A Seller's Guide to Closing Documents in Iowa
The week before closing is when the paper shows up. A payoff statement from your mortgage company. A deed you are supposed to sign in front of a notary. Something called a ...
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Articles about Property Questions
Practical Iowa real estate guidance from Danilson Law.
How to Add Someone to a Deed in Iowa (Read This Before You Sign)
Every few weeks somebody calls my office with what sounds like a five-minute favor. "Jeremy, I just want to add my spouse to the deed." Or "I want to put my daughter on the house ...
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The 4 Legal Implications of Getting Your Property Surveyed
A property surveyor will measure property and create a report or map that indicates where one property stops, and another begins. A property survey has a variety of uses, from ...
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Property Inspections vs. Home Inspections: What You Should Know
As is the case in many states, the home inspection is a vital part of the home buying process in Iowa. Many people confuse home inspections and property inspections, but they have ...
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How Property Taxes in Iowa Work
Iowa is one of many states that has a property tax assessed to virtually all residential and commercial property. However, property taxes are not assessed merely based upon the ...
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Iowa Real Estate Law: What You Need to Know About Abstracts
An “abstract” is short for “abstract of title.” This legal document is absolutely vital in real estate transactions in Iowa. It includes all of the documents that are a part of ...
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“As-Is” Properties in Iowa Real Estate Transactions
If you’re in the market for a new property, you may have come across the term “as-is” in property listings. While some buyers may view it as a red flag, others see it as an ...
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Iowa Property Taxes: Understanding How They Are Calculated
Property taxes are an essential source of revenue for state and local governments. If you own property in Iowa, actively understanding how your property taxes are calculated is ...
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Navigate Iowa Zoning Laws
The Importance of Zoning Laws for Home Buyers Purchasing a home is an exciting milestone, particularly for first-time home buyers in Iowa. Amidst the numerous aspects to monitor ...
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Iowa Tax Sale 101: Participating and Protecting Your Interests
The Annual Tax Sale in Iowa is administered by the County Treasurer, designed to collect unpaid property taxes. Property Taxes fund vital community services such as hospitals, ...
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Iowa Property Tax Sales: The Ins and Outs
As an Iowa homeowner, it’s essential to keep up with your property taxes. Failure to do so can lead to a tax lien on your property and even a loss of title to your property ...
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10 Common Misconceptions about Real Estate Attorneys
Introduction: The Role of Real Estate Attorneys Real estate attorneys play a crucial role in property transactions, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and that the ...
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Why Inform Your Iowa Real Estate Attorney About a Divorce
Divorce is undoubtedly one of the most challenging personal events in one’s life. It can significantly impact various aspects of your life, including your real estate dealings. ...
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The Quirky World of Real Estate Law: Property Line Disputes
When Good Fences Make Not-So-Good Neighbors Imagine this scenario: You wake up one sunny morning, coffee in hand, ready to enjoy the tranquility of your backyard. But wait – ...
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You Won’t Find Title Insurance in Iowa: What That Means and Why Iowa’s Solution is Better
Iowa has the cleanest title in the country. While Iowa doesn’t have title insurance like the rest of the country, we use a state-specific solution, that works to the benefit of ...
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Title Searches and the 3 Most Common Types of Encumbrances in Real Estate
An encumbrance is a restriction that is placed on the use of the property. Mortgages are by far the most common form of encumbrances on both residential and commercial property. ...
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The Five Kinds of Property Deeds: What You Need to Know About Each
A deed is a common type of legal document that is used to transfer the ownership of property (or other assets) from one party to another. There are five primary types of deeds ...
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