Real Estate Investing in Indianola, Iowa (50125)

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

Warren County • Population: 20,009 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50125 (Indianola, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Indianola, IA (50125)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $315,783
Avg Monthly Rent $1,282
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,173
% Renters 27.7%

Market Analysis: 50125 Indianola

This part of Warren County is not an easy win. The 50125 ZIP reports 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 50125 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Indianola have seen price recovery that 50125 has not matched. Warren County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 50125 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

New investors are better served looking at Indianola's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 50125. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Indianola:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,282/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
62 days
Average time to sell
Slow
11.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 50125

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$88,921/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $214,912 $1,150 3.9% +6.1% $107,456
3BR $293,631 $1,570 3.8% +6.0% $97,877
4BR $355,682 $1,610 3.3% +6.1% $88,921
5BR $451,420 +6.2% $90,284

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$332K$292K$252K$212K$173K$133KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,291$1,264$1,238$1,211$1,184$1,158Aug 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50125 Compare?

Metric 50125 Indianola Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $315,783 $315,783 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.8% 4.8% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,282 $1,282 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50125? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50125 (Indianola, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $315,783
Monthly Rent $1,282
Price-to-Rent 20.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 7.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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.

Vacancy
5.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50125

Population: 20,009

💰 Median Household Income
$84,173
This area
$84,173
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.7%
This area
27.7%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.0%
This area
33.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.1 years
This area
37.1 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.5%
Other/Mixed 4.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 1.4%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.3%
This area
17.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
USA
11.5%

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 50125

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,142 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Emerson Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wilder Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
471 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Indianola Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
820 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
B Good

Irving Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
B Good

Whittier Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
B Good

Indianola High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,139 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,142 Per Student
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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Simpson College
1,163 students · 2.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Indianola, IA?

Homes in Indianola, IA typically sell near $316K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

Are landlord laws favorable in Indianola, IA?

Indianola, IA operates under IA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the typical renter like in Indianola, IA?

Indianola, IA offers a steady renter base at the $1,282/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Does house hacking make sense in Indianola, IA?

House hacking works a challenging in Indianola, IA. Rents of $1,282/mo against $316K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is Indianola, IA a good place for real estate investing?

Indianola, IA registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $316K and average rents around $1,282/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

You know 50125 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 50125 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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