Log home for sale in Des Moines lets you live a rustic life in the city

Richard Lane
| Special to the Register

A unique three-bedroom, three-bathroom log home is for sale in Des Moines’ Indianola Hills neighborhood.
Built in 2006, the 1,553-square-foot home features pine log construction, oak flooring, and a polished concrete lower level.
Situated on nearly an acre, the property offers privacy, mature trees, and convenient access to downtown and the airport.

Looking as though it belongs in the rural outskirts of Madrid, Pella, or Adel, a custom built, three-bedroom, three-bathroom log home is for sale in the Indianola Hills neighborhood, offering privacy and a swift, less than five-minute, commute downtown. “It’s a shockingly good location,” Realtor Heather Helland explained.

The design wasn’t restricted to the exterior facades of this home, constructed in 2006, and the 1½ story, 1,553-square-foot property was professionally constructed by specialists in the log home industry.

“It’s hard to believe that you’re in Des Moines,” Helland said. “It’s a true log home in every way and really well done.”

Resting on a rise overlooking the neighborhood, the house is partially hidden from the entrance to its private Indianola Road driveway, and conveniently positioned for easy access to the airport, the East Village, and an under two-mile bike ride from Principal Park.

Built in part with 12-inch diameter pine logs to create an eye-catching exterior and interior layout, the main floor was also upgraded with oak wood flooring. The open-plan design features a living space, a dining corner, a full kitchen, a laundry area, and a primary bedroom connected to a ¾ bathroom and a walk-in, tiled shower.

A central staircase leads up to a loft space with the second bedroom, and its own walk-in closet, plus a bathroom enhanced with a clawfoot bathtub.

The 880-square-foot lower level has been finished to include the home’s third bedroom and bathroom, another laundry area, and a polished concrete floor in the family room.

Helland noted the almost one-acre lot is surrounded by mature trees and is also “fairly low maintenance, in that there’s really almost no grass yard.” The patio provides outdoor seating and paved backyard sections that are handy for outdoor cooking. A detached garage is the first building visitors encounter when approaching the house.

Expecting the home to appeal to “people who value and appreciate nature, woods and privacy,” Helland noticed a barred owl has chosen to nest close to the home, surrounded by abundant prairie and pampas grass, planted perennials, and deciduous trees.

While the hum of the city can be occasionally heard in the distance, reminders of the world across the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers can be spied from the second floor, providing views of the 801 Grand Building and downtown skyline, and from another window, the Iowa State Capitol rotunda.

“I think it’s going to be a dream home for somebody. It’s a real gem of a find.” Helland added. “Log homes aren’t for everyone, but for people who appreciate them and nature, somebody’s going to be really happy there for a long time,” she said.

The home is listed at $399,750 by Heather Helland of RE/MAX Precision. Contact Helland at 515-669-1763 for more information and a private showing.

More on this house

Where: 200 Indianola Road, Des Moines

Asking price: $399,750

Year built: 2006

Square footage: 1,553 square feet

Richard Lane is a freelance writer for the Des Moines Register. If you have a home we should feature, reach out to Susan Stapleton at [email protected].

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