Senior Downsizing · Probate & Estate Sales · Out-of-State Heirs | Des Moines, Iowa
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Mortgage rates Iowa 2026 are expected to ease for buyers. 2026 mortgage rates are expected to ease gradually — not crash — with most forecasts pointing toward the low-to-mid 6% range by late 2026. For Iowa buyers, that shift matters: a 0.5% rate drop … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPUC® | Smart Move Des Moines Searching for first-time homebuyer grants in Des Moines? Thinking about buying a home in Des Moines but worried about the down payment? You’re not alone — and you might be closer to your dream home than you think. Iowa offers powerful first-time homebuyer programs … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Worried about buying the “wrong” house for your family in a shifting market? You’re not alone. The starter home vs. forever home question is one of the most common conversations I have with Des Moines buyers — and the honest answer is that both … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Des Moines is one of the most undervalued mid-size metros in the country — and 2026 is shaping up to be a breakout year. Major business expansions, rising job opportunities, housing that’s still 30–50% more affordable than comparable Midwest cities, and a lifestyle that … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® & SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Downsizing Your Home Starts With Downsizing Your Belongings This guide covers estate sale vs selling items downsizing options to help you make the best decision. When you have lived in a home for decades, the belongings you have accumulated tell the story of … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Iowa property taxes 65 Des Moines seniors face can be significantly reduced with the right exemptions. If you’re 65 or older and own a home in Central Iowa, the Iowa 65+ homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill starting in 2026. Combined with … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Downsizing mistakes Des Moines seniors make thousands of dollars and months of stress every year — and most of them are completely avoidable. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) who helps families navigate these transitions across Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Downsizing vs rightsizing Des Moines: You’ve probably heard both terms — downsizing and right-sizing. Maybe a friend mentioned they’re “right-sizing” into a ranch-style home in Urbandale. Or your adult child gently suggested it might be time to “downsize” now that the kids are gone. … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines What Happens to Home Insurance When a Parent Passes Away in Iowa? If you’re managing a parent’s home after they’ve passed away in Iowa, there’s one thing you need to check before anything else: the homeowner’s insurance. Iowa executors have as little as 30 … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines If you need to sell a probate home in Des Moines, you’re not alone. You’re dealing with a lot right now, and insurance is probably not what you wanted to think about first. But this is one of the time-sensitive decisions that protects the … Read more