SELLING IN IOWA
Complete compliance guide for selling your home in Iowa. Meydomo handles all state-specific requirements, MLS compliance, and legal disclosures.
Last updated November 10, 2025
Agent always available. $199 today, $999 at closing—no 6% surprises.
Licensed Qualifying Broker Supervision
Every Meydomo transaction in Iowa operates under the supervision of a licensed Qualifying Broker who ensures full regulatory compliance:
- • Daily: Review all new listings, price changes, and advertising
- • Weekly: Audit 10% of active files for compliance
- • Monthly: Reconcile trust accounts and verify licenses
- • 24/7 Escalation: Call (448) 408-1873 and press 9 for direct Broker access
- • Coverage: E&O insurance on every transaction
AI handles the volume. Broker ensures compliance. You get both for $199 + $999.
Iowa Real Estate Overview
Iowa uses title/escrow closings with mandatory seller disclosure requirements. The state offers some of the most affordable housing in the nation.
Federal Compliance Checklist
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Disclosure
Federal law (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992) requires sellers of homes built before 1978 to disclose any known lead-based paint or lead hazards and provide buyers with the EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet. Buyers must also be given a 10-day opportunity to conduct a lead paint inspection or waive that right.
Fair Housing Act (No Discriminatory Advertising)
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, sellers (and their agents) must not publish any advertisement for the listing that expresses a discriminatory preference based on protected classes (e.g. race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin). For example, statements such as 'no children' or other exclusions in home listings are unlawful.
State-Level Rules Sellers Must Follow
Seller Property Condition Disclosure
Iowa law (Iowa Code §558A) requires sellers of residential real estate (one to four-family dwellings) to deliver a written Property Condition Disclosure to the buyer (or the buyer’s agent) **prior to the buyer making a written offer**. The Iowa Seller Disclosure form, usually the one provided by the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, covers the condition of the major structural and mechanical components, presence of water damage, hazardous conditions (like asbestos or radon – Iowa law specifically requires disclosing known radon test results and if a radon mitigation system is in place), and zoning or legal issues. Certain transfers, like those by estates or foreclosures, are exempt. If a seller fails to provide the required disclosure in a timely manner, the buyer has the right to rescind the contract before closing and may sue for actual damages within one year of closing for nondisclosure of a material fact.
County & City Considerations
Local Requirements
Local jurisdictions in Iowa generally do not impose separate disclosure forms. Sellers in Iowa primarily need to comply with the state disclosure law. A few cities or counties might require inspections (for example, some Iowa cities have a “time of sale” inspection for sewer connections or mandate a septic system inspection in rural transfers), but those are inspection requirements, not additional disclosure statements from the seller.
Seller Disclosure Requirements
What sellers must disclose in Iowa:
- Iowa Code §558A.1 et seq. requires written seller disclosure statement
- Must disclose known material conditions before buyer signs offer
- Structural, mechanical, and environmental hazards disclosure
- Lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes
- Agricultural chemical disclosure for rural properties
MLS Rules & Listing Logistics
MLS and Listing Rules
Iowa’s major MLS (the Des Moines Area Association’s MLS, the Northeast Iowa Regional BOR MLS, etc.) require listing brokers to have a written listing agreement. Listings should be entered promptly and comply with the Clear Cooperation Policy. Most Iowa MLSs require at least one photo and complete listing details (including fields like school district which can be important to Iowa buyers). If a seller does not want the listing advertised on the internet or certain sites, the MLS rules typically require the seller’s written instruction to opt out. As elsewhere, fair housing compliance is enforced in MLS remarks (e.g., you cannot say a property is 'ideal for Christians' or 'no disabled persons—second floor unit' or any such language).
How Much Equity You Keep on a $210,000 Sale
Every seller sees the math before launch. We assume a $6,300 buyer-agent incentive (3%) across all options so you can compare apples-to-apples with “flat fee” services that tack on a percentage at closing.
| Option | Upfront Fees | Due at Closing | Total Listing Cost | Buyer Agent (3%) | Total Listing & Selling Costs | Savings vs 6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydomo Flat-Fee MLS1 | $199 | $999 | $1,198 | $6,300 | $7,498 | $5,102 |
| Housecoin “Flat Fee”2 | $0 | $2,100 | $2,100 | $6,300 | $8,400 | $4,200 |
| Houzeo Silver Plan3 | $249 | $1,050 | $1,299 | $6,300 | $7,599 | $5,001 |
| Traditional 6% Agent4 | $0 | $6,300 | $6,300 | $6,300 | $12,600 | — |
* Buyer-agent line assumes a 3% incentive across every scenario. Sellers can set Meydomo buyer-agent payouts anywhere from 2% to 3%.
