Real Estate Investing in Menlo, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 677 • Guthrie County

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

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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: 18.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Menlo, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

7.9% 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 $227,986
Avg Monthly Rent $927
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Menlo Real Estate

Across Menlo's 1 ZIPs, the picture is tepid: $228K median values, $927/mo rents, and a population that has faced real economic pressure.

Menlo is the kind of market where the cap rate on paper and the cap rate realized tend to diverge. firmly out-of-state investors should be especially careful with the assumptions they carry in.

Market conditions in Menlo are muted. Days-on-market has stretched, rent growth has stalled, and the 0.0% 5-year CAGR understates how uneven the underlying ZIPs really are.

Menlo's population trends and income levels suggest a market where affordability is strained, which constrains how aggressively rents can rise without hurting collections.

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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

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

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →

Landlord Ground Truth

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Avg Home Value
$227,986
Avg Monthly Rent
$927
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

ZIP Codes in Menlo, IA

Screen every ZIP in Menlo

Filter Menlo’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 Menlo, IA

Is housing expensive in Menlo, IA?

Menlo, IA median home values land near $228K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $927/mo-per-month rentals.

What investment strategy works best in Menlo, IA?

Most investors in Menlo, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How tight is the rental market in Menlo, IA?

Menlo, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $927/mo.

Is Menlo, IA good for house hacking?

The house hack math a challenging in Menlo, IA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $927/mo rents and $228K home values.

What kind of tenants rent in Menlo, IA?

Menlo, IA offers a reliable renter base at the $927/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

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