Real Estate Investing in Collins, Iowa (50055)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50055 (Collins, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Collins, IA (50055)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50055 Collins
This part of Story County is not an easy win. The 50055 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 50055 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
In the broader IA picture, 50055 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
A notable renter share of 21% in 50055 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
New investors are better served looking at Collins's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 50055. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Collins:
Property Strategy for 50055
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $183,441 | $1,010 | 4.0% | +6.8% | $91,720 |
| 3BR | $243,403 | $1,380 | 4.1% | +7.0% | $81,134 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50055 Compare?
| Metric | 50055 | Collins | Ames, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $282,360 | $282,360 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.5% | 7.5% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $909 | $909 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% | 2.5% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50055 (Collins, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $282,360 |
| Monthly Rent | $909 |
| Price-to-Rent | 25.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.9% |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 50055
Population: 1,157
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 50055
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What price range are homes in Collins, IA?
Median home price in Collins, IA is near $282K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
What kind of tenants rent in Collins, IA?
Tenant quality in Collins, IA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $909/mo.
Is Collins, IA a friendly market for rental owners?
Collins, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Collins, IA?
Collins, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
Is Collins, IA suited for a house hack?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Collins, IA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
You know 50055 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 50055 ranks in Ames, IA
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