(West Des Moines, Iowa) 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.
“March marked a strong transition into the spring market across Iowa,” said Erik Melloy, Iowa REALTORS® President. “We’re seeing more homes hit the market and buyers responding, which is helping create a more balanced and active environment statewide.”
New listings began to bloom across the state in March. The 4,436 new listings recorded in March account for an 11.6% increase from the 3,971 new listings of one year ago, and a 31% increase from February’s 3,387 new listings.
Similarly, active inventory indicates that buyers looking to jump into the market will have a bevy of options. With 8,304 listings available, March saw a 15.3% in total inventory from the 7,199 listings of one year ago, and a 2.4% increase from the 8,109 active listings of February.
Several mild days in March contributed to an early thaw in closed sales, with 2,735 transactions, a 6.4% increase over 2,613 in March 2025. Month-over-month metrics saw a wider gain, jumping 33.5% from February’s chilly 2,049 closed sales.
Pending sales provided a glimpse of what may shape out to be an active spring in the state. With 3,549 pending sales, March saw a 4.2% increase from 3,407 a year earlier. The metric jumped 21.5% from 2,921 pending sales in February.
Median sales price came to $251,900 in March, a 7.2% increase from the $235,000 median in March 2025 and the prior month.
Days on market increased to 15 days in March, a 15.4% jump from 13 days in March 2025. However, days on market dropped month-over-month from 21 days, once again illustrating that the market is heating up across the state.
“The growth in pending sales points to continued momentum in the months ahead,” said Les Sulgrove, Iowa REALTORS® statewide housing analyst. “With inventory expanding and days on market tightening month-over-month, Iowa is well-positioned for a competitive and productive spring homebuying season.”
Condo & Townhomes
The condo and townhome market also experienced a late-winter thaw in March, with increases in sales and inventory.
New listings came to 743 for the month, a 23% increase from the 604 new listings of one year ago, and a 15% increase from the 646 new listings of February.
Active inventory increased 13.8% in March with 2,019 overall listings compared to last year’s 1,774 active listings. The movement was more subtle in monthly comparisons, jumping 2.3% from February’s 1,973 active listings.
Closed sales saw welcomed activity in March, with 391 transactions, a 5.1% increase over the 372 closed sales of March 2025. Month-over-month, March saw a 52.1% increase in closed sales, with 257 transactions recorded in February.
Pending sales once provided a glimpse of what could be an active early-spring market. The 542 new pending sales in March represent an 18.1% increase from the 459 pending sales of March 2025, and a 32.5% increase from the 409 pending sales of February.
Median days landed at 19 days, resulting in decreases in both yearly and monthly comparisons, a significant drop from the 33 median days on market one month ago. Median sales price also declined. The $236,000 median sales price in March was a 1.7% decrease from the $240,000 median sales price one year and one month ago.
