By Claire Brehmer, Hubbell Realty Company
As West Des Moines continues to grow, so does the demand for high-quality homes that meet the needs of a diverse and evolving population. From first-time buyers eager to plant roots, to families seeking more space, to right-sizers looking for a low maintenance lifestyle; today’s homeowners want a personalized, seamless, trustworthy homebuying or building experience.‑quality homes that meet the needs of a diverse and evolving population. From first‑time buyers eager to plant roots, to families seeking more space, to right‑sizers looking for a low‑maintenance lifestyle, today’s homeowners want more than a house—they want a personalized, seamless, trustworthy experience.
Hubbell Realty Company has been part of Iowa’s fabric for 170 years, shaping neighborhoods with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to community. Across its homebuilding divisions—Hubbell Homes, Origin Homes, and Embarq Signature Homes—the company offers a wide range of opportunities for buyers at every stage of life all across the state.
Check out the unique strengths of each, how easy building and buying can be, and explore move-in ready homes in Central Iowa, luxury homes for sale, and the best rural custom homebuilder in Iowa.
What Homebuyers Want
For many Iowans, building or buying a home is one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make. Hubbell removes complexity and brings clarity, transparency, and care to every step of the journey.
While each builder has its differences, buyers can count on:
- Streamlined, guided processes that demystify building and designing
- High quality craftsmanship rooted in decades of Iowa expertise‑quality craftsmanship
- Strategic community locations throughout the Greater Des Moines metro and state
- Thoughtful home designs tailored to modern lifestyles
- A trusted legacy of standing behind every home
Hubbell Homes: Award-Winning, Move-In Ready Homes
🔗 Website: https://www.hubbellhomes.com/
Hubbell Homes is one of the largest and most respected local homebuilders in Central Iowa. With accessible price points and a wide range of floorplans, Hubbell Homes makes modern, quality homeownership achievable for first-time buyers, growing families, and “rightsizers” alike.‑time buyers, growing families, and right‑sizers alike.
What makes Hubbell Homes stand out?
- Thoughtful Communities Across the Metro and Downtown‑tier schools, green space, and nearby amenities. This is ideal for buyers early in their search who want to compare neighborhoods, lifestyles, and commuting patterns.
From Waukee to Altoona, or Norwalk to Ankeny, Hubbell Homes builds communities that combine convenience, adjacent to schools, parks, trails, and nearby amenities. This is ideal for buyers early in their search who want to compare neighborhoods, lifestyles, and commuting patterns but want to buy today.
Bonus: Hubbell Homes is one of the only builders in downtown Des Moines in neighborhoods like The Banks at Bridge District and Gray’s Station where modern, sleek townhomes have rooftop patios and walkable access to the best downtown restaurants and venues.
- Streamlined, Supportive Homebuilding Process
Hubbell Homes is known for taking the guesswork out of homebuilding. Buyers can:
- Browse over 150 available homes and 40 floorplans
- Meet with onsite New Home Sales Professionals and design specialists
- New: Customize finishes and features
- Track progress throughout construction
Everything is designed for clarity, transparency, and comfort.‑time buyers who may feel overwhelmed.
- Award Winning Design
Hubbell Homes is consistently recognized for its craftsmanship and ease. With dozens of floorplans, from ranch to two-story to townhomes, buyers can find a layout that feels uniquely theirs. Hubbell Homes is a great option for buyers who want a guided but personalized experience.
Origin Homes: The Custom, Build on Your Land Home Builder
🔗 https://originhomesiowa.com/
Origin Homes is one of the only Iowa custom homebuilders that will build anywhere in the state. They are quickly spreading across the state with flexible and accessible custom homebuilding opportunities designed for buyers who want to build with a collaborative design team and build in more places across Iowa. Through Origin’s build on your land focus, Origin brings high quality new construction to small towns, acreages, and rural communities statewide.‑driven homebuilding division, designed for buyers who want modern design, transparent pricing, and the freedom to build in more places across Iowa. Through its growing ‑on‑your‑land program‑quality new construction to small towns, acreages, and rural communities statewide.
