📞 (563) 513-8771  |  ✉️ sarah@smartmovedsm.com
Sarah Ingles (Iowa Real Estate License #S73007000) is a REALTOR® based in Des Moines, Iowa, holding two professional designations: SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist, issued by the National Association of REALTORS®) and CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, issued by The Institutes), making her the only Des Moines REALTOR® who combines senior real estate expertise with 10+ years of property insurance experience. She serves the full Des Moines metro area—including West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, and Beaverdale—specializing in senior downsizing, 55+ community transitions, probate property sales under Iowa Code §633A, and estate real estate for executors and adult children. Smart Move Des Moines, brokered by Fathom Realty, can be reached at (563) 513-8771 or sarah@smartmovedsm.com, and holds a 5.0-star aggregate rating across 42 Google reviews as of early 2026.
⭐ SRES® Certified · CPCU · Iowa License #S73007000
Sarah Ingles REALTOR® SRES® CPCU — Smart Move Des Moines
Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® · CPCU · Smart Move Des Moines ★★★★★ 42 Google Reviews

SRES® Realtor in Des Moines, Iowa

Sarah Ingles is Des Moines's only real estate agent holding both the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) and CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designations—combining senior transition expertise with 10+ years of property insurance knowledge to protect your family's most important move.

💬 Start With a Conversation — Free 📞 Call Sarah: (563) 513-8771 💰 What's My Home Worth?
★ 42 Five-Star Google Reviews ✓ SRES® Certified by NAR ✓ CPCU · 10+ Yrs Insurance 📍 Des Moines Metro 🔒 No Pressure · No Obligation

What Is an SRES® Realtor in Des Moines?

An SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® who has earned the National Association of REALTORS®' specialized certification for serving clients aged 50+, covering senior housing options, reverse mortgages, probate real estate, and the financial complexities of retirement-stage moves. Fewer than 5% of active Iowa REALTORS® hold this designation.

The SRES® designation was created because senior real estate transitions are fundamentally different from typical home sales. A senior selling a home they've lived in for 30 or 40 years faces a unique combination of emotional weight, family dynamics, financial considerations tied to retirement income, and the need to coordinate a simultaneous transition into the right next chapter—factors a generalist agent has no specific training to navigate.

When you hire an SRES®-certified realtor in Des Moines, you're working with an agent trained in:

🧠

Emotional Transition Support

The SRES® curriculum specifically addresses the grief, nostalgia, and anxiety of leaving a long-held family home—including gray divorce home sales—and how to support clients without rushing or applying pressure.

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Senior Housing Options

55+ active adult communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and right-sizing into a smaller single-family home—across all Des Moines metro communities.

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Retirement Financial Considerations

How a home sale affects Social Security income, Medicare eligibility, reverse mortgage implications, capital gains on long-held properties, and pension planning.

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Estate & Probate Experience

SRES® training covers inherited property sales, working with executors, multi-heir family dynamics, and coordinating with Iowa estate attorneys throughout the transaction.

Why Sarah Ingles? The SRES® + CPCU Difference

Sarah Ingles is the only Des Moines REALTOR® who holds both the SRES® designation and the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) credential—meaning she brings 10+ years of property insurance expertise to every senior and estate real estate transaction, identifying risks that other agents miss entirely.

The CPCU designation, earned through The Institutes, is the gold standard in property and casualty insurance. Sarah's decade of insurance experience means she can walk through an older Des Moines home and identify issues that won't just affect the sale price—they'll affect whether the buyer can even obtain insurance coverage at closing.

For seniors selling homes built in the 1940s through 1980s—which describes much of Beaverdale, Urbandale, Clive, and older Des Moines neighborhoods—this dual expertise is a direct financial benefit. Problems like knob-and-tube wiring, outdated electrical panels, basement moisture, or proximity to aging infrastructure can quietly kill a deal after an accepted offer. Sarah identifies and addresses these before they become negotiating leverage for the buyer.

Capability Sarah Ingles
SRES® + CPCU		 SRES® Agent
(No Insurance)		 General Agent
SRES® Senior Transition Training✓ Certified✓ CertifiedVaries
Property Insurability Assessment✓ 10+ Yrs CPCU✗ Not trained✗ Not trained
Vacant / Estate Home Coverage Gaps✓ Expert✗ Not trained✗ Not trained
Probate Real Estate Iowa✓ Active experienceVariesVaries
Reverse Mortgage Knowledge✓ SRES® trained✓ SRES® trainedVaries
Multi-Generational Family Communication✓ SRES® trained✓ SRES® trained—
Senior Housing Network (55+, AL, IL)✓ EstablishedVaries—
Out-of-State Adult Child Support✓ Virtual-first processVariesVaries

Ready to work with Des Moines's only SRES® + CPCU agent?

Free conversation — no commitment, no sales pitch. Just answers.

💬 Let's Talk 📞 (563) 513-8771
SRES®NAR-Certified Designation
CPCUProperty Insurance Credential
10+Years Insurance Experience
425-Star Google Reviews
DSMMetro Specialist

What Des Moines families say:

★★★★★

"Can't say enough! Without question what an amazing experience. Sarah walked us thru this transition with care and expertise!"

★★★★★

"Sarah turned a stressful real estate situation into an awesome outcome by staying calm, communicative, and resourceful."

