We buy houses in Ames, IA
— cash offers and creative solutions
Close With Creative buys houses throughout the Ames area. Tell us about your Ames property and within 24 hours you get every structure it qualifies for: a cash offer at 70-80% of market value closing in 7-14 days, creative financing at 90-110% of market value closing in 30-60 days, a novation at 85-95% of final sale price closing in 45-90 days, or a wholesale offer at 65-75% of market value closing in 14-30 days. You make no repairs, pay no agent commission, and pay no closing costs. You pick which path and which date.
To sell a house fast in Ames, IA: request an offer from Close With Creative, receive all four structures within 24 hours, and close on your chosen date. Cash closes in 7-14 days; creative financing pays 90-110% of market value over 30-60 days. There is no fee to the seller on any path.
Selling in Ames: Story County's offices, rental registration before advertising and an online sale listing
Ames is in Story County, and the county offices are in the Administration Building at 900 Sixth Street. The Recorder is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though documents are accepted for recording only until 3:30 p.m. Real estate documents can be recorded electronically through the statewide Iowa Land Records portal, and land records can be searched online at any hour. The Recorder's number is (515) 382-7230.
The fee schedule charges $5 per page for a deed or other real estate document, plus $1 for record management and $1 for e-commerce per transaction. The Auditor's transfer fee is $5 per parcel, capped at $50 for one instrument. The Recorder's checklist asks for three inches of blank space at the top, the preparer's name, address and phone, and an "Address Tax Statement to" line on a conveyance. It also asks for a legal description that is not copied from the tax statement. Where a deed is exempt from transfer tax, the exemption under Chapter 428A.2 must be typed on its face.
Treasurer and Assessor
The Treasurer, at the same address, lists the first half of property taxes as due September 30 and the second half March 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. A payer who wants a receipt mails a prepaid return envelope. The phone is (515) 382-7340. The Assessor, at (515) 382-7320, is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., posts parcel values online, and has pages on the homestead credit and the Board of Review.
Sheriff's sales
The Sheriff's Office is at 1315 South B Avenue. Its site links to a "Properties at Sheriff's Sale" listing on salesweb.civilview.com. Questions about a sale go to the civil line, (515) 382-7460.
Rental registration in the city
Iowa requires towns over 15,000 people to run a rental registration program, and Ames does, under Chapter 13 of its Municipal Code. Any property offered for rent, including in exchange for services, must be registered. The exemptions include an owner-occupied single-family home. A house does not count as owner-occupied if more than one resident is unrelated to the owner. Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, university housing and fraternity and sorority houses are also exempt. The owner submits the registration form before advertising the property. The city then schedules an initial inspection and expects a Letter of Compliance. If you are selling a house that has been rented, that is the paperwork to check first. City Inspections is at 515 Clark Avenue, (515) 239-5101.
Estates
Story County's Clerk of Court is at 1315 South B Avenue, (515) 337-8300. An attorney can say what applies to your house.
Sources
- Story County: Recorder and Vital Records
- Story County: Treasurer
- Story County: Sheriff's Office
- Story County: Assessor and Property Values
- City of Ames: Rental Property Management
- Iowa Judicial Branch: Story County Clerk of Court
- Story County Recorder: Fee Schedule
- Story County Recorder: Checklist for Recording Documents
Whatever you are facing, there is a path
Life rarely sells a home on schedule. These are the situations we are asked about most, and what each one actually changes about your options.
Four ways to sell in Ames
Most home-buying companies give you one number. We price your property against all four structures and show you every outcome side by side, so the choice is yours.
Three steps to sell your Ames home
- 1
Tell us about the property
A three-minute form or a phone call. We ask what the Ames property is, what condition it is in, and what you are trying to achieve. No obligation and no cost.
- 2
Get every structure it qualifies for, within 24 hours
Not one number. We price the property against all four structures and show you what each one pays and how long each one takes, side by side.
- 3
Pick the path and the closing date
You choose. We handle title, the paperwork and the closing costs, and you pick the date that works.
What IA sellers say
Real results from Ames-area homeowners
“My house in Ames had structural problems. No bank would finance a buyer and I'd been told it was unsellable. Close With Creative bought it cash, as-is, in 11 days. I cried with relief.”
Teresa F.
Ames, IA
“Sold 4 rental properties in Ames through one coordinated transaction. They handled all the tenant leases, security deposits, and closing logistics. One contact, one closing date, 4 properties done.”
William R.
Ames, IA
“I was 3 months behind on my mortgage and the lender was sending scary letters every week. Close With Creative called me back within 4 hours, explained my options clearly, and we closed in 21 days. They literally saved my house from foreclosure.”
Margaret A.
Cedar Rapids, IA
“My father passed and left me her house in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island. It needed everything — foundation issues and water damage. I live 1,200 miles away and couldn't deal with contractors. They bought it as-is and I had a check in 22 days. The creative financing option got me $28K more than the cash offer.”
