Plain-English guides to buying a home, budgeting, loan programs and the Central Iowa housing market from Des Moines mortgage lender Louie Wickett.
Realtor.com graded the 100 largest metros on affordability and homebuilding, and Des Moines earned the only A+ at the top. A local lender explains what the ranking means for buyers.
Iowa replaced its homestead tax credit with a new homestead exemption starting with the 2026 assessment year. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and what it means for your property taxes.
New Iowa homeowners have to apply for the homestead exemption once with their county or city assessor by July 1. Here's exactly how to do it and when.
Active listings in the Des Moines area are up from a year ago. A local lender breaks down the fall 2026 numbers and how buyers can use the extra choice.
National housing supply reached its highest level in more than a decade in August 2026. Here's what that means for buyers and specific ways to negotiate a better deal.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate in September 2026. Here's why the Fed doesn't directly set mortgage rates, what actually moves them, and what buyers should do.
Iowa homeowners insurance premiums rose about 28% in 2025, among the biggest increases in the country. Here's why, how it affects your mortgage payment, and how to shop smarter.
Mortgage lenders can now use VantageScore 4.0 alongside classic FICO on many loans. Here's what changed in 2026, who it could help, and how to prepare your credit.
Federal student loan repayment changed on July 1, 2026. Here's how mortgage lenders count student loan payments, and how the new repayment rules could affect how much home you qualify for.
Two-thirds of home builders were offering incentives in September 2026. Here's how rate buydowns, closing cost credits and price cuts compare, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Des Moines rents average roughly $1,000 to $1,100 a month. Here's how to compare renting and buying honestly, including the costs most calculators leave out.
The 28/36 rule is a simple way to find a comfortable house payment. Here's how it works, a worked example, and why what you're approved for isn't always what you should spend.
Inflation picked up in 2026, led by gas prices. Here's how to build a homebuying budget that holds up when everyday costs rise, with a step-by-step plan.
NAR reports the median first-time buyer is 40, while loan data puts it closer to 33. Here's what's holding first-time buyers back and practical steps to buy sooner in Iowa.
A plain-English guide to Iowa down payment assistance in 2026: IFA FirstHome, Homes for Iowans, the Military Homeownership grant, the Mortgage Credit Certificate and Key Mortgage Group's internal grant.
FHA and conventional loans are the two most common ways to buy a home. Compare down payments, credit scores, mortgage insurance and who each loan fits best.
VA loans offer eligible veterans zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance. Here's how they work in Iowa, the lesser-known benefits, and how to pair them with Iowa's Military Homeownership grant.
USDA loans let eligible buyers purchase homes in rural and many small-town areas with no down payment. Here's how eligibility works and why they're perfect for small towns in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Wisconsin.
A step-by-step guide to the mortgage process after your offer is accepted: rate lock, disclosures, appraisal, underwriting, clear to close and closing day.
What closing costs Iowa homebuyers pay, how Iowa's state-run Title Guaranty system works, and ways to reduce your cash to close.
Down payment, closing costs, reserves and moving costs: a realistic checklist of how much cash you need to buy a home, and how Iowa programs can lower it.
Pre-qualification and pre-approval sound alike but carry very different weight with sellers. Here's what each one means, what documents you need, and how long a pre-approval lasts.
Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the main numbers lenders use to approve a mortgage. Learn how it's calculated, what counts, typical limits by loan type, and how to improve it.
Buying in a small town in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas or Wisconsin? Here's how appraisals, wells, septic systems, insurance and financing work differently, and how to plan for them.
Homes are sitting longer and buyers are more cautious. Here's what real estate agents should expect from a lending partner to keep transactions on track and clients happy.
A practical guide for real estate agents on structuring offers with builder incentives, seller concessions and Iowa down payment assistance, without running into loan program limits.
A local lender's guide to Des Moines-area suburbs: Ankeny, Waukee, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Norwalk, Altoona and Grimes, plus how to compare them beyond price.
Iowa's Mortgage Credit Certificate gives eligible first-time buyers a federal tax credit for part of their mortgage interest every year. Here's how it works and who qualifies.
How to decide whether refinancing your mortgage makes sense: the break-even calculation, common reasons to refinance, cash-out vs. rate-and-term, and when to wait.
Fewer buyers, motivated sellers and more negotiating room: why buying a home in fall or winter in Iowa can pay off, plus inspection tips for cold-weather house hunting.