Mortgage Lender in Des Moines, Iowa
When you call Intra-Mortgage, you reach a real loan officer who knows Des Moines neighborhoods by name, not a call center three states away.
See what you may qualify for
Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized starting home price range.
No credit pull. No obligation. No calls unless you ask for one.
Takes about 3 minutes. Not a loan application or commitment to lend.
Des Moines market snapshot
LiveWe know Des Moines, not just the state average
Des Moines is a genuinely varied market. Buyers in walkable East Village look at older attached homes with different inspection considerations than buyers in newer subdivisions out in Ankeny or Waukee. First-time buyers in neighborhoods like Beaverdale or Highland Park often ask about down payment assistance (DPA), which is help covering the cash needed to close, and our loan officers can walk you through Iowa Finance Authority programs that may apply to your situation. Polk County's mix of price points means there is rarely one-size-fits-all advice here.
Credit flexibility matters in a market like Des Moines, where a significant share of buyers are purchasing their first home. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which are government-backed mortgages designed for buyers with lower down payments or credit scores in the mid-600s, are a common starting point. Our team works with FHA as well as conventional options, so we can help you compare which structure fits your income and savings before you ever make an offer. We also walk you through debt-to-income ratio (DTI), meaning how much of your monthly income goes toward existing debt, because lenders use that number to decide how much you can borrow.
Timing is a real concern for Des Moines buyers, especially in competitive pockets like Johnston or Urbandale where sellers may receive multiple offers. A solid pre-approval signals to a seller that your financing is in order. We move quickly on pre-approvals and stay reachable through the process, from that first conversation to the day you get your keys. If you have questions about how long closing typically takes in Polk County, or what a local appraisal might flag on an older home near downtown, we are here to give you a straight answer.
A licensed lender with real roots
We're not a lead-generation site that sells your information. We're a licensed mortgage team, and we're here in Iowa.
A real team
You work with a licensed mortgage team and a loan officer who knows this market, not a national portal that sells your information to the highest bidder.
Market knowledge
We know Des Moines's neighborhoods, appraisers, title companies, and county quirks, because we close here every week.
A human, not a call center
You get one loan officer with a direct line, not a 1-800 number and a different rep every time you call.
Multi-state licensed
Licensed across OH, IN, PA, TX and more. Moving out of state later? We can likely still be your lender.
The right loan for your situation
Not sure which fits? See what you may qualify for above, or read the full guide on any option below.
FHA Loans
As little as 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. The most flexible path for first-time and credit-building buyers.
FHA in Des MoinesConventional
3–5% down for strong-credit buyers. Mortgage insurance drops at 20% equity — the long-term cost winner.
Conventional guideVA Loans
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
VA loan benefitsRefinance
Lower your rate, shorten your term, or tap equity. We'll run the break-even math honestly.
Refinance optionsFirst-Time Buyer
Down payment assistance, education, and step-by-step guidance built for people buying their first home.
First-time buyer guideNot sure yet?
Compare FHA vs. Conventional side by side, or talk to a loan officer who'll run both on your actual numbers.
Compare loan typesDown payment assistance in Des Moines
Iowa buyers can often stack state, county, and city assistance on top of an FHA or conventional loan to cover part, sometimes all, of the down payment. What you qualify for depends on your income, the home, and the program.
No credit pull to start, we'll check your assistance eligibility with you.
Real footprint
We close loans across the entire Greater Des Moines metro, city neighborhoods, suburbs, and the core counties we serve.
Des Moines Neighborhoods
Suburbs
From "just looking" to keys in hand
A clear four-step path, with a real person guiding you at each stage.
Get pre-qualified
Answer a few questions, no credit pull, no obligation. We'll tell you what you can realistically afford in Des Moines.
~60 secondsApply & get pre-approved
A full application and verified pre-approval letter, the kind Des Moines sellers take seriously in a multiple-offer situation.
1–2 daysUnderwriting & approval
Your file goes through full underwriting, appraisal, title, and conditions handled by a team you can actually reach.
2–3 weeksClear to close
Sign, fund, and get your keys. We coordinate with your title company to keep closing day smooth.
Day of closeJoe Heister and Katie Smith are outstanding to work with. Joe is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about his clients — he goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.
I'm a real estate agent and have known Joe Heister for over 15 years. I have always respected him as a lender with integrity who consistently puts his client's interests first.
As a first-time homebuyer, I had so many questions about the mortgage process, but Katie made everything so much easier. From the beginning she took the time to explain every step and answered all my questions patiently.
I recently refinanced with loan officer Mitra Dhital, and he was very helpful and professional throughout the process. He explained everything clearly and made the experience smooth and stress-free.
Thank you to Keshabi Acharya for making our home buying experience so smooth and stress free. She was very quick to respond and very knowledgeable on the topic of loans.
I worked with Joe Heister and Katie Smith and the process was seamless. Professional, organized, and low rates. Highly recommend.
Des Moines mortgage FAQs
Yes. A large portion of the buyers we work with in the Des Moines area are purchasing their first home. We walk you through every step, including how much cash you may need, what credit score ranges qualify for different loan types, and whether any Iowa down payment assistance programs could reduce your upfront costs. No prior mortgage knowledge required.
An FHA loan is a government-backed mortgage that typically allows a lower down payment and accepts credit scores in the mid-600s. It is a popular option in Des Moines, particularly for buyers in established neighborhoods like Beaverdale or on the south side. One thing to know: FHA loans carry a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), a fee that protects the lender and is built into your monthly payment.
Iowa Finance Authority programs offer down payment assistance to qualifying buyers, including some first-time buyer programs that apply statewide and can be used in Polk County. Eligibility depends on income, purchase price, and the loan type you choose. Our loan officers can tell you quickly whether you are likely to qualify and how to apply the assistance alongside your mortgage.
A typical closing in the Des Moines area runs roughly 30 to 45 days from a ratified contract, though that can vary based on loan type, appraisal scheduling, and how quickly paperwork moves. FHA and VA loans sometimes add a few days due to additional appraisal requirements. Staying responsive with documents is the single biggest factor in keeping your timeline on track.
Older homes in neighborhoods like Highland Park, Drake, or Sherman Hill can surface appraisal notes on things like deferred maintenance, older electrical panels, or roof condition. FHA appraisals in particular include a minimum property requirements check. Knowing this in advance helps you decide whether to negotiate repairs or adjust your offer. Our team can explain what appraisers typically flag before you go under contract.
A mortgage lender funds loans directly, while a mortgage broker shops your application across multiple wholesale lenders to find a fit. Intra-Mortgage operates as both, depending on the product. That means we are not locked into one set of guidelines. If one loan program does not fit your situation, we have other avenues to explore, all handled by licensed loan officers who stay with your file from start to finish.
Iowa loan guides
In-depth guides on loan programs, limits, and buyer assistance across Iowa.
Get pre-qualified for a Des Moines home loan
See what you qualify for in about a minute, or talk to a loan officer who actually knows the Greater Des Moines market.