Ames, IA · Story County · How it works
How Selling Your Ames House to Us Works
USA Home Buyers buys houses in Ames and Story County. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You can start with the address and what you know; you do not need every property question answered before the first conversation.
Call 888-274-5006 with questions, or tell us about the house below.
Start with the property address1 · Tell us about the house
Start with what you know
Share the Ames or Story County address, the house’s condition, who lives there, access, and the timing you have in mind. Tell us if repairs, an estate, a tenant, a lien, a payoff, or a deadline is part of the situation. Unknown details can stay unknown while we sort out the questions.
Prefer to talk first? Call 888-274-5006. You do not have to wait until every property question is settled.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address and what you know to start the conversation.
2 · The sale, step by step
From the property conversation to settlement
Talk through the house
We ask about condition, repairs, access, occupancy, ownership, and timing. We review the house as it stands; you do not have to finish repairs or clean it out to start.
Read the written offer and terms
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. Read the price, responsibilities, costs, possession, timing, and property-specific conditions before you decide whether to proceed.
The title company checks the closing details
The title company checks the deed, ownership, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. Keep any statements, notices, or estate papers you have available. A lender, court, attorney, or other official source should confirm any deadline or authority question that applies to your situation.
Review the settlement sheet
We always review the settlement sheet with the seller and walk through how the money breaks down so there is no confusion. We try to do that the day before closing so settlement is smooth; the title company confirms the final numbers.
You're going to get a fair price and not have to do anything. Just show up at settlement.
3 · Two ways to sell to us
Compare the Cash Offer and EZ Sale
We have two ways to buy. A Cash Offer is built for speed, condition, and tough situations — heavy repairs, tight timelines, difficult circumstances. EZ Sale is often the better fit when the house doesn't need major repairs and you want a higher number. Either way, you compare written numbers and you pick what works best for you.
Swipe across the table to compare all four selling options.
| Factor | List with a realtor | FSBO | Cash Offer | EZ Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline | Market-dependent | Market-dependent | 30 days or less | 60 days or less |
| Price | Highest, if it sells | Varies | Lower price | Higher price than the Cash Offer |
| Repairs | Repairs may be needed before listing or after inspection | The seller handles repair decisions | No repairs | No repairs |
| Commissions | Agent commissions apply under the listing agreement | No listing-agent commission; the seller handles the sale | No commissions | No commissions |
| Closing costs | Seller costs depend on the contract and settlement statement | Seller costs depend on the contract and settlement statement | No closing costs | No closing costs |
| Showings | The seller prepares for and coordinates showings | The seller markets the property and coordinates showings | None | None |
| Who buys | Retail buyer | Retail buyer | USA Home Buyers buys directly | Goes to one of our partners |
| Certainty | Depends on the buyer, inspections, financing, and contract | Depends on finding and qualifying a buyer | Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. | Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. |
| Net proceeds | Compare the expected sale price after commissions, repairs, costs, and waiting | Compare the expected sale price after seller-managed costs and work | Compare the written price after your payoff and other property obligations. No commissions. No closing costs. | Compare the written price after your payoff and other property obligations. No commissions. No closing costs. |
The table also shows listing and FSBO for comparison. Read the written numbers and terms for the choices you are considering, then decide what works for you.
Compare what you could keep after costs with the Ames home-sale net-proceeds calculator.
4 · Ames and Story County details
Deed recording goes through the county recorder
For a Story County property, the county recorder handles deed recording. Iowa requires applicable real estate transfer tax to be paid before a taxable deed is recorded. The closing professional confirms whether an exemption applies and what amount is due for the specific transfer.
5 · Closing numbers
Iowa real estate transfer tax
Iowa’s real estate transfer tax is 80 cents for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the price above the first $500. For example, on a taxable $100,000 sale, the taxable $99,500 is 199 units of $500, for a tax of $159.20. The person conveying the property, normally the seller, is liable under the statute. Iowa has exemptions, including certain family, divorce, and estate-distribution transfers and transfers of $500 or less, so the closing professional confirms whether the tax applies and the taxable amount.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.
This closing-cost promise does not pay a seller’s mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes. Those are separate items in the settlement figures.
6 · When things get difficult
We stay with the process
It's real estate. Sometimes there are bumps in the road. We won't disappear when that happens, and we'll be fighting to get this to the closing table.
7 · Questions and contact
Find the Ames page for your situation
Ames selling-process questions
Can I call before every question about the Ames house is settled?
Yes. Start with the address and what you know. Condition, occupancy, access, timing, title, or payoff questions can be talked through as the details become clear.
Do I need to repair or clean out the house before selling to you?
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
What is the difference between the Cash Offer and EZ Sale?
We have two ways to buy. A Cash Offer is built for speed, condition, and tough situations — heavy repairs, tight timelines, difficult circumstances. EZ Sale is often the better fit when the house doesn't need major repairs and you want a higher number. Either way, you compare written numbers and you pick what works best for you.
Who checks title, payoffs, and the settlement figures?
The title company checks the deed, ownership, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. We always review the settlement sheet with the seller and walk through how the money breaks down so there is no confusion. We try to do that the day before closing so settlement is smooth; the title company confirms the final numbers.
Who pays Iowa real estate transfer tax when I sell to you?
Iowa real estate transfer tax is generally due before a taxable deed can be recorded; exemptions and the taxable amount are confirmed for the transaction. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.
Ready to talk about your Ames house?
Call 888-274-5006 or start with the property address in the form above. Questions are welcome even when some details are still unsettled.