These are the most expensive homes sold in Des Moines in 2017

Last year was a banner year for luxury real estate in the Des Moines metro.

Eighteen homes sold for $1 million or more in 2017, property records show. That breaks the previous record of 12 million-dollar homes sold in 2016.

Rick Wanamaker, an agent with Iowa Realty who specializes in high-end real estate, said several things contributed to the large number of high-dollar homes sold in the metro, including a strong local economy and low interest rates.

Plus, there are just a lot more million-dollar homes in the Des Moines area than ever before, he said.

"People kind of forget about the bad times and they're ready for some good times. And one of the ways they celebrate the good times is with a new house, a better house," he said.

Rick and his wife, Marcia Wanamaker, have been tracking the $1 million-plus market since 2004. No more than nine homes were sold in each year prior to 2016, the data show.

Last year's home sales were primarily in the suburbs, though Des Moines had one $1 million sale in the Waterbury neighborhood.

Half of the sales were in West Des Moines, including six in the Glen Oaks Country Club, a gated community built around a private golf course just south of the West Glen retail center.

One of those Glen Oaks homes sold for $4.5 million. It was the second-highest sell price ever in the Des Moines area, Wanamaker said. Another Glen Oaks home was the most expensive new house, or "spec home," to ever hit the Des Moines market.

This list of most expensive homes does not include custom-built homes or those sold to developers.

18. Harding Street, Indianola

Price: $1 million

Buyer: Larry Gottula Properties Inc.

This four-bedroom, four-bath house sits on 37 acres with an indoor horse-riding arena, outdoor round pen and a heated four-stall barn.

17. South Shore Drive, Clive

Price: $1 million

Buyers: Kent and Kay Larson

This 4,000-square-foot home has four bedrooms with a bathroom and walk-in closet in each one. It's a lakefront property on Clive Lake.

16. Waterbury Lane, Des Moines

Price: $1 million

Buyers: Michael Flesher and Michael Wood

Built in 1924, this 4,404-square-foot home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms. It sits on a full acre with space to park five cars.

15. Aurora Court, Clive

Price: $1,025,000

Buyers: Thomas and Anna DeWaay

This 1.3-acre home is on a quiet cul-de-sac near Walnut Creek and the Clive Greenbelt Trail. Its 4,495 square feet feature a home theater, wet bar and indoor basketball court.

14. Grand Avenue, West Des Moines

Price: $1,025,000

Buyers: Robert and Kari Tekolste

Built in 2004, this 4,000-square-foot house has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a heated salt water pool. It also has a two-level theater and a library.

13. Painted Woods Drive, Waukee

Price: $1,050,000

Buyers: Brent and Rebecca Wolford

This 2,700-square-foot home sits on 4.5 acres on a private, wooded lot. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

12. Timberline Drive, West Des Moines

Price: $1,057,500

Buyers: Joshua and Molly Lukenbill

This 7,300-square-foot mansion has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Its 2.4 acres has a pool, pool house with a full kitchen, and a lighted tennis/basketball court.

11. 162nd Street, Urbandale

Price: $1,067,500

Buyers: Jeffrey and Farnaz Maters

This modern two-year-old home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms spread over 1.5 stories. The second floor has a loft area with a built-in work station.

10. Woodhaven Drive, Polk City

Price: $1,110,000

Buyers: Aage and Brittainey Lauridsen

This three-year-old home backs up to the Neal Smith Trail and sits on 1.76 acres of private wooded land. Its 3,800 square feet includes five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

9. Timberline Drive, West Des Moines

Price: $1,122,200

Buyers: Stuart K. Lehr III and Stacy Lehr

This 20-year-old house has 6,100 square feet of finished space, including four bedrooms and five bathrooms. It sits on 2 acres with a sports court, patio and fire pit.

8. Northwest 75th Place, Johnston

Price: $1,220,000

Buyers: Sean and Sara Murray

This 6,700-square-foot house backs up to a conservation area with two decks, a patio and a fire pit. It has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

7. Northwest 75th Place, Johnston

Price: $1,225,000

Buyers: Timothy and Sharon Glenn

This 10-year-old home sits on a 4-acre wooded lot. Its 6,800 square feet has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a two-level theater room that seats nine people, an exercise room and a rec room.

6. Tulip Tree Lane, West Des Moines

Price: $1,225,000

Buyers: Darren and Amanda Wood

This 2005 ranch house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms over 4,400 square feet.

5. Burr Oaks Drive, West Des Moines

Price: $1,275,000

Buyer: Lanae M. Ceryanec Trust

Built in 2000, this ranch-style house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and sits on a half-acre.

4. Glenleven Terrace, West Des Moines

Price: $1.6 million

Buyer: Christina Vahanian

At one time, this was the Des Moines area's most expensive new home to hit the market, first listed at $2 million. Built in 2015, the 7,000-square-foot mansion has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a four-car garage. It sits on 1.2 acres overlooking Glen Oaks Country Club.

3. Red Bud Way, West Des Moines

Price: $1,625,000

Buyer: Jessica Clark

This 5,600-square-foot house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms and sits on nearly 2 acres. It has a swimming pool, tennis court and summer house.

2. Glenleven Terrace, West Des Moines

Price: $1,890,000

Buyers: Brenda J. Annett Revocable Trust

Sitting on 2.35 acres, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom house has a hair salon, wine cellar and theater room.

1. Tulip Tree Lane, West Des Moines

Price: $4.5 million

Buyers: John and Mary Krohn

Located in Glen Oaks Country Club, this 12,175-square-foot mansion has five bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, four fireplaces, two catering kitchens, a two-level theater room, wine room and an elevator. It sits on 5 acres with a view of the golf course and has a pool, outdoor kitchen and a separate guest house. It's the second-most expensive home ever sold in the Des Moines area.