Real Estate Investing in Beacon, Iowa (52534)

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

Mahaska County • Population: 423 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52534 (Beacon, 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 Beacon, IA (52534)?

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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 $137,758
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,625
% Renters 19.4%

Market Analysis: 52534 Beacon

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Beacon's 52534 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $138K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 52534 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $138K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 52534 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

On the rental side, 423 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 52534 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Beacon:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 78/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+18.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Oskaloosa, IA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.9%
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 Oskaloosa, IA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$141K$132K$122K$113K$103K$94KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52534 Compare?

Metric 52534 Beacon Oskaloosa, IA Iowa
Home Value $137,758 $137,758 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52534 (Beacon, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Oskaloosa, IA metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $137,758
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 13.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 13.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +18.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲
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: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
0.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52534

Population: 423

💰 Median Household Income
$54,625
This area
$54,625
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.4%
This area
19.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.3 years
This area
39.3 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.6%
Other/Mixed 6.0%
Black/African American 3.6%
Asian 2.9%
👶 Under 18
25.0%
This area
25.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
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 52534

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Oskaloosa Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1704 N 3rd St, Oskaloosa
👥
430 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
A Very Good

Oskaloosa Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1801 Orchard Ave, Oskaloosa
👥
896 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
A Very Good

Oskaloosa High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 1816 N 3rd Extension, Oskaloosa
👥
620 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Oskaloosa Virtual Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 1800 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
C Below Average

Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK

📚 Grade PK Elementary
📍 1521 Green Street, Oskaloosa
👥
120 Students
👨‍🏫
30.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
William Penn University
1,536 students · 3.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Beacon, IA make sense for an investment property?

Our data puts Beacon, IA at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $138K and rents around $828/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Beacon, IA?

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

What do landlords charge for rent in Beacon, IA?

Average rent in Beacon, IA is approximately $828/mo per month. Against $138K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What approach is best for Beacon, IA real estate?

Most investors in Beacon, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is the median home value in Beacon, IA?

Median home price in Beacon, IA is near $138K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

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How 52534 ranks in Oskaloosa, IA

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