Polk County · West Des Moines
Sell Your Commercial Property In West Des Moines, IA
From Valley Junction to Clive, we buy West Des Moines multifamily and commercial apartment properties of 5+ units in every condition. Owners and agents get a straight answer on fit, usually within two business days.
- Clear feedback on your deal, typically within 48 hours
- 5 to 100+ units, stabilized or distressed, listed or off-market
- Owners, agents, and brokers welcome — every conversation is confidential
We buy:Tired landlordsEstate & trust sales1031 exchangesDeferred maintenanceHigh vacancyPartnership splits
West Des Moines Submarkets: Valley Junction · Jordan Creek · Clive · Waukee — Polk County, IA
Local Demand
Our View On West Des Moines
West Des Moines is a Des Moines metro city of 71,083 residents in ACS 2020-2024. Renters hold 42.6% of its occupied homes, well above the Iowa share of 28.3%. Median gross rent is $1,237 a month, against an Iowa median of $972, and 39.2% of homes sit in buildings of five or more units.
Owners who sell commercial property in West Des Moines, IA meet buyers who study Polk County levy rates, the two-year rental inspection cycle and Iowa’s residential class for apartments.
Hy-Vee headquarters
Hy-Vee lists 10,000+ employees and a West Des Moines headquarters on the Greater Des Moines Partnership's February 2026 employer list.Wells Fargo campus
Wells Fargo employs 10,000+ across Des Moines and West Des Moines, per the Partnership's February 2026 major employer list.Insurance and financial headquarters
Athene and Farm Bureau Financial Services each list 1,000-4,999 employees at West Des Moines headquarters, per the same 2026 list.Our Buy Box
What We Buy In West Des Moines
Asset Type
Multifamily, 5+ Units
Apartment buildings and income-producing residential.
Size
5 – 100+ Units
Sweet spot: 15–25 units.
Condition
Stabilized To Distressed
Value-add, mismanaged, and high-vacancy properties welcome.
Deal Types
Listed Or Off-Market
Direct-to-owner, pocket listings, portfolios.
Local Market Data
West Des Moines Apartment Market
Figures gathered October 2026 from public market data.
Who rents in West Des Moines
Renters hold 42.6% of West Des Moines’s 32,233 occupied homes, or 13,742 households, in the ACS 2020-2024 tenure table.
West Des Moines has 13,344 homes in buildings of five or more units, or 39.2% of its stock, per the ACS units-in-structure table. Only 27.7% of West Des Moines homes predate 1980, and the median year built is 1994, per the ACS year-built table.
Rents and affordability
Median gross rent in West Des Moines is $1,237 a month under ACS 2020-2024, per the ACS rent table. HUD FY2027 fair market rents set the two-bedroom figure at $1,360 for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro.
| Unit size | HUD FY2027 FMR, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area |
|---|---|
| Efficiency | $1,102 |
| One-bedroom | $1,145 |
| Two-bedroom | $1,360 |
| Three-bedroom | $1,856 |
| Four-bedroom | $1,901 |
In West Des Moines, 41.6% of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent, per the ACS rent burden table. Rental vacancy is 5.1% in the ACS 2020-2024 housing profile, against 5.5% for Polk County. Buyers price that vacancy into offers when owners sell commercial real estate in West Des Moines, IA.
Property taxes in Polk County
A $2,000,000 apartment building in the West Des Moines city and school district owes about $31,105 a year, or 1.56% of value. Iowa Code 441.21(14)(a)(6) classes a parcel with three or more dwelling units as residential property. Iowa’s 2025 assessment limitation order sets residential realty at 44.5345% of value.
The Polk County consolidated rate for West Des Moines city and West Des Moines schools is 34.92276 per $1,000, payable September 2026 and March 2027. This example covers the Polk County portion of West Des Moines.
- Taxable value: $2,000,000 x 44.5345% = $890,690.
- Tax: $890,690 x 34.92276 / 1,000 = $31,105 a year.
