Real Estate Investing in Spencer, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 12,402 • Clay County

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

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Spencer, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

5.3% 5yr CAGR

5.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

🏦 30-yr Fixed Rate: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Avg Investability
Avg Home Value $200,145
Avg Monthly Rent $864
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Spencer Real Estate

Spencer in Iowa is one of the markets where the numbers warn before they reward — 1 ZIPs, a sizable population, and a rating that reflects material risk.

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

decisively Spencer's sale market has not rewarded patience. a harder case for listings sit longer, price cuts are common, and rent growth has been flat to negative in multiple ZIPs.

Distressed-leaning demographics in Spencer — soft income growth, high rent burden, population shifts — are among the reasons the ★★★☆☆ rating sits where it does.

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Best ZIP codes in Spencer, IA

Spencer 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
$200,145
Avg Monthly Rent
$864
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Spencer, IA metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

☀️ Warm Market — Spencer, IA metro
0
Days to pending
6.4%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

ZIP Codes in Spencer, IA

Screen every ZIP in Spencer

Filter Spencer’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 Spencer, IA

Is real estate in Spencer, IA a good investment right now?

Spencer, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $200K and rents near $864/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Are there empty rentals in Spencer, IA?

Spencer, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.

Are renters plentiful in Spencer, IA?

Spencer, IA draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $864/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What price range are homes in Spencer, IA?

The median home value in Spencer, IA is roughly $200K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.

What is the smart move for investors in Spencer, IA?

In Spencer, IA the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $200K prices and $864/mo rents suits that approach.

Community Ratings

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