Real Estate Investing in Dunlap, Iowa (51529)

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

Harrison County • Population: 2,026 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51529 (Dunlap, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Dunlap, IA (51529)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $204,735
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,250
% Renters 28.1%

Market Analysis: 51529 Dunlap

This part of Harrison County is not an easy win. The 51529 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 51529 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

On the rental side, 51529 offers a low basis, the region around Dunlap has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 51529 ZIP's population of 2,026 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

New investors are better served looking at Dunlap's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 51529. 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 Dunlap:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 51529

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$63,196/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $126,391 $1,040 5.9% +5.7% $63,196
3BR $199,257 $1,370 5.0% $66,419

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$213K$188K$163K$138K$113K$87KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51529 Compare?

Metric 51529 Dunlap Iowa
Home Value $204,735 $204,735 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 8.6% 8.6% 6.0%
Avg Rent $936 $936 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 51529? 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 51529 (Dunlap, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $204,735
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 18.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 12.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
7.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51529

Population: 2,026

💰 Median Household Income
$61,250
This area
$61,250
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.1%
This area
28.1%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.6 years
This area
48.6 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.7%
This area
7.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.7%
Black/African American 1.2%
Other/Mixed 0.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
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 51529

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$14,547 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Boyer Valley Middle/High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
223 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,547 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

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

Dunlap, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $205K and rents near $936/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What are rental rates like in Dunlap, IA?

Average rent in Dunlap, IA is approximately $936/mo per month. Against $205K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What strategy should investors use in Dunlap, IA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Dunlap, IA best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $205K price point.

Is the tenant base reliable in Dunlap, IA?

The renter base in Dunlap, IA is reasonable for the $936/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

Is Dunlap, IA good for landlords?

For rental operators, Dunlap, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

You know 51529 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 51529 ranks in Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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