Real Estate Investing in Stuart, Iowa (50250)

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

Adair County • Population: 2,652 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50250 (Stuart, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $233,112
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,889
% Renters 25.2%

Market Analysis: 50250 Stuart

The 50250 ZIP in Stuart, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $233K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $233K asset, 50250 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Stuart have seen price recovery that 50250 has not matched. Adair County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 50250 ZIP's population of 2,652 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

The 50250 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Stuart:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/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 50250

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$60,873/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $152,110 $1,040 4.9% +7.0% $76,055
3BR $232,751 $1,390 4.3% +7.5% $77,584
4BR $243,493 $1,450 4.3% +7.8% $60,873

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$245K$213K$180K$148K$116K$84KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50250 Compare?

Metric 50250 Stuart Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $233,112 $233,112 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $936 $936 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50250? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50250 (Stuart, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $233,112
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 20.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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.

Vacancy
4.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50250

Population: 2,652

💰 Median Household Income
$58,889
This area
$58,889
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.6 years
This area
43.6 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.0%
Other/Mixed 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
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 50250

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$14,076 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

West Central Valley High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,076 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Stuart Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
224 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,076 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Stuart, IA?

Vacancy risk in Stuart, IA is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What are rental rates like in Stuart, IA?

Average rent in Stuart, IA is approximately $936/mo per month. Against $233K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Stuart, IA?

For house hackers, Stuart, IA is a challenging. The $936/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $233K property.

Is Stuart, IA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Stuart, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($233K prices, $936/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How strong is Stuart, IA for real estate investors?

Stuart, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $233K and rents near $936/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 50250 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 50250 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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