Real Estate Investing in West Chester, Iowa (52359)

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

Washington County • Population: 344 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52359 (West Chester, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• 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 West Chester, IA (52359)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $148,106
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,141
% Renters 4.2%

Market Analysis: 52359 West Chester

ZIP 52359 inside Washington County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $148K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 52359 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $148K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Turning to rents, 52359 offers a low basis, the region around West Chester has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 52359 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than West Chester averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

looks 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 West Chester:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$160K$154K$148K$141K$135K$129KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52359 Compare?

Metric 52359 West Chester Iowa City, IA Iowa
Home Value $148,106 $148,106 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52359 (West Chester, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair

📉 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 $148,106
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 14.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
2.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52359

Population: 344

💰 Median Household Income
$69,141
This area
$69,141
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.3%
This area
24.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.5 years
This area
38.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.6%
Other/Mixed 6.4%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
👶 Under 18
34.4%
This area
34.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.5%
This area
15.5%
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

What is the typical home price in West Chester, IA?

In West Chester, IA the median home value sits at $148K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is the tenant base reliable in West Chester, IA?

The renter base in West Chester, IA is reasonable for the $873/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

Is West Chester, IA landlord-friendly?

IA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. West Chester generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Which investment style suits West Chester, IA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy West Chester, IA best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $148K price point.

What do landlords charge for rent in West Chester, IA?

Expect rents around $873/mo per month in West Chester, IA. With home values at $148K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

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How 52359 ranks in Iowa City, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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