What Des Moines Property Owners Need to Know About the Changing Short-Term Rental Market

Des Moines has a new rhythm for property owners exploring short-term rentals. Demand is picking up, properties are attracting more booked nights, and the market is creating fresh opportunities for homeowners willing to pay attention to what guests want.

With short-term and mid-term rentals, the difference often comes down to understanding the market before making decisions. So, what is changing across Des Moines, and what does it mean for your property? Let’s take a closer look at the trends shaping the local short-term rental market and what owners should watch next.

How the Des Moines Short-Term Rental Market Has Evolved

Des Moines has steadily grown into a more established market for short-term rental properties, giving property owners a new way to respond to changing guest preferences and travel patterns.

What began as a smaller, relatively straightforward segment has gradually developed into a more competitive space. More property owners are exploring flexible rental models, while guests have more choices across different property types and stay lengths. Today, the Des Moines short-term rental market is at a more active stage, with owners paying closer attention to pricing, visibility, guest experience, and occupancy.

The bigger question now is what is driving this momentum and where the short-term rental market is heading next.

Understanding the Shift in Des Moines’ Short-Term Rental Market?

Des Moines short-term rental properties are seeing stronger demand, but the story goes beyond simply having more nights booked. To understand what is really driving the change, it helps to look at how occupancy, pricing, revenue, and the supply of rental properties are moving together across the market.

More Nights Are Being Booked

Des Moines short-term rental properties are seeing stronger demand, with occupancy reaching 58% and rising 16.3% year over year. That points to a market where a greater share of available nights is being filled, giving properties more consistent booking activity.

But there is another layer to the story. The average daily rate has fallen 2.1% to $153, showing that the current momentum isn't being driven by higher nightly prices. Instead, competitive pricing may be helping properties attract stays while maintaining healthy occupancy.

Revenue Growth Is Changing the Opportunity

The financial picture becomes even more interesting when we look at annual revenue. AirDNA reports average annual revenue of $28.6K per active listing, up 91.8% year over year.

RevPAR has also climbed 16.7%, indicating that properties are generating more revenue relative to the nights available. Together, these figures point to stronger overall earning potential across the Des Moines short-term rental market.

For property owners, that creates an opportunity to think beyond simply securing individual bookings. Property visibility, availability, guest appeal, and day-to-day management can all influence how effectively a short-term rental performs in a market with growing revenue potential.

Local Events Are Creating More Reasons to Stay

Des Moines short-term rental demand also benefits from the steady flow of visitors drawn by major events, entertainment, sports, and business activity. The city’s calendar creates periods when travelers need convenient places to stay, giving rental properties another source of demand beyond routine leisure travel.

The Iowa State Fair is a good example. The 2026 event broke its previous attendance record, bringing more than 1.2 million fairgoers to Des Moines. Events like this can create concentrated demand for nearby accommodations, particularly when visitors are looking for alternatives to traditional hotels.

For property owners, that makes seasonality, local events, location, and booking strategy worth watching closely. A well-positioned Des Moines rental property can benefit from knowing when visitor demand is likely to rise and preparing for those periods in advance.

More Properties Are Entering the Market

Des Moines now has 1,121 active short-term rental properties, with the number of listings growing 2.7% year over year. That means the market is expanding alongside demand, giving guests more options when choosing where to stay.

For property owners, a growing supply of short-term rentals in Des Moines means simply being available may not be enough to attract consistent bookings. Location, property presentation, listing quality, amenities, reviews, and responsiveness can all influence how a short-term rental stands out among competing properties.

This also makes property positioning increasingly important. Owners who understand what guests are looking for can make more informed decisions about how to present their Des Moines rental, where to price it, and which features deserve greater attention.

Why Year-Round Demand Matters for Des Moines Short-Term Rentals

Des Moines short-term rental demand shows a relatively steady pattern across the year, rather than relying entirely on one short peak season. AirDNA gives the market a 70/100 seasonality score, indicating comparatively steadier demand across different periods of the year.

That matters for owners because a Des Moines rental property can potentially attract different types of guests throughout the calendar. Sports, conventions, cultural events, festivals, business travel, and leisure trips all contribute to the region's visitor activity.

For short-term rental property owners in Des Moines, the opportunity lies in planning around these changing demand patterns rather than treating every month the same. Understanding when different guests are likely to visit can help shape pricing, availability, marketing, and the overall positioning of a short-term rental property.

What This Means for Des Moines Property Owners

The changing Des Moines short-term rental market creates opportunities for owners who understand demand, competition, and guest expectations. Talk with the Top Shelf team about managing your short-term or mid-term rental with a strategy built around the local market.

What Should Des Moines Property Owners Know Before Entering the Short-Term Rental Market?

The numbers show a changing market, but owners still need to understand the practical factors that can shape how a short-term rental property performs in Des Moines.

If you’re considering a short-term rental in Des Moines, you may have a few practical questions about your property, location, guests, and day-to-day management. Here are some answers to the questions owners often ask.

Q1: What should I look for in a Des Moines short-term rental property?

Look for a Des Moines property with a location, layout, amenities, and guest appeal that match local demand. Access to attractions, business districts, events, dining, and transportation can also influence how attractive a short-term rental is to different guest groups.

Q2: What makes a short-term rental property competitive in Des Moines?

A competitive short-term rental needs more than a desirable location. Strong listing photos, accurate descriptions, useful amenities, responsive communication, positive reviews, and a well-maintained property can all help it stand out among other Des Moines rental properties.

Q3: Is location important for a Des Moines short-term rental?

Yes. Location can influence both the type of guest a rental property attracts and the occasions that drive bookings. Properties near major attractions, event venues, business areas, hospitals, entertainment districts, and transportation options may appeal to different segments of the Des Moines visitor market.

Q4: What amenities should a Des Moines short-term rental have?

The right amenities depend on the property and target guests. Reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable sleeping arrangements, a well-equipped kitchen, convenient parking, laundry facilities, quality furnishings, and a clean, functional space can make a short-term rental more appealing.

Q5: What should property owners do to prepare for changing demand?

Owners should regularly review booking patterns, pricing, guest feedback, local events, and competing short-term rental properties. Adjusting availability, marketing, pricing, and amenities based on what the market is showing can help a Des Moines rental remain competitive.

Q6: Should I manage my Des Moines short-term rental myself?

Self-management can involve marketing, guest communication, pricing, bookings, cleaning, maintenance, and ongoing property oversight. Owners who prefer professional support can work with a Des Moines short-term rental management team to coordinate these responsibilities and keep the property operating smoothly.

A Closer Look at the Next Opportunity

The Des Moines short-term rental market continues to evolve, creating new considerations for property owners at every stage. If you want to explore what professional management could look like for your rental, connect with the Top Shelf team.

Have More Questions About Managing Your Rental?

Whether you own a short-term, mid-term, or traditional rental property, having the right information can make ownership easier and more manageable. If you have more questions about your rental property, explore the Top Shelf Property Management FAQ page for helpful answers and guidance for property owners.