Build on your land, anywhere in Iowa
For homebuyers who already own land, or have their eye on an acreage, Origin offers full build on your land services with no travel restrictions. Whether you’re near a growing town or miles off the beaten path, buyers can build the custom home that fits their rural lifestyle, with Origin handling everything from land preparation, utilities and site prep, custom blueprint drawings to the final walkthrough.‑on‑your‑land opportunities
A fun Sign & Design Day‑friendly Sign & Design Day
Origin’s standout feature is its Sign & Design Day, a streamlined, one-day appointment where buyers customize their floorplans (whether those are one of Origin’s or a custom blueprint). Personalize finishes and review upfront pricing with no surprises. It’s a simple, efficient way to build custom homes in Iowa without complexity or overwhelm in the process.‑day appointment where buyers choose their
Bringing attainable new homes to rural Iowa
With demand for housing rising across Iowa, Origin’s Rural Housing Initiative helps small communities expand their housing stock through modern floorplans, reliable timelines, and attainable pricing. It’s a forward-thinking approach supporting local workforce needs, community vitality, and long term growth—especially in areas where new construction options are limited.
Embarq Signature Homes: Custom Luxury Tailored to You
🔗 Website: https://embarqsignaturehomes.com/
Finally, but certainly not least, Embarq Signature Homes is the metro’s premier luxury builder specializing in fully custom homes crafted to the highest standard of design and detail and a home in 2026 Home Show.
For buyers seeking luxury homes for sale or hoping to create a one-of-a-kind experience, Embarq is Iowa’s leader in curated, architecturally distinctive homebuilding.‑of‑a‑kind residence, Embarq is Iowa’s leader in curated, architecturally distinctive homebuilding.
What makes Embarq unique?
- Fully Custom, Fully Personal
Every detail, from foundation to finish, is shaped by the homeowner’s lifestyle, needs, and design preferences. This is true bespoke homebuilding backed by deep Iowa craftsmanship. - Elevated Architectural Partnership
Embarq collaborates with some of the top material vendors and has the lead designer in the region to bring complex, creative visions to life. Homes are built with longevity, artistry, and functionality in mind. - Exclusive Home Sites
Embarq builds in some of the most desirable communities in the metro, including estate style lots and premium developments. Locations ensure privacy, sophistication, and exclusivity. ‑style lots and premium developments. Locations ensure privacy, sophistication, and long‑term value.
It’s no surprise that Embarq is frequently noted as one of the best custom home builder Iowa options for high-end buyers or executives relocating to the Greater Des Moines area.‑end buyers or executives relocating to the Greater Des Moines area.
How to Choose
Hubbell makes it easy for buyers at any stage of life to research their options. Here’s a quick guide:
You may be a fit for Hubbell Homes if…
- You’re looking for quality, move-in ready new construction at an accessible price
- You want a broad selection of communities and floorplans
- You prefer a guided design and building experience
Origin Homes may be right for you if…
- You have land or want to build in rural acreages/areas (but yes, they do build in the metro too!)
- You’re interested in an efficient, streamlined homebuilding process
- You want to fully design in a Sign & Design Day
Embarq Signature Homes may be your perfect fit if…
- You want a fully custom home built from the ground up
- You value luxury, craftsmanship, and architectural distinction
- You’re seeking a one-of-a-kind residence in a premier location in Central Iowa‑of‑a‑kind residence in a premier location
No matter which builder a buyer chooses, they receive the Hubbell promise: trusted craftsmanship, dependable communication, and a home built to elevate everyday life.
The Future of Homeownership in West Des Moines
As one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa, West Des Moines continues to lead the way with top-rated schools, thriving businesses, recreation opportunities, and a strong sense of community. It’s no surprise that demand for Iowa custom homes and smart new construction options continues to rise.‑growing communities in Iowa, West Des Moines continues to lead the way with top‑rated schools, thriving businesses, recreation opportunities, and a strong sense of community. It’s no surprise that demand for ‑construction options continues to rise.
Hubbell’s family of builders is equipped to meet that need with forward-thinking design, buyer centered experiences, and homes that help individuals, couples, and families thrive.‑thinking design, buyer‑centered experiences, and homes that help individuals, couples, and families thrive—today and for generations.
Ready to Explore Your Options? Start Here.
🔗 Hubbell Homes – Explore communities & floorplans
https://www.hubbellhomes.com/
🔗 Origin Homes – Discover rural, country custom homebuilding
https://originhomesiowa.com/
🔗 Embarq Signature Homes – Design a custom luxury home
https://embarqsignaturehomes.com/
Whether buyers are starting their first search or beginning the journey to a custom dream home, Hubbell offers unmatched support, local expertise, and the highest standards of homebuilding in Iowa.