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Iowa Seller Closing Cost Calculator

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Closing Cost Calculator for Iowa: Seller Averages

This free calculator can help home sellers in Iowa estimate their closing costs and net proceeds. To get a ballpark idea of the cost of selling a house in the Hawkeye State, enter the information for each of the input fields above. You can see typical or state averages for most Iowa seller closing costs below.

Home Selling Price: $230,600

How does your home compare to the state’s median selling price of $230,600? To determine your listing price, you can:

  1. Get a preliminary estimate with HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator
  2. Request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from a top Iowa agent
  3. Purchase a pre-listing home appraisal (typically $650 in Iowa)
  4. Visit this HomeLight map link to compare recently sold Appraisal Fees by State 2025 homes in Iowa

Mortgage Payoff Amount: $157,829

According to the credit experts at Experian, the average mortgage balance for Iowa homeowners is $157,829. To find your exact payoff amount, check your latest mortgage statement or contact your mortgage servicer.

Listing Agent Fee: $5,765–$6,918

A typical listing agent commission in Iowa is 2.5% to 3% of the home’s selling price. On a $230,600 house, your agent’s fee might range from $5,765–$6,918.

Get the Highest Proceeds: HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes faster and for up to 10% more than average agents. Try HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to consult with the highest-performing agents in your Iowa market.

Buyer’s Agent Fee: $5,765–$6,918

In the past, sellers covered both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent fees. However, following a landmark court settlement by the National Association of Realtors, buyers are now expected to negotiate compensation directly with their own agents. If you’re offering to pay this fee to attract buyers, on a $230,600 median-priced Iowa home, you can expect to pay $5,765–$6,918.

Detailed Closing Costs: $3,690

Closing costs in Iowa average about 1.6% of the home’s sale price. On a median-priced home of $230,600, you might pay $3,690. Below are some of the typical types of closing costs you can expect:

  • Home Preparations: Curb appeal improvements, such as interior house cleaning, landscaping, or home staging, can help create a strong first impression.
  • Renovations/Repairs: Fixing or updating your property will help keep pace with market demands and inspection requests. 
  • Title Service Fees: Title company work is required to verify legal ownership and help manage the property transfer. Buyers usually pay for this in Iowa, but sellers can choose to do so. 
  • Owner’s Title Insurance: A one-time insurance premium paid by the seller to protect the buyer from title issues or ownership disputes. Buyers typically pay this in Iowa. 
  • Transfer Taxes: Iowa home sellers pay a transfer tax rate of $0.80 for every $500 of the property’s value, with the first $500 being exempt from the tax. (See more below.)
  • Recording Fees: Fees paid to the local government to officially record the change in property ownership.
  • Buyer Incentives: Credits or concessions you might offer buyers, such as paying the buyer’s agent fees or offering a rate buydown.
  • Other Costs: Miscellaneous expenses not covered in other categories, such as attorney fees and HOA transfers. (An attorney is not required to sell a house in Iowa.)
  • Moving Expenses: While not technically a closing cost, you might want to include this expense in your budget, which can range from $883 to $7,000.

In Iowa, real estate transfer taxes are levied at $0.80 per $500 of the property’s sale price, with the first $500 exempt. The seller (or grantor) is typically responsible for paying the tax, though certain exceptions may apply depending on the type of transaction.

Make Buying and Selling Easier: Most Iowa sellers are also buyers looking to purchase a new home. With HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, you can make a non-contingent offer on your new home and only move once. Watch this short video to learn more

More Helpful Seller Tools From HomeLight

Here are some additional tools you may find helpful as you plan your Iowa home sale:

Want to avoid closing costs and sell fast? Get a cash offer today.

With HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform, you can receive a no-obligation, all-cash offer in 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. Answer a few questions about your Iowa home to get started. Along with your offer, you’ll also see an estimate of what a top Iowa agent might be able to get for your home. Get both options with one tool.

As you look ahead to your next home purchase, here are some helpful buyer tools:

At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.

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