Home financing in Des Moines County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
1 institutions are headquartered inside the Des Moines County line, and 1 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Business FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Des Moines County.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- 2
- DOORS HERE
- 1
- BASED HERE
- 44
- IA COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Home Financing
- People
- 39Kresidents of Des Moines County
- Elsewhere in IA
- Polk County →16 doors — the biggest list of any other county in Iowa
- State
- Iowa →44 of 99 counties hold a door in this lane
Certified by the U.S. Treasury to lend where a bank will not. Nonprofit, patient, and used to a file that is not clean.
Casebine Community Credit UnionOwned by their members, not by shareholders. They look at your whole story rather than a score, and that is the difference when a bank says no.
5 Star Community Credit Union · Casebine Community Credit Union- Casebine Community Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Des Moines County line. You can walk in.
- 5 Star Community Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Iowa Center for Economic SuccessBusiness capital
- Iowa Foundation Microenterprise Community VitalityBusiness capital
- Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal - Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital
1 of the 2 doors inside the county line are CDFI-certified.
The U.S. Treasury certifies them to lend to the people banks pass over. It is a loan, not a favour.
How to read this list.
We do not ask for your name, your email, or your number. Nothing on this page changes based on who you are.
A door is headquartered here when its head office sits inside the county line. The rest are based elsewhere and keep a branch you can walk into. We list both, and we label which is which.
Every institution on this page comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Aug 2026), NCUA credit union data (Jun 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list (Sep 2026) — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. We refresh each list as its agency publishes. No listing is paid.
Buying a home in Des Moines County, Iowa is within reach for many solo contractors, working families, and small investors — including those without a Social Security number. This guide walks you through what home financing looks like locally, who qualifies, what documents you'll need, and which local lenders, credit unions, and CDFIs actually serve this community. We also flag the warning signs of predatory lending so you can protect yourself and your investment.
What Is Home Financing?
Home financing is simply borrowing money to purchase a house or small residential property, then repaying it over time — usually 15 to 30 years — with interest. The loan is secured by the home itself, meaning the lender can reclaim the property if payments stop. There are several types of home loans available in Des Moines County:
- 01**Conventional loans**
Standard mortgages offered by banks and credit unions, typically requiring a credit score of 620 or higher and a down payment of 3–20%.
- 02**FHA loans**
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, these allow down payments as low as 3.5% and are more flexible on credit history. They are a popular entry point for first-time buyers in Burlington and surrounding communities.
- 03**USDA Rural Development loans**
For eligible rural and suburban areas of Des Moines County, these loans can require zero down payment. Parts of the county outside Burlington may qualify.
- 04**ITIN mortgage loans**
Designed for buyers who do not have a Social Security number but do have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Several local and regional lenders offer these in Iowa.
- 05**Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) loans**
State-level programs layered on top of conventional or FHA loans that add down payment assistance or favorable interest rates for qualifying Iowa residents.
- MISSING ONE?Ask Iris which one you're missing.ASK A QUESTION ↓
Forget what the banks say.
Des Moines County is anchored by Burlington, Iowa, a Mississippi River community with a mixed economy built on manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and small business.
Many residents work in trades — construction, roofing, landscaping, painting — as solo contractors or self-employed workers.
This matters because lenders evaluate income differently for W-2 employees versus self-employed borrowers.
If you are a W-2 employee: Most lenders want to see at least two years of steady employment in the same field, a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) below 43%, and a credit score of 580 or higher (for FHA) or 620+ (for conventional).
If you are self-employed or a solo contractor: You'll typically need two years of tax returns showing consistent income, a profit-and-loss statement, and sometimes bank statements covering 12–24 months. Local credit unions and CDFIs are more accustomed to reviewing non-traditional income documentation than large national banks.
If you have an ITIN instead of an SSN: You can still qualify for a mortgage in Iowa. ITIN lending programs look at alternative credit history — on-time rent payments, utility bills, remittance records — rather than a traditional credit score. A stable work history and two years of filed ITIN tax returns significantly strengthen your application.
First-time homebuyers in Des Moines County may also qualify for the Iowa Finance Authority's FirstHome program, which sets income and purchase price limits based on household size and county.
Get your papers in order.
Gathering your paperwork ahead of time saves weeks in the loan process. Here is what most lenders in Des Moines County will ask for, depending on your situation:
For all applicants:
- Government-issued photo ID (passport, consular ID, or driver's license)
- ITIN or Social Security card
- Two most recent months of bank statements (all pages)
- Proof of residence — utility bill or lease agreement
- Purchase agreement or property address (once you've found a home)
For W-2 employees, add:
- Two most recent pay stubs
- W-2 forms for the last two years
- Contact information for your employer (for verification)
For self-employed / solo contractors, add:
- Two years of personal and business tax returns (all schedules)
- Current year profit-and-loss statement
- Business bank statements (12–24 months)
- Business license or DBA registration, if applicable
For ITIN applicants, add:
- ITIN assignment letter from the IRS (CP565 notice)
- Two years of ITIN-filed tax returns
- 12 months of rental payment history (canceled checks or landlord letter)
- Utility, phone, or insurance payment records as alternative credit references
For Iowa Finance Authority programs, add:
- Completion certificate from an approved homebuyer education course (required for many IFA programs)
- Income documentation matching IFA's household income limits for Des Moines County
Organizing these documents in a folder — physical or digital — before you speak with a lender will make the entire process smoother and faster.
