Real Estate Investing in Oskaloosa, Iowa (52577)

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

Mahaska County • Population: 14,336 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52577 (Oskaloosa, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Oskaloosa, IA (52577)?

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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 $194,527
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,961
% Renters 35.9%

Market Analysis: 52577 Oskaloosa

The 52577 ZIP in Oskaloosa, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $195K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 52577 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $195K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within IA, ZIP 52577 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Mahaska County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

Put differently, 14,336 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 52577 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 Oskaloosa:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
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
🏠

Property Strategy for 52577

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$60,400/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $76,037 $750 7.1% $76,037
2BR $120,800 $990 5.9% +8.0% $60,400
3BR $190,191 $1,190 4.5% +7.3% $63,397
4BR $254,252 $1,310 3.7% +7.6% $63,563
5BR $363,343 +7.7% $72,669

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$204K$177K$150K$123K$96K$69KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52577 Compare?

Metric 52577 Oskaloosa Oskaloosa, IA Iowa
Home Value $194,527 $194,527 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $891 $891 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52577? 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 52577 (Oskaloosa, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📉 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 $194,527
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 18.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 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
8.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52577

Population: 14,336

💰 Median Household Income
$63,961
This area
$63,961
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.9%
This area
35.9%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.2%
This area
24.2%
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
8.6%
This area
8.6%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.1%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
Black/African American 2.0%
Asian 1.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
👶 Under 18
24.0%
This area
24.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 52577

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
16.3:1 Avg Class Size
$17,575 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Oskaloosa Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
430 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
A Very Good

Oskaloosa Elementary School

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

Oskaloosa High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
620 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Oskaloosa Virtual Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
25 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,575 Per Student
C Below Average

Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
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 · 2.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Oskaloosa, IA?

Investors in Oskaloosa, IA typically see rents near $891/mo per month against $195K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Are tenants stable in Oskaloosa, IA?

The tenant pool in Oskaloosa, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $891/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Oskaloosa, IA?

Vacancy in Oskaloosa, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $891/mo.

Does house hacking make sense in Oskaloosa, IA?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Oskaloosa, IA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What strategy should investors use in Oskaloosa, IA?

In Oskaloosa, IA the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $195K prices and $891/mo rents suits that approach.

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How 52577 ranks in Oskaloosa, IA

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