The Hawkeye State of Iowa is bordered by two rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi. Known for its farmlands, Iowa produces more beef, pork, corn, soybeans, and grain than any other state, and even one family farm grows enough food to feed 279 people. Housing costs are well below (36% lower) the national average, making Iowa a great place to call home. Iowa has a population of 3.201 million residents. Millions of people mean millions of property records.

Property records are essential to the government and local real estate market. Many professionals, like title company reps, attorneys, realtors, appraisers, assessors, and others, use property records every day in their jobs. These records impact owners and their homes. They can be a valuable resource in many different situations.

Keep reading to learn more about Iowa property records, what they are, how they are used and by whom, the different types, and how to find and change them when needed.

Property records are official documents that contain essential information about real property and its owners. They start with the first owner and continue with each new owner. There are many types, and each contains different information, filling in more blanks about the property.

Sources of Property Records in Iowa

It would be great if all property records were kept in a single location, but that is not the case. Because they are different, they are held at various government agencies, private companies, and even the courts. If you need to research deeds or file a new one, you will need to contact the local county recorder. Each county has a recorder's office for properties within its jurisdiction. For information on the Polk County recorder, check out this page. Local county treasurers handle property taxes. They send out bills and late notices and initiate liens if you don't pay your taxes on time. These treasurers are overseen by the Iowa Department of Revenue. Local cities and towns handle building permits. For example, if you want to get a building permit in Cedar Rapids, you can check out their FAQ page to learn more.

According to the Iowa County recorder's office, the role of the county records is to maintain "official records of documents affecting real estate to protect innocent third parties in real estate transactions. The office of the Recorder is an elected position with a term of four years."

These offices are responsible for recording, maintaining, and making public official property records available.

How Property Records are Maintained in Iowa

Each county has its own system for maintaining Iowa property records. When a new document comes in, the recorder stamps it with the date, time, and unique code so they can find it later. Once recorded, the document immediately becomes a public record.

Accessing Records at the County Recorder in Iowa

Part of the local county recorder's responsibility is to provide access to property records to the general public. People can visit in person and request copies of records for a small fee. Some counties also post their records online and have search portals, making it easy to find them. Here are some local county websites to get you started.

County Recorder Locations in Iowa

Finding the right information requires that you contact the county recorder in the county where the property resides. Use this Iowa Country Recorder Directory to find the one you need for your purposes.

When conducting a property history search, you will come across many different types of property records. Each has its own purpose and specific information. The most common types of property records you will find in Iowa are as follows:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are other things you may come across 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:

Historical Property Records

Over time, property records become vast. Many states, like Iowa, move some older records into archives or a historical area so people can find them easily there. The State Historical Society of Iowa houses these archives.

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's office or development office to apply for a license.

In this modern age of technology, it's very easy to search for and find the property records that you need. They come in handy in many types of situations. Try the methods below to see what works well for you.

Online Property Record Search

Start with a generic online property record search. Enter the full property address into a Google search bar and see what comes up. Chances are you may see some realty sites with estimated values but not much else. You may have to take things further.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can visit the local county recorder's office where the property is located and ask for records related to a specific address. If they are busy, you may have to wait and pay a fee per page for copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

The internet is full of property record indexes you could use to search for records. Be careful, though; some are quality websites, whereas others are not. Not all records will be updated or even correct. Always verify the information you find there.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's much easier to find records using the full property address. Enter it into a search bar and review the results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes search using the property owner's name, but not always. Also, you could end up seeing out-of-date records pertaining to a historical owner, not the current one.

There's nothing quite as nice as owning your own home. But home ownership comes with responsibilities, like paying your mortgage and taxes on time. Additionally, your name and address will appear in public property records for anyone to see. Property ownership is tracked through deeds.

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 and Land Measurements

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 and Resolutions

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.

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.

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.

The Process of Property Liens in Iowa

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

Real estate transactions are dramatically affected by property records. Before the sale, many of the participants use property records to gather information. More records are created during the sale, and a new deed is signed at closing.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property in Iowa, you will want to find out as much as possible about the house. You can search property records to find out how old it is, if there have been any major renovations, the value, taxes, and if it has any liens or foreclosures on it.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property, you must disclose any material defects like broken systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that you know about. You can consult property records to fill in any blanks so you can comply with state laws.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you borrow money to buy property, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. This policy protects you and the lender from any legal claims that occur after the sale. Your closing agent will conduct a thorough property title search to look for any issues before closing.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Iowa

Foreclosures appear in public property records. They can complicate the sale of property and lower its value. Many buyers won't want to purchase a home in foreclosure.

Pre-Foreclosures in Iowa

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.

When was the House Built?

Search through the building permits to find out when the house was first built. Look for the first one, which will give you the date the house was first built.

If you regularly check realty sites, you will see that property values change quickly. They can be affected by the market, inflation, the economy, and other factors. The location and condition of the property also affect the value.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are two types of property valuations that determine how much a property is worth. Tax officials use assessments to value the property for the purpose of local property taxes. These values may not equal fair market value.

Lenders require an appraisal before they will lend money to a potential buyer. They need to know the property value can support the loan if they have to foreclose and sell it to get their money back. Appraisals attempt to determine fair market value (FMV), which is the amount the house is worth on the open real estate market. It compares other similar homes that were recently sold in the area.

Most people nowadays value privacy. However, you must understand that property records are public, and anyone can review them at any time. Your name, address, and other information may appear in public property records.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public to maintain a public chain of title showing every owner of the property since the first one. They are also public to keep any one government office from gaining too much power over the people.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records. However, you can minimize your exposure by contacting the companies and government offices that hold them and requesting that they remove anything beyond your name and address. You might also have to contact online resources and do the same.

It is crucial to maintain your property records the same as you would with any other important documents. No one will do it for you or know to update them when things change. It's up to you.