Market Intelligence Report — IA-180

Ames, IA

Monthly housing intelligence, market trends, and trusted local expertise.

Ref. No: 2026-IA-08
As of the latest 2026 data
Stabilizing

Median Listing

$310K
-2.5% YoY

Pending Ratio

0.56
-8.4% YoY

Active Inventory

332
+13.7% YoY

Median DOM

51 Days
-22.3% YoY

Primary Intelligence Tool — Sold Score™

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The Ames market demonstrates stabilizing conditions, characterized by a pending ratio of 0.56, suggesting a more balanced absorption of available inventory. Active listings have expanded by 13.7% year-over-year, indicating an increase in supply.

Local Market Signals

Source: FRED (St. Louis Fed)

Local economic trends can influence how quickly homes sell and how much competition sellers may face.

Job Market

3.3%-0.3 pp YoY

Unemployment rate · Jul 2026

Shows whether local employment conditions are supporting buyer demand.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED (St. Louis Fed).

Population & Migration

128,090-0.0% YoY

Resident population · Jan 2025

Shows whether the area is gaining or losing potential housing demand.

U.S. Census Bureau via FRED (St. Louis Fed).

Future Housing Supply

Data not yet available.

Shows whether future inventory pressure may increase.

Market Analysis

What's moving the Ames market right now.

Active listings have seen a substantial year-over-year increase of 13.7%, reaching 332 units, alongside a significant 50.0% rise in new listings over the past year. Concurrently, the median listing price has declined by 2.5% year-over-year, and days on market have compressed by 22.3% over the past year, to 51 days. The pending ratio currently stands at 0.56, representing an 8.4% decrease from the prior year.

Historical Analysis

Market Trends

Median Price

$310K-4.7% MoM

Active Inventory

332+13.7% YoY

Days on Market

51-22.3% YoY

Sold Score™

63-8.4% YoY

Sold Score™ Over Time

Market liquidity index • 36 months

63
Sep 23Aug 26

Price & Days on Market

Median listing vs market velocity

Price DOM
Sep 23Aug 26

Inventory Dynamics

Total active listings vs new monthly supply

Active New listings
Sep 23Apr 24Nov 24Jun 25Jan 26Aug 26

Sourced from Realtor.com RDC Inventory Core Metrics, supplemented by the Primpted research desk. Updated As of the latest 2026 data.

Market Signals & Indicators

Negotiating Leverage

Current dynamics suggest a market where the pace of transactions is moderate, influenced by expanding inventory levels. While demand remains present, the growth in available listings may introduce more price discipline into negotiations, preventing significant upward pressure on pricing. Buyers may experience a slightly more measured environment compared to periods of tighter inventory.

Luxury Segment

The average listing price has declined by 5.2% year-over-year, while the median listing price has seen a more modest 2.5% decline. This larger decline in average price, alongside a flat median $/sqft, could indicate some softening in the higher price tiers. However, the dataset does not provide enough granular detail for a definitive luxury-segment observation.

Supply Dynamics

332 active listings represent the current floor, with new supply arriving at roughly 144 per month.

Pricing Pressure
20.6%

of active listings carry a price reduction, +0.6% from prior period.

$/Sq Ft
$0K

Median price per square foot has moved +1.8% year-over-year.

Absorption
0.56

Pending-to-active ratio — Stabilizing.

Recommended For This Market

Stabilizing

Selling in Ames, IA? Homes here are taking 15 days less to sell than last year.

Ames, IA is sitting near equilibrium. Preparation, pricing and timing decide whether a listing sells fast or lingers.

Buyer Demand Index
56%
Median Days on Market
51 days
Inventory YoY
+14%

Ames, IA is balanced, so preparation decides the outcome. Your Sold Score shows where you stand today.

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Metro Demographics

Metro Area
Ames, IA
CBSA Code
11180
State
IA

ZIPs in Ames, IA

Sorted by active inventory · click a ZIP for its full report

Analysis FAQ
  • What is the current market condition in Ames?+

    As of the latest 2026 data, the Ames metro is classified as Stabilizing. Pending ratio is 0.56 with median days on market at 51.

  • Are home prices dropping in Ames?+

    Median listing price is $310K, -2.5% year over year. 20.6% of active listings carry a price reduction.

  • How fast are homes selling in Ames?+

    The typical listing sits 51 days on market, a -22.3% change YoY. New listings are arriving at 144 per month.

  • What's happening in the Ames luxury market?+

    The average listing price has declined by 5.2% year-over-year, while the median listing price has seen a more modest 2.5% decline. This larger decline in average price, alongside a flat median $/sqft, could indicate some softening in the higher price tiers. However, the dataset does not provide enough granular detail for a definitive luxury-segment observation.

  • Where can I find a trusted Ames real estate expert?+

    Primpted maintains a vetted registry of Ames agents with verified credentials, Google reviews, and neighborhood specialization. See the Featured Experts section above.

Data & Methodology

Primary data sourced via Realtor.com's RDC Inventory Core Metrics (CBSA-level), supplemented by editorial analysis and the Primpted local expert registry. Historical trends calculated on a rolling 12-month basis. Past direction is not a forecast.

As of the latest 2026 data · CBSA 11180 · 36mo history