Johnston’s market has cooled only slightly from the 2021 frenzy—homes still sell in 18 days, but bidding wars now average 3 offers instead of 8. New construction accounts for 28 % of listings, concentrated in the Greenwood Ridge and Ashworth Ridge additions where builders dangle $10,000 incentives toward rate buydowns. Existing homes built 1995–2010 trade the closest to list price—99.3 % on average—while 1970s ramblers in Old Johnston can still be snagged 4 % under asking.

Appreciation has normalized to 4.1 % year-over-year, far healthier than the 14 % surge seen in 2021. For move-up buyers, that means equity-rich Johnston owners can port their sub-3 % rate via NMHL’s Assumable Rate Rescue if they stay within the FHA loan limit. Investors should note: short-term rentals are capped at 5 % of units per subdivision, keeping the market owner-occupied and values stable.

• Beaver Creek (NW 62nd – Beaver Ave): Sidewalked streets, swim club membership included, average sale $375k. Walkable to Lawson Elementary—one of Iowa’s top 10.
• Foxboro: Larger lots (0.3 acre), prices $340–$425k. Popular with telecom commuters thanks to fiber internet buried in 2022.
• Johnston Heights: 1970s–1980s builds, mature trees, average $289k. First-time buyers use FHA 203(k) to update oak cabinets and still stay under $300k.
• Greenwood: New construction, energy-efficient standards, prices $425–$525k. Builders include 2-1 buydowns, and NMHL can layer a $5,000 green-improvement grant.

Each community feeds into the Johnston Community School District—97 % graduation rate and a brand-new $78 million high school campus opened in 2022. Boundaries shift slightly every three years, so verify on the district map before you write the offer; NMHL includes a boundary-check with every pre-approval.

Most buyers don’t realize Iowa allows three assistance layers:

1. FirstHome Program: $12,500 at 0 % interest, forgivable after five years. Income cap $124,700 in Polk County.
2. JumpStart: Additional $5,000 for frontline workers, teachers, veterans.
3. NMHL Community Access Grant: Up to $3,500 that can pay the buyer’s first mortgage-insurance premium.

On a $250,000 purchase, combining all three covers the 3.5 % FHA down payment plus half of closing costs—meaning you bring roughly $2,100 to closing, not the $17,500 your parents warned you about. We track Johnston’s employer-assistance too: Principal Financial and UnityPoint Health each offer $5,000 relocation loans forgiven after two years of employment.

Polk County assesses at 100 % of market value, and Johnston’s consolidated levy for 2024 is $18.74 per $1,000. On the median $340,000 home, expect about $5,260 after homestead credit. Three quick reductions:

• Homestead Credit: File by July 1—saves $165/year.
• Military Credit: Additional $2,130 off for veterans; NMHL auto-files at closing.
• Disabled/Homeowner Improvement Exemption: Up to $7,500 of assessed value for accessibility remodels—ramps, grab bars, main-floor laundry.

Taxes are paid in two installments: September 30 and March 31. Lenders escrow 110 % of the prior year’s bill, so budget an extra $35–$45 monthly cushion. Seniors 65+ can defer, accruing 4 % simple interest against the home, but most Johnston retirees pay out-of-pocket to preserve equity for heirs.

Big banks cherry-pick; we underwrite story. Recent Johnston clients include:

• A nurse rebuilding after medical collections who closed with a 590 score using FHA Plus and a 4.75 % seller-paid rate buydown.
• An Etsy shop owner showing $92k net on tax returns but $144k on bank statements—approved at 80 % LTV with a 7-year ARM.
• A farmer with one year of Schedule F who used 12 months of operating statements plus a 1099 grain contract to hit USDA Rural at 1 % down.

Our Johnston team pulls a tri-merge report upfront, then runs What-If Simulator: paying two cards under 30 % utilization boosted the last borrower’s score 47 points in 19 days. Bankruptcy friendly: Chapter 13 discharged yesterday? We have an approved in-house investor. Foreclosure? Three years seasoning, not seven. You’ll speak to the same underwriter from day-one to CTC, not a call-center queue.

Upload three items to nmhl.com/johnston—driver’s license, last 30 days of pay stubs (or 12 months bank statements if self-employed), and one-year W-2. Our Johnston loan officer—locals call her "Mortgage Mary"—texts you a secure link. Within two hours you’ll have:

• Exact purchasing power based on current Johnston taxes and HOA fees.
• Breakdown of cash needed: down payment, inspections, and our closing-cost credit.
• A Closing-Speed calendar: 21-day close for conventional, 28 for FHA, 17 for VA.

Evenings and weekends count. We underwrite evenings so your realtor can present a lender-letter stronger than cash buyers. Ready to tour that Ramsey Farms split-level before someone else does? Hit Apply Now—because in Johnston, 18 days on market is actually tomorrow.