Is Bremer County, IA good for real estate investing?

Bremer County has an investment score of 58/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #0 nationally among 0 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Bremer?

The rent-to-price ratio in Bremer County is 3.36% annually, which ranks in the 50th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Bremer?

The median home price in Bremer County is $249,927. This ranks #0 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Bremer?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Bremer County would generate negative cash flow of $855/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Bremer County

IowaPopulation: 25,012

/100

Hold

#0 of 0 counties

#88 in Iowa (99 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated January 1, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$249,927

Median Home Price

0% below national median

$700/mo

Median Rent

0% below national median

3.36%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 50% nationally

-$855

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $700/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$187,445	-$528/mo	2.9%	-14.7%
Median typical MLS deal	$249,927	-$855/mo	2.2%	-17.9%
125% of median newer / premium	$312,409	-$1,183/mo	1.8%	-19.8%

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$249,927

Down Payment (20%)$49,985

Loan Amount$199,942

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$700

Monthly P&I-$1,310

Est. Expenses (35%)-$245

Net Cash Flow-$855/mo

2.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-17.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.36%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

58/100

Cash Flow(30%)

20/100

Based on 3.36% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

88/100

Based on 5.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

86/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.9x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

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 (+5.6% YoY)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$855/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

25,012

Median Income

$84,727

vs $0 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

2.9x

Very affordable

Who this market fits

Best for

+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

Skip if

−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 Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
Van BurenIA	61	$169,150	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
PolkIA	60	$274,734	$1,209	5.28%	Buy	View
CurrentBremerIA	58	$249,927	$700	3.36%	Hold
AppanooseIA	58	$111,484	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
MarionIA	58	$263,166	$1,018	4.64%	Hold	View
DallasIA	56	$348,025	$1,483	5.11%	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

HoldBremer is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Bremer County in Iowa scores 58/100, ranking #0 of 0 US counties (top 50%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $855/month; the 3.36% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-855/mo

Cap Rate

2.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-17.9%

Related markets

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Cheaper alternatives to Bremer

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Iowa →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Bremer?

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Scenario comparison

Same $700/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$187,445	-$528/mo	2.9%	-14.7%
Median typical MLS deal	$249,927	-$855/mo	2.2%	-17.9%
125% of median newer / premium	$312,409	-$1,183/mo	1.8%	-19.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$249,927

Down Payment (20%)$49,985

Loan Amount$199,942

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$700

Monthly P&I-$1,310

Est. Expenses (35%)-$245

Net Cash Flow-$855/mo

2.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-17.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.36%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

58/100

Cash Flow(30%)

20/100

Based on 3.36% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

88/100

Based on 5.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

86/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.9x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Who this market fits

Best for

+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

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

County

Verdict

Van BurenIA

$169,150

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

PolkIA

$274,734

$1,209

5.28%

Buy

View

CurrentBremerIA

$249,927

$700

3.36%

Hold

AppanooseIA

$111,484

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

MarionIA

$263,166

$1,018

4.64%

Hold

View

DallasIA

$348,025

$1,483

5.11%

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

HoldBremer is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-855/mo

Cap Rate

2.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-17.9%