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First-time home buyer programs in West Des Moines, IA

Quick answer

First-time buyers in West Des Moines, IA can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Polk County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 2 verified city, county or statewide assistance programs. On the $286,300 median home, 3% down is about $8,589 and the estimated payment is $2,449/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $84,925; value-to-income ratio 3.37. West Des Moines ranks 8 by home value and 7 by population among 42 places in our IA dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical West Des Moines home?

ItemWest Des Moines
Median home value (Census ACS)$286,300
Iowa median home value$195,900
Down payment (3%)$8,589
Loan amount$277,711
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,449
Income needed (28% / 36%)$105,000 / $82,000
Polk County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Iowa's 1.43% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,342/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in West Des Moines?

West Des Moines is in Polk County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The West Des Moines median home value of $286,300 is 46% above the Iowa median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can West Des Moines buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

CliveWaukeeUrbandaleNorwalkGrimesDes Moines

First-time buyer loan FAQs for West Des Moines

On the $286,300 median: 3% conventional ≈ $8,589, 3.5% FHA ≈ $10,021, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Polk County become jumbo loans.

At the $286,300 median value (above the Iowa median of $195,900), the estimated payment of $2,449/month at 7.18% needs about $105,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $82,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 2 statewide programs are verified for this city (2 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.