Real Estate Investing in Garwin, Iowa (50632)

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

Tama County • Population: 1,204 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50632 (Garwin, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 15.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Garwin, IA (50632)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $158,389
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,363
% Renters 16.2%

Market Analysis: 50632 Garwin

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Garwin's 50632 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $158K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $158K asset, 50632 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 50632's metrics run below Tama County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A durable renter share of 16% in 50632 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 50632 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $158K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Garwin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
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 50632

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$55,849/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $126,897 $920 5.2% +6.1% $63,449
3BR $167,546 $1,150 4.9% +7.5% $55,849

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$166K$150K$134K$118K$101K$85KFeb 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50632 Compare?

Metric 50632 Garwin Iowa
Home Value $158,389 $158,389 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.3% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 50632? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50632 (Garwin, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 50632 (Garwin, IA)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $158,389
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 15.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
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: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
15.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50632

Population: 1,204

💰 Median Household Income
$68,363
This area
$68,363
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.4%
This area
0.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.1%
This area
19.1%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.2 years
This area
50.2 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.7%
Other/Mixed 1.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.1%
This area
18.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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 50632

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,213 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

GMG Secondary School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
210 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,213 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GMG Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,213 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

1 Nearby 67 Off-Campus Students
C
Marshalltown Community College
1,870 students · 11.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Garwin, IA?

Garwin, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($158K prices, $828/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Where do rents currently stand in Garwin, IA?

Investors in Garwin, IA typically see rents near $828/mo per month against $158K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How viable is house hacking in Garwin, IA?

House hacking in Garwin, IA is a challenging. With home values around $158K and rents at $828/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

How high is vacancy risk in Garwin, IA?

Vacancy risk in Garwin, IA is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

What are home prices like in Garwin, IA?

Median home price in Garwin, IA is near $158K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been even-keeled and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 50632 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50632 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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