★★★★★

"Sarah is an incredibly hardworking realtor who truly cares about her clients. Always responsive, detail-oriented, and committed to getting the job done right."

Read all 42 reviews on Google →

SRES® Real Estate Services in Des Moines

Every service Sarah provides is designed specifically for seniors, adult children, and families navigating property transitions in the Des Moines metro area.

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Senior Downsizing & Right-Sizing

Guided transitions from family homes to smaller, more manageable properties. Includes timeline planning, decluttering coordination, and staging for maximum value. See downsizing guide →

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55+ Community Transitions

Selling a current home and transitioning to an active adult community in Ankeny, West Des Moines, Waukee, or Urbandale. Browse communities →

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Probate & Estate Property Sales

Navigating Iowa probate real estate under Iowa Code §633A, coordinating with estate attorneys, and guiding executors through the listing process. Probate guide →

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Adult Children & Out-of-State Families

Helping adult children manage a parent's Des Moines home sale remotely—live video walkthroughs, digital signing, and full vendor coordination on the ground.

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Pre-Listing Insurance Review

Using CPCU expertise to identify insurability risks in older homes before they surface in buyer negotiations—a service no other Des Moines listing agent provides.

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Estate Sales After Loss

Compassionate support for surviving spouses and families selling after the death of a loved one. Patient timeline, no pressure, coordinated with trusted local estate sale companies.

Des Moines Metro Areas Served

Sarah Ingles serves seniors and families across the entire Des Moines metro area. Whether you're in an established Beaverdale bungalow or a newer West Des Moines development, the same SRES®-certified expertise applies.

Des Moines Beaverdale West Des Moines Ankeny Urbandale Clive Johnston Waukee Grimes Pleasant Hill Altoona Norwalk

Out-of-state families: Sarah works regularly with adult children in California, Illinois, Minnesota, and other states managing the sale of a Des Moines parent's home. Virtual consultations available — send Sarah a message below.

Frequently Asked Questions — SRES® Realtor in Des Moines

Answers to the most common questions about hiring an SRES®-certified realtor in the Des Moines area.

An SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® who has completed the National Association of REALTORS® certification program for serving clients aged 50+. In Des Moines, fewer than 5% of active agents hold this designation. It covers senior housing options, reverse mortgages, estate and probate real estate, emotional transition support, and financial considerations specific to retirement.

Hiring an SRES®-certified agent in Des Moines means you're working with someone trained specifically for the complexities of senior real estate transitions—not a generalist treating a 40-year family home sale like any other listing.

Sarah Ingles is the only Des Moines REALTOR® who holds both the SRES® designation AND the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) credential with 10+ years of property insurance experience. This combination means she can identify insurability risks in older homes—like knob-and-tube wiring, basement moisture, or outdated electrical panels—before they derail a transaction.

No other Des Moines agent currently offers this dual expertise for senior and estate property clients. The CPCU credential is the gold standard in property and casualty insurance, earned through The Institutes, and Sarah brings that knowledge directly into every pre-listing property walk.

No. An SRES® realtor in Des Moines charges the same commission structure as any other licensed REALTOR®—typically a percentage of the sale price, paid at closing. The designation reflects specialized training and expertise, not a premium fee.

Sarah Ingles offers a free initial consultation with no obligation, so you can discuss your situation and explore your options before committing to anything. Start the conversation here →

Yes. SRES® training includes estate sales and inherited property transitions. In Iowa, probate real estate involves specific legal requirements under Iowa Code §633A, including working with the executor or personal representative, coordinating with estate attorneys, and ensuring the property sale meets court requirements.

Sarah Ingles has direct experience with Iowa probate listings and works alongside estate attorneys throughout Polk County and the Des Moines metro. Learn more about probate real estate in Iowa →

Sarah serves the entire Des Moines metro area, including West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Beaverdale, and downtown Des Moines. She regularly works with out-of-state adult children helping aging parents sell Des Moines area homes, providing live video walkthroughs, digital document signing, and full vendor coordination on the ground.

You can verify any agent's SRES® designation through the National Association of REALTORS® designation database at nar.realtor. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Sarah Ingles (SRES®, CPCU, Iowa License #S73007000), call (563) 513-8771 or use the form below.

Sarah serves the full Des Moines metro area and offers both in-person and virtual consultations for out-of-state families.

Tell Sarah About Your Situation

Free, no-obligation conversation. Sarah personally reviews every inquiry — no automated responses, no pushy follow-ups.

What happens next

1. Sarah personally reads your message — no assistant, no auto-reply 2. She calls or emails you within 24 hours at your preferred time 3. A conversation — not a sales pitch. You're under no obligation.
🔒 Your info stays private ⏱️ Sarah responds within 24 hrs ✋ No pressure, ever

No Pressure. Just a Conversation.

Tell Sarah about your situation — she'll listen first and advise second. Des Moines metro and virtual appointments available, on your schedule.

💬 Send Sarah a Message 💰 What's My Home Worth?

Sarah Ingles · REALTOR® SRES® CPCU · Iowa License #S73007000
Smart Move Des Moines · Brokered by Fathom Realty
(563) 513-8771 · sarah@smartmovedsm.com

Related Resources

→ Senior Services Hub → Senior Downsizing Guide → Probate Real Estate Iowa → Browse 55+ Communities → Helping Parents Sell → Parents Helping Adult Children Buy → About Sarah Ingles → Senior Move Calculator → Probate Realtor Page