Real Estate Investing in Creston, Iowa (50801)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50801 (Creston, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 15.9% 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 Creston, IA (50801)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50801 Creston
ZIP 50801 in Creston, IA carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $157K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 50801 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Nearby ZIPs in Creston have seen price recovery that 50801 has not matched. Union County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Resident income in 50801 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategically, 50801 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Creston:
Property Strategy for 50801
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $67,292 | $700 | 7.5% | — | $67,292 |
| 2BR | $101,820 | $920 | 6.5% | +6.7% | $50,910 |
| 3BR | $167,453 | $1,210 | 5.2% | +6.9% | $55,818 |
| 4BR | $210,292 | $1,220 | 4.2% | +6.9% | $52,573 |
| 5BR | $287,731 | — | — | — | $57,546 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50801 Compare?
| Metric | 50801 | Creston | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $156,896 | $156,896 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.4% | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $828 | $828 | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% | 4.1% | - |
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 50801 (Creston, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $156,896 |
| Monthly Rent | $828 |
| Price-to-Rent | 15.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.3% |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 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 (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.
Demographics in 50801
Population: 9,027
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 50801
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Are homes affordable in Creston, IA?
Creston, IA median home values land near $157K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $828/mo-per-month rentals.
What is the typical renter like in Creston, IA?
Tenant quality in Creston, IA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $828/mo.
Is IA a landlord-friendly state?
Landlord-friendliness in Creston, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
Is Creston, IA suited for a house hack?
For house hackers, Creston, IA is a challenging. The $828/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $157K property.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Creston, IA?
Creston, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
You know 50801 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50801 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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Community Ratings
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