Investor-friendly real estate agents in Des Moines, IA
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Get matched in Des MoinesVetted investor agents across the Des Moines metro
Des Moines is a steady market, not a boom market. The Des Moines-West Des Moines metro has grown about 25% since 2010, to roughly 759,000 people, and more Americans have moved in than out every year since then. Typical home values are about $294,000, flat for the past year after rising about 60% over the last decade, and typical rent is about $1,300 a month. That's a better rent-to-price ratio than most growing metros, but still not enough for a median-priced rental with a mortgage at today's rates to cash flow. Iowa law bars local rent control and lets landlords start nonpayment cases after a 3-day notice. The City of Des Moines requires a rental certificate and inspection before you rent. Our vetted agent partners cover Des Moines and Central Iowa, invest locally themselves, and work with buy-and-hold investors and first-time landlords.
Long-term rental purchases across Central Iowa, from partners who invest locally themselves and look at how each purchase changes your net worth, not just the monthly rent.
Help for investors buying their first rental property, from a licensed Iowa Realtor who does this regularly.
A partner with a property management background, who can help you plan how the rental will be run after closing.
What investors say about our Des Moines agents
“Darson seems to genuinely care about getting a good deal for his clients and represented my interests thoroughly.”
Is Des Moines worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 609,018 |
| 2011 | 618,750 |
| 2012 | 627,599 |
| 2013 | 639,026 |
| 2014 | 651,203 |
| 2015 | 661,440 |
| 2016 | 673,388 |
| 2017 | 684,183 |
| 2018 | 693,828 |
| 2019 | 703,282 |
| 2020 | 711,197 |
| 2021 | 720,947 |
| 2022 | 729,291 |
| 2023 | 739,208 |
| 2024 | 750,777 |
| 2025 | 758,539 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | +3,311 |
| 2012 | +2,714 |
| 2013 | +4,621 |
| 2014 | +5,455 |
| 2015 | +4,215 |
| 2016 | +5,628 |
| 2017 | +4,883 |
| 2018 | +4,772 |
| 2019 | +3,646 |
| 2020 | +2,892 |
| 2021 | +5,886 |
| 2022 | +3,511 |
| 2023 | +2,656 |
| 2024 | +4,241 |
| 2025 | +2,791 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 326,300 |
| 2011 | 330,200 |
| 2012 | 337,900 |
| 2013 | 346,500 |
| 2014 | 354,900 |
| 2015 | 360,700 |
| 2016 | 370,800 |
| 2017 | 376,700 |
| 2018 | 381,700 |
| 2019 | 385,800 |
| 2020 | 368,400 |
| 2021 | 381,600 |
| 2022 | 394,900 |
| 2023 | 407,900 |
| 2024 | 413,100 |
| 2025 | 410,700 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $948/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $964/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $985/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $1,005/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $1,027/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $1,055/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $1,112/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,178/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,215/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,237/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,256/mo |
| Aug 2026 | $1,297/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $147,742 |
| Dec 2011 | $143,919 |
| Dec 2012 | $149,009 |
| Dec 2013 | $157,523 |
| Dec 2014 | $164,010 |
| Dec 2015 | $176,296 |
| Dec 2016 | $187,776 |
| Dec 2017 | $198,003 |
| Dec 2018 | $207,348 |
| Dec 2019 | $215,788 |
| Dec 2020 | $228,383 |
| Dec 2021 | $251,087 |
| Dec 2022 | $271,425 |
| Dec 2023 | $280,120 |
| Dec 2024 | $289,504 |
| Dec 2025 | $294,661 |
| Aug 2026 | $294,192 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | 15.5× |
| Dec 2016 | 16.2× |
| Dec 2017 | 16.8× |
| Dec 2018 | 17.2× |
| Dec 2019 | 17.5× |
| Dec 2020 | 18.0× |
| Dec 2021 | 18.8× |
| Dec 2022 | 19.2× |
| Dec 2023 | 19.2× |
| Dec 2024 | 19.5× |
| Dec 2025 | 19.6× |
| Aug 2026 | 18.9× |
Data retrieved October 15, 2026. Figures cover the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Des Moines
Zillow Home Value Index, Des Moines-West Des Moines metro, Aug 2026 (+0.6% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Aug 2026 (+1.8% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values +0.6%, rents +1.8%.
Iowa landlord-tenant basics
Iowa's rules for most residential rentals are in the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Iowa Code chapter 562A. The points investors ask about most:
- No rent control: state law (Iowa Code § 364.3) bars cities from limiting the rent charged on private residential property. There's no statewide cap on increases either.
