Scenario comparison
| Scenario | Purchase price | Monthly cash flow | Cap rate | Cash-on-cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
75% of median value-add or distressed | $131,952 | -$162/mo | 5.2% | -6.4% |
Median typical MLS deal | $175,936 | -$406/mo | 3.9% | -12.0% |
125% of median newer / premium | $219,920 | -$649/mo | 3.1% | -15.4% |
Price History
Median Home Price
Median Rent
Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI
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Purchase
Monthly Cash Flow
* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.
Score Breakdown
Based on 5.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.
Based on 5.4% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.
Population data not available.
Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.
Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.
Investment Outlook
Strengths
- +Strong price appreciation (+5.4% YoY)
- +Affordable relative to local incomes
- +Complete rent data available
Challenges
- -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$406/mo)
- -Negative leverage (cap rate 3.9% < mortgage rate 7.4%)
Economic Indicators
Who this market fits
- +Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
- +Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
- +All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
- +Institutional or out-of-state investors who target appreciation markets
- −You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
- −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
Compare to Iowa counties with similar scores
The Bottom Line
Tama County in Iowa scores 71/100, ranking #931 of 3,073 US counties (top 30%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $406/month; the 5.97% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.