Answers by Presley Sparks

It makes total sense that you’re feeling frustrated — a month on the market with only a few showings is usually a sign that something isn’t lining up, especially when the home is in good condition and updated. And the Zillow issue is a bigger deal than it may seem. If your home was mapped to the wrong area in the MLS, it wouldn’t show up correctly online, and that can completely derail the early momentum you should’ve had. Those first couple of weeks are when most of your buyer traffic happens, so losing that window really hurts. You also mentioned you’re in the country. In some markets that slows things down, but where I’m at in Central Iowa, acreages actually tend to sell faster because so many buyers want space, privacy, and land. The buyer pool is technically smaller, but the demand is strong. So when a rural property sits with barely any activity, it usually points to a marketing or exposure issue — not the location itself. I’m curious if that’s the case in your area too. As for your agent, having a full‑time job outside of real estate doesn’t automatically make someone a bad agent, but it does mean they have less time to monitor your listing, follow up with agents, chase feedback, and catch problems like the Zillow mapping error before it costs you valuable time. You shouldn’t feel like you’re the one managing the listing or trying to figure out what’s going on. You deserve clear communication, regular updates, and someone who’s actively working to get your home in front of the right buyers. If you’re not getting feedback, not seeing a strategy, and not feeling like your home is a priority, it’s completely reasonable to question whether this is the right fit. You’re trying to move on from this house, and you deserve someone who treats that with urgency and attention.

Before anything else, I’d want to know whether you’re looking at buying just the mobile home itself or a mobile home that already sits on land. Prices can be really deceiving — a mobile home might be listed super cheap, but if it’s not on land, you’ll either be paying lot rent every month or you’ll need to buy land and pay to move and set it up, which adds a lot to the total cost. In my experience here in the Des Moines/Indianola/Central Iowa area, true mobile homes also tend not to hold their value well because they simply aren’t built to last the same way a traditional home is. And just for clarity: anything built before 1976 is considered a mobile home, while anything built after 1976 is a manufactured home, which follows HUD construction standards and is generally better built. So the key is understanding exactly what you’re buying — the home, the land, or both — because that makes a huge difference in long‑term value and affordability.

Working here in the Central Iowa market, I can tell you that I regularly hear from buyers who prefer brick because they associate it with better durability, lower maintenance, and overall higher quality — it has a long‑standing reputation that sticks with people. That said, buyers ultimately respond to whatever looks clean, updated, and well‑cared‑for, so if the brick is in rough shape or dragging down curb appeal, new siding can absolutely help the home show better. But if the brick is structurally sound and just needs a refresh, keeping it often preserves that “solid home” perception many Iowa buyers already have.

As someone who works right here in the Des Moines and Indianola real estate markets — and who actually started out as a part‑time agent — I can tell you there are some great part‑time agents out there. But I’m also very honest in saying that I became a much stronger agent once I went full‑time. Real estate in Central Iowa moves quickly, and when you’re only able to give it 50%, you tend to get 50% back. When you’re fully dedicated, you’re more available, more responsive, and far better equipped to advocate for your clients. And to answer your question directly: no, agents don’t have to disclose whether they’re part‑time or full‑time, but it’s absolutely a fair thing for a homeowner to ask — especially in markets like Des Moines and Indianola where timing, communication, and availability can make or break a deal.