Real Estate Investing in Osage, Iowa (50461)

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

Mitchell County • Population: 5,094 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50461 (Osage, 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.

What’s happening in Osage, IA (50461)?

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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 $210,898
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,088
% Renters 19.3%

Market Analysis: 50461 Osage

The 50461 ZIP covers a section of Osage that demands careful diligence. Prices near $211K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $828/mo on a $211K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 50461 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader IA picture, 50461 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 50461 ZIP's population of 5,094 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 50461, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Osage:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 50461

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$65,279/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $136,901 $920 4.8% +9.6% $68,451
3BR $195,837 $1,160 4.3% +8.5% $65,279
4BR $264,026 $1,290 3.5% +9.2% $66,007
5BR $386,023 +8.5% $77,205

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$221K$192K$163K$134K$106K$77KSep 2009Mar 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50461 Compare?

Metric 50461 Osage Iowa
Home Value $210,898 $210,898 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 50461? 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 50461 (Osage, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $210,898
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 21.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 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
6.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50461

Population: 5,094

💰 Median Household Income
$61,088
This area
$61,088
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.0 years
This area
46.0 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.7%
Other/Mixed 1.7%
Asian 1.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
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 50461

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$12,843 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Lincoln Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
405 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,843 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Osage High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
295 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,843 Per Student
B Good

Osage Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
283 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,843 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 Osage, IA a good market for FHA house hackers?

Osage, IA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $828/mo rent level.

What is it like being a landlord in Osage, IA?

IA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Osage generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What is the typical home price in Osage, IA?

Homes in Osage, IA typically sell near $211K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Osage, IA?

Vacancy in Osage, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $828/mo.

How strong are rents in Osage, IA?

The typical rental in Osage, IA commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $211K purchase basis.

You know 50461 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50461 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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