Real Estate Investing in Ute, Iowa (51060)

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

Monona County • Population: 529 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51060 (Ute, 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 (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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.4% 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 Ute, IA (51060)?

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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 $114,163
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,610
% Renters 23.3%

Market Analysis: 51060 Ute

Investors eyeing 51060 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $114K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $114K asset, 51060 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 51060 and stronger Ute ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 51060 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

New investors are better served looking at Ute's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 51060. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Ute:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
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)

$123K$112K$102K$92K$81K$71KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51060 Compare?

Metric 51060 Ute Iowa
Home Value $114,163 $114,163 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 5.7% 5.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 51060? 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 51060 (Ute, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $114,163
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 11.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.7%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
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: 5.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.7%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
18.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51060

Population: 529

💰 Median Household Income
$52,610
This area
$52,610
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.4%
This area
0.4%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.9 years
This area
54.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
Other/Mixed 0.2%
👶 Under 18
14.0%
This area
14.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
40.2%
This area
40.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Ute, IA for real estate investors?

Ute, IA sits at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $114K and average rents around $828/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

Is housing expensive in Ute, IA?

Homes in Ute, IA typically sell near $114K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

How high is vacancy risk in Ute, IA?

Ute, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Which real estate strategy fits Ute, IA?

In Ute, IA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $114K prices and $828/mo rents suits that approach.

How much do tenants pay in Ute, IA?

Average rent in Ute, IA is approximately $828/mo per month. Against $114K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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