Real Estate Investing in McGregor, Iowa (52157)

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

Clayton • Population: 1,379 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52157 (McGregor, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 16.7% 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 McGregor, IA (52157)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $239,795
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,119
% Renters 26.7%

Market Analysis: 52157 McGregor

The 52157 ZIP covers a section of McGregor that demands careful diligence. Prices near $240K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 52157 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within IA, ZIP 52157 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Clayton submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

A notable renter share of 27% in 52157 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 52157, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 McGregor:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 52157

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$70,129/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $163,856 $920 4.0% +5.8% $81,928
3BR $214,386 $1,130 3.8% +7.2% $71,462
4BR $280,517 $1,300 3.3% +8.4% $70,129

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$263K$234K$205K$176K$146K$117KAug 2009Feb 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52157 Compare?

Metric 52157 McGregor Iowa
Home Value $239,795 $239,795 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 52157? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52157 (McGregor, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $239,795
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 24.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲

🏠 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
16.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52157

Population: 1,379

💰 Median Household Income
$55,119
This area
$55,119
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.7%
This area
26.7%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.5 years
This area
55.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.1%
Other/Mixed 1.6%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
14.3%
This area
14.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.1%
This area
30.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 52157

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$14,142 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

MFL MarMac Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
176 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,142 Per Student
B Good

McGregor Intermediate School

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
125 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,142 Per Student
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

What is the median home value in McGregor, IA?

Typical homes in McGregor, IA go for around $240K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% even-keeled price movement.

What is the tenant pool like in McGregor, IA?

The tenant pool in McGregor, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $828/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How high is vacancy risk in McGregor, IA?

McGregor, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $828/mo.

Does house hacking work in McGregor, IA?

House hacking works a challenging in McGregor, IA. Rents of $828/mo against $240K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the best play in McGregor, IA?

For McGregor, 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 52157 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52157 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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