Real Estate Investing in Randolph, Iowa (51649)

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

Fremont County • Population: 416 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51649 (Randolph, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (88/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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.

• 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 Randolph, IA (51649)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $207,458
Avg Monthly Rent $1,134
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,635
% Renters 13.0%

Market Analysis: 51649 Randolph

This part of Fremont County is not an easy win. The 51649 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 51649 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Randolph have seen price recovery that 51649 has not matched. Fremont County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 51649 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Randolph averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

New investors are better served looking at Randolph's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 51649. 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 Randolph:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,134/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)

$214K$195K$176K$157K$138K$119KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51649 Compare?

Metric 51649 Randolph Iowa
Home Value $207,458 $207,458 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,134 $1,134 -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 51649? 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 51649 (Randolph, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $207,458
Monthly Rent $1,134
Price-to-Rent 15.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
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: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
4.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51649

Population: 416

💰 Median Household Income
$86,635
This area
$86,635
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.8%
This area
33.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.1%
Black/African American 6.7%
Hispanic/Latino 2.2%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
👶 Under 18
28.8%
This area
28.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Randolph, IA?

Typical homes in Randolph, IA go for around $207K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Randolph, IA?

Occupancy in Randolph, IA runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,134/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Randolph, IA?

Tenant demand in Randolph, IA is solid. The local workforce $1,134/mo rents across most rental classes.

How landlord-friendly is Randolph, IA?

Landlord-friendliness in Randolph, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How much do tenants pay in Randolph, IA?

Rent in Randolph, IA is around $1,134/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $207K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

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