Real Estate Investing in Blencoe, Iowa (51523)

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

Monona County • Population: 356 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51523 (Blencoe, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).

• 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 Blencoe, IA (51523)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $142,521
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,286
% Renters 16.2%

Market Analysis: 51523 Blencoe

The 51523 ZIP covers a section of Blencoe that demands careful diligence. Prices near $143K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 51523 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Statewide comparisons place 51523 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 51523 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Blencoe averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 51523 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 Blencoe:

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 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/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)

$157K$149K$140K$131K$122K$113KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51523 Compare?

Metric 51523 Blencoe Iowa
Home Value $142,521 $142,521 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 1.3% 1.3% 6.0%
Avg Rent $882 $882 -
Cap Rate 4.8% 4.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 51523? 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 51523 (Blencoe, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $142,521
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 13.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.4%
Cap Rate 4.8%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
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: 4.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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
12.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51523

Population: 356

💰 Median Household Income
$79,286
This area
$79,286
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.5 years
This area
42.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.6%
Other/Mixed 1.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
👶 Under 18
28.6%
This area
28.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.3%
This area
24.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
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

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Blencoe, IA?

Occupancy in Blencoe, IA runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $882/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What kind of tenants rent in Blencoe, IA?

Blencoe, IA offers a steady renter base at the $882/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Blencoe, IA a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Blencoe, IA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $143K home prices against $882/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is Blencoe, IA landlord-friendly?

IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Blencoe inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the average monthly rent in Blencoe, IA?

Expect rents around $882/mo per month in Blencoe, IA. With home values at $143K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

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