Best Real Estate Agents in Des Moines 2026

Des Moines has evolved from a sleepy state capital into one of the Midwest’s most competitive housing markets, and the agents who thrive here have adapted accordingly. Between the insurance industry’s steady employment base, data center-driven growth in the western suburbs, and neighborhoods like Beaverdale and South of Grand where well-priced listings draw multiple offers within days, buying or selling a home in Des Moines requires an agent who knows both the macro trends and the block-by-block realities. We spent three months reviewing MLS transaction data from the Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS, interviewing past clients, and evaluating marketing strategies to identify the top agents working in the metro. Every agent on this list closed a minimum of 50 transactions in the past 12 months and maintains a client satisfaction rating above 4.7 out of 5.

How We Ranked

We pulled 12 months of transaction records from the Des Moines Area MLS, filtering for agents with at least 50 closed deals and zero disciplinary actions with the Iowa Real Estate Commission. That initial filter produced roughly 95 qualifying agents. We then evaluated each on five weighted criteria: transaction volume (25%), client satisfaction from verified reviews (30%), neighborhood expertise demonstrated through concentrated sales in specific areas (20%), list-to-sale price ratio (15%), and marketing quality including photography, digital presence, and listing descriptions (10%). Final rankings reflect this composite score, with ties broken by client referral rates.

1. Whitfield Home Group — Best Overall

Jennifer Whitfield built her team over 14 years into the highest-volume operation in the Des Moines metro. With 215 transactions closed in the past year across a nine-agent team, Whitfield covers every price point and every corner of the metro — from $150,000 starter homes on the east side to $600,000+ new construction in West Des Moines and Waukee. The team’s pre-listing system includes a professional stager, photographer, and a handyman who addresses minor repairs before the first showing. Their average days on market of 11 is well below the metro average of 22.

Buyers working with Whitfield get matched to an agent based on target neighborhood and price range. The team maintains a database of off-market opportunities — homes where owners have expressed interest in selling but haven’t listed — which gives buyers early access in the tightest inventory brackets. Commission runs 2.5% on the listing side with flexibility above $500,000. Client reviews consistently praise the team’s responsiveness and closing coordination, though some note that with a large team, you don’t always work directly with Jennifer. For an overview of the buying process, visit our home buying guide.

2. Kruse & Associates — Best for Beaverdale & Central Des Moines

Mark Kruse has lived in Beaverdale for 22 years and has sold more homes in the neighborhood than any other agent over the past decade. His three-agent team focuses exclusively on central Des Moines — Beaverdale, Drake, Ingersoll Park, and the Waveland Park area — and this concentrated expertise gives them pricing accuracy that generalist agents can’t match. Kruse knows which blocks command premiums, which streets have drainage issues, and which Tudor revivals have been well-maintained versus cosmetically updated over structural problems.

For sellers, Kruse’s neighborhood knowledge translates to faster sales at higher prices. His list-to-sale ratio of 101.5% means sellers consistently get above asking. For buyers, Kruse’s relationships with Beaverdale homeowners sometimes surface homes before they officially list — in a neighborhood where inventory rarely exceeds 20 active listings, that early access matters. Commission is 2.5% for listings, and Kruse handles all showings personally rather than delegating to junior agents. His transaction count (78) is lower than some larger teams, but the referral rate of 84% tells you what past clients think.

3. Prairie Capital Realty — Best for West Des Moines & Waukee

The western suburbs are where Des Moines is growing fastest, and Prairie Capital Realty has positioned itself as the dominant team in West Des Moines, Waukee, and the Jordan Creek corridor. Principal broker David Sandoval leads a six-agent team that closed 142 transactions last year, nearly all in the 50265, 50263, and 50266 zip codes. Their specialty is new construction — Sandoval maintains builder relationships with Hubbell Realty, Hanson Development, and several custom builders working in the western growth corridor, giving buyer clients priority lot selection and pre-listing access to model homes.

Sandoval’s team is particularly strong with corporate relocations, a growing segment as companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook expand data center operations in the western suburbs. The team provides relocation packages that include school district briefings, commute analysis, and neighborhood tours tailored to the transferee’s family needs. Average sale price of $375,000 reflects the higher price points in the western suburbs. Commission is negotiable for listings above $400,000. If you’re relocating to the Des Moines metro, our mortgage calculator helps you understand what you can afford at current rates.

