Real Estate Investing in Kelley, Iowa (50134)
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Should you buy in 50134 (Kelley, 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 30.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• 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 Kelley, IA (50134)?
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Market Analysis: 50134 Kelley
ZIP 50134 in Kelley, IA carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $355K and rents of $963/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 50134 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 50134 and stronger Kelley ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Who lives in 50134 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 50134, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Kelley:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50134 Compare?
| Metric | 50134 | Kelley | Ames, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $355,143 | $355,143 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.0% | 7.0% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $963 | $963 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% | 2.1% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50134 (Kelley, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $355,143 |
| Monthly Rent | $963 |
| Price-to-Rent | 30.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.1%). 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 50134
Population: 783
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
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 2,052 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does house hacking work in Kelley, IA?
House hacking works a challenging in Kelley, IA. Rents of $963/mo against $355K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
What kind of tenants rent in Kelley, IA?
Tenant quality in Kelley, IA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $963/mo.
Is Kelley, IA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
For Kelley, IA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
What is the investability score for Kelley, IA?
Kelley, IA sits at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $355K and average rents around $963/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.
Are homes affordable in Kelley, IA?
Kelley, IA median home values land near $355K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $963/mo-per-month rentals.
You know 50134 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50134 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 50134 ranks in Ames, IA
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