them.
Net Proceeds on a $265,000 Des Moines FSBO Sale
- Flat fee MLS: $149–$399
- Iowa transfer tax ($1.60/$1,000 state): $424
- Title insurance: $700–$1,200
- Buyer's agent commission (2.5–3%): $6,625–$7,950
- Savings vs. 3% listing ($7,950): approximately $6,500–$7,900