Real Estate Investing in Primghar, Iowa (51245)

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

O Brien County • Population: 1,264 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51245 (Primghar, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (77/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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: 16.2% 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 Primghar, IA (51245)?

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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 $185,399
Avg Monthly Rent $945
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,375
% Renters 18.2%

Market Analysis: 51245 Primghar

The 51245 ZIP in Primghar, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $185K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 51245 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 51245's metrics run below O Brien County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 51245 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 51245 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 Primghar:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $945/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
🏠

Property Strategy for 51245

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$52,408/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $113,731 $1,050 6.6% +8.6% $56,865
3BR $175,628 $1,270 5.2% +8.1% $58,543
4BR $209,632 $1,390 4.8% +8.4% $52,408

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$191K$174K$157K$141K$124K$107KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51245 Compare?

Metric 51245 Primghar Iowa
Home Value $185,399 $185,399 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.5% 6.0%
Avg Rent $945 $945 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 51245? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 51245 (Primghar, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $185,399
Monthly Rent $945
Price-to-Rent 16.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
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: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
16.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51245

Population: 1,264

💰 Median Household Income
$76,375
This area
$76,375
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.9 years
This area
40.9 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.8%
Black/African American 3.6%
Asian 2.5%
Other/Mixed 1.2%
👶 Under 18
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 51245

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$16,955 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
316 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,955 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

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Primghar, IA?

Expect median prices around $185K in Primghar, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

Is house hacking profitable in Primghar, IA?

House hacking in Primghar, IA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $185K and rents of $945/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What is the tenant pool like in Primghar, IA?

The tenant pool in Primghar, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $945/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Primghar, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

Primghar, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Primghar, IA?

Rental rates in Primghar, IA average $945/mo. Tenant demand and $185K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

You know 51245 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 51245 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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