Real Estate Investing in University Park, Iowa (52595)

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

Mahaska County • Population: 607 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52595 (University Park, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on 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 University Park, IA (52595)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $167,463
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,500
% Renters 39.9%

Market Analysis: 52595 University Park

ZIP 52595 in University Park, IA carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $167K and rents of $828/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 52595 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in University Park have seen price recovery that 52595 has not matched. Mahaska County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A sturdy renter share of 40% in 52595 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

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 University Park:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.6%)
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: 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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$171K$160K$149K$137K$126K$114KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52595 Compare?

Metric 52595 University Park Oskaloosa, IA Iowa
Home Value $167,463 $167,463 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52595? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 40% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52595 (University Park, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low

📉 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 $167,463
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 16.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
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: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
6.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52595

Population: 607

💰 Median Household Income
$62,500
This area
$62,500
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.9%
This area
39.9%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.1 years
This area
35.1 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.7%
Other/Mixed 12.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Black/African American 1.7%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
34.0%
This area
34.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
6.5%
This area
6.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
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 52595

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 · 2.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in University Park, IA?

University Park, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($167K prices, $828/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is University Park, IA a good place for real estate investing?

University Park, IA clocks in at an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $167K and average rents around $828/mo. That combination puts it in the healthy tier for investor interest.

What is the tenant pool like in University Park, IA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in University Park, IA. The rental market absorbs $828/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is University Park, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, University Park, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Do rentals sit vacant long in University Park, IA?

Expect elevated vacancy in University Park, IA. Rents at $828/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 52595 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 52595 ranks in Oskaloosa, IA

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