FAQs

Costs

  • How much does a Homes for Iowa house cost?

    $108,000 for the 1,200 square-foot models:

    • 3-bedroom 2-bath
    • 2-bedroom 2-bath

    $98,000 for the 1,000 square-foot model:

    • 1-bedroom 1-bath

  • What other costs must I consider before purchasing?

    Consider:

    • The price of the lot
    • The cost of putting in a crawl space or basement
    • Double sill plate
    • Building permits
    • Water and utility hookuips
    • Floor coverings
    • Appliances
    • Survey
    • Sidewalks
    • Driveway
    • Gutters & downspouts
    • Garage

  • How do I finance a Homes for Iowa house?

    Financing for HFI homes is the buyer's responsibility. HFI does not offer any special financing for buyers to purchase homes. Contact a local lender as if you were purchasing a new home any other way.

Construction/Delivery

  • Are there any restrictions as to where I may place the house?

    The home may be placed anywhere in Iowa. However, the lot must be accessible and approved by our moving crew prior to construction.

  • Are Homes for Iowa houses customizable?

    All buyers choose a floor plan, siding color, and one of two rooflines (wide models only). Our homes are not customizable otherwise.

  • How long does it take to get a Homes for Iowa house?

    Once all order documents are received and the deposit is paid, your order will be added to the HFI production queue. HFI staff will notify you when construction begins and send continual progress reports. It takes approximately six months to build a Homes for Iowa home from start to finish.

  • Do I have a choice of siding color?

    Yes, HFI offers five different siding colors: 

    • Pacific Blue
    • Natural Clay
    • Smokey Gray
    • Granite Gray
    • Espresso

    HFI also offers the Farmhouse model, which has white board and batten siding with black shutters and a black door.

  • Can I order extra siding if I want to add a garage?

    Yes. Homes for Iowa will prove a materials list upon delivery. You will have the manufacturer's name and color code, so you should be able to purchase matching siding from a local dealer.

Features

  • Is there a place in the house to put a stairway to the basement?

    Yes, if you're placing your home on a basment, the plans indicate where the stairway cutaway floor truss is located.

  • Is there access to the crawlspace from inside the house?

    The back bedroom's closet floor has a crawlspace access framed in; however, it is not cut out.

  • Are the walls painted?

    Yes, the walls are primed and painted.

  • Does the home come with a furnace and air conditioner?

    Yes, both are included with the home. The manufacturer is Weather King.

  • How thick are the walls in a Homes for Iowa home?

    The exterior walls are 2"x6" studs, 16" o.c., 7/16" OSB sheathing, plus 1.5" XPS insulation.

    The interior walls are 2"x4" studs, 16" o.c., with 1/2" gypsum board.

  • What kind of insulation is in the house?

    HFI houses have R-19 batt insulation in the walls and R-49 insulation in the attics.

  • Do HFI homes have a warranty?

    Yes, Homes for Iowa provides a one-year builder's warranty for workmanship on all homes. This warranty begins at the time of delivery and covers defects directly related to HFI workmanship. In addition, all manufacturer warranties for equipment and materials (i.e. furnace, AC, water heater, cabinets, windows, & doors) are transferred to the buyer upon delivery.

Renting/Resale

  • Can Homes for Iowa houses be rented?

    Yes, Homes for Iowa homes may be rented, but only under specific conditions. Rental use is permitted for:

    1. Institutional Workforce Housing Rentals – where the home is owned by an employer (such as a school, hospital, or industry) and rented to their employees, or owned by another party for the express purpose of housing local workforce.
    2. Affordable Rent-to-Own Projects – under a publicly funded affordable housing program (such as Section 42 Tax Credit or HOME programs) that transitions tenants to ownership over time.
    3. Unintended Rental Project - a home purchased by a private developer for sale as an owner-occupied property may be rented only under the following conditions:
    • For at least 90 days the home has been listed for sale; Developer sends written request to HFI to allow the home to be rented for 12 months: Developer's request shall include the following: Sales environment of the community, number of showings and results, documentation of real estate sales listing; HFI agrees in writing (a rental waiver); Waivers may be requested every 12 months with documentation the home has been for sale during the previous 12 months.

    *Buyers intending to use a home as a rental under these circumstances must submit supporting documentation. The list of documents is found in the Homes for Iowa Purchase Agreement for Intended Rental Projects, Attachment E.


  • Is there a timeframe for how long I must live in the house before reselling?

    Homes for Iowa requires that the house be used as a personal residence and not rented out for a period of five years from the date the deed is recordd in the initial owner's name. While the buyer may sell the home before the five-year term ends, the restrictive covenants—including the requirement to use the home as a personal residence—will still apply to you and any new buyer until the five-year period is complete, unless otherwise approved by Homes for Iowa.