4740 170th Pl · Urbandale, IA
Flood risk 1/10 · Minimal
- FEMA flood zone
- X (unshaded)
- Chance of flooding over 30 yrs
- 0.0%
- Est. flood insurance / yr
- $507 – $1,088
Fire risk 1/10 · Minimal
- Est. fire insurance / yr
- $902 – $1,676
Heat risk 3/10 · Minor
- Hot days now (above 102°F)
- 7 days/yr
- Hot days in 30 yrs
- 15 days/yr
Wind risk 2/10 · Minimal
- Chance of severe wind over 30 yrs
- —
Air-quality risk 1/10 · Minimal
- Unhealthy air days now
- 0 days/yr
- Unhealthy air days in 30 yrs
- 0 days/yr
Risk factors via First Street. Map © Google.
Why this score? — see what drove the D+ 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).
- ARV discount +10.0/15.0
- Appreciation +7.4/10.0
- Schools +7.4/10.0
- Cash flow +7.1/30.0
- Condition / age +4.8/5.0
- Livability +4.5/5.0
- 1% rule +2.8/10.0
- Rent growth +2.5/5.0
- DSCR +1.3/10.0
$249,990
🖨 Deal sheet (PDF) 📄 Offer letter ✓ Due diligence
Listing remarks MLS
Discover 4740 170th Pl in Urbandale, IA. This thoughtfully designed two-story townhome offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 1,511 sq. ft. of comfortable living space. Step inside to a long foyer that leads you to the heart of the home-a bright, open-concept main floor seamlessly connecting the kitchen, dining, and great room, complete with a cozy electric fireplace. The kitchen shines with sleek white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a spacious island, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Upstairs, all bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned for privacy. At the front of the home, the primary bedroom boasts a generous walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom with dual vanity sinks and a walk-in shower. At the back, two spacious bedrooms with large closets share a full bathroom. A conveniently located laundry area completes the upper level, making this layout ideal for families or guests. This home comes with all appliances and blinds. Step into your new home at Mallard Prairie in Urbandale today! This home is currently under construction. Photos and video may be similar but not necessarily of subject property, including interior and exterior colors, finishes and appliances.
Key facts
- Walk-in closet
- Large island
- White cabinetry
Tags
Neighborhood map
What this means for you Summary
Snapshot
- This is a 3-bed/2.5-bath townhouse listed at $250k. Condition is rated excellent.
Deal economics
- At list price, monthly cash flow is $-355 ($-4k/yr) — negative.
- To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $199k (20.5% below list).
- To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $196k (21.6% below list).
- Recommended offer: $196k (21.6% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
- Cap rate 4.6% vs local median 2.5% in Urbandale — 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 90/100 on livability (#4 in IA, #69 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: crime A+, amenities A+, employment A+; Watch: commute F.
- Waukee Community School District (suburban): math 80% / reading 79% proficiency, ranked #14 of 289 in IA (top 5%) — strong family-tenant draw, lease renewals of 3-5y typical; only 11% free/reduced lunch — higher-income household profile.
- Zoned schools: Walnut Hills Elementary School (math 91% / reading 81%, grade A+, #26 of 616 statewide, top 4%, 625 students, 9% FRL); Waukee Middle School (math 83% / reading 81%, grade A+, #22 of 246 statewide, top 12%, 1,069 students, 12% FRL); Waukee High School (math 74% / reading 82%, grade A-, #53 of 336 statewide, top 16%, 1,268 students, 24% FRL) — zoned schools at 15% FRL track the district average.
- Market conditions: 522 active listings in the ZIP; 25 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 62d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 56% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; high-income renter base; 1,503 units permitted in Dallas County in 2024 (630 in 5+ unit buildings).
- This rent is only 13% of the median local income ($176k/yr) — well below the 30% rent-burden line; pricing power to push rent on renewal without tenant pushback.
Forward outlook
- In year one you build about $14k of equity ($2k loan paydown + $12k appreciation (4.8% local appreciation)).
- Dallas County population projected at +74% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.
- By year 3, paydown + projected appreciation supports a ~$34k cash-out refi (75% LTV) — recoverable capital for the next deal without selling this one.
Negotiation context
- It's been on market 187 days — a 12% lower offer ($220k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
- 4 sale attempts with the ask held roughly flat each time — persistent listings suggest the price (not the market) is what's stuck; bring a comps-based counter.
Questions for the listing agent
- What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
- It's been on market 187 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 22% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
- What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
- Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
- Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
- 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?
