Real Estate Investing in Doon, Iowa (51235)

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

Lyon County • Population: 1,152 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51235 (Doon, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Doon, IA (51235)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $299,472
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,676
% Renters 19.1%

Market Analysis: 51235 Doon

ZIP 51235 in Doon, IA carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $299K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 51235 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 51235's metrics run below Lyon County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 51235 ZIP's population of 1,152 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 51235 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.

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 Doon:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.2%)
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)

$307K$285K$263K$242K$220K$198KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51235 Compare?

Metric 51235 Doon Iowa
Home Value $299,472 $299,472 $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 51235 (Doon, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $299,472
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 30.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 12.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
0.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51235

Population: 1,152

💰 Median Household Income
$63,676
This area
$63,676
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.1%
This area
19.1%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.6%
This area
8.6%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.9 years
This area
29.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.0%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
👶 Under 18
34.9%
This area
34.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Dordt University
1,929 students · 14.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Doon, IA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Doon, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is Doon, IA a good market for FHA house hackers?

Doon, IA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $828/mo rent level.

How much does a house cost in Doon, IA?

Homes in Doon, IA typically sell near $299K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

Is real estate in Doon, IA a good investment right now?

Doon, IA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $299K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Are renters plentiful in Doon, IA?

Working renters make up the core of the Doon, IA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

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