An Iowa general warranty deed transfers property ownership from a grantor to a grantee with covenants that ensure its title is clear and that the grantor has the right to transfer. This type of deed is the most commonly used and is generally executed in conjunction with a purchase agreement. Under a general warranty deed, the grantor warrants that the title has no claims against it during their period of ownership and that of any previous owners. If a lien or other encumbrance does come to light, the grantor will be held liable to defend the title on the grantee’s behalf.
- Statute: § 558.19(3)
- Formatting: §§ 331.606B and 558.19
- Signing Requirements (§ 558.20): Notary Public
- Where to Record: County Recording Office
- Recording Fees (Iowa Land Records, §§ 331.507(2)(a), 428A.1): $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page to be recorded.
- Forms:
- Declaration of Value: Must be completed by the buyer, seller, or agent unless exempt by § 428A.2 (see instructions).
- Groundwater Hazard Statement: The grantor must complete this form and file it with the county recorder.
- Property Disclosure Statement (§§ 558A.2 & 558A.4): Before executing a purchase agreement, the seller must give the buyer a completed property disclosure with the Radon Fact Sheet attached.