Peter Jones, Realtor

06/16/2026

Let me give you two very good reasons to think twice before going with a national lender. 👇

117 — Better rates. (Yes, really.)
118 — Local lenders don't punch out at 5pm on a Friday when you have three closings scheduled for Monday.
The result? Closing has been pushed back three days. Three. Days.
Here's what actually happened: It was 4:30pm on a Friday. We were working to line up three closings for Monday morning. The lender? A big national company out of Detroit. Their clocks hit 5pm. Phones went quiet. Work stopped.

The result? Closing pushed back three days. Three. Days.

A local lender doesn't do that. We're in the same time zone, the same community — and we finish the job.

Drop a 🏡 if you've ever dealt with a situation like this.

06/15/2026

These shows are going to be great!

Our neighbors at Health Insurance Advisor, LLC. and Johnston Merle Hay Cheba Fam are hosting Bites, Beats and Giving Back! This is a return of the awesome music, food, and family fun events benefiting the Johnston Partnership. Each event will feature a different live band, bringing the energy all summer long. Save the dates, because you won't want to miss out. Huge thanks to our neighbors and to all the generous sponsors! https://www.johnstonpartnership.org/summermusic

06/12/2026

One of the biggest weekends of the summer in Greater Des Moines starts Friday. Here's everything happening June 12–14 👇

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Capital City PrideFest — Historic East Village
Fri Jun 12 & Sat Jun 13 • 3:30–10 PM | Sun Jun 14 • Parade at Noon • Free
Iowa's largest LGBTQ+ event takes over 12 blocks of the East Village all weekend. 70,000+ people expected. Brooke Eden and David Archuleta headline the main stage. Silent Disco at 8 PM both nights. Sunday's Veridian Pride Parade rolls down Grand Avenue at noon. Free to attend — one of the best street festivals Des Moines puts on all year.

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Billy Currington & Kip Moore — Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park
Sat Jun 13 • 6:30 PM
Two multi-platinum country artists co-headlining the Willis Summer Series on the river. "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right" meets "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck" at one of the best outdoor amphitheaters in the Midwest. Kenny Whitmire opens.

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SPINNS — A Contemporary Ballet — Hoyt Sherman Place
Fri Jun 12 • 7:00 PM
Contemporary ballet produced by SEEDS at one of Des Moines' most beautiful historic theaters. A different kind of Friday night worth dressing up for. Tickets at hoytsherman.org.

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Johnston Green Days — Terra Park, Johnston
Thu–Sat • Free admission (Saturday is the big day)
Free pancake breakfast 7–10 AM, parade at 10 AM, carnival rides, Smokin' Heroes smoked meat competition 1–4 PM, food vendors, beverage tent, and live band Saturday night. All free to get in. One of the best free suburb festivals of the summer.

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Love You Des Moines Days — Valley Community Center, West Des Moines
Fri Jun 12 – Sun Jun 21 (opening weekend this Friday)
Hundreds of free activities for all ages running through June 21. Check loveyoudsm.com for the full opening weekend schedule.

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Finish Line Show Lounge — Prairie Meadows, Altoona
Fri Jun 12 & Sat Jun 13 • 8 PM • Free with casino visit
Live music both nights — local musicians and national tribute bands. No tickets, no planning required. A solid low-key option in Altoona all weekend.

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Save this and tag someone who needs plans this weekend.

06/11/2026

June market check for Des Moines NW Suburbs

If you've been watching these northwest suburbs for a while — casually browsing, saving listings, having the "maybe next year" conversation — here's what the numbers are actually telling us right now.

A few things worth noting this month in the $425K–$650K:
⦿ Days on market are sitting at 43 days for homes in the $425K–$650K range. That's slower than this time last year, which means buyers have a little more room to negotiate than they did 18 months ago.
⦿ Inventory in the move-up range is moderate — there are 361 active listings across the Des Moines NW Suburbs right now in that price band. For families who've been waiting for more options to appear, there is certainly inventory available.

The families who navigate this market best aren't the ones who time it perfectly. They're the ones who know their numbers, have a plan, and are ready to act when the right home appears.

