Move In Ready Homes in Des Moines and Ankeny for Buyers Who Do Not Want to Wait to Build

If you’re dreaming about a new home in Des Moines or Ankeny but the idea of waiting months for a custom build feels impossible, you’re not alone. A lot of buyers are in that same spot: you want something new, efficient, and low-maintenance, but life, work, kids, or a lease renewal date mean you can’t wait through a full build.

That’s exactly where move-in ready homes shine.

Recent surveys back this up. More than half of prospective buyers in a national study said a move-in ready home with no repairs needed was their number-one priority, and nearly all said it was important to them on some level. Another survey found that 62% of homeowners chose move-in ready homes rather than fixer-uppers, and many of the fixer-upper buyers later regretted how much time and money renovations took.

So if you’re thinking, “We want something beautiful and new… but also soon,” you’re in exactly the right place.

This guide walks through what move-in ready homes in Des Moines and Ankeny actually offer, who they’re best for, and how to find the right one with Happe Homes, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Quick answers if you’re just starting to look

What is a move-in ready home?

It’s a newly built home that’s either completed or very close to completion. You don’t have to wait through the whole construction process or do any major work before moving in.

Who are move-in ready homes best for?

Buyers who want new-home benefits, better energy efficiency, modern floor plans, fewer repairs, but need or prefer a shorter timeline than a full custom build.

Can we still choose anything if the home is already built?

Sometimes yes. If the home is “nearing completion,” there may still be choices left (appliances, lighting, or minor design details). If it’s fully finished, the benefit is that what you see is exactly what you get, no surprises.

Where can I see Happe Homes’ move-in ready options?

You can browse current homes on the Available Homes page: https://happehomes.com/available-homes/

That page is updated as homes are listed, sold, or added in communities around Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Norwalk, and the rest of central Iow

Why so many buyers are choosing move-in ready homes

The preference for “turnkey” homes isn’t just a trend; it’s how most buyers actually shop. A recent national report noted that buyers who chose new homes did it mainly to avoid renovations and major system problems, such as electrical or plumbing issues. Another analysis of metropolitan home purchases found that ready-to-move-in properties made up a large majority of transactions, reflecting how much people value convenience and certainty.

For buyers in the Des Moines metro, that translates into a few very practical advantages:

You don’t have to juggle a months-long build with your current lease or mortgage.
You can walk through the actual home, not just a plan or rendering.
You get the benefits of new construction, energy efficiency, modern layouts, fewer repairs, without waiting for drywall and framing.

If that sounds like what you need, focusing your search on move-in ready homes in Des Moines and Ankeny is a smart move.

How move-in ready compares to building from scratch

Both paths, custom build and move-in ready, can be great options. The best one depends on your timing, personality, and budget priorities.

Custom build is usually better when:

You have a flexible timeline of 8–12 months or more.
You love the idea of choosing every detail, from floor plan modifications to tile.
You’re comfortable making a lot of decisions along the way.

Move-in ready is usually better when:

You need or want to move within the next few months, not next year.
Your schedule is already full and you’d rather not make dozens of selections.
You want to see exactly what you’re buying and run the numbers on a real home, not estimates.

Happe Homes does both: full custom builds and a rotating selection of move-in ready homes across central Iowa. If you’re still deciding which path fits you better, you can look at both at the same time:

Explore floor plans if you’re thinking custom: https://happehomes.com/floor-plans/

Browse move-in ready options if you want something sooner: https://happehomes.com/available-homes/

Seeing real homes, prices, and layouts next to each other often makes the decision much clearer.

Why Des Moines and Ankeny are strong markets for move-in ready homes

The Des Moines metro has been growing steadily, adding jobs, families, and housing demand. Recent local reports highlight ongoing new construction activity and builders offering concessions or upgrades to help buyers manage affordability

For you as a buyer, that means:

A wider range of new construction communities to choose from
More opportunities to find a move-in ready home in the part of the metro that fits your life
Potential builder incentives that you simply don’t see with older resale homes

In Ankeny, especially, growth has been strong for years. The area attracts buyers who want:

Quick access to Des Moines, but a community feel
New schools, parks, and amenities
Neighborhoods filled with newer homes rather than patchwork ages and styles

Happe Homes builds in several Ankeny and Des Moines–area communities, which you can explore here:
https://happehomes.com/communities/

When you combine that community network with a list of move-in ready homes, you get the best of both worlds: a strong location and a home that’s nearly or fully ready for you.

What you actually get with a Happe Homes move-in ready home

When you see a Happe Homes property on the Available Homes page, you’re not looking at a random one-off build. You’re seeing:

A home in a carefully chosen community with thought given to access, schools, and neighborhood feel
A floor plan Happe has refined over time, based on what works for real families
New construction that meets current building codes and energy standards, which typically leads to lower maintenance and more predictable utility costs than many older homes

Most move-in ready homes will already have:

A cohesive set of exterior and interior finishes
A functional kitchen and living layout, often open concept
Modern storage solutions like mudrooms, walk-in pantries, or generous primary closets
A warranty and service process that’s clear from day one (you can read about the warranty process here: https://happehomes.com/warranty-request/)

Instead of wondering what you’ll uncover behind old walls, you know exactly where you’re starting.

