Real Estate Investing in Clear Lake, Iowa

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

1 ZIP codes • Population: 9,093 • Cerro Gordo County

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Should you buy in Clear Lake, IA? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 25.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Clear Lake, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

5.4% 5yr CAGR

5.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

🏦 30-yr Fixed Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Avg Investability
Avg Home Value $339,966
Avg Monthly Rent $950
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Clear Lake Real Estate

Clear Lake, IA covers 1 ZIP codes and a population but the investment metrics here are soft — this is not a market to enter casually.

clearly Clear Lake's aggregate rating of ★★★☆☆ reflects underwhelming investor metrics across the board — weak rent growth, weak appreciation, and rising-vacancy pressure in multiple ZIPs.

Rents in Clear Lake at $950/mo have struggled to keep pace with cost increases, and vacancy has risen in pockets — a dynamic that compresses realized returns well below headline cap rates.

The 0% renter share in Clear Lake masks uneven tenant quality across ZIPs, and $N/AK median income leaves little cushion against economic shocks.

A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Best ZIP codes in Mason City, IA

Clear Lake is part of this metro. Every ZIP in it, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in Clear Lake, IA. Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Avg Home Value
$339,966
Avg Monthly Rent
$950
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Mason City, IA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
66%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

☀️ Warm Market — Mason City, IA metro
0
Days to pending
7.6%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

ZIP Codes in Clear Lake, IA

Screen every ZIP in Clear Lake

Filter Clear Lake’s ZIPs by cap rate, vacancy, appreciation and 30+ more criteria, and export your shortlist to CSV — with the Investor plan ($19/mo).

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Lake, IA

What do landlords charge for rent in Clear Lake, IA?

The typical rental in Clear Lake, IA commands about $950/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $340K purchase basis.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Clear Lake, IA?

Clear Lake, IA operates under IA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Clear Lake, IA?

Clear Lake, IA home values average about $340K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $950/mo in monthly income.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Clear Lake, IA?

House hacking in Clear Lake, IA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $340K and rents of $950/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How deep is the rental pool in Clear Lake, IA?

Clear Lake, IA draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $950/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

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