Real Estate Investing in Wayland, Iowa (52654)

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

Henry • Population: 1,886 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52654 (Wayland, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

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 Wayland, IA (52654)?

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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 $214,339
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $80,313
% Renters 20.9%

Market Analysis: 52654 Wayland

Investors eyeing 52654 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $214K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 52654 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $214K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

From an investor standpoint, 52654 offers a low basis, the region around Wayland has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 52654 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 52654 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Wayland:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 52654

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best Overall Value
4BR
$58,323/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $139,620 $930 4.8% $69,810
3BR $192,709 $1,200 4.5% $64,236
4BR $233,291 $1,310 4.0% $58,323

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$224K$196K$167K$139K$111K$82KJun 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52654 Compare?

Metric 52654 Wayland Iowa
Home Value $214,339 $214,339 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% 6.0%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 52654? Click to expand

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

📊 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 52654 (Wayland, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $214,339
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 21.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
6.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52654

Population: 1,886

💰 Median Household Income
$80,313
This area
$80,313
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.9%
This area
21.9%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.5 years
This area
45.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.0%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
👶 Under 18
18.7%
This area
18.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
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 52654

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$16,637 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

WACO High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
244 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,637 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
American Hair Academy
27 students · 14.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Wayland, IA for investors?

Investors tracking Wayland, IA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $214K median home values and $837/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Wayland, IA?

Vacancy risk in Wayland, IA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does house hacking make sense in Wayland, IA?

House hacking in Wayland, IA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $214K and rents of $837/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How much does a house cost in Wayland, IA?

In Wayland, IA the median home value sits at $214K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How much is rent in Wayland, IA?

Wayland, IA rentals go for roughly $837/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $214K acquisition costs.

You know 52654 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52654 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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