Real Estate Investing in Ladora, Iowa (52251)

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

Iowa County • Population: 581 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52251 (Ladora, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 13.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Ladora, IA (52251)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $160,788
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,875
% Renters 10.4%

Market Analysis: 52251 Ladora

ZIP 52251 inside Iowa County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $161K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The 52251 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Statewide comparisons place 52251 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 52251 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Ladora averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 52251 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 Ladora:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.2%)
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)

$166K$151K$135K$119K$104K$88KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52251 Compare?

Metric 52251 Ladora Iowa
Home Value $160,788 $160,788 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 52251? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52251 (Ladora, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $160,788
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 16.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
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: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
13.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52251

Population: 581

💰 Median Household Income
$71,875
This area
$71,875
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.5 years
This area
39.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.5%
This area
13.5%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.1%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
👶 Under 18
30.5%
This area
30.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ladora in IA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Ladora, IA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $161K median home values and $828/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

How do home values compare in Ladora, IA?

Homes in Ladora, IA typically sell near $161K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

How much is rent in Ladora, IA?

Rents in Ladora, IA run near $828/mo. Compared with median home prices of $161K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the typical renter like in Ladora, IA?

Tenant quality in Ladora, IA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $828/mo.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Ladora, IA?

Ladora, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($161K prices, $828/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 52251 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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