IOWA FORECLOSURE INFORMATION

I.  Judicial Foreclosure with redemption (redemption periods start from the date of the Sheriff's Sale unless otherwise noted)

  1. 1 year redemption when the property is the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is seeking deficiency judgment

  2. 180 day redemption when the property is not the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is seeking deficiency judgment

  3. 6 month redemption when the property is the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is not seeking deficiency judgment

  4. 90 day redemption when the property is not the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is not seeking deficiency judgment

  5. 60 day redemption when the property is not the residence of the mortgagor and has been abandoned and may become subject to waste and neglect and the mortgagor is not seeking deficiency judgment (this provision must be specifically provided in the mortgage). Any answer or pleading filed by the mortgagee negates mortgagee's claim of abandonment by the mortgagor

  6. REDUCED 60 day redemption when the property was the residence of the mortgagor at the commencement of foreclosure but is subsequently vacated and there are junior creditors (regardless of whether or not a deficiency judgment was obtained). The reduced redemption period starts from the date of entry of a specific court Order reducing the redemption period

  7. REDUCED 30 day redemption when the property was the residence of the mortgagor at the commencement of foreclosure but is subsequently vacated and there are no junior creditors (regardless of whether or not a deficiency judgment was obtained). The reduced redemption period starts from the date of entry of a specific court Order reducing the redemption period

II. Judicial Foreclosure without redemption (a delay of sale occurs in all instances where a demand is filed by the mortgagor)

  1. 2 month delay of sale when the property is not the residence of the mortgagor, regardless of whether or not the mortgagee is seeking deficiency judgment
  2. 6 month delay of sale when the property is the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is not seeking deficiency judgment
  3. 12 month delay of sale when the property is the residence of the mortgagor and the mortgagee is seeking deficiency judgment

III. Non-Judicial Foreclosure of Non-Agricultural Property

No redemption when notice of foreclosure (similar to Notice of Forfeiture) is given to the mortgagor and junior lienholders. All parties have 30 days to file a rejection of the proceeding, in which case a judicial foreclosure route must be pursued. Conveyance of title is accomplished when the proceeding is recorded

IV. Alternative Non-Judicial Foreclosure of Non-Judicial Foreclosure of Non-Agricultural Property

No redemption when a voluntary foreclosure proceeding is agreed upon by mortgagor and mortgagee wherein Notice of foreclosure (similar to Notice of Forfeiture) is given to the mortgagor and junior lienholders. After execution of the Agreement, mortgagor has 30 days to exercise rights of redemption and five days to rescind the transaction. Conveyance of title is accomplished when the proceeding and a warranty deed from mortgagor to mortgagee are recorded

Notice to Public

The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements, certification, specialization or self-proclaimed expertise. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyers as specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. These disclosures are required by the Supreme Court of Iowa.