Real Estate Investing in Cresco, Iowa (52136)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52136 (Cresco, 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.
- High vacancy: 14.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Cresco, IA (52136)?
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Market Analysis: 52136 Cresco
ZIP 52136 in Cresco, IA carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $214K and rents of $900/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Rent of $900/mo on a $214K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 52136 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Statewide comparisons place 52136 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Employment concentration in 52136 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
Strategically, 52136 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cresco:
Property Strategy for 52136
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $149,880 | $1,000 | 4.8% | — | $74,940 |
| 3BR | $197,522 | $1,380 | 5.0% | +7.9% | $65,841 |
| 4BR | $221,383 | $1,580 | 5.1% | — | $55,346 |
| 5BR | $311,094 | — | — | — | $62,219 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52136 Compare?
| Metric | 52136 | Cresco | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $213,765 | $213,765 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.5% | 7.5% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $900 | $900 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% | 3.3% | - |
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 52136 (Cresco, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $213,765 |
| Monthly Rent | $900 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.1% |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +11.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.3%). 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 52136
Population: 5,763
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 52136
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cresco, IA favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in Cresco, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
Is Cresco, IA good for house hacking?
House hacking in Cresco, IA is a challenging. With home values around $214K and rents at $900/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
What are home prices like in Cresco, IA?
Median home price in Cresco, IA is near $214K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
What is the typical rental rate in Cresco, IA?
Investors in Cresco, IA typically see rents near $900/mo per month against $214K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
How strong is tenant demand in Cresco, IA?
Cresco, IA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $900/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
You know 52136 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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