How to shop move-in ready homes without feeling overwhelmed

Scrolling endlessly through listings can burn you out fast. Here’s a calmer way to approach it.

1. Start with your non-negotiables

Before looking at a single listing, decide on 3–5 must-haves, such as:

City or side of town (Ankeny, West Des Moines, Norwalk, etc.)
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Three-car garage vs two-car
Rough budget range
School district or commute constraints

This helps you ignore homes that look pretty online but were never going to work for your real life.

2. Use the Happe Homes Available Homes page as your base

Head to:
https://happehomes.com/available-homes/

From there, you can:

Filter or visually scan for Des Moines and Ankeny specifically
Compare price points across different communities
Note which floor plans and layouts keep catching your eye

This is a much calmer start than trying to piece everything together from multiple listing sites.

3. Narrow down to a short list of “walk-through” homes

Online is great for first impressions, but you’ll learn the most by actually walking through:

How the light feels at different times of day
Whether the kitchen flow makes sense for your family
How the home sits on the lot (traffic, views, neighbors, yard)

Once you have 2–4 serious contenders, that’s a good time to reach out to the Happe Homes team to schedule showings and talk through timing: https://happehomes.com/contact/

When a move-in ready home is the smarter financial choice

It’s easy to assume that “new” automatically means “more expensive,” but it’s not always that simple.

Because move-in ready homes are already built (or very close), you get:

Upfront clarity on total cost, no surprises from changing materials or mid-build upgrades

Lower near-term repair costs, since everything from the roof to the mechanicals is new

Better energy efficiency, which research shows can save meaningful money over time compared with older homes that need updating

Meanwhile, buyers who opted for fixer-uppers are often spending thousands each year on renovations—money that can be harder to plan around.

If your priority is a predictable payment and fewer weekend projects, a move-in ready home can actually support your budget and stress levels better than you might expect.

How move-in ready homes fit into the bigger Happe Homes journey

Choosing a move-in ready home today doesn’t lock you out of custom options forever. In fact, many buyers:

Buy a move-in ready Happe home when life is busy and timing is tight.
Learn what they truly love (and don’t) about living in that home.
Come back later for a full custom build when life gives them more time and flexibility.

In other words, a move-in ready home in Des Moines or Ankeny can be both your “right now” solution and a stepping stone toward an even more dialed-in custom home down the road.

In the meantime, you get to enjoy:

New-home feel from day one
A neighborhood filled with other newer homes
A builder relationship and warranty support you can actually rely on

Ready to explore move-in ready homes with Happe Homes?

If you’re in that place of “we want new, but we don’t want to wait a year,” a move-in ready home is worth a serious look.

A simple way to start:

Browse current move-in ready homes in Des Moines, Ankeny, and across central Iowa: https://happehomes.com/available-homes/

Check which communities they’re in and see what fits your commute, schools, and lifestyle: https://happehomes.com/communities/

When 1–3 homes start to feel like real contenders, reach out to the Happe Homes team to talk through timing, next steps, and showings: https://happehomes.com/contact/

You don’t have to choose between “years of renovating an older home” and “waiting almost a year for a build.” If you want something new, comfortable, and ready soon, there’s a good chance your next home is already waiting in a Happe Homes community, keys and all.

FAQs about move-in ready homes in Des Moines and Ankeny

Do move-in ready homes sell quickly?

They often do, especially when they’re in popular communities with good schools and reasonable commutes. That’s why it helps to have your pre-approval ready and a shortlist of homes you’d seriously consider.

Can we still personalize anything in a move-in ready home?

If the home is fully completed, what you see is what you get, which many buyers actually prefer. If it’s “nearing completion,” there may still be some decisions open. The Happe Homes team can tell you exactly what’s still flexible for each property.

Are move-in ready homes more expensive than building from scratch?

Not always. Because the home is finished, you have clear pricing, and you skip months of carrying costs, rent, and construction uncertainty. Newer homes also come with lower near-term maintenance and can be more energy efficient, which helps long-term costs.

Can a move-in ready home still be a good choice for first-time buyers?

Yes, and often it’s the best choice. First-time buyers usually don’t want surprise repair bills right after closing. A move-in ready home gives them a newer starting point with a builder warranty and a clearer picture of what their first years of homeownership will cost.

How do we start with Happe Homes if we’re interested in a specific move-in ready property?

Note the address or community of the home you like on the Available Homes page and send a quick message through the contact form here: https://happehomes.com/contact/

You can mention your timing, whether you’re pre-approved, and which homes caught your eye. From there, the team can line up showings and walk you through next steps.