Iowa requires sellers to complete a written Disclosure of Real Property Condition form before contract — based on actual knowledge, not a property warranty
Iowa Code §558A — the Disclosure of Real Property Condition Act — requires sellers of residential property to provide a written disclosure statement to prospective buyers before entering into a purchase contract. The form covers structural, mechanical, and environmental conditions known to the seller at the time of listing. Iowa Code §558A.4 specifies that disclosure must be made in good faith and to the seller's actual knowledge — not a warranty of condition. BuildMyListing helps Iowa listing agents document the §558A disclosure workflow and generate a complete listing package before going live.
Pricing: Starting $99/month
Time Required: Complete disclosure documentation in one workflow
Iowa listing agents must ensure the §558A disclosure form is completed and delivered to buyers before the purchase contract is signed — not at closing. Missing or late delivery exposes sellers to liability and can unwind transactions.
BuildMyListing helps Iowa agents document the §558A disclosure delivery, capture known condition information from the seller, and generate the complete listing package — enhanced photos, MLS description, and a disclosure record — before the property goes active on ICAAR, IRMLS, or any Iowa MLS.
Iowa Code §558A requires sellers to provide a written Disclosure of Real Property Condition statement covering structural conditions, mechanical systems, water and sewer, environmental conditions, and other material facts. BuildMyListing documents when the §558A form was delivered — creating a timestamped delivery record for the transaction file.
Benefit: Delivery timeline documented for the §558A required disclosure
Iowa Code §558A.4 specifies that disclosure is based on the seller's actual knowledge — not a warranty of property condition. BuildMyListing prompts agents to capture what the seller knows at the time of listing, clearly distinguishing between known conditions and matters outside the seller's actual knowledge.
Benefit: Accurate framing of seller knowledge vs. warranty — reduces post-closing misrepresentation risk
The §558A form covers foundation and structural conditions, roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water source, sewage system, environmental hazards, and encumbrances. BuildMyListing prompts agents to capture each category from the seller and flags conditions that carry elevated disclosure risk.
Benefit: Systematic coverage of all §558A categories — nothing inadvertently omitted
For Iowa properties built before 1978, the federal EPA/HUD Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule (42 U.S.C. §4852d) applies alongside the Iowa §558A form. BuildMyListing flags pre-1978 construction and generates the lead paint checklist automatically.
Benefit: Federal overlay included for Iowa's large pre-1978 housing stock in older neighborhoods
Input property address, construction year, and the seller's known conditions across each §558A category — structural, mechanical, environmental, and legal encumbrances. BuildMyListing flags conditions that require particular attention under Iowa's disclosure requirements.
Record when the §558A disclosure form was provided to the buyer — Iowa requires delivery before contract execution. The system creates a timestamped delivery record. For pre-1978 homes, the lead paint disclosure checklist is generated alongside the state form.
Download enhanced photos, an IRMLS/ICAAR-compatible MLS description, and the §558A documentation record for the transaction file. The complete listing package is ready before the property goes live.
| Requirement | Statute | Mandatory? | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosure of Real Property Condition form | Iowa Code §558A | Yes | Before purchase contract execution |
| Good-faith actual-knowledge standard | Iowa Code §558A.4 | Yes | At time of disclosure |
| Lead-based paint disclosure | 42 U.S.C. §4852d (federal) | Yes — pre-1978 only | Before contract and 10-day inspection window |
| Known material fact disclosure | Iowa Code §558A + agency duty | Yes | Before listing or upon discovery |
Scenario: An Iowa listing agent in Des Moines is preparing a 1960s ranch home. The seller discloses a previous basement wall repair with waterproofing completed two years ago. The agent must document this known condition in the §558A form and deliver it before any purchase contract.
Process: The agent enters the foundation repair history in BuildMyListing's condition section, noting the repair date and contractor. The system records the information with a timestamp. The complete listing package — photos, MLS description, and the documented disclosure — is ready before the property goes active.
Compliance: Iowa Code §558A obligation satisfied with delivery documentation. Known structural condition captured before listing, reducing post-closing misrepresentation risk.
Scenario: A rural Iowa property built in 1968 has a private well and septic system. The §558A form requires disclosure of water source, well condition, and sewage disposal method, and the property also requires federal lead paint disclosure.
Process: BuildMyListing prompts for well and septic condition details, captures the seller's known information about each, and flags the pre-1978 construction for lead paint. The complete package includes the documented well/septic disclosures and the federal lead paint checklist.
Compliance: Iowa Code §558A water source and sewage categories documented; 42 U.S.C. §4852d lead paint disclosure satisfied.
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