Johnson County Recorder ↗
The Recorder maintains land-transaction and property-ownership records. The recorder also receives Iowa real estate transfer tax when a deed is recorded.
Iowa City, IA · Johnson County
How Selling Your Iowa City House to Us Works
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Iowa City and Johnson County, Iowa. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. Start with the address and what you know; you can ask questions before every property detail is settled.
Call 888-274-5006 or tell us about the property in the form.
Tell us about the houseWe give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Start with the address, condition, who lives there, and what you know so far.
Seller reviews
Read homeowner reviews
See what sellers say about working with us
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
From the first conversation to settlement
The sale, step by step
Step 1: Tell us what you know about the house
Start with the Iowa City address, the condition, who lives there, access, and the timing you have in mind. You can start the conversation before every property question is settled. Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above; you do not need every document in hand for the first conversation.
Step 2: Talk through the property and your choices
We ask about repairs, occupancy, access, ownership, payoff questions, and timing, then review the house as it sits. USA Home Buyers buys houses in Iowa City and Johnson County, Iowa. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Step 3: 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, possession, costs, timing, and property-specific conditions before deciding whether to proceed.
Step 4: Let the title company check title and payoffs
If you choose to move forward, the title company checks the deed, ownership, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, and any estate paperwork needed for this sale. A payoff is the amount needed to satisfy a mortgage or other obligation. A lien is a recorded claim that may need to be addressed before closing. The title company reviews the property records and the documents that apply to your sale.
Step 5: Review the settlement sheet
The settlement sheet shows the sale price, payoffs, liens, taxes, costs, and the amount scheduled for you. 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.
Step 6: Sign and close through the title company
The title company confirms the final numbers and coordinates the closing papers and disbursement. You're going to get a fair price and not have to do anything. Just show up at settlement.
Cash Offer or EZ Sale: compare the written numbers
Compare the Cash Offer and EZ Sale terms with each other and with listing or another option; read the written numbers and choose what works best for you.
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. |
Compare what you would keep after costs with the Iowa City calculator →
Questions about the two options? Call 888-274-5006.
Iowa City and Johnson County details
Use the county office for the question
Iowa City is in Johnson County. For a deed or recorded land-document question, start with the Johnson County Recorder. For a property-tax account or tax-sale notice, contact the Johnson County Treasurer. The closing professional checks what the records mean for this sale and which requirements apply to the property.
Johnson County Treasurer ↗
The Treasurer handles property-tax accounts and tax-sale information. Check the office's current information for a property-specific balance or notice.
Before the signatures
Review the settlement sheet and Iowa transfer-tax line
The settlement sheet shows the sale price, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, other costs, and the amount scheduled for you. Ask the title company about a line you do not recognize before signing.
Iowa real estate transfer tax is 80 cents for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the price above the first $500. On a $100,000 sale, the taxable $99,500 is 199 units of $500, so the tax is $159.20. The person conveying the property, normally the seller, is liable for the tax, and the county recorder will not record the deed until it is paid. Iowa law lists exemptions for some transfers, so the closing professional confirms whether tax applies and the taxable amount.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Mortgage balances, liens, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes remain separate.
Iowa Code sources: §428A.1 rate and calculation ↗, §428A.2 exemptions ↗, §428A.3 responsibility for payment ↗, and Chapter 428A recording rules ↗.
To compare what you may keep after costs, use the Iowa City home-sale net-proceeds calculator →.
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.
Transaction testimonials: Testimonials are real, from our transactions, verified and approved by our attorneys.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Questions and contact
Start with the question you have now
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. You can start the conversation before every property question is settled. Open a situation page or the calculator for more detail.
Iowa City home-selling overview →Inherited-property questions →Foreclosure and deadlines →Selling during a divorce →Tenant-occupied houses →Code notices and serious repairs →Fire-damaged houses →Property liens and tax questions →Iowa City seller questions →Iowa City market report →Home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Iowa City seller guide →As-is sale options in Iowa City →Iowa City seller reviews →
Iowa City process questions
Can I start before every property question is settled?
Yes. Start with the Iowa City address and what you know about the condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can ask questions while the remaining details are sorted out; you do not need every document for the first conversation.
Do I need to repair or clean out the house first?
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
What is the difference between a 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.
When will I get written terms?
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. The timing for a specific closing belongs in its written terms.
Who checks title, mortgage payoffs, and liens?
If you choose to proceed, the title company checks the deed, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, and documents needed for the sale. A current payoff statement or notice can help answer a property-specific question.
Who pays Iowa real estate transfer tax when I sell to you?
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate.
How do I review the amount I may receive at closing?
Review the settlement sheet with the title company. It shows the price, payoffs, liens, taxes, costs, and amount scheduled for you. The Iowa City calculator can help you compare planning assumptions.
Ready to talk through your Iowa City house?
Call 888-274-5006 or start with the address, condition, occupancy, and timing in the form above. You can ask questions before every detail is settled.