Real Estate Investing in West Des Moines, Iowa (50265)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50265 (West Des Moines, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in West Des Moines, IA (50265)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50265 West Des Moines
This part of Polk County is not an easy win. The 50265 ZIP comes in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Rent of $1,290/mo on a $314K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 50265 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Regionally, 50265 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Who lives in 50265 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
New investors are better served looking at West Des Moines's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 50265. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in West Des Moines:
Property Strategy for 50265
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $281,701 | $1,070 | 2.7% | +4.4% | $281,701 |
| 2BR | $213,698 | $1,270 | 4.3% | +6.3% | $106,849 |
| 3BR | $298,424 | $1,730 | 4.2% | +5.9% | $99,475 |
| 4BR | $388,285 | $1,770 | 3.3% | +5.5% | $97,071 |
| 5BR | $620,596 | — | — | +6.1% | $124,119 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50265 Compare?
| Metric | 50265 | West Des Moines | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $314,234 | $325,944 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.4% | 4.1% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,290 | $1,331 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50265 (West Des Moines, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $314,234 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,290 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.9% |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +0.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
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.
Demographics in 50265
Population: 33,061
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 50265
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tenants pay in West Des Moines, IA?
Rent in West Des Moines, IA is around $1,290/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $314K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
What is the renter demographic in West Des Moines, IA?
West Des Moines, IA offers a stable renter base at the $1,290/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
What is the typical vacancy rate in West Des Moines, IA?
West Des Moines, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
Does West Des Moines, IA favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in West Des Moines, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
What is the average home sale price in West Des Moines, IA?
Typical homes in West Des Moines, IA go for around $314K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.
You know 50265 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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