Iowa Real Estate Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a legal description used in Iowa?

1. Metes and bounds

2. Lot and block

3. Street addresses

4. Geographical survey descriptions

The correct answer is: Street addresses

In Iowa, a street address is not considered a legal description of property. Legal descriptions are specific ways of identifying and describing a parcel of real estate in a manner that is legally acceptable and recognizes its boundaries clearly and precisely. Metes and bounds involve defining property boundaries using physical features of the land and specific distances and angles. This method is often used for irregularly shaped parcels and requires expertise to ensure accurate descriptions. Lot and block refers to a system where land is surveyed and divided into lots and blocks, often associated with subdivisions. This is a common method in urban areas and provides a clear and concise way to identify properties based on a plat map. Geographical survey descriptions provide precise coordinates and are often used in conjunction with metes and bounds in larger parcels or more remote locations. This type of description is typically employed in more technical surveys and is recognized legally for clarity in defining property boundaries. In contrast, while street addresses provide a convenient way to identify a property for everyday use, they lack the precision required in legal documents and can vary based on postal services, making them unsuitable as formal legal descriptions.