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Buy a Home

Home-Buying Process

Order a home for delivery in three steps:

Step 1, Pre-Order Checklist

Step 2, Complete Order

Step 3, Home Delivery


HFI homes are delivered in one piece to your development site. The buyer takes care of all on-site work (lot grading, excavation, foundation, utilities) and HFI sets the home on the foundation.

Step 1, Pre-Order Checklist: Buyer completes with help from their area COG, sends to HFI staff. HFI moving crew will check lot in person for movability.

Step 2, Complete Order: If the home is movable to the lot, an order form can be completed. The area COG will assist and review the form. Send form to HFI staff with $4,500 deposit to HFI Fiscal Agent. This will secure a spot in our production queue. HFI will contact you once your home is started at the building site. 


Step 3, Home Delivery: HFI staff will coordinate with the area COG and buyer on home construction progress and moving timeline. HFI moving crew will visit the site no less than 21 days before the house move, and the foundation must be complete within 21 days of the house move. Typical start of construction to delivery timeframe is 6 months, depending on the time of year.

Homes for Iowa Restrictions


  1. The initial Homeowner must earn below $125,000 taxable income (after credits and deductions) as evidenced by last filed IRS Form 1040. Future homeowners are not subject to income requirement.
  2. The home may not be rented unless a written waiver for hardship is received and approved by Homes for Iowa Board of Directors or the home is specified to be part of an intended rental project and additional documentation is received prior to the  home order being finalized.
  3. Developer profit limitation is 10% of development costs excluding marketing.
  4. All Homes for Iowa requirements are secured by a restrictive convenant and automatically expires five years after initial homeowner's occupation of the home.

Homes for Iowa Features



  • 2x6 frame construction, stick built at the Homes for Iowa Production Site outside of Newton Correctional facility
  • Clear-span engineered floor trusses
  • Engineered and stamped roof trusses
  • Exterior 1 1/2" rigid foam insulation
  • R-19 Batt insulation in walls
  • R49 insulation in attic
  • Air sealed gaps and cracks
  • Pella windows
  • Quality cabinetry (plywood cabinets, solid-wood faceframes, soft-close drawers)
  • Bump out window feature
  • High-efficiency furnace and air conditioner
  • Electric water heater
  • Fresh air exchanger with heat recovery
  • Main floor laundry hookups
  • Built to State of Iowa adopted building code (2015 IRC)
  • Inspected by professional third-party, state-approved, building inspector
  • Homes shipped utility-ready for electric, water, sewer connections
  • Homes shipped with complete exterior, and interior trimmed, painted, with cabinets installed.


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