Real Estate Investing in Wellsburg, Iowa (50680)

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

Grundy County • Population: 1,077 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50680 (Wellsburg, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (74/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Wellsburg, IA (50680)?

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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 $166,174
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,507
% Renters 7.8%

Market Analysis: 50680 Wellsburg

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Wellsburg's 50680 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $166K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 50680 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $166K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 50680 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 50680 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Wellsburg averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 50680 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $166K 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 Wellsburg:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
36 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.4%
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 50680

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$51,500/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $116,076 $920 5.7% +8.3% $58,038
3BR $154,500 $1,190 5.5% +7.7% $51,500
4BR $209,168 $1,540 5.3% +8.3% $52,292

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$175K$157K$139K$121K$102K$84KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50680 Compare?

Metric 50680 Wellsburg Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Iowa
Home Value $166,174 $166,174 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50680? 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 50680 (Wellsburg, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $166,174
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 16.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
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: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
8.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50680

Population: 1,077

💰 Median Household Income
$70,507
This area
$70,507
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.2 years
This area
53.2 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.1%
Other/Mixed 1.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
Black/African American 0.4%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.6%
This area
31.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 50680

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$18,435 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
68 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,435 Per Student
A Very Good

AGWSR Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
144 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,435 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 rental rate in Wellsburg, IA?

Investors in Wellsburg, IA typically see rents near $828/mo per month against $166K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How strong is tenant demand in Wellsburg, IA?

Wellsburg, IA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $828/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Wellsburg, IA?

Occupancy in Wellsburg, IA runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $828/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is house hacking profitable in Wellsburg, IA?

House hacking in Wellsburg, IA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $166K and rents of $828/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What type of investing works in Wellsburg, IA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Wellsburg, IA. With home values at $166K and rents near $828/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

You know 50680 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 50680 ranks in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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