Linda B.
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA
“Going through a divorce in Sioux City is expensive enough without paying 6% realtor commissions. Close With Creative gave us a fair cash offer, handled everything through the attorney, and both parties walked away satisfied. Professional and discreet.”
David C.
Sioux City, IA
“I had a rental property in Iowa City with tenants who hadn't paid rent in 4 months. Every cash buyer I called gave me a lowball number. These guys presented four different options — I picked wholesale and got $35K more than the next best offer.”
Sandra D.
Iowa City, IA
What every Ames homeowner should know before selling
These are Iowa rules, and they apply to your sale wherever in the state the property sits. We handle each of them at our cost.
⚖️ Attorney Or Title Company-Closing State
Iowa closings can be handled by attorneys or title companies. We coordinate all closing logistics at zero cost to you Iowa Real Estate Commission .
Iowa Real Estate Commission🏛️ Judicial Foreclosure
Iowa uses judicial foreclosure with a typical timeline of 5-7 months, plus a redemption period Iowa Courts .
Iowa Courts💰 Transfer Tax Savings
Iowa charges a real estate transfer tax of $0.80 per $500 of value. We cover all transfer taxes and closing costs Iowa Dept of Revenue .
Iowa Dept of Revenue📊 Iowa Market Snapshot
Median home price: ~$210,000 (up 4.5% year-over-year). Median days on market: 48. 40% of homes sell above list price. Our guaranteed, no-contingency offers eliminate market uncertainty Iowa Association of Realtors .
Iowa Association of Realtors🗺️ We Know Iowa
From the Field of Dreams in Dyersville to the Iowa State Fair, from the Bridges of Madison County to Maquoketa Caves. Whether enjoying the college town energy of Iowa City, farming communities of central Iowa, or Mississippi River bluffs of Dubuque - we buy houses in every corner of Iowa.
Selling a house in Ames, IA — common questions
Do you buy houses anywhere in the Ames area?
Yes. We buy throughout the Ames area and across Iowa, in any condition and any price band. If the property is outside that metro but still in Iowa, we still buy it.
How fast can I get an offer on my Ames home?
Within 24 hours of telling us about the property. That covers all four structures, not just a cash number. Cash and wholesale close in 7-14 days and 14-30 days; creative finance and novation take longer because they pay more.
How fast can I sell my house in Iowa?
Close With Creative provides a competitive cash or creative financing offer within 24 hours of evaluating your Iowa property. If you accept, we can close in as little as 7 to 14 days, or on whichever date fits your timeline. Iowa closings can be handled by attorneys or title companies.
Do I need to make repairs before selling my Iowa home?
No. We buy all Iowa properties completely as-is. You do not need to clean, paint, repair the roof, fix the foundation, or address code violations. We handle all maintenance and renovation after closing.
Are there any fees or commissions when selling to Close With Creative in Iowa?
Zero. No agent commissions, no listing fees, no closing costs. Iowa charges a real estate transfer tax of $0.80 per $500 of value. We cover all transfer taxes and closing costs. The offer you accept is exactly what you receive at closing.
What types of properties does Close With Creative buy in Iowa?
We purchase single-family homes, townhouses, condos, duplexes, multi-family properties, mobile homes, vacant land, and commercial properties throughout Iowa. Any condition — fire damage, water damage, outdated, code violations, or perfectly maintained.
How does Iowa's foreclosure process work?
Iowa uses judicial foreclosure with a typical timeline of 5-7 months, plus a redemption period. Selling to Close With Creative before foreclosure completes protects your credit and preserves your equity.
What is the difference between a cash offer and creative financing in Iowa?
A cash offer means we pay the full price at closing using our own funds, typically within 7 to 14 days. Creative financing structures the purchase over time, often resulting in a higher total payout — sometimes 90% to 110% of market value. We present both options along with novation and wholesale paths so Iowa sellers can choose the best fit.
Can I sell my Iowa house if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. Most Iowa homeowners who sell to us still carry a mortgage. At closing, your existing mortgage is paid off from the sale proceeds through the attorney or title company. If you owe more than your home is worth, we may still have creative solutions available.
How do transfer taxes or closing costs work in Iowa?
Iowa charges a real estate transfer tax of $0.80 per $500 of value. We cover all transfer taxes and closing costs.
What Iowa cities and areas do you serve?
We buy properties across all of Iowa's major markets. From the Field of Dreams in Dyersville to the Iowa State Fair, from the Bridges of Madison County to Maquoketa Caves. If it's in Iowa, we'll make an offer.
How do you determine the offer price for my Iowa property?
We analyze recent comparable sales, current market conditions, property condition, and repair estimates. Iowa's median home price is approximately $210,000 with homes selling in about 48 days on market. Our valuation process is fully transparent — we share the data behind every offer.
Get your free offer options in Ames today
Tell us about the property and we will come back within 24 hours with every structure it qualifies for. No fee, no obligation, and you pick the closing date.