Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® · Fathom Realty
Buying your first home in the Des Moines metro is more achievable in 2026 than most first-time buyers think. Iowa has one of the lowest costs of living of any state with a major metro, generous first-time buyer assistance programs, and a healthier inventory level than 2021-2022. Here is the step-by-step guide I walk every first-time buyer through.
Your monthly housing cost should be no more than 28% of your gross monthly income, including principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance. In the Des Moines metro a $300,000 home at current rates runs about $2,200/month all-in — affordable for a household making roughly $95,000+.
A pre-approval letter from a lender is required to make any serious offer in the Des Moines metro. Pre-approval is different from pre-qualification — it requires a credit pull, income verification, and asset documentation. Most lenders can issue a pre-approval in 24-48 hours.
Iowa offers several programs for first-time buyers:
These programs can be combined with FHA, VA, or USDA loans for additional savings.
For first-time buyers in 2026, I recommend looking at:
Tour 3-5 homes per outing, no more. Take notes and rate each home immediately. The first 24 hours of buyer remorse is real — pictures and notes help you compare apples to apples after the emotional impressions fade.
In the current Des Moines metro market most homes sell within 5-10% of list price. Lowball offers waste your time. A strong first offer includes:
After acceptance:
1. Skipping pre-approval and falling in love with a house you can't afford 2. Ignoring property taxes (Iowa property taxes are higher than rent in some Des Moines suburbs) 3. Skipping the inspection 4. Buying at the top of your budget (leave 5-10% for unexpected costs) 5. Not factoring HOA fees into the monthly payment 6. Overlooking the school district — even if you don't have kids, resale value depends on it
Q: What is the minimum down payment for a first-time buyer in Iowa? A: For an FHA loan, 3.5%. For a conventional loan, as low as 3% with HomeReady or HomePossible programs. For VA and USDA loans, 0%. The Iowa Finance Authority programs can stack with these to cover most or all of the down payment.
Q: What credit score do I need to buy a home in Des Moines? A: 620 minimum for most conventional loans, 580 for FHA. For the best interest rates you generally want 740+. If your score is in the 600s, focus on improving it for 90 days before applying — even a 20-point increase can save you tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
Q: How long does it take to buy a home in Des Moines? A: From pre-approval to closing typically 30 to 60 days. The home search itself can take days or months depending on your specific criteria and inventory in your price range.
Q: Should I use a buyer's agent as a first-time buyer? A: Yes. The seller's agent represents the seller, not you. A buyer's agent works for you, helps you negotiate, and is typically paid through the transaction at closing. As an SRES® and CPCU REALTOR® I represent first-time buyers throughout the Des Moines metro at no out-of-pocket cost.
Free, no-pressure consultation. Sarah responds within 24 hours.
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