Real Estate Investing in Lacona, Iowa (50139)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50139 (Lacona, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 18.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.5 — 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 Lacona, IA (50139)?
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Market Analysis: 50139 Lacona
Investors eyeing 50139 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $312K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The 50139 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Stepping back, 50139 offers a low basis, the region around Lacona has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
A impressive renter share of 10% in 50139 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 50139 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lacona:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50139 Compare?
| Metric | 50139 | Lacona | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $312,132 | $312,132 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.6% | 6.6% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $981 | $981 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% | 2.5% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50139 (Lacona, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $312,132 |
| Monthly Rent | $981 |
| Price-to-Rent | 26.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.8% |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.7% ▲ |
🏠 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 50139
Population: 1,058
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 50139
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
Are renters plentiful in Lacona, IA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Lacona, IA. The rental market absorbs $981/mo rents without meaningful friction.
How tight is the rental market in Lacona, IA?
Vacancy in Lacona, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $981/mo.
How expensive is real estate in Lacona, IA?
In Lacona, IA the median home value sits at $312K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Does house hacking work in Lacona, IA?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Lacona, IA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
Is Lacona, IA landlord-friendly?
The landlord environment in Lacona, IA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
You know 50139 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 50139 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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