Real Estate Investing in Fontanelle, Iowa (50846)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50846 (Fontanelle, 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: 12.3% 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 Fontanelle, IA (50846)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50846 Fontanelle
Put differently, ZIP 50846 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $183K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 50846 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Nearby ZIPs in Fontanelle have seen price recovery that 50846 has not matched. Adair County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
The 50846 ZIP's population of 1,223 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.
trends toward 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Fontanelle:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50846 Compare?
| Metric | 50846 | Fontanelle | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $182,569 | $182,569 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.2% | 6.2% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $855 | $855 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% | 3.7% | - |
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 50846 (Fontanelle, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $182,569 |
| Monthly Rent | $855 |
| 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 | +13.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 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 (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.
Demographics in 50846
Population: 1,223
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 50846
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is real estate in Fontanelle, IA?
The median home value in Fontanelle, IA is roughly $183K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.
Is the tenant base reliable in Fontanelle, IA?
Tenant demand in Fontanelle, IA is solid. The local workforce $855/mo rents across most rental classes.
Which real estate strategy fits Fontanelle, IA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Fontanelle, IA. The numbers - $183K homes against $855/mo rents - support that play.
Can I live-in-and-rent in Fontanelle, IA?
The house hack math a challenging in Fontanelle, IA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $855/mo rents and $183K home values.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Fontanelle, IA?
IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Fontanelle inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
You know 50846 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50846 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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