Real Estate Investing in Villisca, Iowa (50864)

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

Montgomery • Population: 1,627 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50864 (Villisca, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (83/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Villisca, IA (50864)?

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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 $137,241
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,275
% Renters 23.4%

Market Analysis: 50864 Villisca

The 50864 ZIP in Villisca, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $137K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 50864 shows the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Looking more closely, 50864 offers a low basis, the region around Villisca has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 50864 ZIP's population of 1,627 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 50864 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $137K 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 Villisca:

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 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.6%)
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 50864

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$46,701/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $98,061 $920 6.8% +8.7% $49,031
3BR $165,404 $1,250 5.4% +8.4% $55,135
4BR $186,803 $1,300 5.0% +9.1% $46,701

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$150K$134K$119K$104K$88K$73KJan 2014May 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50864 Compare?

Metric 50864 Villisca Iowa
Home Value $137,241 $137,241 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.4% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 50864? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50864 (Villisca, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $137,241
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
7.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50864

Population: 1,627

💰 Median Household Income
$57,275
This area
$57,275
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.9%
Other/Mixed 8.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.5%
This area
26.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
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 50864

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.8:1 Avg Class Size
$21,120 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Southwest Valley Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
135 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,120 Per Student
A Very Good

Sylvia Enarson Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
119 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,120 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

Should investors consider Villisca, IA?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Villisca, IA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $137K and rents of $828/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How much is rent in Villisca, IA?

Villisca, IA rentals go for roughly $828/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $137K acquisition costs.

Which real estate strategy fits Villisca, IA?

The best-fit strategy in Villisca, IA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Villisca, IA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Villisca, IA. Rents at $828/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is the typical home price in Villisca, IA?

Homes in Villisca, IA typically sell near $137K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

You know 50864 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50864 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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