How to Hunt for Real Estate in Iowa

Hunting for real estate, whether commercial or residential, can be a daunting and time-consuming process. But if you're looking for real estate in Iowa, knowing where to start your search and hunting in more than one way could help you reach a quick and successful end to your hunt.

• 1

  Find a real estate agent to work with. A real estate agent can pull up listings meeting your criteria from the Multiple Listing Service. Everyday consumers do not have access to this service. Prudential, Friedrich Iowa Realty and Iowa Realty are just two of the larger real estate companies in the state (see Resources).

• 2

  Search through real estate listings in local Iowa newspapers. These may include the Dubuque Local News, the Altoona Herald or The Daily Nonpareil. The U.S. Newspaper List website can help you find other local Iowa newspapers in the area where you want to purchase real estate (see Resources).

• 3

  Look at websites that list Iowa homes for sale by owner. Such homes often don't get listed on the MLS, because the sellers have to pay out of pocket to list their homes on the service. Some websites that list homes for sale by owner are homesbyowner.com, forsalebyowner.com and fsbo-iowa.com (see Resources).

• 4

  Drive around desirable neighborhoods on your time off. You may spot homes whose owners have put out a for sale sign but not posted the home on any listing service.

• 5

  Contact the Iowa county where you'd like to purchase real estate for a listing of foreclosed properties and those about to be auctioned off. In different counties, different departments keep these listings, but a clerk will be able to direct you to the right department.