Real Estate Investing in Windsor Heights, Iowa (50324)

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

Polk County • Population: 5,171 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 50324 (Windsor Heights, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Windsor Heights, IA (50324)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $289,727
Avg Monthly Rent $1,347
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $85,055
% Renters 22.8%

Market Analysis: 50324 Windsor Heights

Investors eyeing 50324 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $290K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 50324 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $290K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within IA, ZIP 50324 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Polk County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 50324 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 50324 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Windsor Heights:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,347/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 50324

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$82,891/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $215,804 $1,500 5.0% +6.1% $107,902
3BR $280,108 $2,040 5.2% +6.0% $93,369
4BR $331,566 $2,100 4.6% +5.7% $82,891

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$302K$267K$232K$197K$161K$126KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,500$1,427$1,353$1,280$1,206$1,133Jul 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50324 Compare?

Metric 50324 Windsor Heights Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $289,727 $289,727 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,347 $1,347 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50324? 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50324 (Windsor Heights, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 50324 (Windsor Heights, IA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $289,727
Monthly Rent $1,347
Price-to-Rent 17.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
8.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50324

Population: 5,171

💰 Median Household Income
$85,055
This area
$85,055
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
42.9%
This area
42.9%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.5 years
This area
41.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.4%
Asian 6.1%
Black/African American 5.4%
Other/Mixed 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
👶 Under 18
25.0%
This area
25.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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 50324

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,066 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Clive Learning Academy

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
512 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,877 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Cowles Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,255 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Olmsted Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 7110 Prairie Avenue, Urbandale
👥
641 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,269 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Valerius Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3305 92nd St, Urbandale
👥
577 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,269 Per Student
A Very Good

Hanawalt Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 225 56th Street, Des Moines
👥
317 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,255 Per Student
A Very Good

Monroe Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 2250 30th St, Des Moines
👥
377 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,255 Per Student
A Very Good

Samuelson Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 3929 Bel-Aire Rd, Des Moines
👥
384 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,255 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
C
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines
74 students · 1.4 mi
C
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School
36 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Drake University
4,504 students · 3.1 mi
D
La James International College-Johnston
113 students · 4.1 mi
D
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology
16 students · 4.1 mi
D
Mercy College of Health Sciences
907 students · 4.5 mi
C+
Aveda Institute-Des Moines
179 students · 5.5 mi
C
Grand View University
1,796 students · 5.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windsor Heights in IA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Windsor Heights, IA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $290K median home values and $1,347/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

What is the smart move for investors in Windsor Heights, IA?

Most investors in Windsor Heights, 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.

What is the typical renter like in Windsor Heights, IA?

Tenant quality in Windsor Heights, IA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $1,347/mo.

What are vacancy rates like in Windsor Heights, IA?

Vacancy in Windsor Heights, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,347/mo.

How viable is house hacking in Windsor Heights, IA?

The house hack math a challenging in Windsor Heights, IA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,347/mo rents and $290K home values.

You know 50324 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50324 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.

Compare Plans

How 50324 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 50324 (Windsor Heights)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 50324 (Windsor Heights, IA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.