Danilson Law, PLC

Danilson Law, PLC 5⭐️ Iowa real estate law firm with a client-focused approach. Using tech to enhance your experience.

Danilson Law, PLC operates as a general law practice, including but not limited to the areas of: real estate transactions, wills, contracts, and business entities.

Your closing is in a few hours. The buyer's lender just revised the contract. There's a new amortization schedule. Someo...
06/18/2026

Your closing is in a few hours. The buyer's lender just revised the contract. There's a new amortization schedule. Someone's asking about a bill of sale that wasn't in the original deal.

And your doc prep attorney? They prepared your deed two weeks ago. Their job is done.

This is the gap most Iowa sellers don't see coming. A doc prep attorney handles paperwork. An attorney-led closing team handles the transaction — including the stuff that shows up at the last minute.

Here's what that looks like from the seller's side:

→ The buyer's bank changes a number — someone on your team catches it and red-lines the contract before you sign
→ A document gets added to the deal — your team drafts it same-day, not next week
→ The settlement agent needs something fast — your team sends it before you even know it was requested
→ The timeline compresses — your team shifts from remote to in-person signing to keep things on track

None of that is "document preparation." That's coordination. That's someone watching the deal on your behalf when things move fast.

Sellers hire doc prep attorneys and then end up project-managing their own closing. You shouldn't have to chase updates, interpret lender requests, or figure out what just changed in the contract.

If you're selling property in Iowa and want a team actually running your side of the closing — not just preparing a deed and wishing you luck — grab a time here:

https://na2.hubs.ly/H05hH5t0

06/17/2026

Selling a home in Iowa? Don’t let title issues derail your closing plans. In this informative video, we break down the essential steps you need to take when navigating Iowa's unique real estate landscape.

Key topics covered include:
- Understanding the importance of the abstract of title: Learn how this crucial document tells the legal story of your property ownership, including mortgages and liens.
- The necessity of an updated abstract: Discover why timely updates and attorney reviews are vital to avoid last-minute surprises that could delay your closing.
- Our proactive approach at Danilson Law: See how we prioritize abstract and title review early in the selling process to ensure a smooth transaction.

Key takeaways from this video:
- Gain insights on how to avoid common title drama when selling your home.
- Learn the significance of obtaining a timely title opinion to prevent unexpected delays.
- Find out how working with a knowledgeable real estate attorney can simplify your selling experience.

If you're preparing to sell your home in Iowa and want to avoid any title-related headaches, book a discovery call with Danilson Law today. We’re here to provide you with peace of mind throughout your real estate transaction.

You paid off your mortgage at closing. So why is it still showing up on the public record three weeks later — and should...
06/16/2026

You paid off your mortgage at closing. So why is it still showing up on the public record three weeks later — and should you do anything about it?

Short answer: probably not, and here's why.

When your loan gets paid off, your lender has up to 30 days to file the mortgage release with the county. That's the document that officially clears the lien off your property in the public record. During that window, your "paid off" mortgage may technically still appear on title. That's normal. The system is doing what it's supposed to do, and your lender is working within their window.

The issue isn't the 30 days. The issue is what happens if day 30 comes and goes without a release on file.

When that release doesn't get recorded on time, it can quietly cause problems later:

A future refinance or sale on another property can get muddy if old payoffs are still showing as open liens.
Final title policies — the ones that protect you and your lender — sometimes can't issue clean until every release is recorded.

A small back-end paperwork miss can turn into a "wait, what?" moment six months down the road.

Here's what I want you to take away: this isn't something to chase down yourself in the first 30 days, and it's not something to bug your Realtor, lender, or title company about during their normal recording window. The work is happening. The right move is making sure someone is quietly watching it on the back end so it doesn't slip past day 30 unnoticed.

That's how we run it. We track every mortgage release on every closing we touch, log the recording date, and follow up with the lender ourselves if it's late — quietly, in the background, without you having to lift a finger or make a single phone call. Our file doesn't close in our system until that release is on record.

