309 E Lowe Ave · Fairfield, IA 52556

$99,000

4 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,672 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 213 Days on market

Built 1900 10,019 sqft lot $59/sqft · 41% below area Est $166k · 41% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the B+ grade

The composite is a weighted blend of 9 inputs, each scored 0–100. Each bar is that input's sub-score; the figure is the points it added to the 100-point composite (weight × sub-score).

• Cash flow +29.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• 1% rule +8.2/10.0
• Schools +5.3/10.0
• Livability +4.0/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

Key facts

• Newer furnace
• Non-conforming room
• First floor laundry

Tags

• INVESTMENT PROPERTY
• NON-CONFORMING ROOM
• FIRST FLOOR LAUNDRY
• NEWER FURNACE
• HOT WATER HEATER
• CENTRAL AIR UNIT

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 4-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $99k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $339 ($4k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $99k).
• Recommended offer: $87k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 10.4% vs local median 2.9% in Fairfield — top-decile yield for the area; either an underpriced asset or a hidden risk that comps aren't pricing in. Stress-test before assuming the spread holds.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 79/100 on livability (#122 in IA, #2,265 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: crime A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: amenities F, commute F, employment F.
• Fairfield Community School District (town): math 56% / reading 69% proficiency, ranked #227 of 289 in IA (top 78%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Market conditions: 121 active listings in the ZIP; 14 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $684 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected at +27% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $28k cash investment doubles in ~8 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 213 days — a 12% lower offer ($87k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 5 sale attempts since 9y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $21k (18%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• Current owner paid $85k; 16% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1900 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $87,120 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 213 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1900 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. Schools are A-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
6. What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.
7. What's the recent tenant-quality profile in this submarket — average credit score on applications, eviction rate, late-payment / NSF rate, and stable-employment percentage? A property-management company in the area should have these aggregated.
8. How much new for-sale + rental construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply typically softens prices + rents 12–24 months out; constrained supply supports both.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 1.32% ✓
• Cap rate: 10.40%
• Cash-on-cash: 14.67%
• DSCR: 1.65
• GRM: 6.3

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $166,500
• List price: $99,000
• Delta: -40.54%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
407 E Lowe Ave	0.07mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,648 (-1%)	0mo	$163,000	$99	89
309 E Kirkwood Ave	0.06mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,788 (+7%)	8mo	$187,000	$105	74
303 & 305 W Kirkwood Ave	0.43mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,632 (-2%)	2mo	$129,000	$79	70
603 N Court St	0.19mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,897 (+14%)	1mo	$187,000	$99	63
504 N Main St	0.28mi	3/1.0 (-1)	1,491 (-11%)	0mo	$60,000	$40	60
106 Forest Dr	0.41mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,584 (-5%)	9mo	$160,000	$101	60
903 E Burlington Ave	0.52mi	4/3.0	1,802 (+8%)	3mo	$231,500	$128	56
509 E Adams Ave	0.52mi	4/1.0	1,517 (-9%)	2mo	$118,000	$78	55
405 W Adams Ave	0.72mi	3/1.5 (-1)	1,716 (+3%)	1mo	$177,500	$103	54
306 W Hempstead	0.49mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,790 (+7%)	9mo	$185,000	$103	53
302 W Stone Ave	0.43mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,423 (-15%)	7mo	$170,000	$119	44
103 W Washington Ave	0.53mi	3/2.5 (-1)	1,474 (-12%)	6mo	$182,500	$124	43

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 5.2%
• Equity multiple: 1.20×
• Total profit: $5,561
• Equity at exit: $14,761

10-year hold

• IRR: 14.6%
• Equity multiple: 2.18×
• Total profit: $32,732
• Equity at exit: $8,560

Cash invested: $27,720 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Iowa: 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

3-day pay-or-quit; mostly landlord-friendly statewide.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 52556

• Home prices YoY: -15.1%
• Active inventory: 121
• Price-to-rent: 6.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,308 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$519
• Tax from tax record: −$134 /mo · $1,608/yr
• Insurance: −$41
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$275
• Net cashflow: $339

Break-even live

Break-even rent $879

Max offer price $99,000

Occupancy floor 69%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $395	-5% $367	+0% $339	+5% $311	+10% $283
Rent	-10% $235	-5% $287	+0% $339	+5% $390	+10% $442
Rate	-1.0pp $389	-0.5pp $364	base $339	+0.5pp $313	+1.0pp $287

UW: 25.0% down · 7.5% · 30yr · 1.5% tax · 5.0% vac · 8.0% maint · 8.0% mgmt

Financing live

Cash to close

• Down payment: $24,750
• Closing costs: $2,970
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 32 events

1. 2026-06-21
   days on market $99,000 Active 213 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $99,000 Active 211 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $99,000 Active 210 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $99,000 Active 209 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $99,000 Active 208 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $99,000 Active 206 DOM
7. 2026-06-12
   days on market $99,000 Active 205 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $99,000 Active 202 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $99,000 Active 201 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $99,000 Active 200 DOM
11. 2026-06-07
    days on market $99,000 Active 199 DOM
12. 2026-06-04
    days on market $99,000 Active 196 DOM
13. 2026-06-02
    days on market $99,000 Active 195 DOM
14. 2026-06-01
    days on market $99,000 Active 194 DOM
15. 2026-05-31
    days on market $99,000 Active 193 DOM
16. 2026-05-31
    days on market $99,000 Active 192 DOM
17. 2026-05-20
    status Active 678-char remark