- The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 0.78% ✗
- Cap rate
- 4.59%
- Cash-on-cash
- -6.08%
- DSCR
- 0.73
- GRM
- 10.6
CMA / ARV
- ARV (median comp)
- $264,812
- List price
- $249,990
- Delta
- -5.60%
- Verdict
- FAIR
- Comps
- 20 within 1.0 mi
Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi
| Address | Dist | Beds/Ba | Sqft | Sold | Price | $/sf | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4742 170th Pl | 0.01mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 2mo | $244,990 | $162 | 98 |
| 4744 170th Pl | 0.02mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 2mo | $245,000 | $162 | 98 |
| 4734 170th Pl | 0.01mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 2mo | $243,990 | $161 | 98 |
| 4751 170th Pl | 0.04mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 1mo | $254,990 | $169 | 97 |
| 4741 170th Pl | 0.03mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 2mo | $249,990 | $165 | 97 |
| 4745 170th Pl | 0.03mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 3mo | $243,590 | $161 | 96 |
| 4743 170th Pl | 0.03mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 4mo | $239,990 | $159 | 95 |
| 4747 170th Pl | 0.04mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 4mo | $244,990 | $162 | 95 |
| 17021 Persimmon Ln | 0.04mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 4mo | $240,000 | $159 | 95 |
| 4756 171st St | 0.05mi | 3/2.5 | 1,511 (0%) | 4mo | $249,990 | $165 | 94 |
| 4776 172nd St | 0.13mi | 3/3.0 | 1,410 (-7%) | 1mo | $323,390 | $229 | 80 |
| 4784 172nd St | 0.15mi | 3/3.0 | 1,410 (-7%) | 4mo | $308,375 | $219 | 76 |
Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.
Projected returns pro-forma
4.81% appreciation · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon
- IRR
- 7.3%
- Equity multiple
- 1.46×
- Total profit
- $32,415
- Equity at exit
- $138,751
- IRR
- 9.4%
- Equity multiple
- 2.70×
- Total profit
- $119,165
- Equity at exit
- $237,088
Cash invested: $69,997 (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
Active competition Active MLS
- For sale now
- 11 active · 18 under contract
- Months of supply
- 2.4 mo (42%/mo absorbed)
- Median asking
- $365,000 ($229/sqft)
- Median days on market
- 159 d
- This list price
- 9% of active listings are priced below it
- ARV vs active asking
- -23.4% vs current asking $/sqft
Closed sales set the value; these active listings set current market conditions and a practical price ceiling.
ZIP-level market 50323
- Home prices YoY
- 2.5%
- Active inventory
- 522
- Price-to-rent
- 10.6×
Monthly cashflow live
- Estimated rent
- $1,959 high interval (Pro) →
- Mortgage (P&I)
- −$1,311
- Tax est. 1.5%
- −$312 /mo · $3,750/yr
- Insurance
- −$104
- HOA
- −$175
- Lot rent
- −$0
- Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt
- −$411
- Net cashflow
- $-355
Break-even live
Sensitivity live
| Price | -10% $-182 | -5% $-268 | +0% $-355 | +5% $-441 | +10% $-528 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | -10% $-510 | -5% $-432 | +0% $-355 | +5% $-277 | +10% $-200 |
| Rate | -1.0pp $-229 | -0.5pp $-291 | base $-355 | +0.5pp $-420 | +1.0pp $-486 |
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
- $62,498
- Closing costs
- $7,500
- Club membership (one-time)
- —
- Reserves months
- —
- Total cash needed
- —
Loan-product check · same deal, 3 products live
Conventional
25% down · 7.5% · 30yr
- Cash invested
- —
- Monthly P&I
- —
- Monthly cashflow
- —
- DSCR
- —
- Eligible?
- —
Personal DTI + credit; lowest rate.
DSCR
20% down · 8.5% · 30yr
- Cash invested
- —
- Monthly P&I
- —
- Monthly cashflow
- —
- DSCR
- —
- Eligible?
- —
No personal income docs; deal must DSCR.
Hard money
10% down · 12.0% · 12mo
- Cash invested
- —
- Monthly P&I
- —
- Monthly cashflow
- —
- DSCR
- —
- Eligible?
- —
Short-term bridge; refi at stabilization.
