Tiny Des Moines Ranch With Garage Listed for $115,000
A compact ranch home in northeast Des Moines, Iowa, has just entered the market for $115,000, offering two bedrooms, a detached garage and a manageable city lot.
Located at 1279 E 36th Street, the single-story home was built in 1951 and provides approximately 480 square feet of finished living space.
The property includes two bedrooms and one full bathroom and sits on a 6,000-square-foot lot measuring approximately 50 by 120 feet.
At the current asking price, the home works out to roughly $240 per finished square foot.
While 480 square feet makes this one of the smaller homes on the local market, the layout could appeal to buyers who prefer simple, lower-maintenance living without the responsibilities of a much larger house.
Both bedrooms are located on the main floor, along with the home’s only bathroom and primary living spaces.
Heating is provided by a natural-gas forced-air system.
Instead of central air conditioning, the home currently uses window units for cooling.
The exterior features metal siding, an asphalt-shingle roof and a block foundation.
One of the more useful features is the detached one-car garage.
For a property of this size, having covered parking or additional storage space could be particularly valuable.
A separate storage shed is also located behind the house, providing another place for lawn equipment, tools, bicycles or seasonal belongings.
The 6,000-square-foot lot gives owners outdoor space without requiring the maintenance associated with a large acreage.
A driveway provides additional off-street parking.
The listing highlights the property’s convenient access to Interstate routes, allowing relatively quick travel around the Des Moines area.
Another notable detail is that the home is located within an NFC Green Zone.
Neighborhood Finance Corporation programs can provide financing and renovation opportunities for qualifying buyers and properties, although eligibility and specific benefits should always be confirmed directly before making purchase plans.
The home was newly listed on October 15, 2026, for $115,000 and has not received any price reductions so far.
Public records show the property previously sold for $45,000 in May 2020 after being listed for $60,000 earlier that year.
That means the current asking price is $70,000 higher than its last recorded sale approximately six years ago.
Current 2026 property taxes are approximately $1,456, while the assessed value is listed at $74,700.
There are no homeowners association dues reported.
For buyers searching for a large family home, the 480-square-foot interior will clearly be limiting.
But for someone interested in a small starter home, downsized residence or potentially manageable investment property, the combination of two bedrooms, a detached garage, storage shed and $115,000 asking price may make this Des Moines ranch worth a closer look.
With its single-level design and compact footprint, 1279 E 36th Street offers a straightforward approach to homeownership in Iowa’s capital city.
Listed on Zillow