Real Estate Investing in Gladbrook, Iowa (50635)

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

Tama • Population: 1,470 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50635 (Gladbrook, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 12.6% 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 Gladbrook, IA (50635)?

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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 $177,067
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,563
% Renters 15.3%

Market Analysis: 50635 Gladbrook

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 50635 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $177K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $828/mo on a $177K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 50635 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 50635 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

In practical terms, 1,470 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.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Gladbrook:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
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 50635

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$50,263/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $133,299 $920 5.0% +6.7% $66,649
3BR $176,546 $1,150 4.7% +7.2% $58,849
4BR $201,053 $1,300 4.7% +7.0% $50,263

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$186K$167K$148K$129K$110K$91KDec 2015Apr 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50635 Compare?

Metric 50635 Gladbrook Iowa
Home Value $177,067 $177,067 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 50635? 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 50635 (Gladbrook, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $177,067
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 17.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
12.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50635

Population: 1,470

💰 Median Household Income
$66,563
This area
$66,563
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.4 years
This area
49.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.8%
Black/African American 1.0%
Other/Mixed 0.7%
Asian 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.5%
This area
25.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 50635

C+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
$17,048 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

C+ Average

Gladbrook-Reinbeck Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
👥
13 Students
💰
$17,048 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

What is the typical home price in Gladbrook, IA?

Homes in Gladbrook, IA typically sell near $177K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

Is Gladbrook, IA landlord-friendly?

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

How tight is the rental market in Gladbrook, IA?

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

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Gladbrook, IA?

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

Are renters plentiful in Gladbrook, IA?

Working renters make up the core of the Gladbrook, IA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 50635 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50635 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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