If you'd rather have someone calm and detail-oriented watching these things in the background so you can just move on with your life, you can grab a time with me here:

https://na2.hubs.ly/H05dNrD0

06/15/2026

Are you a homeowner in Iowa considering a cash offer? Recent changes in Iowa law could significantly impact your sale process.

In this video, we break down the new regulations surrounding real estate wholesalers and what they mean for you. Here are the key topics we cover:

- **Understanding Wholesalers**: Learn who wholesalers are and how they operate in the real estate market, often acting as middlemen who profit from your property sale without being the actual buyers.

- **New Legal Requirements**: Find out how Iowa's new laws require wholesalers to clearly disclose their identities and intentions before signing any purchase agreements with you.

- **Protecting Yourself**: Discover important questions to ask before accepting a cash offer, including whether the person you're dealing with is the actual buyer or just a wholesaler.

- **Resources for Sellers**: If you're contemplating a cash offer, we provide a link to a free PDF titled "10 Things Every Iowa Seller Should Check Before Accepting a Cash Offer." This invaluable resource can help you make informed decisions.

- **Get Expert Assistance**: Already have a contract in front of you? We offer a chance to schedule a short call with our office for a second opinion on your agreement.

By watching this video, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the changing landscape of real estate transactions in Iowa and how to navigate the cash offer process confidently. Don't miss out on essential insights that could save you time and money. Visit our channel for more detailed breakdowns and resources tailored for Iowa home sellers.

When you're a few weeks out from closing, your deal hangs on a lot of small details landing on time, in the right inbox,...
06/13/2026

When you're a few weeks out from closing, your deal hangs on a lot of small details landing on time, in the right inbox, with the right people.

Buyers, sellers, lenders, both attorneys, agents, title companies, the county recorder — any one of them having a rough week can stall your closing.

That's why we run every file on a system instead of memory:

Every document we need is requested in writing, with a clear deadline.

Every email or call that affects your closing gets logged so the whole team is on the same page.

If something goes missing, we can pull up exactly what was sent, when, and to whom — and get it sorted in minutes, not days.

This isn't about catching anyone in a mistake. People are busy. Details slip. The point of the system is to keep your closing on track when that happens — without you ever feeling the chaos behind the scenes.

It's also why our Realtor partners send clients our way. They know the small stuff is being watched, so they can stay focused on listing and selling.

If you'd rather have a calm, detail-oriented team watching these moving pieces for you, grab a time with me here:

https://na2.hubs.ly/H05btNV0

06/12/2026

Have you ever faced setbacks that reshaped your path in life? In this engaging discussion, we explore the journey of an unexpected career transition from aspiring professional golfer to successful legal professional at Danilson Law, PLC.

Key topics covered in this video include:
- The competitive nature of both sports and law, emphasizing how small differences can lead to significant outcomes.
- The importance of mindset in achieving success and how past experiences can provide invaluable lessons for future endeavors.
- Personal reflections on failure and growth, illustrating that every setback can be a stepping stone to greater achievements.

Viewers will gain valuable insights into the power of resilience and adaptability, learning how to harness past experiences to fuel personal and professional growth. Discover how a willingness to try, even when faced with failure, can lead to the creation of opportunities and success in your own life.

Join us as we delve into this inspiring narrative and uncover the mindset that drives success at Danilson Law, your trusted partner for real estate legal services in Des Moines and central Iowa.

Wondering if anything's actually happening with your closing because you haven't heard from your attorney in a few days?...
06/11/2026

Wondering if anything's actually happening with your closing because you haven't heard from your attorney in a few days? There's a version of that silence that should worry you — and a version that means everything is exactly as it should be.

Here's the difference. A real estate transaction has a long list of moving pieces between the day you sign and the day you close — title work, lender conditions, signed documents from the other side, payoff figures, settlement statement numbers, sometimes an installment contract or a closing protection letter that hasn't arrived yet. Every one of those items has someone who's supposed to send it, and any one of them can quietly sit in an inbox for a week if nobody chases it.

The mistake most people make is assuming no news is good news. Sometimes it is. Often, it just means nobody pushed.

A few things you should be able to count on from your closing team:

Someone is tracking every outstanding item by name, not by memory.

