Real Estate Investing in Yale, Iowa (50277)

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

Guthrie County • Population: 496 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50277 (Yale, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• 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 Yale, IA (50277)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $216,304
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,441
% Renters 18.3%

Market Analysis: 50277 Yale

This part of Guthrie County is not an easy win. The 50277 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $216K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 50277 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Yale have seen price recovery that 50277 has not matched. Guthrie County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Turning to rents, 496 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

New investors are better served looking at Yale's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 50277. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Yale:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 82/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.2%)
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: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$220K$210K$200K$190K$180K$170KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50277 Compare?

Metric 50277 Yale Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $216,304 $216,304 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $936 $936 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50277 (Yale, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $216,304
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 19.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
7.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50277

Population: 496

💰 Median Household Income
$100,441
This area
$100,441
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.3%
This area
13.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.8 years
This area
36.8 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.3%
Other/Mixed 1.6%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
👶 Under 18
38.2%
This area
38.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.7%
This area
9.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Yale, IA for real estate investors?

Yale, IA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $216K and rents near $936/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Yale, IA?

Yale, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($216K prices, $936/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Yale, IA?

Average rent in Yale, IA is approximately $936/mo per month. Against $216K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is Yale, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Yale, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the median home value in Yale, IA?

Expect median prices around $216K in Yale, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

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How 50277 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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