A Fresh Start for Your Home, Your Year, and Our Des Moines Community**
By The Rob & Kelly Team — Where elevated service meets every move.

January always brings a sense of calm after the momentum of the holiday season. The pace slows, routines return, and many of us find ourselves looking around our homes with a fresh perspective. Whether you’re preparing for a move in 2026, checking in on the market, or simply wanting your home to feel more peaceful and organized, this month offers a perfect opportunity to reset.

As your Des Moines real estate resource,  We want to share a few meaningful ways to start the year strong — at home, in the market, and in our community.

Is January a Bad Time to Sell a Home?

The number one question we hear from sellers every January is this:
“Is winter — specifically January and February — a bad time to list a home?”

It’s a fair question. It’s cold. The holidays just wrapped up. Everyone’s wearing boots and coats. And on the surface, it feels like real estate should be hibernating right along with the rest of us.

But here’s the honest answer: people don’t stop buying homes in winter — they just do it differently.

Why this question comes up every January

January has a quieter energy. Life slows down just enough for people to think — really think — about what they want this year.

That’s often when homeowners start asking:

• “Do we stay put another year?”
  
  
• “Should we sell before spring?”
  
  
• “Is now too early… or actually smart?”

Winter creates space for those conversations. And while it may feel like the market shuts down, what’s really happening is more subtle — and often more favorable for sellers than people expect.

Do people really stop buying homes in winter?

            Short answer: no.

     

Longer answer: buyers don’t suddenly disappear just because the temperature drops. They still show up — boots, coats, and all.

According to long-standing National Association of REALTORS® seasonality trends, January and February are slower months for real estate activity, but that slowdown happens largely because fewer sellers list their homes, not because buyers stop looking.

Winter buyers are often:

• Relocating for work
• Working around lease timelines                       
• Making decisions tied to a new year and fresh plans

They’re not casually browsing. They’re intentional. And that’s a good thing for sellers.

Winter can actually be a plus for sellers

When fewer homes come on the market, something interesting happens: competition drops.

















Spring brings energy — but it also brings crowds.

Winter brings clarity.

And yes, buyers show up bundled up, but if they’re touring homes in January, they’re serious about finding the right one.

One meaningful winter selling tip

Comfort matters more in winter than any other season.

Buyers feel homes before they analyze them — especially when it’s cold outside.

A few small things make a big difference:

• Make sure the home is comfortably warm for showings
  
  
• Address obvious drafts
  
  
• Use lighting to create a cozy, inviting feel
  
  

A home that feels warm and welcoming in January instantly builds confidence.

Community Spotlight: Above + Beyond Cancer

As many of you know, Kelly is honored to serve on the board of Above + Beyond Cancer, an organization making an extraordinary impact on cancer survivors and their families.

Next month, they’ll host their annual Fur Ride on February 14th — The ride starts at Ricochet and wraps up at Big Grove Brewery, where one of the best bands in Des Moines, Guilty Pleasures, takes the stage. Add in great music, fun prizes, and a lively crowd, and you’ve got a perfect way to celebrate — or start — Valentine’s Day♥️🚴‍♀️🕺💖
 
Get tickets by clicking here Fur Ride on February 14th  and get ready for a day of fun and celebration!  If you have any questions, just give Kelly a shout.

🎁 January Giveaway: A Cozy Treat for One Lucky Winner

To celebrate the new year and support a great local business, we’re doing a small January giveaway.

One lucky winner will receive a $25 Friedrichs Coffee gift card.☕🎁

To enter:

• Reply "Enter Me" to our January email, or
  
  
• Text "Enter Me" to 515-824-7221

We’ll announce the winner on January 16th. A little extra caffeine feels especially right this time of year.

So, is January a bad time to sell a home?

Not necessarily — and for some sellers, it can be a very smart move.

If selling is on your radar this year, winter is a great time to talk through options without pressure or spring competition looming. And if you know someone quietly asking the same question, feel free to pass this along.

Here’s to a calm start to the year, clear thinking, and good decisions — coats, boots, and all.

- Rob & Kelly
Elevating Every Move

Kelly Schall, Broker Associate, GRI, CNE, Realtor®
📞 515-250-2133
Rob Langloss, Realtor®
📞 515-991-0734
📧 robandkelly@dsmrealtors.com
🌐 www.dsmrealtors.com
140 S 68th St Ste 1105, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Licensed in the State of Iowa