Is Council Bluffs, IA 51503 a buyer’s or seller’s market?
Council Bluffs is a seller’s market. With about 2.6 months of supply and 33% of recent sales closing above the original list price, competing offers are common on well-priced homes. Buyers here often have a pre-approval in hand and a plan for the appraisal gap before touring.
More competitive than 76% of U.S. ZIP codes, and #20 of 156 in the state.
Based on share sold above original list, sale-to-list ratio, months of supply and days on market for the 3 months ending August 31, 2026. See the breakdown
The Council Bluffs housing market right now
In the three months ending August 31, 2026, 33% of homes in Council Bluffs, IA 51503 sold above their list price, the typical home went under contract in 15 days and there were 2.6 months of supply. Under four months of supply means sellers have the edge: expect competition for well-priced homes. That’s based on 129 home sales.
Compared with the same period a year earlier, the share selling over asking rose from 29%, homes sold faster (28 days then) and the median sale price fell 5% to $298,871. Overall, Council Bluffs is more competitive than a year ago, so tougher for buyers.
Within Pottawattamie County, homes here sell faster than in 92% of the county’s ZIP codes, and sell more often over asking than in 50%. On our competition score, Council Bluffs ranks #20 of 156 IA ZIP codes with enough sales (score 72 out of 100).
Nearby, buyers who want less competition could look at Underwood 51576 (0% sold over asking) or Carson 51525 (0% sold over asking), while Treynor 51575 (100% sold over asking) and Walnut 51577 (100% sold over asking) are even more competitive.
Run the numbers for 51503
Nearby markets
Avoca 51521Balanced $73 /sq ftCarson 51525Seller’s market $174 /sq ftCarter Lake 51510Seller’s market $176 /sq ftCouncil Bluffs 51501Seller’s market $156 /sq ft Browse all markets →Towns like Council Bluffs nearby
Find towns like Council Bluffs in other states →Where Council Bluffs is
Loading map…
Questions about Council Bluffs real estate
Is Council Bluffs a buyer’s or seller’s market?
A seller’s market: there were 2.6 months of supply in Council Bluffs, IA 51503 in the three months ending August 31, 2026. Under four months usually favors sellers, and more than six favors buyers.
How fast do homes sell in Council Bluffs?
The typical home went under contract in 15 days in the latest three months.
Do homes in Council Bluffs sell over asking?
33% of homes sold above their original list price, and the typical sale closed at 99.6% of the list price.
What are property taxes in Council Bluffs?
About 1.57% of a home’s value a year in Pottawattamie County, or roughly $6,280 on a $400,000 home.
What is the median home price in Council Bluffs?
The median sale price was $298,871 in the three months ending August 31, 2026, about $155 per square foot.
Local agents
See all agents in 51503 →No sponsored agents in 51503 yet. Are you an agent here? Put your name in front of local buyers.
More tools for 51503
Market data describes housing activity only. Figures are rolling 3-month values from Redfin and may be revised. Methodology