Best Des Moines Areas for Buyers Who Want More House for the Money
Updated 2026 · Written by Natasha Ratliff, CRS, SRS
More house for the money is about comparing usable space, lot size, features, location, and monthly cost across the metro, not simply finding the lowest asking price.
Value looks different in every community.
Compare finished square footage, lot size, bedrooms, garage, basement finish, age, condition, renovation needs, HOA costs, commute, taxes, insurance, and new construction versus resale.
- More finished space can change daily life
- Fewer immediate repairs can lower early costs
- The right location still needs to fit
What does “more house for the money” actually mean?
Two homes can have similar prices and still provide very different value. One may offer more finished square footage, a larger lot, a three-car garage, a finished basement, or updated mechanical systems. Another may offer a more central location, a shorter commute, mature landscaping, and access to amenities. Neither is automatically better.
Working with a firm purchase-price ceiling? See where buyers may find homes under $400K across the Des Moines metro.
Altoona
Worth comparing for newer housing and additional space.
Compare larger floor plans, newer construction, attached garages, finished basements, and newer systems with commute, lot size, condition, taxes, insurance, and access to the places you use regularly.
Pleasant Hill
Worth comparing for established neighborhoods and east-metro access.
Value may come from existing finished space, established lots, traditional detached homes, and proximity to Des Moines. Older properties can also need roofing, HVAC, window, electrical, plumbing, or cosmetic work.
Bondurant
Worth comparing when newer homes and lot size matter.
Look at actual finished square footage, basement finish, garage, lot size, builder quality, neighborhood location, commute, and future maintenance. Newer construction does not automatically equal better value.
Grimes
Worth comparing for newer development and suburban growth.
A newer home may involve lot premiums, landscaping, window coverings, appliances, basement finishing, builder upgrades, or HOA fees. A resale home with more finished space can sometimes provide stronger overall value.
Review new-construction considerations while comparing resale alternatives.
Urbandale
Worth comparing for central access and established housing.
Value may come from a central location, mature lots, finished basements, and traditional home styles. Compare kitchen and bath condition, roof, HVAC, windows, electrical systems, basement condition, and future maintenance.
Explore older-home guidance before choosing an established property.
Ankeny
Worth comparing because of housing variety.
Compare established resale homes, townhomes, newer subdivisions, new construction, and larger suburban homes property by property. Finished square footage, age, condition, HOA costs, lot, commute, updates, and monthly ownership cost all vary.
Compare Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Waukee by the priorities that matter to you.
Decide which trade-off you want to make.
More interior space may mean
- Expanding the search radius
- Considering different suburbs
- A longer commute
- Older housing or a different location
More central location may mean
- Less square footage or a smaller lot
- An older home or attached housing
- A higher cost per square foot
- More convenient daily access
Older home vs. newer home
Established resale may offer more finished square footage, a mature lot, a finished basement, a central location, or existing improvements. Newer homes may offer newer systems, contemporary layouts, fewer immediate cosmetic projects, warranties in some cases, and newer efficiency standards. The advertised purchase price does not tell the full story.
How to compare value between two homes
Finished square footage
Compare usable finished living space, not only the total number.
Lot and garage
Decide how much outdoor space and vehicle storage change the way the home works.
Basement and condition
Check whether space is finished and what may need attention after closing.
Age and monthly cost
Include taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and expected maintenance.
Commute and long-term fit
Make sure the added time and transportation cost are worth the trade-off.
Common mistakes buyers make when looking for value
Choosing the cheapest price per square foot
It does not explain condition, lot, location, layout, or future repairs.
Ignoring unfinished space
A larger home may include areas that do not function as finished living space.
Assuming newer is always better
Newer homes can still involve added costs and trade-offs.
Expanding too far for space
A bigger house may not be worth a commute that does not fit your life.
See the value behind the asking price.
Natasha Ratliff, CRS, SRS, helps buyers compare square footage, lot size, age, condition, commute, maintenance expectations, neighborhood fit, and monthly cost before deciding which property is the strongest value.
“Natasha and Ken did an amazing job helping me purchase my first home. Their quick communication, guidance, and knowledge helped me find the perfect home!”nigbokwe2, Zillow review
Ratliff Real Estate Group is brokered by RE/MAX Precision.
Comparing home value across the metro
Where can buyers get more house for the money around Des Moines?+
It depends on current inventory and the features you value most. Compare communities by finished square footage, lot size, age, condition, commute, and total monthly cost rather than assuming one suburb always offers the best value.
Is it better to buy farther from Des Moines for more space?+
It can be, but weigh the additional space against commute time, transportation costs, location preferences, and how often you use central-metro amenities.
Does an older home usually give you more space for the money?+
Sometimes, but not always. Established homes may offer larger lots or finished basements, while condition and future maintenance remain important.
Does new construction provide better value?+
It depends. Newer homes may reduce some immediate maintenance concerns, but lot premiums, upgrades, landscaping, HOA fees, and unfinished areas can affect the total cost.
Should I compare price per square foot?+
It is one reference point, not the decision. Condition, location, layout, lot size, parking, updates, and future expenses matter too.
Want to compare what your budget buys across the metro?
Compare the same priorities across several communities instead of assuming one suburb will automatically give you the most for your money.