In cases where the vendor of real estate has given a bond or other writing to convey the same on payment of the purchase money, and such money or any part thereof remains unpaid after the day fixed for payment, whether time is or is not of the essence of the contract, the vendor may file a petition asking the court to require the purchaser to perform the purchaser's contract, or to foreclose and sell the purchaser's interest in the property.
Iowa Code § 654.11