Follow-ups are happening before the deadline gets close, not after.

If something's stuck, you hear about it from your attorney before you hear about it from the other side.

That's the standard you should hold any closing team to. At our firm, the routine is to chase the loose ends before clients have to ask — nudging the title company, confirming numbers, surfacing problems early — so when you don't hear from us, it usually means everything is on track and you can keep living your life until closing day.

If you'd rather have someone calm and detail-oriented watching these issues for you, you can grab a time with me here:

https://na2.hubs.ly/H058Jz40

06/10/2026

Are you an Iowa home seller navigating the complexities of real estate transactions? Discover essential insights on how to prepare before signing that purchase agreement and avoid costly mistakes.

In this video, we address critical issues that often arise once a seller has signed a purchase agreement. Learn why it’s vital to act before signing to prevent common pitfalls related to abstract and title issues, contingency wording, and closing timelines.

Key points covered in this video include:

- The importance of early engagement: Understand how reaching out before signing can help mitigate potential issues and streamline your sale.
- Common challenges after signing: Explore how abstract issues can escalate and how contingencies become locked in, shifting control to the buyer.
- Actionable insights: Discover how to shape contingency wording and establish a closing timeline that accommodates your lifestyle rather than just the buyer's needs.

If you're considering listing your home in Iowa, this video is a must-watch. We also offer a free PDF guide, "10 Things Every Iowa Seller Should Check Before Accepting a Cash Offer," available through our bio link.

For personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to book a short call with an Iowa real estate attorney to discuss your specific situation before you sign. Join us to ensure your home-selling journey is seamless and stress-free.

When you buy a house in Iowa, you don't just inherit the walls. You inherit everything still attached to the title — inc...
06/09/2026

When you buy a house in Iowa, you don't just inherit the walls. You inherit everything still attached to the title — including problems prior owners thought were long gone.

Here's a real one we caught recently. A property had been through a foreclosure years back. Should've been a clean slate. It wasn't. An older mortgage from a prior owner was still sitting on the title — and that lender was never given notice when the foreclosure happened. Under Iowa law, if a junior lienholder isn't properly noticed, that lien survives the sheriff's sale. The new buyer would've walked into closing — and into ownership — with that old lien still attached to the property.

That's what an abstract is for. Every Iowa property has one. It's a stitched-together history of every deed, mortgage, release, lien, easement, and odd entry going back decades. Most buyers and sellers never see the inside of it. Most of the time it's fine. But when it's not, the wrong missed entry can show up as a real problem the week of closing — or years after you've moved in.

A few things worth checking in any Iowa abstract:

Is every old mortgage actually released of record, not just paid off?

Were all required parties properly noticed in any prior foreclosure or court action?

Are there old easements, restrictions, or judgments still attached that could affect how you use the property?

A careful read catches this stuff. A quick read doesn't.

If you'd rather have someone calm and detail-oriented going through your abstract line by line — so you're not the one finding out about a 20-year-old lien at the closing table — you can grab a time with me here:

https://na2.hubs.ly/H056DZJ0

06/08/2026

Are you tired of handling all the complaints from your clients about title companies, lenders, and closing attorneys? It's time to reclaim your time and focus on what you do best: selling homes.

In this video, we address a common pain point for Iowa listing agents who find themselves inundated with calls and complaints after hours. Learn why you shouldn’t be the complaint department and how you can streamline your process.

Key topics covered include:
- The challenges of being the first point of contact for complaints during real estate transactions.
- How to shift the burden of handling issues to an attorney-led closing team.
- The benefits of having a dedicated team manage unexpected problems, allowing you to concentrate on your listings and clients.

Key takeaways:
- Understand the importance of delegating complaint management to a professional team.
- Discover how an attorney-led closing team can enhance your client service and protect your time.
- Learn actionable steps to implement this change and improve your real estate business.

Don't let complaints distract you from your next sale. If you're ready to take control and enhance your real estate operations, send me a direct message with "team" or click the link in my bio to schedule a 15-minute call about building your own closing team.

Address

6165 NW 86th Street
Johnston, IA
50131

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15155125500

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