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Iowa Homesteading

Iowa Homesteading: Complete Guide For Homesteaders in Iowa

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Homesteading in Iowa

Though many people associate homesteading with the past, the reality is that there is a new crop of individuals that are currently creating their own modern-day homesteads These modern homesteads are popping up all across the United States. One of the states where the homesteading trend is the hottest is Iowa. This is because Iowa has some great homesteading laws that are worth looking into. Among these are the fact that there is no age restriction on who can file for a homestead exemption in the state.

The following information includes many important points that you should know about if you are considering starting your own homestead in the state of Iowa. Having a good understanding of how some of the laws work, as well as the amount of land that is available is valuable for those who are considering Iowa homesteading.

Can You Homestead in Iowa?

The good news about Iowa homesteading is the fact that it is a practice that is covered under state law. The state of Iowa boasts some of the richest farming lands that can be found in the United States. This makes it an ideal place to set up a modern-day homestead. With this in mind, it is important to look at the legal statutes that govern Iowa homesteading.

Homestead Statutes in Iowa

Homesteading in the state of Iowa is covered under Iowa code 561.1, et seq.: Homestead. The homesteading statutes in the state of Iowa place acreage limits in terms of the amount of property that you can designate as a homestead. These homestead laws in the state of Iowa have been put together to protect property owners during times of financial difficulty and they rank among the best to be found across the USA.

The excellent homestead protection laws that are present make the Hawkeye state one of the most favored by modern-day homesteaders that are taking advantage of what they can offer.

Iowa Homestead Land

Available land is one of the most important things to look at when it comes to the topic of Iowa homesteading. The following information is designed to shed some more light on the topic of available land that could be used for homesteading in the state of Iowa.

How Much Land for Sale

There are thousands of acres of land that are available for purchase across the state of Iowa. Many of these plots of land are ideal for starting up a modern-day homestead setup. The cost of land per acre in the state of Iowa currently sits at more than $7 thousand.

Any Free Land?

Though the old-fashioned days of claiming a plot of land as a homestead are long gone, there are still opportunities to pick up free land. There are several communities in the state of Iowa that have recently given out free land. More information can be found on this topic by clicking on the following links.

Where to Look for Homesteading Land for Sale

The following links provide some great resources for finding land in the state of Iowa that would be ideal for starting up your own modern-day homestead.

Iowa Homesteading Taxes

Understanding homestead taxes is important for those who are planning to file for a homestead. More information about homestead tax laws in the state of Iowa can be found by reading below.

Iowa Homestead Act

Iowa’s homestead act falls under Iowa Code 561.1, et seq.: Homestead. Further information about this code can be found at the official Iowa Homesteading Government website.

The Iowa Homestead Exemption…

Any owner of property in the state of Iowa who resides in that property can take advantage of the homestead credit. This is an exemption that reduces the property owner’s taxable value. The maximum is $4,850.00.

How to File for Homestead Credit in Iowa?

The deadline to apply for the homestead credit in Iowa is the 1st of July. You must apply with the Department of Revenue and must have claimed the property as your primary residence and live there at least six months per year. You also must declare that you are a resident of the state of Iowa.

Qualifications for Homestead Credit

Any Iowa resident who owns a home and resides there is eligible to take advantage of the state’s homestead credit.

How Much Is a Homestead Exemption in Iowa?

There is a restriction of 40 acres covered under a homestead exemption in rural areas and a limit of 1/2 of an acre in urban areas.

Iowa Homestead Tax Credit Calculator

More information about calculating an Iowa homestead credit can be found by visiting the official website of the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Iowa Homesteading Groups

There are some great Facebook groups as well as useful forums and meetups that are designed for Iowa homesteaders. These groups, forums, and meetups are a great place to connect with your fellow homesteaders in both the online realm and in real-time.

Facebook Groups

The following Facebook groups are some of the most useful to know about for those interested in Iowa homesteading.

Meetups

There are also some great Meetup groups that allow Iowa homesteaders to connect with one another. Some of the best Meetup groups that Iowa homesteaders will find interesting include:

Forums

There are also some great forums that are available for Iowa homesteaders. These forums offer a wealth of valuable information and they are also a great place for homesteaders to connect with one another.

 

Conclusion

I hope this guide on Homesteading in Iowa helped you. If you liked this guide and want resources and information on other states, you can see the guide on Alaska Homesteading and Kansas Homesteading or refer to the United States Homesteading Guide with all 50 states listed.

Sources

How to start homesteading

The Lost Book of Remedies book
Discover The Lost Book of Remedies