Updated from top to bottom and ready for its next owner! This completely renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers a turnkey opportunity in the highly sought-after Drake area—ideal as a primary residence, student housing option, or investment property. Inside, nearly every surface has been refreshed, including brand-new tile flooring throughout, new trim, updated lighting, and a beautifully renovated bathroom. The new kitchen features fresh cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and finishes, while the spacious living room provides plenty of room to relax or entertain. Step outside to the covered patio overlooking a tree-lined backyard—a great space to unwind or give guests an inviting outdoor retreat. Conveniently located near Drake University, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and major Des Moines amenities. Currently operating as an active Airbnb with significant earnings, this property offers the flexibility to move right in or continue its use as an investment. Turnkey, updated, and ready to go. Home is being sold as-is.
Drake, located between University Avenue and Interstate 235, is a historic and academic Des Moines neighborhood with collegiate energy and tree-lined streets. The neighborhood’s character concentrates along 25th Street near University Avenue, where coffee counters, casual eateries, and campus foot traffic set the daily rhythm. Drake University and the Drake University Observatory act as cultural anchors, with the Drake Relays bringing a signature seasonal pulse. Early-20th-century houses and brick apartment buildings frame walkable blocks that shift from quiet porches to busier storefronts. Pocket parks and the nearby river corridor add green breaks between classes, errands, and evening events.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Market insights
1708 26th St · $194,900
DAYS ON MARKET
1 days
The average home goes pending in 28 days.
SALE-TO-LIST
98.8%
Most homes are selling 1% below list price.
LIST PRICE
$194,900
Median sale price in this area is $323,937. (66% higher than this home)
PRICE DROP
0 price drops
27% of homes in this area have had a price drop in the past month.
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living
Interior features
Dining area
Unfinished basement
Bedrooms
2 main level bedrooms
Bathrooms
1 full bathroom
Heating & cooling
Central air
Forced air heating
Natural gas heating
Exterior features
Asphalt road frontage
Lot dimensions 50 x 130
Zoned residential
Home design
Entry level information not provided
Construction
Metal siding
Asphalt shingle roof
Block foundation
Resale condition
Utilities
Public water
Public sewer
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
Investment opportunity! Two bedroom, 1 full bath bungalow with unfinished basement. Block foundation has plate system installed previously. Needs flooring, paint, facia, and soffit repair, no appliances included. One car garage is collapsed. Selling as-is condition. Basement laundry hookups. A/c and furnace are approximately 5 years old.
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$1,350 (−6.9%)
$29,300 + $42,200
$71,500
2024
$1,450 (−9.1%)
$25,600 + $65,600
$91,200
2023
$1,596 (+0.9%)
$25,600 + $65,600
$91,200
2022
$1,582 (+6.3%)
$21,700 + $54,900
$76,600
2021
$1,488 (−18.3%)
$21,700 + $54,900
$76,600
2020
$1,822 (+8.2%)
$21,700 + $54,900
$76,600
2019
$1,684 (+1.3%)
$19,200 + $49,000
$68,200
2018
$1,662 (−3.0%)
$19,200 + $59,900
$79,100
2017
$1,714 (+16.9%)
$16,800 + $54,400
$71,200
2016
$1,466 (+7.3%)
$16,700 + $55,200
$71,900
2013
$1,366
$14,500 + $49,400
$63,900
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Permits
Beds
2
Baths
1
Stories
1
Lot width
50 ft.
Lot depth
130 ft.
Lot size
6,500 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
—
Finished Sq. Ft.
648
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
648
Year built
1942
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Polk County
APN
08007509000000
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Jul 10, 2026.
N5
Neighborhood District
N5 is intended to preserve the scale and character of neighborhoods developed with a mix of bungalow and two-story houses, predominantly in the Victorian, Revival, and Arts and Crafts styles pursuant to House D building type in section 135-2.16 of this code.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Infrastructure
Jun 21, 2019 • Final
Tidemark import - bld
Remodel
Apr 6, 2011 • Final
Mps imported permit - building
Tear off and install new asphalt shingles on a single-family home.
Roofing
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
1/10 Fire Factor
Unlikely to be in a wildfire in next 30 years
3/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 103° expected this year, 15 days in 30 years
2/10 Wind Factor
Minor risk of severe winds over next 30 years
2/10 Air Factor
1 unhealthy days expected this year, 1 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Des Moines, IA • 50310
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
31
14
40
20
59
35
64
45
75
52
83
64
87
69
83
65
81
59
71
49
50
34
38
21
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
In this area, properties receive around 10.3 hours in
June and 4.1 hours in December, which is comparable to the
U.S. average for solar exposure.
10.3 hrs
4.1 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 1708 26th St
$194,566
$334 under list price of $195K
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $142K to $225K.