- Nonpayment (§ 562A.27): if rent is unpaid when due, give the tenant written notice of nonpayment and of your intent to end the lease. If they don't pay within 3 days, you can terminate and file for possession.
- Security deposit cap (§ 562A.12): no more than 2 months' rent.
- Deposit return (§ 562A.12): within 30 days after the tenancy ends and you receive the tenant's mailing address, return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reasons for keeping any of it. Miss that and you lose the right to withhold anything. Bad-faith withholding can cost you extra damages.
- Entry (§ 562A.19): give at least 24 hours' notice and enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable.
- Late fees are capped by statute (§ 562A.9), with daily and monthly limits that depend on the rent amount. Check the current limits before you set them in your lease.
- Des Moines rental certificate: the city won't let you rent out a home you don't live in without a rental certificate from its Neighborhood Inspections division, which comes with a city inspection. Apply before your first tenant moves in, and budget for repairs the inspection turns up.
Short-term rental rules in Des Moines
Iowa limits how far cities can regulate short-term rentals. Under Iowa Code § 414.1, a short-term rental is a home or unit rented for 30 days or less, and it's treated as a residential use for zoning.
- State preemption: a city can't adopt or enforce rules specific to short-term rentals, including conditional use permit requirements, and can't charge a short-term rental license or permit fee.
- Cities can still enforce rules on fire and building safety, sanitation, traffic, noise, property maintenance and nuisances, applied the same way as to similar properties, and can require an emergency contact.
- Des Moines has had its own short-term rental rules in its zoning code (Board of Adjustment approval, owner-occupancy and day limits). We couldn't confirm what the city still enforces under the state law. Ask the city before underwriting an STR.
- Taxes: Iowa's 5% state hotel and motel tax applies to stays of up to 90 days, plus any local hotel and motel tax (capped at 7%) on stays of 31 days or less. Airbnb, VRBO and other marketplaces collect and remit these on their bookings; on direct bookings you get a permit and remit them yourself.
- HOA rules, condo bylaws, deed restrictions and your lender can still prohibit short-term rentals. Check them before you buy.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Des Moines-West Des Moines metro; Iowa Code ch. 562A — Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law; Iowa Code § 562A.27 — Noncompliance with rental agreement (nonpayment); Iowa Code § 562A.12 — Rental deposits; Iowa Code § 562A.19 — Access; Iowa Code § 562A.9 — Terms and conditions of rental agreement (late fees); Iowa Acts 2000, ch. 1083 — City and county rent control prohibited; Iowa Code § 414.1 — City zoning; short-term rentals; City of Des Moines — Rental inspections; City of Des Moines Ordinance No. 15,844 — Short-term rental conditional use; Iowa Department of Revenue — Iowa hotel and motel tax; Iowa Department of Revenue — Lodging FAQ.
Before you make an offer on a rental property, you need more than a gut feeling. Here is the step-by-step framework serious investors use to stress-test a deal on paper first.
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Questions investors ask about Des Moines
Which areas do your Des Moines agents cover?
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Our vetted agent partners cover Des Moines and Central Iowa, and one works across Iowa. Both invest locally themselves, and they work with buy-and-hold investors and people buying their first rental. Tell us your strategy, budget and target area and we'll match you.
Is Des Moines a good market for cash-flowing rentals?
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Not at median prices with a mortgage. Typical rent-to-price in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro is about 0.44% a month, far below the 1% rule, though better than many growing metros. The metro grows steadily and rents rise about 2% a year. Investors who do well here buy below median, add value, or put more cash down, and underwrite on the real tax bill.
Is Iowa landlord-friendly?
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Mostly. State law bars local rent control, there's no cap on rent increases, and you can terminate for nonpayment after a 3-day written notice. Deposits are capped at 2 months' rent and must be returned or accounted for within 30 days. Des Moines adds a rental certificate and city inspection.
Do I need a rental certificate to rent out a house in Des Moines?
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Yes. The City of Des Moines requires a rental certificate for a home that isn't owner-occupied, and you get one by passing a city inspection. Apply before your first tenant moves in. Ask your agent how the property is likely to do on inspection before you buy.
Can I run an Airbnb in Des Moines?
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Iowa law limits what cities can do: they can't require conditional use permits or charge short-term rental license fees, but they can enforce safety, noise and property maintenance rules. Des Moines has had its own STR rules in its zoning code, so confirm current requirements with the city. You'll also owe state and local hotel and motel tax, which Airbnb collects on its bookings.
What does it cost to get matched with a Des Moines agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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