Real Estate Investing in Kalona, Iowa (52247)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52247 (Kalona, 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.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Kalona, IA (52247)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 52247 Kalona
ZIP 52247 in Kalona, IA carries a resilient set of headwinds. Home values near $327K and rents of $900/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
For an experienced owner, 52247 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $327K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Within IA, ZIP 52247 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Johnson County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 52247 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
The right play in 52247 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 Kalona:
Property Strategy for 52247
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $206,055 | $1,000 | 3.5% | +5.3% | $103,028 |
| 3BR | $282,925 | $1,400 | 3.6% | +5.7% | $94,308 |
| 4BR | $354,462 | $1,680 | 3.4% | +5.5% | $88,616 |
| 5BR | $507,902 | — | — | +7.1% | $101,580 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52247 Compare?
| Metric | 52247 | Kalona | Iowa City, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $327,113 | $327,113 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.2% | 5.2% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $900 | $900 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - | - |
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 52247 (Kalona, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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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 | $327,113 |
| Monthly Rent | $900 |
| Price-to-Rent | 30.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.2%). 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 52247
Population: 5,301
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 52247
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
Are homes affordable in Kalona, IA?
Expect median prices around $327K in Kalona, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Kalona, IA?
House hacking in Kalona, IA is a challenging. With home values around $327K and rents at $900/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
What is the typical renter like in Kalona, IA?
The renter base in Kalona, IA is reasonable for the $900/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.
How strict are landlord regulations in Kalona, IA?
Kalona, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
What do rentals go for in Kalona, IA?
Kalona, IA rentals go for roughly $900/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $327K acquisition costs.
You know 52247 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52247 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 52247 ranks in Iowa City, IA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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