I spent 10 years in property insurance before real estate, which is why the empty-house insurance question comes up in week one, not at the buyer's inspection.
I hold the SRES® and the CPCU®.
Clients have left 5.0 stars across 40+ Google reviews.
Whatever the situation, the first step is the same: send the address, and within 1 business day you have the numbers and the next step in writing.
Tell me the address and where things stand: a parent's house, a move you are helping with, a sale, a purchase, or a house in Iowa you cannot get to. Within 1 business day you'll have the numbers and the next step in writing.
Everything below is here for when you want it. None of it is homework this week.
I walk into every home looking for what most agents walk right past.
I work with executors, heirs, and families moving a parent in Central Iowa. Send the address and the question; you get a written answer within 1 business day.
My practice is estate sales, senior downsizing, and out-of-state heirs — the moves where a family needs a plan, not a pitch. Every client gets a private portal with a live timeline and weekly written updates, so nobody wonders what's happening with the house. And my 10 years in property insurance mean problems get flagged at the first walkthrough and referred to licensed producers — not discovered at the buyer's inspection. Explore my free planning tools to see how I work.
Before I was a REALTOR®, I earned my CPCU® credential in property and casualty insurance — learning exactly how homes fail and what makes them hard to insure. I built Smart Move Des Moines because I kept watching buyers discover insurability problems after they signed — and sellers lose deals over issues no one flagged early. I walk into every showing and every listing appointment with that lens: I flag insurability concerns early and connect you with licensed insurance producers, so coverage problems don't surprise you at closing.
Explore my real estate tools and calculators designed for each situation.
As an SRES® certified specialist, I understand the unique challenges seniors face when selling a longtime home. Patient guidance through every step. Use my senior move timeline and cost calculator to start planning. I also help couples through a divorce home sale when a long marriage ends later in life.
Navigating the sale of a loved one's home requires sensitivity. I help families handle complex estate transactions from cleanouts to closings, including time-sensitive probate and estate sales. For heirs, I walk through the process step by step in my guide to selling an inherited home in Des Moines.
Ready to simplify? I help you find the perfect right-sized home while maximizing the value of your current property. Read about downsizing mistakes Des Moines seniors make to avoid common pitfalls.
Moving to Iowa from elsewhere? My Des Moines relocation services give out-of-state buyers virtual tours, neighborhood insights, buy-vs-rent analysis, and seamless coordination. Check out my relocation support and common questions.
I flag insurability concerns early—flood zones, roof conditions, foundation issues, and other insurability red flags—and connect you with licensed insurance producers. My planning tools help surface potential risks before they become costly surprises.
Whether Mom's moving to assisted living or you're managing a family property from afar, I specialize in helping adult children navigate these sales. Learn about my senior real estate services.
Free tools to help you make informed decisions
I believe in relationships, not transactions. As your personal agent, I'm invested in your success long after closing day. Contact me to talk about your situation.
Redfin's September 2026 guide, Mistakes to Avoid When Downsizing Your Home, asked Sarah for the one mistake she sees most often. Her answer:
"The biggest mistake is starting with the house instead of the destination. I've watched families spend six weeks and thousands staging and repairing a home before anyone asked where Mom actually wants to land — and half of that work turns out to be for a buyer who'd have taken it as-is. Decide the next address first; let it tell you what the house actually needs."
That is also Step 2 of the Senior Downsizing Guide: know the destination, even loosely, before the house goes on the market.
"Sarah Ingles was an outstanding REALTOR® for our family. We needed to sell my mother's home in a hurry. She really came through. Not only was she informative, well prepared, professional and experienced in the Des Moines market—she also took the extra steps of finding someone to purchase furniture we could no longer use, cleaned the carpets and polished the floors. She is also a wonderful person."
"Sarah is so great to work with! Sarah is very motivated to accomplish all that is presented to her and has such a positive outlook! I appreciate her organization and how determined she is to make things happen! Absolutely recommend working with Sarah!!"
"Working with Sarah was an absolute pleasure. She is professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to taking great care of her clients throughout the entire process. She communicates clearly, stays on top of every detail, and makes sure her buyers feel confident and informed every step of the way."
Send me the address and within 1 business day you'll have three numbers in writing: the likely sale price, your net after costs, and what to fix first or leave alone. If you'd rather talk first, book a 30-minute call.
Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES®
Smart Move Des Moines | Fathom Realty
Real estate agents: considering Fathom Realty?
📞 563-513-8771 | ✉️ sarah@smartmovedsm.com