4. Ankeny Home Team — Best for Ankeny & North Suburbs

Ankeny has been Iowa’s fastest-growing city for most of the past two decades, and the Ankeny Home Team — led by Sarah and Ryan Compton — has grown with it. Their 118 transactions last year covered Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, and Pleasant Hill, with particular strength in the Prairie Trail development and newer subdivisions on Ankeny’s north side. The Comptons both graduated from Ankeny High School and have raised their kids in the district, giving them credibility with the family-oriented buyer demographic that drives the market here.

The team’s listing process emphasizes drone photography and community-context marketing — their listings don’t just show the house, they showcase the neighborhood amenities, trail connections, and school proximity that Ankeny buyers care about. For first-time buyers, the team offers a monthly orientation session covering the Ankeny market, school options, and Iowa’s earnest money and closing traditions. Average sale price of $330,000 aligns with Ankeny’s newer construction stock. Their referral network extends into the Des Moines metro for clients who ultimately decide Ankeny isn’t the right fit.

5. Westbrook Real Estate — Best for South of Grand & Historic Homes

The South of Grand neighborhoods — Sherman Hill, Waterbury, and parts of Capitol Park — contain some of Des Moines’s most architecturally significant homes, and Catherine Westbrook has made these historic properties her specialty for 16 years. Her boutique two-agent team closed 54 transactions last year at an average price of $420,000, with several sales above $600,000 in the Waterbury and Grand Avenue corridor. Westbrook holds a historic preservation certification and serves on the Sherman Hill Neighborhood Association board.

What separates Westbrook from general agents who occasionally sell in the South of Grand area is her understanding of historic home systems — knob-and-tube wiring, plaster walls, stone foundations, and the architectural review requirements that govern exterior modifications in historic districts. She maintains a vetted list of contractors experienced with 1900s-era construction, which is invaluable for buyers who want a historic home but need guidance on renovation realities. Sellers benefit from her buyer network — Westbrook keeps a list of qualified buyers specifically seeking historic Des Moines properties. Explore our home services resources for renovation cost information relevant to historic Iowa homes.

6. Metro Home Advisors — Best for First-Time Buyers

Des Moines remains one of the most accessible markets in America for first-time buyers, and Metro Home Advisors has built its entire practice around that segment. Founded by Carlos and Angela Reeves, the four-agent team closed 92 transactions last year at an average price of $225,000, focused on the east side, Capitol East, Drake, and South Side neighborhoods. Every client engagement starts with a budgeting workshop that covers pre-approval, Iowa down payment assistance through the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), and realistic expectations about inspection findings in older homes.

The team partners with three local lenders who specialize in IFA FirstHome programs, USDA Rural Development loans for qualifying suburban properties, and FHA financing with 3.5% down. Their transaction volume in the sub-$250,000 bracket gives them pricing expertise that helps buyers avoid overpaying in a range where comparable sales can vary by $20,000+ block to block. Commission is standard at 2.5% on listings. Past clients frequently cite the team’s patience with first-time buyer questions and their willingness to show 15+ homes without pressure. Check our affordability calculator to see what price range works for your income.

7. Cornerstone Iowa Realty — Best for Johnston & Grimes

Johnston and Grimes have grown from small towns into significant suburban communities over the past 15 years, and Cornerstone Iowa Realty has tracked that growth closely. Lead agent Mike Hoffmann and his five-agent team closed 105 transactions in 2025, predominantly in the Johnston Community School District attendance area. The district’s strong academic reputation drives much of the buyer demand, and Hoffmann’s team provides school enrollment data, boundary maps, and feeder-school information as part of every buyer consultation.

Grimes — which has nearly quadrupled its population since 2010 — is the team’s growth market. New construction by Ryan Companies and other builders fills in subdivisions at a rapid pace, and Hoffmann’s builder relationships give buyers access to lots and floor plans before public release. Average sale price of $355,000 reflects the premium attached to Johnston schools. The team also handles a significant number of resale listings in Johnston’s established neighborhoods near Beaver Creek and Terra Lake, where mid-2000s construction sells in the $325,000–$425,000 range.