    Show marketing remark (678 chars)

    Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

18. 2026-04-28
    price $99,000 678-char remark

    Show marketing remark (678 chars)

    Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

19. 2026-02-12
    price $103,500 678-char remark

    Show marketing remark (678 chars)

    Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

20. 2026-01-23
    price $115,000 678-char remark

    Show marketing remark (678 chars)

    Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

21. 2025-11-13
    listed $120,000 Active 678-char remark

    Show marketing remark (678 chars)

    Great Investment Property - Come see this 4-bedroom home featuring an additional non-conforming room which could be used for an office, playroom, or guest space. This property offers 2 full bathrooms, with the laundry hook-ups located on the first floor. All appliances stay with the property, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer & dryer. Also features a newer furnace, hot water heater, and central air unit for year-round comfort and peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for a solid investment opportunity or a place to make your own, this home has great potential. With plenty of space, you can move right in or customize it to your style.

22. 2023-09-15
    soldstatus $85,000 Closed 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

23. 2023-09-15
    soldstatus $85,000

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

24. 2023-09-10
    status Pending 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

25. 2023-08-28
    historical Active Under Contract 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

26. 2023-08-26
    status Active 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

27. 2023-08-08
    historical 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

28. 2023-07-29
    price $89,000 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

29. 2023-06-21
    price $95,000 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

30. 2023-06-06
    listed $99,000 Active 464-char remark

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms (one full and one 3/4 bath. ) Lots of space to accommodate a large family, or for use as an investment opportunity as a rental property. Current tenant (Optimae) may or may not be interested in staying, depending on the timing of the sale. Close to schools and not far from the square. The furnace, AC, hot water heater, and electric have all been updated. Most of the windows have been replaced with insulated windows.

31. 2017-12-05
    soldstatus $35,000
32. 2017-08-23
    listed $45,000

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast IA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $1,608 · $134/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $1,608 · $134/mo
• Expected delta: $0/yr ($0/mo · 0.0%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥107°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $15,694
• − Mortgage interest: −$5,546
• − Property taxes: −$1,608
• − Insurance: −$495
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,256
• − Management: −$1,256
• − Depreciation: −$2,880
• Taxable income: $2,654
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$637
• After-tax cash flow: $3,428/yr

For passive investors: Depreciation is non-cash, so a rental often shows a tax loss while cash-flowing — sheltering income. Rental losses are passive: they offset passive income freely, and up to $25,000/yr can offset ordinary (W-2) income if you actively participate and your MAGI is under $100k (phasing out to $0 by $150k); unused losses carry forward. On sale, claimed depreciation is recaptured at up to 25%, and gains may owe capital-gains tax (a 1031 exchange can defer both). Figures are a year-1 estimate at your 24.0% rate — not tax advice; consult a CPA.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Fairfield Community School District
• NCES district ID: 1911340
• Math proficiency: 56% ▼ -14.00%
• Reading proficiency: 69% ▲ 3.00%
• Median HH income: $43,980
• Composite: 52.52/100
• National rank: #1563
• State rank: #227 of 289 in IA

Livability — Fairfield

• Score: 79/100
• State rank: #122
• US rank: #2265

Category grades

Amenities F Commute F Cost of living A+ Crime A+ Employment F Housing A+ Health & safety A+ User ratings A

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Fairfield, IA
• City population: 615
• Population (ZIP): 11,586

Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 20,818 people
• By 2030: 22,098 · +6.1%
• By 2040: 24,133 · +15.9%
• By 2050: 26,448 · +27.0%
• By 2075: 32,435 · +55.8%
• By 2100: 33,966 · +63.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (81%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 81% Black 7% Hispanic / Latino 5% Asian 5% Two or more races 3% Native American 1%
• Common ancestry: Italian 6% Slovak 4% Portuguese 3%
• Foreign-born: 12% · Vietnam, Canada, China
• Languages at home: 88% English-only · Other Indo-European 3% Spanish 2% Vietnamese 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: Lean R (+6.8) · D 45.5% · R 52.3% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -27.0pp toward R · 2008: 20.2pp · 2024: -6.8pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+6.8 2020: R+1.4 2016: R+0.5 2012: D+16.0 2008: D+20.2

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -36.76%
• Current HPI: 206.8679
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: —
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.48%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$16B
▸Retail / Convenience	1	$15B

Price history

+120.0% since first listed

16 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-20 Relisted — IAR
• 2026-04-28 Price Changed $99,000 IAR
• 2026-02-12 Price Changed $103,500 IAR
• 2026-01-23 Price Changed $115,000 IAR
• 2025-11-13 Listed $120,000 IAR
• 2023-09-15 Sold (Public Records) $85,000 Public Records
• 2023-09-15 Sold (MLS) $85,000 IAR
• 2023-09-10 Pending — IAR
• 2023-08-28 Contingent — IAR
• 2023-08-26 Relisted — IAR
• 2023-08-08 Delisted — IAR
• 2023-07-29 Price Changed $89,000 IAR
• 2023-06-21 Price Changed $95,000 IAR
• 2023-06-06 Listed $99,000 IAR
• 2017-12-05 Sold (MLS) $35,000 IAR
• 2017-08-23 Listed $45,000 IAR

Property tax history

+4.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,608 · +4.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.