Home buying tips Des Moines buyers and sellers need to hear: eight hills I will die on as your real estate agent. The "perfect" house doesn't exist, your Zestimate isn't your home's value, and I never recommend waiving the inspection, even in a bidding war. Pre-qualified is basically a guess, the highest offer doesn't always win, and countertops are a weekend project while location isn't.

Move-up buyer in Des Moines? A Beaverdale family bought their charming first home, then a second baby was on the way. Their 3-bedroom, 1-bath starter home stopped fitting, but a bigger mortgage and selling while buying gave them pause. See how a plan built on real numbers and a timeline moved them into a beautiful 5-bedroom home in Urbandale, and what it could mean for your family.

The families who settle in before September usually start their home search in June. Learn why early summer is the sweet spot, how to check school district boundaries before you tour, and a realistic timeline from pre-approval to closing, so your kids are enrolled and unpacked before the back-to-school rush.

Ready to declutter before your next move? Here's what actually sells at a garage sale (kids' gear, tools, small furniture), what to skip, and how to price it. Including the 10-30% rule, tips for clear labeling and bundling, and a full pricing guide by category, from clothing to furniture to electronics.

Selling your home in West Des Moines this spring means more buyers, but also more competing sellers. Get ahead by handling repairs now, pricing with real comparable sales instead of a generic online estimate, and planning your own timeline before you list. Photos, pricing, and first-weekend momentum matter most in a crowded spring market. Ready to plan your listing?

Selling one home and buying the next at the same time sounds like doubling your risk, but it doesn't have to be. With a clear pricing strategy, the right financing options, and one coordinated plan instead of two separate moves, you can leverage your equity, and avoid getting stuck in between homes.

A strategy for success in selling your home

Considerations for buying or selling in 2024!

Three key skills your real estate agent needs when listing your home.

Pricing your home makes all the difference when putting it on the market! Let me help you sell it!

Why you want to use a real estate expert to sell your home instead of going it alone.