Your Des Moines Real Estate Agent
Des Moines Real Estate Agent: Emily Cressey
By Emily Cressey, Broker, HomePro Associates at Keller Williams Greater Seattle. Updated October 2026.
Des Moines is a small waterfront city on Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, and I have found it to be a charming and welcoming place. I am getting ready to list a home here soon, and I have toured plenty of homes in Des Moines and nearby Kent.
If you want to live near the water without Seattle prices, Des Moines deserves a look.
What is your home worth? Enter your address and I will prepare a free value report for you, by hand, not a robot.
Listing coming soon
I am about to list a Des Moines home, so I am watching this market closely.
Over 20 years industry experience
I became a real estate investor in 2002 and was first licensed in 2008. I have been a full time Des Moines real estate agent since 2020.
South King County know-how
I help buyers compare Des Moines with Kent, Burien, Auburn and Renton side by side.
Explore Kent and Des Moines With Me
Here is my tour of Des Moines and nearby Kent, so you can see the neighborhoods and the water.
What Is Des Moines Really Like?
Des Moines sits on the Puget Sound shoreline just south of Sea-Tac Airport. It has a marina, a small downtown along Marine View Drive and some of the prettiest sunset views in South King County. It feels like a beach town, but you are minutes from the airport, I-5 and the light rail station at Angle Lake.
The Waterfront
- Des Moines Marina: boats, a fishing pier and a waterfront walk.
- Des Moines Beach Park: trails, a creek and a beach with historic buildings.
- Saltwater State Park: a beach, campground and forest trails just south of town.
- Farmers market: on summer Saturdays at the marina.
Des Moines Neighborhoods and Homes
- Downtown and the marina: condos and older homes, some with water views.
- Redondo: waterfront and view homes on the south end.
- Zenith and the north end: mid-century homes on quiet streets.
- East of I-5: more affordable homes and townhomes near Kent.
Because Des Moines is near Sea-Tac, some homes are under the flight path. I always check where a home sits and recommend visiting at different times of day.
What Locals Love
- Water views and sunsets on Puget Sound
- The marina, beach parks and Saltwater State Park
- Quick access to Sea-Tac, I-5 and light rail
- More affordable than Seattle
- A small-town feel
What to Know Before You Buy
- Some areas have airplane noise from Sea-Tac.
- Highway 99 and Pacific Highway areas are busier.
- Waterfront and view homes cost more.
- Schools vary, so check each address.
- Downtown is small, with limited shopping.
How I Help Des Moines Sellers
Des Moines buyers want the water, the value and the easy airport access. I market your home around those, show off any views, and price it against the right part of town, because Redondo, Zenith and east of I-5 are different markets.
How I Sell Your Home: The A-PLUS Method
Every listing I take follows the same five steps. It is the system I wrote up in my free A-PLUS seller guide, and it is how I keep a sale organized when life is anything but.
A: Assess
We walk the house together, talk about your timeline and your bottom line, and look at what similar homes actually sold for.
P: Prepare
Cleaning, paint, repairs that affect financing, and staging. I have contractors who will wait to be paid at closing.
L: Launch
Professional photos, video, the MLS, social media and my email list, all going live on the same day.
U: Urgency
Pricing and showing schedules designed to bring buyers in at the same time so they compete.
S: Sell
I negotiate the offers, the inspection and the appraisal, and I stay with you through closing.
Curious What You Would Walk Away With?
Try my seller net proceeds calculator, then book a call and I will walk you through a real net sheet for your home.
Buying in Des Moines
Des Moines is a great fit if you want the water nearby and a reasonable price, or if you travel a lot and want to be close to the airport. Check the flight path and visit at different times before you write an offer.
For a deeper look, read my guide to living in Des Moines.
This Month in Des Moines
All home types, three months ending September 2026.
$569,729
Median sale price
Down 6.8% from a year ago
71
Homes sold
30 days
Median days on market
98.7%
Sale-to-list price
22.9% sold over list
My take: Des Moines prices are down from last year, and homes are taking about a month to sell. Sellers need to price carefully, and buyers have more choice.
Source: Redfin, based on NWMLS data. I update these numbers every month. For the bigger picture, see my Seattle real estate market update.
Des Moines Real Estate Questions
Is Des Moines, WA a good place to live?
For many buyers, yes. It offers water views, beach parks and good value close to the airport. Airplane noise in some areas is the main trade-off.
How far is Des Moines from Seattle?
About 20 miles. The drive to downtown Seattle takes 25 to 45 minutes, and light rail is nearby at Angle Lake.
Which school district serves Des Moines?
Most of Des Moines is in the Highline School District, and the south end is in the Federal Way district. Confirm for each address.
Is there airplane noise in Des Moines?
Some neighborhoods are under the Sea-Tac flight path. I check the location of every home and recommend visiting at different times.
What other areas do you serve?
I serve King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, including Des Moines, Kent, Auburn, Burien and Seattle.
More Places I Help Buyers and Sellers
Let’s Talk About Your Des Moines Move
Whether you are selling near the marina or buying your first home with a view of the Sound, I would love to help. Book a quick call, or ask for a free home value report prepared by me, not a robot.
Call or text (206) 245-8813 ย |ย Office: 1307 N 45th St #300, Seattle, WA 98103
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