Real Estate Investing in Washington, Iowa (52353)

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

Washington County • Population: 9,072 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52353 (Washington, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Washington, IA (52353)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $199,682
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,409
% Renters 36.4%

Market Analysis: 52353 Washington

ZIP 52353 in Washington, IA carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $200K and rents of $927/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 52353 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $200K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 52353 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 52353 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Washington averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Washington:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Iowa City, IA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Iowa City, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 52353

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$61,202/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $88,325 $780 6.4% +6.3% $88,325
2BR $139,045 $1,030 5.3% +7.1% $69,522
3BR $194,283 $1,270 4.7% +6.9% $64,761
4BR $244,808 $1,360 4.0% +7.5% $61,202
5BR $338,176 +7.2% $67,635

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$209K$182K$155K$127K$100K$73KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52353 Compare?

Metric 52353 Washington Iowa City, IA Iowa
Home Value $199,682 $199,682 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $927 $927 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52353? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52353 (Washington, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Iowa City, IA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
53%
Days Pending
1/2
49 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $199,682
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 18.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
7.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52353

Population: 9,072

💰 Median Household Income
$60,409
This area
$60,409
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.4%
This area
36.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.9%
Other/Mixed 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 9.4%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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 52353

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,226 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Washington Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
349 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,226 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lincoln Upper Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
344 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,226 Per Student
A Very Good

Stewart Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
493 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,226 Per Student
A Very Good

Washington High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
435 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,226 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

Is real estate in Washington, IA a good investment right now?

Washington, IA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $200K and rents near $927/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What do rentals go for in Washington, IA?

Rental rates in Washington, IA average $927/mo. Tenant demand and $200K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Where do home prices stand in Washington, IA?

Washington, IA home values average about $200K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $927/mo in monthly income.

Is Washington, IA landlord-friendly?

IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Washington inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Are there empty rentals in Washington, IA?

Washington, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.

You know 52353 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52353 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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How 52353 ranks in Iowa City, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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