Is Ames, IA 50014 a buyer’s or seller’s market?

The Ames housing market right now

In the three months ending August 31, 2026, 24% of homes in Ames, IA 50014 sold above their list price, the typical home went under contract in 23 days and there were 2.4 months of supply. Under four months of supply means sellers have the edge: expect competition for well-priced homes. That’s based on 95 home sales.

Compared with the same period a year earlier, the share selling over asking was about the same (24% then), homes sold faster (26 days then) and the median sale price fell 2% to $368,840. Overall, Ames is about as competitive as it was a year ago.

Within Story County, homes here sell more slowly than in 58% of the county’s ZIP codes, and sell more often over asking than in 50%. On our competition score, Ames ranks #50 of 156 IA ZIP codes with enough sales (score 60 out of 100).

Nearby, buyers who want less competition could look at Zearing 50278 (0% sold over asking) or Mc Callsburg 50154 (0% sold over asking), while Colo 50056 (50% sold over asking) and Cambridge 50046 (33% sold over asking) are even more competitive.