If you’re buying or selling a home in the Des Moines metro, this episode breaks down what’s working right now—plus what buyers and sellers often underestimate. We cover the realities behind online listings, why photos and prep matter, how open houses can still win, and what new agents should focus on to build a business in Central Iowa.
In this conversation, a local agent shares:
What expectations looked like starting in 2019, and what changed when business accelerated later on
Why relationships (not “salesy” tactics) create long-term real estate growth
How a local referral/networking group produced consistent opportunities
Why newer agents tend to be buyer-heavy—and why listings require deeper trust
Seller prep non-negotiables: cleaning, decluttering, and photo-ready details
Open houses: when they help and how they can lead directly to sales
Buyer expectations: online photos vs real life, location surprises, and “Zillow scrolling”
Advice for new agents: avoiding shiny objects, paid leads, and the key questions to ask a team lead
Real estate media strategies: floor plans, social assets, and community-driven listing videos that can rank in search for neighborhoods and lifestyle
Chapters
00:00 Intro + getting started in real estate (2019 expectations)
02:05 What changed: consistency + referrals + networking
05:10 Buyers vs sellers and why listings are harder to win early
07:40 First deals, inspections, and learning fast
10:30 Working with other agents without burning bridges
12:10 Wild showing story (yes… pigs)
14:35 Listing non-negotiables: communication, staging, cleaning, photographers
18:10 Seller prep: declutter, counters, fans, and photo-day expectations
20:45 Open houses: why they still matter
23:10 Listing video strategy: lifestyle + community + long-term search value
27:10 Market reality: some homes sell fast, others sit 30–90+ days
30:10 Buyer expectations: online vs in-person + how to prepare
33:15 Advice for new agents: leads, teams, and SOI protections
38:10 Wrap-up
Want help with real estate media in the Des Moines metro?
If you’re an agent and want high-end photos, floor plans, reels, or community-focused listing videos built for YouTube search, reach out here:
➡️ www.michaelandryley.com
➡️ [email protected]
Keywords (helpful for search): Des Moines real estate, Des Moines housing market, Central Iowa real estate, Waukee real estate, Indianola real estate, Iowa home selling tips, buying a home Des Moines, real estate open house, listing prep checklist, real estate photography Des Moines, staging and cleaning before listing, real estate marketing videos.
Hashtags
#DesMoinesRealEstate #IowaRealEstate #WaukeeIA #CentralIowa #HomeSellingTips #HomeBuyingTips #RealEstatePodcast #DesMoinesHousingMarket
Video details compiled using ChatGPT...accuracy may vary from actual information/conversation
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