Des Moines, Iowa
Property Management in Des Moines, Iowa
Full-service property management for Des Moines landlords — at a flat 7% commission. No lease-up fees, no inspection charges, no maintenance markups. Ever.
Astra Property Management provides full-service residential property management in Des Moines, Iowa and the surrounding metro area — including Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clive, and Johnston. Astra charges a flat 7% of monthly rent collected, with tenant placement, lease renewals, routine inspections, maintenance coordination, eviction support, and monthly accounting all included at no additional charge. Owner proceeds are deposited every last Friday of the month.
Why Des Moines Landlords Choose Astra
Des Moines has one of the strongest rental markets in the Midwest. Astra helps you make the most of it — without the fees.
The Only Flat-Fee Manager in Central Iowa
Most Des Moines property managers charge 8–12% plus a laundry list of extras: lease-up fees (50–100% of first month's rent), renewal fees ($150–$300), inspection fees ($75–$150 each), and maintenance markups. Astra charges 7% — flat. No line items, no surprises.
Local to Des Moines, Not a Franchise
Astra is a locally owned and operated management company, not a national franchise. We know Des Moines neighborhoods — from Beaverdale to East Village to the Drake neighborhood — and we know the tenant pool, the local vendor network, and what Des Moines renters expect.
Payouts Every Last Friday
Your net rental proceeds are direct-deposited every last Friday of the month. No guessing when your money will arrive. No delays. No surprises. It works like a paycheck — because it should.
We Actually Answer the Phone
No voicemail maze. No ticket queue. Call or text (515) 462-0616 and a real person picks up. Des Moines landlords with out-of-area managers know the frustration of never being able to reach someone — we built Astra to be the opposite of that.
The Des Moines Rental Market
Des Moines is consistently ranked among the best cities in the country for real estate investors, with strong rental demand driven by a growing job market, a young professional population, and steady in-migration from smaller Iowa communities. Single-family homes and small multi-family properties in Des Moines and its suburbs — particularly Ankeny, Waukee, and West Des Moines — have seen consistent rent appreciation over the past several years.
For Des Moines landlords, this means the property management fee structure matters more than ever. At the rents commanded in neighborhoods like Beaverdale, Ingersoll, the Fleur corridor, or the booming suburbs of Ankeny and Waukee, the difference between a flat-fee manager and a traditional percentage-plus-extras model can easily reach $400–$600 per month — or $5,000–$7,000 per year — per property.
Astra manages residential rental properties throughout the Des Moines metro, handling everything from tenant sourcing to monthly accounting. Our flat 7% structure was built specifically so that as your rents grow with the market, you keep more of the increase — not us.
Everything Included at 7%
Every service below is covered by Astra's flat fee. There are no add-ons, no upgrades, no hidden billing. Read the full service descriptions →
Tenant Screening
Background check, credit check, eviction history, and income verification (3x rent). We only place qualified tenants.
Lease Preparation
Iowa-compliant lease agreements, move-in documentation, and security deposit collection — all handled by Astra.
Rent Collection
Monthly collection with late notices and fee enforcement. You never chase a payment.
Eviction Coordination
Demand letters, legal notices, and coordination with Iowa attorneys when necessary. Included at no extra charge.
Monthly Accounting
Detailed owner statements every month showing all income, expenses, and your net distribution.
Maintenance Coordination
Tenants reach us, not you. We coordinate trusted local vendors with no markup on repair invoices.
Property Inspections
Move-in, move-out, and periodic inspections with documented photo reports.
Lease Renewals
We handle all renewal negotiations and paperwork. No renewal fee — ever.
Owner Disbursements
Net proceeds direct-deposited every last Friday of the month, without fail.
Des Moines Neighborhoods & Suburbs We Serve
Astra manages rental properties throughout the greater Des Moines metro area.
Des Moines
Iowa
Ankeny
Iowa
Waukee
Iowa
Urbandale
Iowa
West Des Moines
Iowa
Clive
Iowa
Johnston
Iowa
Grimes
Iowa
Altoona
Iowa
Bondurant
Iowa
Norwalk
Iowa
Indianola
Iowa
Ames
Iowa
Polk City
Iowa
Windsor Heights
Iowa
Pleasant Hill
Iowa
Don't see your city? Contact us — we likely serve your area. View all Iowa cities we serve →
What Property Management Really Costs in Des Moines
On a $1,400/month Des Moines rental, here's the real annual cost difference:
| Fee | Typical Des Moines Manager | Astra |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Management | $140–$168/mo (10–12%) | $98/mo (7%) |
| Lease-Up / Placement | $700–$1,400 (50–100% of 1st month) | ✓ Included |
| Lease Renewal | $150–$300 per renewal | ✓ Included |
| Routine Inspection | $75–$150 per visit | ✓ Included |
| Maintenance Markup | 10–15% on all repairs | ✓ None |
| Annual Total (est.) | $2,700–$4,200+ | $1,176 |
Estimates based on industry averages. Actual competitor fees vary.
Des Moines Property Management FAQ
How much does property management cost in Des Moines, Iowa?
Do I need a property manager for my Des Moines rental?
How quickly can Astra place a tenant in my Des Moines rental?
Does Astra manage properties outside of Des Moines proper?
What types of properties does Astra manage in Des Moines?
How do I get started with Astra for my Des Moines property?
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