Reviewed by Gary E. Wilson, President & Designated Broker · Managing Greater Seattle rentals since 1982
Des Moines is a Puget Sound waterfront city sitting between Burien and Federal Way, with a marina, a college, and a rental market that is more stable and more varied than its size suggests. Owners here are letting to a genuine mix — Highline College students and staff, airport and healthcare workers, families drawn by the shoreline, and long-tenured residents who have rented in the city for years. Wilson Management, Inc. has managed rental property across the Greater Seattle area since 1982.
Full-Service Property Management in Des Moines
We handle the full rental lifecycle. Our property management services cover marketing and leasing, thorough tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, routine inspections, lease enforcement, evictions where necessary, and clear monthly financial reporting. Owners and residents use secure AppFolio portals, with statements available around the clock and residents able to pay rent or raise a maintenance request at any hour.
Des Moines is one of many South King County communities we cover — see areas we serve.
Why Des Moines Owners Choose Wilson Management
Founded in 1982 and led by President and Designated Broker Gary E. Wilson, our firm has managed residential and commercial property across this region for more than four decades. We are members of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), the Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA), and the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA), and we are BBB accredited.
The Des Moines Rental Market
Des Moines has a population of roughly 33,207 (Source: 2024 population estimate, as of July 2026).
The average apartment in Des Moines rents for about $1,795 per month across a unit averaging 798 square feet (Source: RentCafe, as of July 2026). By unit type:
- One bedroom: about $1,559
- Two bedroom: about $1,987
(Source: RentCafe, as of July 2026.)
Rents here edged up about 0.38% over the past year — modest, but notable, because most of the King County markets we serve saw year-over-year declines over the same period (Source: RentCafe, as of July 2026). Des Moines is holding value while the inland South King County markets soften slightly.
Two practical implications. Renewals warrant a closer look than they do in a falling market, and Washington's statewide rent cap, in force since 2025, applies to any increase along with its notice requirements — tracked per tenancy against its own anniversary date. And the smaller apartment sample here means a citywide average is a weaker guide than usual for pricing a specific unit. Request a free rental analysis for a property-specific figure.
Types of Des Moines Properties We Manage
- Single-family homes: Detached rentals across the city, including properties near the marina and the Redondo shoreline.
- Condominiums and townhomes: Including waterfront and view units inside associations, whose rules need to bind your resident through the lease.
- Multi-family buildings: Duplexes, fourplexes, and larger apartment properties.
- Commercial property: Office and retail space, managed alongside our residential portfolio.
What Managing a Des Moines Rental Actually Involves
A view is a pricing input, and it is a specific one. Puget Sound and Olympic views vary block by block and floor by floor in Des Moines, and they carry a real premium that no citywide average captures. Getting the premium right is the difference between a fast lease and a listing that sits.
Salt air is a maintenance reality on the water side. Properties near the shoreline take more wear on exterior paint, metal fixtures, window seals, and decking than inland equivalents. Building that into a maintenance schedule is cheaper than replacing it on an emergency basis.
Highline College shapes part of the applicant pool, and part of the calendar. Student and staff demand adds a seasonal rhythm to leasing that owners in a purely residential market do not deal with. Timing a listing against the academic calendar is worth doing deliberately rather than by accident.
Airport-area employment steadies the rest. Des Moines sits close enough to Sea-Tac that airport, hospitality, and logistics employment supports a consistent working-renter pool on shift schedules. Showings and maintenance access need to be arranged around that rather than against business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parts of Des Moines do you manage property in?
We manage throughout Des Moines, including the marina district, Redondo, Woodmont, Zenith, and the residential neighbourhoods along Marine View Drive, along with the neighbouring cities of Burien, SeaTac, Kent, and Federal Way.
What can I rent my Des Moines house for?
The citywide apartment average was about $1,795 as of July 2026 (Source: RentCafe), but a house is a different product from an apartment, and a view property is different again. Your figure depends on recent comparable leases nearby, condition and features, and the season. Request a free rental analysis for a property-specific number.
Is a waterfront or view rental harder to manage?
Not harder, but different. Views command a premium that has to be priced accurately, and shoreline exposure means exterior maintenance comes round faster. Both are manageable on a schedule; neither is manageable by reacting after the fact.
Do Seattle's rental rules apply in Des Moines?
No. Seattle's city ordinances apply within Seattle city limits only. Des Moines is governed by Washington state law, including the rent cap in force since 2025 and the 30-day security deposit accounting deadline under RCW 59.18.280. Local licensing and registration requirements are set by the city, so confirm current requirements with the City of Des Moines.
How will I know how my Des Moines property is performing?
You receive detailed monthly financial statements and 24/7 access to your account through the AppFolio owner portal.
Ready to Get Started?
If you own rental property in Des Moines, request a free rental analysis or contact us. You can also call (425) 453-0089.
Sources
- RentCafe — Des Moines, WA average rent and market trends, as of July 2026
- Des Moines, WA population estimate (2024), as of July 2026
- RCW 59.18.280 — security deposit statement and refund deadline, app.leg.wa.gov
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