Real Estate Investing in Calmar, Iowa (52132)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52132 (Calmar, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Calmar, IA (52132)?
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Market Analysis: 52132 Calmar
This part of Winneshiek is not an easy win. The 52132 ZIP posts 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 52132 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Nearby ZIPs in Calmar have seen price recovery that 52132 has not matched. Winneshiek data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
In practical terms, 1,856 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
New investors are better served looking at Calmar's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 52132. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Calmar:
Property Strategy for 52132
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $199,494 | $920 | 3.3% | — | $99,747 |
| 3BR | $238,133 | $1,210 | 3.7% | — | $79,378 |
| 4BR | $298,567 | $1,250 | 3.0% | — | $74,642 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52132 Compare?
| Metric | 52132 | Calmar | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $277,689 | $277,689 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $828 | $828 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% | 2.3% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52132 (Calmar, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $277,689 |
| Monthly Rent | $828 |
| Price-to-Rent | 28.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.6% |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 52132
Population: 1,856
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 52132
Schools in This ZIP Code
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 1,930 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average monthly rent in Calmar, IA?
Rent in Calmar, IA is around $828/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $278K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Is Calmar, IA a friendly market for rental owners?
For rental operators, Calmar, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Where do home prices stand in Calmar, IA?
Calmar, IA home values average about $278K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.
How does Calmar, IA rate as a rental market?
Calmar, IA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $278K and rents near $828/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the best play in Calmar, IA?
For Calmar, IA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
You know 52132 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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