Real Estate Investing in Castana, Iowa (51010)

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

Monona • Population: 416 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51010 (Castana, 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: 13.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Castana, IA (51010)?

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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 $207,121
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,779
% Renters 17.4%

Market Analysis: 51010 Castana

The 51010 ZIP in Castana, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $207K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 51010 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Within IA, ZIP 51010 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Monona submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 51010 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Castana averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 51010 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Castana:

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 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.0%)
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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$225K$200K$174K$149K$123K$98KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51010 Compare?

Metric 51010 Castana Iowa
Home Value $207,121 $207,121 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 51010? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 51010 (Castana, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $207,121
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 20.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
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: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
13.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51010

Population: 416

💰 Median Household Income
$71,779
This area
$71,779
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
60.0 years
This area
60.0 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.4%
This area
13.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.5%
Other/Mixed 1.5%
👶 Under 18
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.7%
This area
27.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Castana, IA landlord-friendly?

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

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Castana, IA?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Castana, IA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Is housing expensive in Castana, IA?

Castana, IA home values average about $207K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.

Is Castana in IA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Castana, IA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $207K median home values and $828/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Castana, IA?

The tenant pool in Castana, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $828/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

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