Anyone from SW Iowa?

Question

Hey everyone,

I've got a lead on a small apartment complex in Sigourney, Iowa. The numbers seem decent... but I know NOTHING about this area. It seems like a really small town which makes me nervous.

Anyone close by and can tell me anything about this area? This would include Iowa City, Oskaloosa, Uttumwa, and maybe even Des Moines :)

Thanks!

Thomas Fosnaugh · Answer

I'm in the Cedar Rapids area - my wife's parents used to live in Ottumwa and I've worked in that general area some.  Sigourney is a pretty small town in a very rural area.  Ottumwa is a big meat packing town, Fairfield is small college town, Riverside has a casino, Amana/Kalona are Amish areas.

Biggest issues in that area I would think would be proximity to jobs and meth.  Also, some of the small multi-family built in 70s and 80s in Iowa have wood foundations and most properties above a duplex are zoned commercial (much higher taxes) so you have to form a Coop or Condo (S Corp) to convert to residential status to drop the taxes.  Also seems to be a fair amount of Orangeburg pipe that was used in Iowa in older properties.

Beau Brown · Answer

Brandon Turner,

I live in Iowa City and have been looking for a cash deal to get in on. If there is room for an investor - or if you need some one to drive by and scout the place let me know.

Beau

John N. · Answer

Brandon,

Sigourney is a small town in a rural area.  Its about 1 hr from Iowa City and 1.5 hrs from Des Moines, too larger areas in Iowa.  You are right about being nervous about the area for sure!

Let me know if I can help you out in any way.

Thanks

john

Austin Faux · Answer

Iowa City and Cedar Rapids are pretty good areas. Iowa City being a college town and all. Sigourney is quite a bit a ways from all that and you're right it would be a bit risky.

Though I don't know for a fact all the economic driving indicators of Sigourney, you can pretty guess that if it's outside of Des Moines, Iowa City, Ames and Cedar Rapids  it's usually farming.

Anyone from SW Iowa?

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