Real Estate Investing in Buckingham, Iowa (50612)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50612 (Buckingham, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 15.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Elevated poverty: 30.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 10.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• 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 Buckingham, IA (50612)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50612 Buckingham
The 50612 ZIP in Buckingham, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $362K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
The 50612 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Regionally, 50612 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
The demographic picture in 50612 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Buckingham averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Strategy in 50612 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $362K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Buckingham:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50612 Compare?
| Metric | 50612 | Buckingham | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $362,492 | $362,492 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.2% | 6.2% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $909 | $909 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% | 2.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50612 (Buckingham, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 50612 (Buckingham, IA)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $362,492 |
| Monthly Rent | $909 |
| Price-to-Rent | 33.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.0% |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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 50612
Population: 338
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
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 2,330 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buckingham, IA a good place for real estate investing?
Yes - Buckingham, IA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $362K home prices against $909/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
How do experienced investors play Buckingham, IA?
The best-fit strategy in Buckingham, IA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
What are rental rates like in Buckingham, IA?
Average rent in Buckingham, IA is approximately $909/mo per month. Against $362K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
How high is vacancy risk in Buckingham, IA?
Buckingham, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $909/mo.
What is it like being a landlord in Buckingham, IA?
IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Buckingham inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
You know 50612 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50612 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.
How 50612 ranks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 50612 (Buckingham)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 50612 (Buckingham, IA).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.