Iowa REALTORS® Blog

Real estate in Iowa and nationwide has seen an evolution in recent years, leading to passage of new laws and policies to address the changing real estate landscape. This has also necessitated updates to  Iowa administrative rules (193E) to ensure they are in compliance with enacted legislation. Below is a summary of the latest Iowa Real Estate Commission rule changes, effective in June 2025:

Iowa’s housing market continued its upward trend in May, with more homes hitting the market and steady sales gains pointing to renewed energy heading into summer. Inventory levels rose over 20% year-over-year, and median prices saw a nearly 6% increase. While month-to-month changes were modest, buyer and seller confidence remains strong across the state.

Iowa’s housing market showed signs of steady growth and renewed progress in May, with rising inventory levels, stable sales, and continued price gains signaling increased confidence from both buyers and sellers as the summer season kicks off.

As REALTORS® living and working in a community built around beautiful lakes, the Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS® leadership team and members know firsthand how important water activities are to families in the area, and safety is always at the forefront of their minds. 

In this quick market update, President Travis Bushaw and analyst Les Sulgrove highlight key trends from April: growing inventory, steady prices, and fast-moving homes. With buyer confidence on the rise and affordability intact, Iowa’s market is staying strong. Watch the video to get the full scoop.

Iowa REALTORS® is reflecting on a positive 2025 Iowa legislative session where we achieved several bipartisan policy wins with an emphasis on increasing housing supply and consumer protection measures. These legislative wins would not have been possible without our members from across the state advocating for the passage of these bills. 

While the latest housing stats report from Iowa REALTORS® shows a welcome increase in housing inventory across the state, Iowa, like most of the country, continues to face housing inventory challenges. 

Iowa REALTORS® strives to ensure REALTORS® and their clients experience a clear, transparent real estate transaction. This year, that meant working with our elected officials to introduce and pass legislation that will improve the home inspection process during the home buying process. 

Iowa’s housing market is warming up with the spring weather! In April 2025, buyers were greeted with more options as inventory surged—active listings jumped nearly 25% year-over-year. Despite the growing supply, median prices continued to rise and homes still moved quickly, signaling a strong, competitive season ahead. Whether you're buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, April’s trends point to a bustling summer across the state.

Four times a year, Honor Flight of the Quad Cities provides veterans with the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices. 

The Iowa housing market warmed up much like the spring weather in April. The increases in inventory and active listings, paired with steady sales and median price set the stage for a productive and flourishing summer market to come. 

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—from unpredictable markets and demanding client needs to financial pressures and ever-changing interest rates. Even if you love what you do, it’s okay to admit: this job can be stressful.

April is recognized as Fair Housing Month; a time when REALTORS® work together to raise awareness of unfair and unjust practices that may prevent individuals from achieving the dream of homeownership.

Even though the month is coming to a close, we know that our work is not complete.

March 2025 saw 3,861 new single-family listings and 2,369 closed sales in Iowa, with median sale prices holding steady at $239K (up 6.2% for single-family homes and 3.5% for condos/townhomes), homes averaging 12 days on the market, and increased inventory.

The Iowa housing market showed clear signs of spring and its transitional increases in activity in March. While economic uncertainty resulted in fluctuations of many markets, the housing market across the state proved that buyers and sellers remain optimistic and ready for their next move. 

Each day, REALTORS® across the country - and in Iowa - work to ensure that homeownership is accessible to every American. But April holds a special place in the hearts of all REALTORS®.  Known nationally as Fair Housing Month, REALTORS® spend April reaffirming  their commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities through community activism, education and other avenues.