Real Estate Tips From a Des Moines Real Estate Agent: 8 Hills I Will Die On

Every real estate agent has a few hills they'll die on. As a Des Moines real estate agent working with buyers and sellers in West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, and across the metro, these are the home buying tips (and a few selling tips) I repeat the most, because they protect my clients when it counts. There are eight, and I'm not budging on any of them. But especially the first one.

1. The “Perfect” House Doesn't Exist. The Right One Does.

If you're holding out for zero compromises, I hope you like your landlord, because you'll be renting a while. Every home has trade-offs. The goal isn't a house with no compromises. It's finding the house where the compromises are ones you can live with, and where the things that matter most to your family are covered.

2. Your Zestimate Is Not the Value of Your Home

If you're thinking about selling, this one matters. Online home value estimates like Zillow's Zestimate are an algorithm's best guess. They aren't a walkthrough, they don't know your home's current condition, and they don't reflect what buyers are actually paying right now. A Zestimate is a great starting point and a terrible final answer. To find out what your Des Moines area home could really sell for, you need a real look at the home and the recent sales around it.

3. Why I Never Recommend Waiving the Home Inspection

Not even in a bidding war. Not even if everyone else is. A modest inspection fee has saved buyers from very expensive surprises. When you're competing for a house, it can be tempting to strip out everything that makes your offer look slower or riskier. But skipping the inspection means taking on the unknowns of the house yourself. If you're wondering how to make an offer stronger without waiving your inspection, let's talk through the options before you write it.

4. Pre-Qualified vs. Pre-Approved: Why the Difference Matters

Pre-qualified is basically a guess. Pre-approved means a lender actually checked. Only one of those means anything when you're competing for a house. If you're planning to buy in the Des Moines area, getting pre-approved before you start touring is one of the first things I'll ask you to do.

5. The Highest Offer Doesn't Always Win. The Cleanest One Does.

Fewer contingencies, a strong pre-approval, a quick close. I've seen a lower offer beat a bigger number because it was just easier to say yes to. If you're a buyer, that means price isn't the only lever you have. If you're a seller, it means the highest number on paper isn't always the best offer once you look at the terms.

6. Countertops Are a Weekend Project. Location Isn't.

You can swap granite for quartz. You cannot swap a 40-minute commute, a busy street, or the wrong school district. Kitchens can be updated, paint can be changed, and floors can be replaced. The lot, the street, and the neighborhood are what you're really buying. I will always push you to prioritize the things you can't change later.

7. Sometimes My Job Is to Tell You This Isn't the House

If the numbers don't work, or it's just not actually right for you, I'll say so. That's the job. A good agent isn't there to get you to yes on every house. Sometimes the best advice is to keep looking.

8. Great Listing Photos Don't Make a Great House

Professional photos can make almost any home look good online. That's why we're walking through it in person before anyone gets attached. Always.

Buying and Selling Questions I Hear Most

What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?

Pre-qualified is a quick estimate and pre-approved means a lender has actually checked your information. Sellers and their agents usually take pre-approved buyers more seriously. Your lender can explain exactly what their process involves.

Should I waive the home inspection to win a bidding war?

I never recommend it. A modest inspection fee has saved buyers from very expensive surprises, and I don't think winning the bid is worth taking that risk. Talk to your agent and your attorney about your specific situation.

Is my Zestimate my home's real value?

No. It's an algorithm's best guess and not a substitute for a walkthrough of your home and a look at what buyers are actually paying right now.

Does the highest offer always win?

Not always. Offers with fewer contingencies, a strong pre-approval, and a quick close can be more attractive than a higher price with more strings attached.

Ready to Buy or Sell in the Des Moines Area?

If you want a real estate agent who'll tell you the truth about a house, not just the highlights, DM me or call or text me at 515-708-4572 or email steven@sbreiowa.com.

Steven Bunting

REMAX Precision  |  Licensed to sell in Iowa

@sphererealestategroup