The doors worth knowing.
This is where local knowledge matters most. National banks and online lenders often can't serve the specific needs of solo contractors, ITIN holders, or first-generation buyers.
ALL 2 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 2
- DOORS HERE
- 31
- ACROSS IA
Based in Burlington, Iowa. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.Based in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and working capital, equipment and payroll for a small business.
Don't fall into these traps.
Predatory lending is real, and it disproportionately affects first-time buyers, immigrants, and self-employed workers — exactly the communities this guide is written for. Here are the warning signs and common traps to watch for in Des Moines County and everywhere.
Pressure to sign quickly
A legitimate lender will give you time to review all documents and ask questions. If anyone tells you 'this offer expires today' or 'you need to sign right now,' walk away.
Fees that aren't disclosed up front
Under federal law (RESPA), lenders must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application — a standardized document showing all fees. If a lender is vague about fees or asks for large upfront payments before providing this document, that is a red flag.
Deed-investor schemes and 'rent-to-own' traps
Some operators in smaller Iowa cities target immigrant and low-income buyers with 'contract for deed' or 'rent-to-own' arrangements that look like homeownership but leave the buyer with none of the legal protections of a real mortgage. The seller keeps the deed until the full price is paid — and can evict you if you miss a payment, with no equity returned. If someone proposes this, consult a HUD-approved housing counselor first.
ITIN loan scams
Scammers sometimes target ITIN holders with fake 'mortgage programs,' charging upfront fees for loans that never materialize. Always verify the lender's Iowa Division of Banking license before paying anything.
Yield-spread premiums and unnecessary add-ons
Beware of brokers who steer you into a higher-interest loan (which earns them a larger commission) when you qualify for a better rate. Compare Loan Estimates from at least two or three lenders before committing.
Title company and notary fraud
In real-estate transactions involving immigrant buyers, there have been cases of fake 'notarios' (in the Latin American sense) falsely representing themselves as legal advisors. In the U.S., a notary public is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. If you need help understanding your contract, contact NeighborWorks Iowa or a licensed Iowa attorney.
Balloon payments
Some non-standard loans feature very low monthly payments for a few years, then a massive 'balloon' payment that comes due all at once. Many borrowers cannot pay the balloon and lose their home. Ask directly: 'Does this loan have a balloon payment?' If yes, look elsewhere unless you fully understand and accept the terms.
Bottom line. Take your time. Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor before signing anything. It's free, confidential, and could save you thousands of dollars.
The rules where you are.
Iowa has several consumer protections and programs that affect home financing in Des Moines County. Here is what you should know:
Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Income and Price Limits
The IFA sets county-specific income limits and purchase price caps for its programs. For Des Moines County, these limits are updated annually. For 2024, typical household income limits fall in the range of $90,000–$120,000 depending on household size, and purchase price limits generally cap around $350,000. Always verify current limits at iowafinanceauthority.gov before applying.
Iowa High-Cost Mortgage Law
Iowa has adopted protections under the federal Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) and adds state-level requirements for high-cost loans. If a lender's APR or fees exceed certain thresholds, additional disclosures and restrictions apply. This protects borrowers from some of the worst loan terms.
Three-Day Right of Rescission
For refinances and home equity loans (not purchase loans), Iowa borrowers have a federally mandated three-business-day window to cancel after signing. Do not let any lender pressure you to waive this right.
Iowa Division of Banking
Mortgage lenders and brokers operating in Iowa must be licensed through the Iowa Division of Banking. You can verify any lender's license at: idob.state.ia.us. Never work with an unlicensed lender.
Homestead Tax Credit
Iowa offers a Homestead Property Tax Credit for owner-occupants. Once you purchase your home in Des Moines County, file a one-time application with the Des Moines County Assessor's office to reduce your annual property tax bill. This is free money — don't leave it on the table.
Military Homeownership Assistance
Iowa's Military Homeownership Program (through IFA) provides a $5,000 grant for active-duty military, veterans, and surviving spouses. Burlington has a notable veteran and military-family community — this program is worth checking.
Property Taxes in Des Moines County
Property taxes in Des Moines County are assessed by the county assessor and collected by the county treasurer. Your mortgage lender will typically escrow (hold back) property taxes and insurance as part of your monthly payment. Understand what's included in your total monthly obligation — not just the principal and interest.
The short version.
- 01
Here is the short version of everything in this guide:
- 02
What you're doing: Borrowing money to buy a home in Des Moines County, Iowa, and paying it back over time.
- 03
Who can qualify: W-2 workers, solo contractors, self-employed residents, veterans, and ITIN holders can all potentially qualify for a home loan in Iowa — the key is finding the right lender and program for your situation.
- 04
Where to start locally:
Same county, another question.
Business FinancingLoans, lines of credit, and capital for small businesses and contractorsSEE IT IN DES MOINES COUNTY →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN DES MOINES COUNTY →44IA COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Iowa, in this same lane.31 institutions fund homes and repairs inside Iowa county lines.OPEN THE STATE →Still don't see your situation?
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.