Page 91 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)

M3. Explore the use of new and Seller's Disclosure
expanded tools to protect
resources of community During the process to purchase a
interest. property, the Seller's Disclosure provides
a detailed history of the property to
assist the potential buyer in determining
Goal Goal Goal whether to go forward with the
1 2 3
purchase. This form can also minimize
a. Investigate the use of conservation the seller's legal risk after selling the
districts in areas not designated as property.
historic, but that are significant to Des
Moines' history. In order to increase the understanding
b. Consider the use of easements and/ of the history of a property during its
or the purchase of property by the sale, some communities have included
City or other appropriate entities to language that requires the Seller's
preserve important landscapes and Disclosure to include detail about the
sites in the community. a property's designation as historic
c. Examine the potential of designating landmark or as part of a historic district.
existing National Register districts
as local historic districts to provide Aurora, Illinois is one such community,
demolition protection and design and has a Designated Historic
review. (Note that if completed, Property Disclosure Form and requires
additional staff would be needed to signatures from all parties of sale to
handle this work load.) acknowledge understanding of historic
d. Enhance interactions with the real designation. Bold language also states
estate community to develop tools the requirement of approval from
that increase awareness of historic the Preservation Commission prior to
properties pre-purchase to ensure beginning exterior work on the property.
property owners are poised to be
responsible stewards of the building. A similar Seller's Disclosure process
i. Develop informational materials for could be explored for local property
realtors to include when showing transactions or at a state level which
homes in a designated historic district
or designated as a local landmark. would require updates to Chapter 558A,
ii. Explore the possibility of adopting Real Estate Disclosures, of the Iowa
a new law that requires seller's Code.
disclosure forms for property sales to
include a Designated Historic District
question.

Related
Actions N6 M4
• Lead Agency: City of Des Moines,
Development Services
• Partners: City of Des Moines, Legal;
Real Estate Community; Iowa State
Lawmakers; Other Iowa municipalities; 6th
Avenue Corridor

Goal 1: Equitable and Inclusive; Goal 2: Community-Centered; Goal 3: Strategically Integrated

Adopted Plan (September 2023) 85