How to Access Property Records in Iowa

What Information Can You Find in Iowa Property Records?

A property history search can reveal many interesting facts about a property, you can find homeowners, renovations, changes in value over time, and taxes.

Some of the things that a property history search may reveal include:

Deeds and Conveyance Records

Deeds are very common property records that transfer ownership of property. The local county recorder's office handles filing, maintaining, and issuing them upon request.

All parties must sign deeds, and a notary must witness them. Some of the information contained in deeds includes:

• Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
• A detailed description of the property.
• Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
• Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
• Notarization and execution are at the bottom, where everyone signs to make it legal.

Much of the language contained in deeds refers to the warranty implied or specified and the conveyance of the land from one or more parties to another.

Property Tax Records

Anyone who owns property in Iowa must pay annual property taxes. If you fail to do so, the county can put a lien on the property and eventually foreclose and sell it at auction. Each local county treasurer handles setting tax rates and sending out bills.

Property tax rates in Iowa vary widely by county, but the average effective property tax rate in Iowa is 1.50%, which is one of the highest 10 in the county. Property is assessed for tax purposes every other year.

The following information appears in an Iowa tax record:

• Name of the Property Owner - The record will show the owner and, thus, who is liable for the property taxes.
• Tax Rate and Calculations - The record breaks down the tax calculations, stating the tax rates for the local area.
• Assessed Value - The document will highlight the property's assessed value as concluded by a local assessor.
• Payment Options - The record may also provide directives for making payments in person or via mail.
• Property Description - The document will describe the property under taxation.

Building Permits and Regulations in Iowa

You need a building permit whenever you build new construction or add to an existing structure. The local towns and cities handle these licenses. Before starting the project, you must contact the local building inspector or development office to apply for a license.

Property Liens and Encumbrances in Iowa

Encumbrances like liens can negatively affect the property, reduce its value, and tarnish the owner's reputation. Liens appear in property records, which can damage the financial reputation of the owner. There are two different types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are liens that you choose. You allow a lender to place a lien on your property and use it as collateral to support a loan. However, voluntary liens can still lead to foreclosure.

• Mortgage Liens - Mortgage liens are very common. If you borrow money to buy a property, your lender will place a lien on the property until the loan is paid off. If you default on the loan, the lender can foreclose and sell your house to get paid.

  The mortgage documents are different but will often have the following information:

  Terms and Conditions - Each mortgage has specific terms and conditions which will appear in the document. The section documents information such as how long the loan will take, consequences of late or missed payments, insurance, taxes, liens, and other expenses.

  • Legal Description - The document will include a legal description of the property, including factors such as the physical address and parcel number.
  • Notarization - Most mortgages need signatures and notarization for validity.
  • Borrower and Lender Details - The document must list the parties involved and outline their rights and responsibilities.
  • Borrowed and Total Loan - The record will show the initial borrowed amount, interest rate, and total amount to be repaid.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are imposed on your property without your consent because you owe an unpaid debt. They are very serious. Involuntary liens most often lead to foreclosure and the loss of your home.

• Mechanic's Liens - When a contractor, laborer, landscaper, or other professional works on your property and you do not pay them, they can place a mechanic's lien on your property to try and get paid. Then, when the house is sold, they will be paid from the proceeds.
• Tax Liens - If you don't pay your annual property taxes, the county can impose a tax lien on your property. Eventually, they will foreclose and sell your property at auction for far less than it is worth.
• Judgment Liens - Judgment liens work like mechanic's liens, except they are used by creditors to whom you own money. Once the lien is in place, the creditor will sue you in court. If they win, the judge will allow them to start the foreclosure process and eventually sell the house to get paid.

The Process of Property Liens in Iowa

The following is how individuals can get a mechanic's lien on a property in Iowa:

• First, individuals must fill out the lien form correctly. State laws require the form to have all the right information, such as the first and final dates of work or supply, a legal description of the property, the property's address, and the tax parcel identification number.
• Next, the claimant must send an Iowa preliminary notice. If the project is an owner-occupied residential one, the notice should come when the work starts. If it is a non-residential project, subcontractors and suppliers may provide notice within 30 days after the project.
• The next step is to record the lien electronically through the Mechanic's Notice and Lien Registry under the Secretary of State Office. Individuals may also file preliminary notices through this system.
• The state does not require any further action from the claimant after recording. Instead, the administrator of the lien registry will send a duplicate of the lien to the property owner.

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are other things you may encounter during a property history search. Easements are rights of way allowing someone other than the owner to access the land. An example would be a utility company with power lines on private land. They can access the land to maintain the power lines without asking first. Any new owner must respect this arrangement.

Covenants are rules about how you can use the property. These are found most often in condo communities and gated neighborhoods. Some communities don't allow pets to keep noise down. That would be an example of a covenant for living there.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. Plats show the boundaries of several nearby properties, whereas surveys show only the boundaries of the target property.

The following information appears in a standard survey document in Iowa:

• Description - Most property surveys describe the property by address, lot number, section, and other relevant information.
• Boundary Lines - The survey may include a graphical representation of the property boundaries as a survey plat or map. It may consist of the dimensions and eagles of the lines.
• Restrictions - The survey may include any limits or conveyances affecting the property, such as zoning restrictions and subdivision rules.
• Improvement and Structures - The survey will show any improvements and structures on the land, such as driveways, fences, and buildings.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Iowa

Every property in Iowa has its own legal property description. The description includes exact coordinates and a written illustration of the land, including landmarks, to make it easy to find. These legal property descriptions appear in property records like deeds.

Surveys are land measurements to pinpoint the exact location of a property. Surveyors use specialized equipment to measure and mark the boundaries of a property. Surveys are most often used before new construction, when installing underground utilities, and when addressing boundary disputes.

Boundary disputes occur when one neighbor believes another is trespassing on their land. These disputes can become heated and end up in court, where a judge will decide the outcome. The courts often rely on witness testimony from professional surveyors to help them make a decision.

Foreclosures

Foreclosures appear in public property records. They can complicate property sales and lower its value, so many buyers will not want to purchase a foreclosure home.

Pre-foreclosure homes are those in the process of foreclosure but have yet to be sold at auction. There is still time to rectify the problem. Investors seek out homeowners in pre-foreclosure to purchase the home at a discount and sell it for a profit.