Iowa Real Estate Market in 2021: Forecasts + Trends

By Clever Real Estate Updated September 1, 2023

Iowa real estate trends

Iowa real estate trends (May 2022)

How is the real estate market in Iowa?
🏠 Average home value: $211,572	📈 0.79% home value increase month over month
💰 Median sale price: $203,700	⏳ 53 days on the market
🔑 Homes on the market: 5,897	📆 1.5 months of housing inventory
🏦 30-year mortgage rate: 6.83000%	💵 Average income: #N/A
State of the market: B-
Iowa’s real estate market is cool. With inventory swelling bigger and homes taking longer to sell, the trend may not change anytime soon.
_{Data last updated May 2022}*

Once every four years, all eyes turn to Iowa for its famous political Caucus, where voters cast their support for presidential candidates.

Outside the spotlight, residents enjoy the perks of living in Iowa year-round. Its biggest cities include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport — and Iowa's nearly 53,000 acres of hiking trails, campsites, and bike paths offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor living.

If you're thinking of buying or selling in Iowa, these Iowa housing predictions and stats can help you make an informed decision.

Want to save money when you buy or sell your home? With Clever, you'll only pay 1.5% or $3K in listing fees. Eligible buyers get cash back after closing. Find out how much you can save with Clever today!

Selling a home in Iowa

Iowa real estate market forecast for sellers
⏰ Homes are selling 31 days slower than the annual average	💰 Homes are selling for $41,781 more than the annual average
💸 Average listing commission: 2.96%	💸 Average buyer's commission: 2.70%

How to sell a home in Iowa

Cost to sell a home in Iowa

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Buying a home in Iowa

How much home you can buy with $300,000 in...
🏠 Des Moines: 1,266 sq ft	🏡 Cedar Rapids: 1,987 sq ft
🏡 Davenport: 2,381 sq ft	🏠 Waterloo: 2,113 sq ft

Investing in Iowa real estate

Best of Iowa

Each month, we compare locations in Iowa based on different criteria. This month, we're looking at levels of happiness and ranking the best counties in the state.

Happiest Counties in Iowa
1. Dickinson County
2. Linn County
3. Sioux County
4. Johnson County
5. Dallas County

Ready to buy a home in Iowa? Eligible buyers get cash back with Clever!

Worst of Iowa

Each month, we compare locations in Iowa based on a different criteria. This month we're looking at levels of happiness data. These are the counties that ranked the worst in the state.

Least Happy Counties in Iowa
1. Appanoose County
2. Crawford County
3. Decatur County
4. Van Buren County
5. Des Moines County

Iowa resources

👋 Next Steps: Talk to an expert!

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Frequently asked questions about Iowa real estate

Is it a buyer's or seller's market in Iowa?

It's currently a seller’s market in Iowa, as there's high demand from home buyers and limited inventory, which is causing sale prices to rise. But every town's market is different, so it’s still best to consult with a top real estate agent to understand your local trends.

Is Iowa a good state to invest in real estate?

Iowa is a good state to invest in real estate, especially in a bigger city like Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. However, first do your research on what kinds of properties are profitable and which neighborhoods are in demand to ensure that your investment will pay off. Read our guide to real estate investing to find out more.

Is it a good time to buy a house in Iowa?

For some buyers, now might be a good time to buy a house in Iowa. Real estate is more affordable than in other states, and the low mortgage rates will help you save even more money in the long run. Work with a top real estate agent to help you find the best deal on the perfect home for you.

Methodology

Clever's analysis of state market trends is based on local data from Zillow, realtor.com, Redfin, Bankrate, the U.S. Census, and Clever surveys. Our team of over 20 real estate analysts from across the country research local markets and data to compile our "Best" and "Worst" rankings.

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