Iowa REALTORS® Blog

Iowa’s housing market continued to gain momentum in April as growing inventory, rising pending sales and faster-moving properties signaled a strong and competitive spring market across the state. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a timely reminder for REALTORS® to pause and reflect on their well-being. While real estate can be a deeply rewarding career, it also comes with unique stressors: market uncertainty, inventory challenges, and economic pressures. Even if you love what you do, it’s okay to admit: this job can be stressful.

Give Where You Live. 

That’s the motto Gale Gehling ascribes to each and every day. She believes that if her community thrives, so will her family and her business. 

As communities across Iowa continue exploring solutions to housing supply and affordability challenges, lawmakers revisited accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy during the 2026 legislative session.

Property tax reform remained one of the most closely watched and complex issues of the session. 

Although the 2026 Iowa Legislative session produced several meaningful policy changes impacting real estate professionals and property owners, a number of high-profile proposals ultimately stalled before reaching the finish line.

The 2026 Iowa Legislative Session included several meaningful updates for REALTORS®, homeowners, and property rights across the state.

For the Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS®, giving back isn’t a one-time effort. Each year, the Community Outreach Committee gathers to ask a simple but powerful question: How can we best serve our community right now?

Iowa’s housing market showed clear signs of a spring surge in March, with notable increases in new listings, inventory, and sales activity signaling growing opportunities for buyers and sustained demand across the state.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") Residential Real Estate Reporting Requirement, which took effect on March 1, 2026, has been delayed.

When Jen Burkamper entered real estate nearly 26 years ago, she was searching for something entirely different than the corporate path she had started on after college.

For Paul, the skills and perspective he gained as a REALTOR® made the transition into local government natural. 

February brought early signs of spring to the housing market, with new listings and pending sales showing notable growth, creating momentum as we head toward the busy spring season.

When Jill Hartke started her real estate journey 14 years ago, it wasn’t part of a long-term career plan, and it certainly wasn’t the first step in creating a family business. 

UPDATE: FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule Delayed

The Residential Real Estate Rule requires that a report be filed with FinCEN for all reportable residential real estate transactions.

 Iowa’s housing market kicked off the new year with renewed momentum, as January brought gains in new listings and steady buyer activity across much of the state.