Real Estate Investing in Chelsea, Iowa (52215)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52215 (Chelsea, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated poverty: 20.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
• 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 Chelsea, IA (52215)?
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Market Analysis: 52215 Chelsea
ZIP 52215 in Chelsea, IA carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $254K and rents of $864/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Rent of $864/mo on a $254K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 52215 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Within IA, ZIP 52215 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Tama County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
A resilient renter share of 9% in 52215 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 52215 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 Chelsea:
Property Strategy for 52215
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $225,511 | $960 | 3.1% | — | $112,756 |
| 3BR | $248,898 | $1,210 | 3.5% | +9.0% | $82,966 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52215 Compare?
| Metric | 52215 | Chelsea | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $254,469 | $254,469 | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.2% | 8.2% | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $864 | $864 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52215 (Chelsea, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $254,469 |
| Monthly Rent | $864 |
| Price-to-Rent | 24.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +13.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 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 (2.7%). 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.
Demographics in 52215
Population: 819
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 price range are homes in Chelsea, IA?
Median home price in Chelsea, IA is near $254K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
Is rental property easy to operate in Chelsea, IA?
The landlord environment in Chelsea, IA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
Are there empty rentals in Chelsea, IA?
Chelsea, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.
Can I live-in-and-rent in Chelsea, IA?
House hacking in Chelsea, IA is a challenging. With home values around $254K and rents at $864/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
What is the tenant pool like in Chelsea, IA?
The tenant pool in Chelsea, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $864/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
You know 52215 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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