Real Estate Investing in Lime Springs, Iowa (52155)

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

Howard County • Population: 1,181 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52155 (Lime Springs, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 19.1% 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 Lime Springs, IA (52155)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $241,361
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,386
% Renters 18.3%

Market Analysis: 52155 Lime Springs

ZIP 52155 inside Howard County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $241K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 52155 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $241K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 52155's metrics run below Howard County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 52155 ZIP's population of 1,181 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 52155 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Lime Springs:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$252K$235K$217K$200K$182K$165KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52155 Compare?

Metric 52155 Lime Springs Iowa
Home Value $241,361 $241,361 $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52155 (Lime Springs, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $241,361
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 24.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
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: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
19.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52155

Population: 1,181

💰 Median Household Income
$67,386
This area
$67,386
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.5%
This area
0.5%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.7 years
This area
37.7 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.1%
This area
19.1%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.0%
Other/Mixed 6.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
33.8%
This area
33.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
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

How strong is Lime Springs, IA for real estate investors?

Lime Springs, IA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $241K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What are rental rates like in Lime Springs, IA?

Average rent in Lime Springs, IA is approximately $828/mo per month. Against $241K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What are vacancy rates like in Lime Springs, IA?

Lime Springs, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.

Does Lime Springs, IA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Lime Springs, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What type of investing works in Lime Springs, IA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Lime Springs, IA best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $241K price point.

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