Real Estate Investing in Jamaica, Iowa (50128)

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

Guthrie County • Population: 331 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50128 (Jamaica, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (55/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Jamaica, IA (50128)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $173,936
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $47,462
% Renters 16.1%

Market Analysis: 50128 Jamaica

ZIP 50128 in Jamaica, IA carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $174K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $174K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 50128 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Jamaica have seen price recovery that 50128 has not matched. Guthrie County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 50128 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 50128, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Jamaica:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$180K$176K$172K$167K$163K$159KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50128 Compare?

Metric 50128 Jamaica Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $173,936 $173,936 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50128 (Jamaica, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $173,936
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 5.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50128

Population: 331

💰 Median Household Income
$47,462
This area
$47,462
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.1%
This area
16.1%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.0%
This area
19.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.1 years
This area
55.1 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.9%
This area
35.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Jamaica, IA?

Rental vacancy in Jamaica, IA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

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

Typical homes in Jamaica, IA go for around $174K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

How should investors approach Jamaica, IA?

Most investors in Jamaica, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Jamaica, IA?

IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Jamaica inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Jamaica, IA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Our data puts Jamaica, IA at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $174K and rents around $828/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 50128 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 50128 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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