Real Estate Investing in Winterset, Iowa (50273)

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

Madison County • Population: 9,123 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50273 (Winterset, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Winterset, IA (50273)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $299,825
Avg Monthly Rent $1,116
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,782
% Renters 20.7%

Market Analysis: 50273 Winterset

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 50273 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $300K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 50273 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $300K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

On balance, 50273 offers a low basis, the region around Winterset has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 50273 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Winterset:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,116/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 50273

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$92,690/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $206,008 $1,240 4.3% +6.2% $103,004
3BR $278,070 $1,690 4.4% +5.9% $92,690
4BR $381,528 $1,730 3.3% +6.7% $95,382
5BR $487,969 +6.8% $97,594

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$322K$274K$227K$179K$132K$84KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50273 Compare?

Metric 50273 Winterset Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $299,825 $299,825 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,116 $1,116 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50273? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50273 (Winterset, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $299,825
Monthly Rent $1,116
Price-to-Rent 22.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
5.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50273

Population: 9,123

💰 Median Household Income
$76,782
This area
$76,782
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.7%
This area
20.7%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.1%
This area
26.1%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.3 years
This area
39.3 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.7%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Black/African American 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
25.9%
This area
25.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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 50273

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.8:1 Avg Class Size
$13,278 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Winterset Middle School

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,278 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Winterset Junior High School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
232 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,278 Per Student
B Good

Winterset Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
497 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,278 Per Student
B Good

Winterset Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
561 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,278 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

Is Winterset, IA a good place for real estate investing?

Winterset, IA registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $300K and average rents around $1,116/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

What is the average monthly rent in Winterset, IA?

Expect rents around $1,116/mo per month in Winterset, IA. With home values at $300K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How tight is the rental market in Winterset, IA?

Winterset, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,116/mo.

What is the smart move for investors in Winterset, IA?

Most investors in Winterset, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Winterset, IA?

The tenant pool in Winterset, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,116/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 50273 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50273 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.

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How 50273 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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