Is Clear Lake a buyer's or seller's market right now?

Clear Lake is currently a buyer's market with 8 months of supply. 14.3% of homes sell above asking price. The Ridley Sell Score for Clear Lake is 12/100 (Emerging), based on 7 real-time market signals including inventory, pricing trends, and buyer demand.

What's the median home price in Clear Lake?

The median home price in Clear Lake is $180,000, down 39.4% year-over-year. The median price per square foot is $143. Homes sell in a median of 174 days with a sale-to-list ratio of 94.3%.

How much does it cost to sell a home in Clear Lake, Iowa?

On a $180,000 home in Clear Lake, a traditional listing agent charges around $5,400 (3% commission). Add buyer agent commission (3%), closing costs (1–2%), and you could spend $14,400 or more. With Ridley Essentials ($999) you save $4,401, and with Ridley Pro ($3,499) you save $1,901 while getting full agent support.

How does Ridley's flat fee compare to a traditional Clear Lake agent?

A traditional Clear Lake listing agent typically charges 3% of the sale price — about $5,400 on a $180,000 home. Ridley offers two flat-fee plans: Essentials ($999) with MLS listing, marketing tools, and self-service support, or Pro ($3,499) with a dedicated licensed agent. That saves you $4,401–$1,901 compared to a traditional agent.

How long does it take to sell a home in Clear Lake?

The median home in Clear Lake currently spends 174 days on the market before going under contract, down 21% from last year. At a 94.3% sale-to-list ratio, sellers are seeing some negotiation. Only 10.7% of listings see a price drop, suggesting sellers can hold firm on pricing.

Do I need a real estate agent to sell in Iowa?

No. Iowa does not require you to use a real estate agent to sell your home. You can sell independently (FSBO) or use a flat-fee service like Ridley that gives you MLS access, professional tools, and expert support at a fraction of the traditional commission. On a $180,000 home, that could save you up to $1,901.

What's included with Ridley Essentials and Pro?

Ridley offers two plans in Iowa. Essentials ($999) includes MLS listing distribution, professional listing tools, marketing materials, and self-service support. Pro ($3,499) includes everything in Essentials plus a dedicated licensed agent partner, expert pricing consultation, offer review and negotiation support, contract and deadline management, and full closing coordination. Both save significantly vs. the traditional $5,400 commission.

National/Iowa

Clear Lake, IA

Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Clear Lake, Iowa?

The median home in Clear Lake sells for $180,000 with prices down 39.4% year-over-year. The average seller pays $5,400 in commissions — Ridley’s flat fee saves you $1,901.

Clear Lake Real Estate Market Conditions — April 2026

12out of 100

Ridley Sell Score

How it's scored →

Emerging

12/100

A buyer-friendly market — Ridley's flat fee helps you keep more equity.

What this means for sellers

Clear Lake is currently a buyer's market, and sellers should plan accordingly. Expect longer days on market and more price negotiation. The best strategy is to price competitively from day one, invest in presentation, and be open to concessions. Sellers who are patient and realistic about pricing can still close — and Ridley's flat fee means more of the sale price stays in your pocket.

Inventory TightnessFavors buyers

8 months of supply — above the 5-month balanced threshold, giving buyers more options. Iowa average is 2.2.

Price MomentumFavors buyers

Prices down 39.4% year-over-year — vs. +7.7% statewide.

Seller LeverageFavors buyers

Homes selling at 94.3% of asking — buyers are negotiating 5.7% below list. Iowa average is 96.3%.

Bidding ActivityFavors buyers

14.3% of homes selling above list price — 18% below the Iowa average of 17.5%.

Sale SpeedFavors buyers

174 median days on market — 102 days slower than the Iowa average.

Market UrgencyFavors buyers

0% of listings go pending within 2 weeks — vs. 15.5% statewide.

Price StabilityFavors sellers

Only 10.7% of listings have dropped their price — sellers are holding firm. Iowa average is 12.8%.

Score based on 7 real-time market signals. Updated with latest available data.

How it works →

Median Sale Price

The midpoint price of all homes sold in the past month. Half sold for more, half for less.

$180,000

-39.4%

Days on Market

How long the typical home sits on the market before going under contract. Lower is better for sellers.

174

-21%

Price per Sq Ft

Average cost per square foot of living space. Useful for comparing homes of different sizes.

$143

Sale-to-List Ratio

How close homes sell to their asking price. Above 100% means bidding wars; below means negotiation room.

94.3%

Months of Supply

How long it would take to sell all current listings at the current pace. Under 3 months favors sellers; over 6 favors buyers.

Buyer’s market

Competitiveness

Overall market competition based on offers per listing, days on market, and sale-to-list ratio.

Not Very Competitive

Sold Above List

Percentage of homes that sold for more than their list price.

14.3%

Room to negotiate

Price Drops

Percentage of active listings that had a price reduction.

10.7%

Well-priced market

12-Month Price Trend

$325,000 → $180,000

▼44.6%

$350K$300K$250K$200K

MayJulSepNovJanMarApr

Data updated April 2026

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Personalized pricing signals, demand shifts, and Sell Score changes for Clear Lake — delivered monthly.

Your savings

How much can you save selling your home in Clear Lake?

The average Clear Lake homeowner saves $1,901 by selling with Ridley instead of paying the traditional 3% listing commission on a $180,000 home.

$0Estimated savings

That covers your moving costs — save 1.1% of your home value

Your Clear Lake home value

$180,000

$50,000$10M

Traditional Agent (3%)

$5,400

Ridley Pro (flat fee)

$3,499

Ready to sell in Clear Lake?

Get a personalized selling strategy with AI-powered pricing analysis

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Cost comparison

How much does it cost to sell a house in Clear Lake?

The total cost to sell a house in Clear Lake in 2026 ranges from $999 with Ridley Essentials to approximately $5,400 with a traditional 3% commission on a $180,000 home.

	Traditional Agent	Best valueRidley Pro	Ridley Essentials	FSBO
Listing fee	$5,400	$3,499	$999	$0
Buyer agent	$5,0402.8% avg	$3,600~2% avg	$3,600~2% avg	$5,0402.8% avg
Closing costs (~1.5%)	$2,700	$2,700	$2,700	$2,700
Total cost	$13,140	$9,799	$7,299	$7,740
Net proceeds	$166,860	$170,201	$172,701	$172,260
You save	—	$3,341	$5,841	$5,400No support