The Iowa transfer tax on a $2,000,000 sale is about $3,199. Both figures shape net proceeds when you sell commercial property in West Des Moines, IA.
Landlord rules in West Des Moines
Iowa caps a security deposit at two months’ rent, returnable within 30 days of termination, under Iowa Code 562A.12. A tenant who does not pay within three days of written notice can be terminated under Iowa Code 562A.27.
Iowa Code 364.3 bars any city ordinance limiting the rent charged for private residential property. West Des Moines registers every rental property and inspects it every two years, per its rental housing page.
What it means for an owner
Anyone selling commercial property in West Des Moines meets buyers who weigh a 39.2% share of homes in 5+ unit buildings.
To sell commercial property in West Des Moines, IA, start with the cap rate calculator. Skyline Capital Investments buys buildings of five or more units, and you can sell your apartment building in West Des Moines with us.
Seller Notes
Selling In West Des Moines
More about selling in Iowa →Investing in West Des Moines? See apartment syndications in West Des Moines →
- West Des Moines registers every rental property and inspects it every two years before issuing certificates.
- Iowa Code 562A.12 caps deposits at two months' rent and sets a 30-day return deadline.
- To sell commercial real estate in West Des Moines, IA, gather certificates, levy statements and deposit ledgers.
Seller Guides
Your Situation, Handled — West Des Moines
Learn More
Taxes & Rules For West Des Moines Property
The Iowa rules that shape any deal in West Des Moines: what a sale costs in tax, how buildings are taxed, what landlords must follow, and how to defer gains.
West Des Moines Seller FAQ
How much property tax does a $2 million apartment building in West Des Moines pay?
About $31,105 a year in the West Des Moines city and school district in Polk County. That applies Iowa's 2025 residential limitation of 44.5345% to Polk County's consolidated rate of 34.92276 per $1,000, for taxes payable in September 2026 and March 2027.
What should I know before I sell commercial property in West Des Moines, IA?
Median gross rent in West Des Moines is $1,237 a month in ACS 2020-2024, and rental vacancy is 5.1%. Every rental property is inspected every two years, and 27.7% of homes were built before 1980.
Can West Des Moines limit the rent I charge?
No. Iowa Code 364.3 says a city shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance limiting the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property. The HUD FY2027 two-bedroom fair market rent for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro is $1,360.
How strong is rental demand if I sell commercial real estate in West Des Moines, IA?
Renters hold 42.6% of occupied homes in West Des Moines in ACS 2020-2024, above Polk County at 32.6%. Rental vacancy is 5.1%. Owners who sell multifamily property in West Des Moines compete within a stock of 13,344 homes in buildings of five or more units.
Who are the largest employers near West Des Moines apartments?
Hy-Vee and Wells Fargo each list 10,000+ employees on the Greater Des Moines Partnership's February 2026 major employer list. Athene and Farm Bureau Financial Services list 1,000-4,999 each, and both are headquartered in West Des Moines.
Will you buy a West Des Moines property that needs work or has high vacancy?
Yes. We regularly evaluate value-add, mismanaged, and distressed multifamily properties and underwrite them as they are today — no repairs or lease-up required before selling.
Do you work with West Des Moines brokers and agents?
We do. Agents can bring us listed or pocket-listing deals in West Des Moines, and we keep every conversation confidential.
Can I sell rental property in West Des Moines with tenants in place?
Yes. We buy apartment buildings with tenants in place and keep existing leases intact. As a commercial real estate buyer focused on 5+ unit properties, we underwrite the current rent roll as it stands.
How fast can I sell my apartment building in West Des Moines?
Most owners get clear feedback within 48 hours of sending the address, unit count, and a rent roll. Closing is typically set around your timeline, including extra time for a 1031 exchange.
Submit A Deal
Tell Us About Your Property In West Des Moines
A few details are enough to start. We respond to every West Des Moines submission, including off-market and pocket listings.
