Selling it yourself?

Price it from real sales

Buyers and their lenders will compare your price to what similar homes actually sold for, not to what's listed. Here's what the market did last month, straight from the MLS.

Want the sales closest to your home? Text me your address and I'll send you the 3–4 most similar recent sales near you. No obligation.

Iowa paperwork checklist

Tap through this before you take an offer. Missing paperwork is the most common thing that delays a for-sale-by-owner closing.

• Seller disclosure of property condition

  Iowa requires sellers of most homes to give buyers a written disclosure of known problems (roof, basement water, foundation, radon, and more). Fill it out honestly and give it to buyers before they make an offer.

• Lead-based paint disclosure (homes built before 1978)

  A federal requirement. Give buyers the lead disclosure form and the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home." Buyers get 10 days to test for lead unless they waive it.

• Septic inspection, if you're not on city sewer

  Iowa requires a time-of-transfer inspection for private septic systems. Schedule it early; inspectors book up.

• Abstract of title

  In Iowa the seller usually pays to update the abstract, and the buyer's attorney reviews it. Order the update as soon as you have a deal, since it can take a couple of weeks.

• Purchase agreement

  Have a real estate attorney draft or review it. It spells out the price, deadlines, contingencies and what happens if something falls through.

• Payoff and closing costs

  Ask your lender for a payoff statement, and plan for the Iowa transfer tax (about $1.60 per $1,000 of the price) plus abstract and closing fees. The net sheet calculator adds it all up.

General information, not legal advice. A real estate attorney can confirm what applies to your home.

Showings that are safe and worth your time

• Ask for a pre-approval letter first

  It tells you the buyer can actually afford your home before you spend an evening showing it.

• Get a full name and phone number

  Confirm the appointment by text. If someone won't give their name, don't schedule the showing.

• Don't show alone

  Have someone with you, especially for evening or weekend showings.

• Lock up the small stuff

  Medications, jewelry, mail, keys and anything with personal information.

• Ask: "Are you working with an agent?"

  Most buyers are. It changes how the offer will come in, so it helps to know up front. See the next step.

Buyers with agents

Most buyers will show up with an agent. Since August 2024, a buyer's agent needs a signed agreement with the buyer before touring homes, and that agreement says how the agent gets paid.

As the seller, you can still offer to pay the buyer's agent, or not. If you don't, the buyer may ask for it in their offer, or pay their agent themselves. Decide your answer before the first showing so the question doesn't catch you off guard. Either way, the number belongs in your net, which is why the offer comparison below includes it.

Compare offers side by side

The highest price isn't always the best offer. Fill in what each buyer is offering to see what you'd keep and how risky each one is.

FHA, VA and USDA loans have stricter appraisal and repair rules. Cash usually closes fastest and can't fall through on financing. Then use the net sheet to see what lands in your pocket.

Homeowner tools and local pros

Curious what my clients get?

If you ever decide you'd rather hand it off, here's everything that comes with listing with me, laid out start to finish.