Iowa REALTORS® Blog

September is REALTOR® Safety Month, a time dedicated to reinforcing the importance of safety in the real estate profession. 

Four years ago, members of the East Central Iowa Association of REALTORS® Community Involvement Committee set out to create a summer volunteer activity, and they had backpacks on their mind. After connecting with Dubuque and Western Dubuque School Districts, they learned of the St. Mark Youth Enrichment Apples for Students program. The rest, as they say, is history. 

In a world of YouTube tutorials, DIY home projects, and endless real estate apps, it might be tempting to sell your home without a professional. After all, how hard can it be to list a property and find a buyer?

With real estate apps at your fingertips and listings just a click away, it might seem like you can buy a home on your own. After all, how hard can it be to tour a few places and make an offer?

Iowa’s housing market continued to show strength and stability in July, according to the latest statewide data from Iowa REALTORS®. 

Have you ever received a call to help sell a property that just didn’t seem right? Perhaps the seller claimed they needed to quickly sell a property they inherited from their family, that they can only communicate via email and text and they want to list below market value for a quick sale? 

Is Iowa’s housing market finally cooling off, or just catching its breath? June brought a classic summer shift with steady prices, growing inventory, and subtle changes in buyer behavior. Les Sulgrove discusses the current numbers and trends!

The Iowa housing market entered a seasonal shift in June, demonstrating a balanced pace following a busy spring, according to the latest statewide data from Iowa REALTORS®.

The Home Inspection Accountability Act (SF460) passed both the Iowa House and Senate on a unanimous bipartisan basis and was signed into law by Governor Reynolds. This legislation establishes comprehensive regulations for home inspections codifying qualifications for home inspectors, standards for inspection reports, and penalties for non-compliance, and is effective July 1, 2025.

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.