Drop a 🏡 in the comments if you want me to pull the specific data for your neighborhood — happy to send it over.
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Move-up specialist · Johnston · Ankeny · Urbandale · Waukee · Des Moines NW suburbs

06/10/2026

“What if we end up paying two mortgages?”

It’s the question I hear most from move-up families in Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale — and it’s a completely fair one. If you go into a move-up transaction without a clear sequence, it can happen.

But here’s the thing: there are two proven strategies that eliminate that risk entirely when they’re executed correctly. A rent-back clause that lets you sell first and stay put while you find the next home. And a contingent offer structure that ties your purchase directly to your sale. In a normalized market like Des Moines right now, both of these work — sellers are more open to contingencies than they’ve been in years.

The difference between a stressful move-up and a seamless one almost always comes down to sequencing. Knowing which lever to pull first, and having someone who’s done it before managing the timeline.

That’s the work I do for move-up families exclusively in Johnston, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee, and the northwest suburbs.

DM me the word TIMING — I’ll walk you through how we’d structure your specific situation. About 15 minutes, no cost, no pressure.
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Move-up specialist · Johnston · Ankeny · Urbandale · Waukee · Des Moines NW suburbs

06/08/2026

You’ve been watching the market. Saving the Zillow listings. Having the dinner table conversation.

And the thing holding you back is probably this: “We’re not sure our equity is actually enough to make the jump.”

Here’s what I see working with move-up families in Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale every day — most of you are further along than you think.

Homeowners have gained an average of $60K+ in equity over the last five years nationally. In our northwest suburbs, values have tracked right along with that. If you bought here 7–8 years ago, you may be sitting on $80–100K in equity right now.

That’s not just a down payment on the next home. In a competitive market, that’s leverage.

I specialize exclusively in move-up transactions in Johnston, Ankeny, Urbandale, Grimes, West Des Moines, Clive, and Waukee. The first thing I do with every family is run the real numbers — what your home is worth today, what your equity position looks like, and what that actually gets you on the other side.

Drop EQUITY in the comments or send me a DM. I’ll have your numbers back to you within 24 hours. Free, no pressure, no obligation.

Just clarity — so you can make a confident decision either way. 🏡
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Move-up specialist · Johnston · Ankeny · Urbandale · Des Moines NW suburbs

06/07/2026

That 3% rate feels like a golden handcuff. I hear it every week from families in Johnston, Ankeny, and Urbandale who are ready to move up but feel stuck.

Here’s what nobody’s showing you: the equity you’ve built over the last 7–10 years dramatically changes the payment math on your next home. The difference is usually far smaller than you think.

And the cost of waiting? Another year in the wrong school district. Kids still sharing rooms. A home that stopped fitting your family a long time ago.

If you’re ready to build a real strategy — sell for top dollar and buy your next home without moving twice — comment MOVE UP and I’ll reach out.

📍 Serving Johnston | Ankeny | Urbandale | Grimes | West Des Moines | Clive | Waukee

06/05/2026

The price just dropped by $10,000.

That's 10,000 reasons to stop scrolling and come see this home for yourself.

Now offered at $539,900.

Stop by the open house this Sunday or reach out for a private tour before it's gone.

🏡 Your next chapter might start here.

06/04/2026

What would you pay for 5 beds, a finished basement, a basketball court, and a pond view in West Des Moines?

Whatever number you just said — 254 S. 83rd St might surprise you. 👇

📍 West Des Moines, IA
🏠 5 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3-Car Garage | Finished Basement
🏀 Custom concrete basketball court
🌊 Private pond view across the street
🛍️ Blocks from Jordan Creek Town Center

Every room updated. Washer/dryer included. Waukee School District (Woodland Hills Elem — 9/10 rated).

🚪 OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, June 7 · 1–3 PM
No appointment needed — come see it in person.

💬 Comment INFO for the full listing details or to schedule a private tour before it sells.

Listed by Shane Kennedy | Clarkson Realty Group | LPT Realty