Real Estate Investing in Modale, Iowa (51556)

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

Harrison County • Population: 289 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51556 (Modale, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• 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 Modale, IA (51556)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $203,959
Avg Monthly Rent $1,233
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,250
% Renters 11.6%

Market Analysis: 51556 Modale

The 51556 ZIP in Modale, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $204K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 51556 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 51556 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 51556 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 51556 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 Modale:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,233/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)

$208K$196K$184K$172K$160K$148KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51556 Compare?

Metric 51556 Modale Iowa
Home Value $203,959 $203,959 $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,233 $1,233 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 51556 (Modale, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $203,959
Monthly Rent $1,233
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 13.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲
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: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51556

Population: 289

💰 Median Household Income
$71,250
This area
$71,250
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.6%
This area
11.6%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.6 years
This area
52.6 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.2%
Asian 1.9%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
👶 Under 18
10.3%
This area
10.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.3%
This area
17.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
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

Should investors worry about vacancy in Modale, IA?

Vacancy in Modale, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,233/mo.

What is the typical renter like in Modale, IA?

Modale, IA offers a reliable renter base at the $1,233/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What investment strategy works best in Modale, IA?

In Modale, IA the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $204K prices and $1,233/mo rents suits that approach.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Modale, IA?

The house hack math a challenging in Modale, IA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,233/mo rents and $204K home values.

What is it like being a landlord in Modale, IA?

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

You know 51556 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 51556 ranks in Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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