Rent comps 25 comps
| Address | Beds | Baths | Sqft | Rent | $/sqft | DOM | Units | Dist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4735 171st St Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1511 | $1,950 | $1.29 | 0d | 1 | 0.02mi |
| 4732 170th Pl Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1711 | $1,875 | $1.10 | 0d | 1 | 0.03mi |
| 4735 170th Pl Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1511 | $1,875 | $1.24 | 0d | 1 | 0.03mi |
| 4743 170th Pl Waukee, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1511 | $2,050 | $1.36 | 109d | 1 | 0.03mi |
| 4723 170th Pl Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1511 | $1,895 | $1.25 | 61d | 1 | 0.05mi |
| 4736 167th St Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1585 | $2,296 | $1.45 | 109d | 1 | 0.36mi |
| 4735 NW 167th St Waukee, IA | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1557 | $2,300 | $1.48 | 139d | 1 | 0.38mi |
| 4620 167th St Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1529 | $2,195 | $1.44 | 2d | 1 | 0.44mi |
| 16620 Oakwood Dr Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 3.5 | 1529 | $2,400 | $1.57 | 6d | 1 | 0.47mi |
| 16605 Oakwood Dr Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1572 | $2,350 | $1.49 | 139d | 1 | 0.48mi |
| 18203 Alpine Dr Clive, IA | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1158 | $2,350 | $2.03 | 61d | 1 | 0.99mi |
| 4401 N Warrior Ln Clive, IA | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2022 | $2,875 | $1.42 | 114d | 1 | 1.05mi |
| 4304 154th St Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,595 | $1.29 | 139d | 1 | 1.25mi |
| 4307 154th St Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1445 | $1,850 | $1.28 | 119d | 1 | 1.26mi |
| 15404 Townsend Ave Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,525 | $1.23 | 6d | 1 | 1.27mi |
| 15221 Alpine Dr Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1056 | $1,400 | $1.33 | 61d | 1 | 1.32mi |
| 4319 153rd St Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,550 | $1.25 | 6d | 1 | 1.34mi |
| 15305 Townsend Ave Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,495 | $1.21 | 6d | 1 | 1.34mi |
| 5437 155th St Urbandale, IA | 3.0–4.0 | 2.5 | 1590 | $1,875 | $1.18 | 0d | 10 | 1.35mi |
| 4304 153rd Pl Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,450 | $1.17 | 116d | 1 | 1.35mi |
| 15211 Greenbelt Dr Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1056 | $1,450 | $1.37 | 114d | 1 | 1.36mi |
| 4315 152nd Ct Urbandale, IA | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1240 | $1,495 | $1.21 | 109d | 1 | 1.39mi |
| 835 NE Redwood Blvd Waukee, IA | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1481 | $2,183 | $1.47 | 0d | 5 | 1.41mi |
| 15231 Deerview Dr Urbandale, IA | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1512 | $2,300 | $1.52 | 61d | 1 | 1.47mi |
| 5624 153rd St Urbandale, IA | 4.0 | 2.5 | 2065 | $2,400 | $1.16 | 0d | 1 | 1.50mi |
HOA detail $175/mo · $2,100/yr
- Likely covers
- electric
Listing history 50 events
-
2026-09-23days on market $249,990 Active 187 DOM
-
2026-09-22days on market $249,990 Active 186 DOM
-
2026-09-21days on market $249,990 Active 185 DOM
-
2026-09-20days on market $249,990 Active 184 DOM
-
2026-09-19days on market $249,990 Active 183 DOM
-
2026-09-18days on market $249,990 Active 182 DOM
-
2026-09-17days on market $249,990 Active 181 DOM
-
2026-09-16days on market $249,990 Active 180 DOM
-
2026-09-15days on market $249,990 Active 179 DOM
-
2026-09-14days on market $249,990 Active 178 DOM
-
2026-09-13days on market $249,990 Active 177 DOM
-
2026-09-12days on market $249,990 Active 176 DOM
-
2026-09-11days on market $249,990 Active 175 DOM
-
2026-09-05days on market $249,990 Active 169 DOM
-
2026-09-04days on market $249,990 Active 168 DOM
-
2026-09-03days on market $249,990 Active 167 DOM
-
2026-08-31days on market $249,990 Active 164 DOM
-
2026-08-30days on market $249,990 Active 163 DOM
-
2026-08-29days on market $249,990 Active 162 DOM
-
2026-08-28days on market $249,990 Active 161 DOM
-
2026-08-27days on market $249,990 Active 160 DOM
-
2026-08-26pricedays on market $249,990 Active 159 DOM
-
2026-08-25days on market $254,990 Active 158 DOM
-
2026-08-24days on market $254,990 Active 157 DOM
-
2026-08-23days on market $254,990 Active 156 DOM
-
2026-08-22days on market $254,990 Active 155 DOM
-
2026-08-21days on market $254,990 Active 154 DOM
-
2026-08-20days on market $254,990 Active 153 DOM
-
2026-08-19days on market $254,990 Active 152 DOM
-
2026-08-18days on market $254,990 Active 151 DOM
-
2026-08-17days on market $254,990 Active 150 DOM
-
2026-08-16days on market $254,990 Active 149 DOM
-
2026-08-15days on market $254,990 Active 148 DOM
-
2026-08-15days on market $254,990 Active 147 DOM
-
2026-08-13days on market $254,990 Active 146 DOM
-
2026-08-12days on market $254,990 Active 145 DOM
-
2026-08-11days on market $254,990 Active 144 DOM
-
2026-08-10days on market $254,990 Active 143 DOM
-
2026-08-09days on market $254,990 Active 142 DOM
-
2026-08-08days on market $254,990 Active 141 DOM
-
2026-08-07days on market $254,990 Active 140 DOM
-
2026-08-06days on market $254,990 Active 139 DOM
-
2026-08-05days on market $254,990 Active 138 DOM
-
2026-08-04days on market $254,990 Active 137 DOM
-
2026-08-03days on market $254,990 Active 136 DOM
-
2026-07-31days on market $254,990 Active 133 DOM
-
2026-07-30days on market $254,990 Active 132 DOM
-
2026-07-29days on market $254,990 Active 131 DOM
-
2026-07-25days on market $254,990 Active 127 DOM
-
2026-07-24days on market $254,990 Active 126 DOM
ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot
backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.
