Picking a listing agent in Des Moines comes down to three things: how well they know Polk County's neighborhoods, how they arrive at a price, and what they charge. Compare the top-rated local agents below. If the house needs work, has tenants or is part of an estate, a cash offer may net you more than a listing.
Top-rated real estate agents in Des Moines
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Listing with an agent vs. a cash sale in Des Moines
List with an agent
- Usually the highest price for a house that shows well
- Repairs, cleaning and showings before it sells
- A buyer's loan, appraisal and inspection to clear
- Commission and closing costs come out of the sale
Sell for cash
- Sold as-is: no repairs, cleanout or showings
- No lender, so no appraisal or financing to fall through
- You pick the closing date
- No commission; the price reflects the repairs
Areas Des Moines agents work in
- Beaverdale
- Drake
- Sherman Hill
- River Bend
- Highland Park
- Union Park
- Capitol East
- Oak Park
- Urbandale
- Ankeny
Choosing an agent in Des Moines: questions
How much do real estate agents charge in Des Moines?
Commissions in Iowa are negotiable, and since 2024 the buyer's agent's pay is agreed separately from the listing agreement. Ask each Des Moines agent for their full fee in writing, what it covers (photos, staging, marketing), and how long the listing agreement runs.
How do I choose a listing agent in Des Moines?
Interview two or three. Ask how many houses they sold in your part of Polk County in the past year, how they arrived at the price they suggest, and what they'd fix before listing. Strong recent reviews from sellers, not only buyers, are a good sign.
Should I list with an agent or sell for cash in Des Moines?
Listing usually brings the higher price when the house shows well and you can wait for a buyer and their lender. A cash sale fits when the house needs work, has tenants, or is tied up in an estate or a deadline. Iowa sales commonly close with an attorney's title opinion or Iowa Title Guaranty coverage, and the closing agent pays the mortgage and taxes from the proceeds.
Selling as-is instead? Get cash offers on your Des Moines house.