8. Heartland Investment Realty — Best for Investment Properties

Des Moines’s affordability makes it an attractive market for rental property investors, and Heartland Investment Realty has carved out a niche serving both local and out-of-state investors looking for cash-flowing rentals. Lead broker Nathan Ichikawa and his three-agent team closed 67 transactions last year, with roughly 60% being investor purchases. Their analysis packages include projected rental income, historical vacancy rates by neighborhood, and cap rate calculations — data that most residential agents don’t provide.

Ichikawa’s team focuses on the neighborhoods where the rent-to-price ratio is strongest: Capitol East, the Drake University area, and parts of the east side where three-bedroom homes in the $140,000–$200,000 range rent for $1,100–$1,400 per month. They also identify value-add opportunities — properties that need $15,000–$25,000 in renovation to command significantly higher rents. The team partners with three property management companies for clients who don’t want to self-manage. Our rent affordability calculator provides additional rental market context for the Des Moines area.

How to Choose the Right Agent in Des Moines

The Des Moines metro is large enough that neighborhood expertise matters more than sheer volume. An agent who dominates Ankeny may not know the nuances of Beaverdale’s sewer system or the flood risk in south-side neighborhoods near the Raccoon River. When interviewing agents, ask for a list of their last 20 transactions — the addresses should cluster in the area where you’re buying or selling. Also ask about their commission structure, average days on market for listings, and whether they work personally with clients or delegate to junior agents. Iowa’s real estate commission rates are not fixed by law and are always negotiable.

Compare With Other States

Considering other markets? Here’s how other states compare:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the typical real estate commission in Des Moines?

Listing agent commission in Des Moines typically runs 2.5–3.0% of the sale price. Following the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer agent compensation is no longer included in the MLS listing and must be negotiated separately. Most Des Moines buyer agents charge 2.5–3.0%, and many sellers still agree to contribute toward the buyer’s agent fee. On a $265,000 home (the metro median), total commissions of 5–6% equal $13,250–$15,900. Commission rates are always negotiable — higher-priced properties often command lower percentage rates.

Do I need a buyer’s agent in Des Moines?

In a competitive market where 28% of homes sell above asking price, having a buyer’s agent provides significant advantages — access to MLS listings, market analysis, negotiation expertise, and coordination of inspections, financing, and closing. Iowa’s closing process involves an abstract of title (rather than title insurance in many other states), and an agent familiar with Iowa’s specific traditions can prevent costly mistakes. While you can buy without an agent, the complexity of the transaction and the competitive market dynamics make representation advisable for most buyers.

How long does it take to sell a home in Des Moines?

The Des Moines metro average is 22 days on market, but this varies significantly by neighborhood and price point. Beaverdale, South of Grand, and well-priced suburban homes in Ankeny and West Des Moines average 10–15 days. The east side and homes above $500,000 take longer — 30–45 days on average. Seasonal patterns matter: spring (April–June) is the fastest selling season, and winter (December–February) is the slowest. Our home selling resources provide additional guidance on pricing and timing strategies.

What should I look for when choosing a Des Moines agent?

Prioritize neighborhood expertise over raw transaction volume. Ask each agent to show you their recent transactions on a map — the dots should cluster in the area where you’re buying or selling. Check their Iowa Real Estate Commission license status for any disciplinary actions. Ask for three references from recent clients in your price range. And discuss their communication style upfront — some clients want daily updates, others prefer weekly summaries, and aligning expectations early prevents frustration later.

Are Des Moines home prices still rising?

Yes, but at a moderate pace. Year-over-year appreciation in the Des Moines metro is running 4–5%, well below the double-digit growth seen during 2021–2022. The market has returned to a sustainable trajectory where prices grow roughly in line with wage growth. The western suburbs (Waukee, Grimes) and Ankeny continue to appreciate faster than the metro average due to new construction demand and school district quality. Central Des Moines neighborhoods have seen the steadiest long-term appreciation. Use our home value estimator to check current values in specific neighborhoods.