Climate risk First Street
- Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
- Wildfire 1/10 Low
- Heat 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥102°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
- Wind 2/10 Low
- Air quality 1/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 0 by 30 yrs out
Nearby sold comps map
Loading sold comps map…
Walkable amenities ~0.75 mi
Loading nearby amenities…
Taxation est. · year 1
- Rental income
- $23,511
- − Mortgage interest
- −$14,003
- − Property taxes
- −$3,750
- − Insurance
- −$1,250
- − Repairs & maintenance
- −$1,881
- − Management
- −$1,881
- − HOA
- −$2,100
- − Depreciation
- −$7,272
- Taxable loss
- −$8,627
- Est. tax savings @ 24.0%
- +$2,070
- After-tax cash flow
- $-2,188/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.
Condition & rehab AI · 12 photos
This thoughtfully designed two-story townhome is in excellent condition with no visible repairs needed. It offers a bright, open-concept main floor and a cozy electric fireplace. Consider painting the exterior and replacing the electric fireplace with a gas one to further enhance its value.
Value-add opportunities
- Resale Paint the exterior siding — Fresh paint can enhance curb appeal and property value. ↑
- Both Replace the electric fireplace with a gas fireplace — Gas fireplaces are more efficient and can add value to the home. ↑
- Rental Install a smart thermostat — Smart thermostats can improve energy efficiency and attract renters. ↑
Zoned Schools
Schools (NCES district)
- District
- Waukee Community School District
- NCES district ID
- 1930510
- Math proficiency
- 80% ▼ -6.00%
- Reading proficiency
- 79% ▼ -5.00%
- Median HH income
- $88,580
- Composite
- 70.94/100
- National rank
- #245
- State rank
- #14 of 289 in IA
Livability — Urbandale
- Score
- 90/100
- State rank
- #4
- US rank
- #69
Category grades
Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.
Census & demographics
- Census place
- Urbandale, IA
- County
- Polk County · 111,904 people
- City population
- 49,196
- Metro
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Population (ZIP)
- 17,265
- Household income
- $175,944
- Rent vs Own
- Severe rent burden
- 10% of renters
Population outlook (Dallas County) Hauer SSP2
- Today (2025)
- 111,904 people
- By 2030
- 127,807 · +14.2%
- By 2040
- 160,576 · +43.5%
- By 2050
- 194,154 · +73.5%
- By 2075
- 271,895 · +143.0%
- By 2100
- 326,525 · +191.8%
Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023
- Neighborhood character
- Predominantly White (86%)
- Race & ethnicity
- White 86% Asian 6% Two or more races 4% Hispanic / Latino 3% Black 2%
- Common ancestry
- Portuguese 6% Iranian 5% Lithuanian 2%
- Foreign-born
- 7% · Canada, China, Philippines
- Languages at home
- 92% English-only · Russian/Polish/Slavic 2% Chinese 1% Spanish 1%
Political lean MEDSL · Dallas
- 2024 margin
- Toss-up / Even · D 46.9% · R 51.7% · Other 1.4%
- 2008→2024 swing
- +0.8pp no change · 2008: -5.5pp · 2024: -4.8pp
- All cycles
- 2024: R+4.8 2020: R+2.0 2016: R+9.6 2012: R+11.8 2008: R+5.5
Not yet ingested
- Civics
- —
Market trends
- HPI YoY
- ▲ 4.81%
- Current HPI
- 199.789
- Rent YoY
- —
- Metro
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- 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
+0.0% since first listed5 events — show timeline
- 2026-05-08 Relisted — Zillow
- 2026-05-07 Relisted — DMMLS
- 2026-04-24 Delisted — Zillow
- 2026-03-06 Listed $259,990 DMMLS
- 2026-03-05 Listed $259,990 Zillow
Cash-flow waterfall
monthlySold comps — $/sqft
last 12 mo · ≤1 miLoading sold comps…