Senior Downsizing · Probate & Estate Sales · Out-of-State Heirs | Des Moines, Iowa
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Selling Your Parents’ Iowa Home From Out of State: What Out-of-State Heirs Need to Know Need to sell an inherited Iowa home from out of state? If you live in Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, or Phoenix and just learned you’re responsible for selling a parent’s … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines To price an inherited house in Des Moines correctly, executors need a framework that goes beyond a simple CMA. One of the first questions executors ask when they’re preparing to sell an inherited home in Des Moines is whether to fix it up first … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Can you sell a house in probate in Iowa? If you’ve been named executor of an estate in Iowa and the estate includes real property, you’re probably asking one of the most common questions I hear: can I sell the house while it’s still … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Vacant home insurance for executors in Iowa is one of the most overlooked aspects of estate administration. When someone passes away and leaves a home in Iowa, the family’s focus is — understandably — on grief, on legal paperwork, and on figuring out … Read more
Vacant home insurance Iowa requirements are one of the first surprises out-of-state heirs run into after inheriting Iowa real estate from out of state in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or anywhere across the state. Standard homeowners policies were written for owner-occupied homes — once a property sits empty for 30 to 60 days, most carriers … Read more
Feb 14, 2026 By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines When choosing between downsizing vs aging in place Des Moines options, seniors need a clear financial picture. Downsizing vs aging in place is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make as a Central Iowa senior — and the right … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Exploring 55+ living Central Iowa Des Moines options is a key decision for senior buyers. Choosing a 55+ community in Central Iowa is one of the biggest quality-of-life decisions you’ll make — and the Des Moines metro has more options than most people realize. … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® & SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Build Wealth From Home With a Des Moines Duplex This guide covers house hacking Des Moines duplex options for first-time investors. House hacking a duplex lets you live in one unit and rent out the other — turning your home into an income-producing … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines Introduction: Why Timing Your home Sale Matters Knowing the best time to sell Des Moines home gives you a critical edge. In real estate, timing isn’t everything — but it’s close. The month you list your home, the local economic climate, and even the … Read more
By Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. Multi-state real estate investing Des Moines investors embrace is a powerful wealth strategy. Building wealth through real estate doesn’t stop at … Read more