How a young couple relocated from Chicago to Johnston, Iowa, and found their first home — $50,000 under budget in one of the state's top-rated school districts.
James and Priya had been renting a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood for three years. When James accepted a position at a financial services firm in West Des Moines, they saw it as a chance to do something that felt impossible in Chicago: buy a home they could actually afford and start building toward the life they wanted.
Their wish list was straightforward but specific. They wanted a three-bedroom home with a yard, in a neighborhood with strong public schools — even though kids were still a few years down the road. They wanted to be close to James's office without a long commute, and they needed to stay within their pre-approval budget of $350,000. Coming from a city where that amount might cover a studio condo, the Des Moines metro felt full of possibility.
The challenge was that they were searching from 300 miles away, had never been through the buying process before, and knew almost nothing about the Des Moines suburbs. They needed someone who could be their eyes, ears, and guide on the ground.
Sarah started by walking James and Priya through the Des Moines metro virtually, helping them understand the differences between Johnston, Waukee, Ankeny, and Urbandale. She shared school district data, commute times, neighborhood walkability scores, and community profiles so they could narrow their focus before driving down for weekend house tours.
Using Smart Move DSM's property search tools, Sarah set up custom alerts filtered to their criteria. She also ran an insurance risk assessment on each property they were serious about — something most first-time buyers don't think to do. One home they loved had a history of sewer backup claims on the block, and another had a roof age that would have triggered a higher insurance premium. Sarah flagged both issues before they made an offer, saving them from costly surprises after closing.
Over three weekends of tours, they visited 14 homes across Johnston and Grimes. Sarah coordinated each trip so the tours were efficient and productive, with neighborhood drives and a stop at a local restaurant between showings so James and Priya could get a feel for daily life in the area.
By the third visit, they found it: a well-maintained three-bedroom, two-bath home on a quiet cul-de-sac in Johnston, listed at $299,000 — more than $50,000 under their budget. The home was in the Johnston Community School District, had a fenced backyard, an updated kitchen, and a two-car garage. It checked every box.
Sarah helped James and Priya craft a competitive offer that was accepted on the first try. Because she had already identified and addressed potential concerns through the insurance risk check, the inspection went smoothly with no major findings. They negotiated a small credit for cosmetic updates and closed in 32 days.
The couple moved into their Johnston home two weeks before James started his new job. Their monthly mortgage payment — including taxes and insurance — was nearly $800 less than their Chicago rent. The savings gave them room to furnish the house, build an emergency fund, and start planning for the future they'd been dreaming about.
Six months later, Priya sent Sarah a photo of their backyard garden — something she said she'd wanted her entire adult life but never thought she'd have this soon.
Strong school districts hold property values better and make your home easier to sell later. It's a smart financial move even if you don't have children yet.
An older roof, past claims history, or proximity to flood zones can significantly affect your insurance costs. Know what you're getting into before you fall in love with a property.
Drive through on a weekday morning, a Saturday afternoon, and an evening. You'll learn more about traffic, noise, and community feel in those three visits than any listing description can tell you.
When you're relocating from out of state, a local agent who knows the micro-neighborhoods, the builder reputations, and the hidden costs is worth their weight in gold. Algorithms can't tell you which streets flood or which developments have HOA issues.
Whether you're moving from across the state or across the country, buying your first home should feel exciting — not overwhelming. Let's find the right neighborhood, the right home, and the right price for your new chapter.
Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® · Smart Move Des Moines · Brokered by Fathom Realty