1 Meydomo pricing: $199 to launch, $999 at close. Buyer-agent incentives remain optional.
2 Housecoin advertises no upfront cost but charges 1% of sale price at close (marketed as “flat fee”).
3 Houzeo Silver plan: $249 list fee plus 0.5% at close, subject to $999 minimum (houzeo.com/pricing).
4 Traditional listing assumed 3% listing-side commission and 3% buyer-agent commission (typical 6% split).
Iowa Seller FAQ
How does Meydomo's $999 service work for sellers in Iowa?
We handle MLS entry, buyer-agent coordination, disclosures, and closing support under the supervision of a licensed Qualifying Broker. You pay $199 today and $999 when the deal closes—no percentage commission. Every transaction includes daily Broker review, weekly file audits, and professional oversight.
Who supervises the AI agents in Iowa?
Our licensed Qualifying Broker maintains non-delegable supervisory responsibility for all transactions. The Broker performs daily reviews of new listings and price changes, weekly audits of active files (minimum 10%), monthly trust account reconciliation, and immediate intervention for complex situations. This ensures full compliance with state real estate laws.
Can I still offer buyer-agent commission in Iowa?
Yes. You decide what to offer buyer agents (often 2–3%). Meydomo publishes it in the MLS and we show how it affects your net in the cost table and calculator. Our Broker reviews all commission structures for compliance.
What happens when an agent calls from Iowa?
Our AI agents answer inbound calls instantly with licensed Qualifying Broker oversight, qualify buyers, and route serious inquiries to you or your transaction coordinator so you never miss momentum. The Broker monitors all interactions for compliance and intervenes when professional judgment is needed.
Can I get compliance help with Iowa disclosures?
Yes. We walk you through every required form, double-check timelines, and keep a shared checklist so nothing slips through state or MLS rules. Our Qualifying Broker reviews all disclosures before publication to ensure legal compliance.
How can I reach the Qualifying Broker directly?
Direct Broker escalation is available 24/7. Call (448) 408-1873 and press 9 for priority routing, or email broker-escalation@meydomo.com. Response time is within 4 hours for urgent matters, 24 hours for general concerns. The Broker handles complex negotiations, regulatory issues, and any situation requiring professional real estate judgment.
Tools to Plan Your Iowa Sale
Commission Savings Calculator
See the exact dollars you keep in Iowa: $11,000-$24,000 savings vs traditional $12,000-$25,000 commissions.
Launch tool →Offer Comparison Grid
Line up every Iowa offer and see which terms actually deliver the highest net.
Launch tool →Closing Timeline Planner
Map every disclosure, inspection, and funding deadline required in Iowa.
Launch tool →Commission Savings in Iowa
Compare a traditional 6% listing with Meydomo's $199 upfront + $999 at closing. Adjust the buyer-agent incentive to match your plan.
Enter a sale price and commission assumptions to see the dollar impact of Meydomo's flat fee.
Closing Timeline Generator
Timeline automation ships in Phase 2. Beta testers get first access when we roll out inspection, financing, and escrow countdowns.
Explore the toolMarket Insights & Trends (2024-2025)
Current Market Data
- • Median home price: ~$210,000 (among lowest nationally)
- • Year-over-year growth: +2.0%
- • Des Moines steady, rural areas appreciating slowly
- • Market generally balanced with stable inventory
- • Attractive to first-time buyers due to affordability
Cities We Serve in Iowa
Meydomo provides comprehensive MLS coverage and compliance expertise across all major population centers in Iowa.
Rank #1
Des Moines
Estimated population: 212,859
Rank #2
Cedar Rapids
Estimated population: 129,537
Rank #3
Davenport
Estimated population: 102,305
Rank #4
Sioux City
Estimated population: 82,666
Rank #5
Iowa City
Estimated population: 72,385
Rank #6
Waterloo
Estimated population: 68,357
Don't see your city listed?
We serve every community in Iowa.
Call (448) 408-1873 and we’ll assemble the right local team.
Our Iowa Broker Network
Our Iowa broker partners understand both urban Des Moines markets and rural agricultural property requirements.
Ready to sell in Iowa?
Now that you know the requirements, start your $999 flat-fee listing and keep more of your equity.
Start for $199 (pay $999 at closing)