If you're being relocated to the Des Moines metro by your employer, you have more support — and more tight deadlines — than most homebuyers. Here is the end-to-end checklist I walk every corporate relocation client through, from offer acceptance to move-in day.
Before You Accept the Offer
- [ ] Confirm the relocation package in writing (temporary housing, home sale help, closing cost assistance, moving allowance)
- [ ] Ask HR specifically about home purchase down payment or closing cost assistance — many employers have this but don't advertise it
- [ ] Verify your cost-of-living adjustment if coming from a high-cost metro
- [ ] Ask about the company's preferred REALTOR® network (some large employers have contracted relocation management companies)
- [ ] Understand the tax implications of gross-up payments (the IRS treats most relocation benefits as taxable income)
60-90 Days Before Move
- [ ] Scouting trip: Do a 2-3 day trip to see the metro and suburbs
- [ ] Pick your suburb: Based on commute to your new office, schools, and housing budget (see the suburb guide)
- [ ] Hire a relocation-experienced REALTOR®: One who can do video tours and manage from a distance
- [ ] Get pre-approved: With a local Des Moines lender, not your out-of-state bank
- [ ] Book movers: 60 days out for peak season (May-August), 30 days out otherwise
- [ ] Notify your current landlord or list your current home: Most relocation packages include home sale assistance
- [ ] Start the house search: Active listings, coming soon, and off-market through your REALTOR®
30-60 Days Before Move
- [ ] Accept offer on a new home (or confirm rental arrangement)
- [ ] Schedule inspection and appraisal
- [ ] Lock your mortgage rate
- [ ] Arrange temporary housing if your move-in date doesn't align with closing
- [ ] Request a "house hunting trip" reimbursement from HR if your package includes it
- [ ] Notify schools — both your old district for records transfer and your new district for enrollment
- [ ] Get quotes from 2-3 movers
- [ ] Confirm pet relocation logistics
30 Days Before Move
- [ ] Final walkthrough and closing on the new home
- [ ] Confirm move date with movers
- [ ] Notify your current employer's relocation department of the closing date
- [ ] File change of address with USPS
- [ ] Notify bank, credit cards, insurance, subscriptions
- [ ] Transfer utilities (cancel old, set up MidAmerican for electric/gas at new address)
- [ ] Set up internet (Mediacom, CenturyLink, or Google Fiber depending on neighborhood)
- [ ] Research Iowa driver's license and vehicle registration requirements
- [ ] Research Iowa taxes — Iowa has a graduated income tax with rates lower than most coastal states
Week Before Move
- [ ] Pack essentials separately (medications, documents, change of clothes for 3 days)
- [ ] Gather important documents: birth certificates, passports, tax returns, medical records, school records, pet records
- [ ] Empty and defrost the refrigerator
- [ ] Take photos of electronics setups for easier reassembly
- [ ] Confirm arrival day logistics: keys, garage code, first-day meal plan
- [ ] Request payment of relocation reimbursement so it hits your account during the move
Move Day
- [ ] Final walkthrough of old home
- [ ] Supervise movers at both ends
- [ ] Verify all items arrived; note damage on the inventory form
- [ ] Take photos of any damage for insurance claims
- [ ] Get the keys to the new place
First Week in Des Moines
- [ ] Unpack kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom first
- [ ] Register at your new employer
- [ ] Set up a primary care doctor, dentist, and pharmacy
- [ ] Explore the neighborhood (groceries, gym, dry cleaner, park)
- [ ] Attend any new-employee orientation
First 30 Days in Iowa
- [ ] Iowa driver's license: Transfer within 30 days at any Iowa DOT office
- [ ] Iowa vehicle registration: Transfer within 30 days at the county treasurer
- [ ] Voter registration: Online at the Iowa Secretary of State website
- [ ] Iowa Homestead Tax Credit: Apply at the county assessor (the homestead exemption: 10% off your home’s taxable value, $5,500 to $20,000, starting with the 2026 assessment)
- [ ] Iowa income tax: Research withholding adjustment for your first Iowa paycheck
- [ ] School enrollment: Drop off immunization records, proof of residence, emergency contact info
First 60-90 Days
- [ ] Review the relocation reimbursement for any taxable gross-up
- [ ] Consider joining a local network (industry association, chamber of commerce, neighborhood Facebook group)
- [ ] Set up annual routine: physicals, dental cleanings, oil changes
- [ ] Find your favorite spots (coffee, brewery, park, restaurant)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my employer usually pay for the home sale on the old side?
A: Most corporate relocation packages include either home sale assistance, a Buyer Value Option (BVO), or a Guaranteed Buyout program. Ask HR specifically — these are often the most valuable part of the relocation package.
Q: How long does a corporate relocation take?
A: A well-managed relocation usually takes 45 to 90 days from offer acceptance to move-in. Faster than 45 days is rushed and usually means you're renting temporarily. Slower than 90 days often means someone dropped the ball.
Q: Will my employer help with closing costs on the new home?
A: Many corporate relocation packages include closing cost assistance. The amount varies widely — ask HR or the relocation management company for the specific cash value.
Q: Should I buy or rent when I first move to Des Moines?
A: If you're confident about the suburb and the job, buying is usually the better financial decision because of Des Moines' low cost of living and school districts. If you're uncertain about the suburb or the long-term fit, rent for 6-12 months first.
Related Resources