Real Estate Investing in Hills, Iowa (52235)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52235 (Hills, 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: 8.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• 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 Hills, IA (52235)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 52235 Hills
Investors eyeing 52235 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $250K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $250K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 52235 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Regionally, 52235 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
The demographic picture in 52235 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Hills averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
The right play in 52235 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Hills:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52235 Compare?
| Metric | 52235 | Hills | Iowa City, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $250,147 | $250,147 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.7% | 4.7% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,053 | $1,053 | N/A | - |
| 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 52235 (Hills, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 52235 (Hills, IA)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
Property managers serving Johnson County
Manage rentals here? List your business →KMB Property Management offers management services, including HOA management, and provides resources for residents and clients. summary from their website
Keystone Property Management Group offers property management services. summary from their website
Nest Property Management offers full-service property management to owners and investors in Iowa City, including student housing and tenant resources. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $250,147 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,053 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.1% |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.3% ▲ |
🏠 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 52235
Population: 892
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 52235
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do experienced investors play Hills, IA?
The best-fit strategy in Hills, IA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
How much does a house cost in Hills, IA?
In Hills, IA the median home value sits at $250K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Where do rents currently stand in Hills, IA?
Investors in Hills, IA typically see rents near $1,053/mo per month against $250K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Hills, IA?
Occupancy in Hills, IA runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,053/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
Is Hills, IA a good market for FHA house hackers?
Hills, IA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $250K price point reasonable to enter.
You know 52235 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52235 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.
How 52235 ranks in Iowa City, IA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 52235 (Hills)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 52235 (Hills, IA).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.