c.1920 Iowa Handyman Special With Garage Under $40K
$39,900

Realtor Comments
Investor special! This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home with an oversized two car garage is the perfect opportunity for investors, landlords, or handy buyers looking to bring their vision to life. Whether you’re planning a flip or seeking a property to renovate and hold, this home is priced to sell. Dont miss your chance to transform this property into a great investmentschedule your showing today!
- 2bed
- 1bath
- 1,076sqft
- 8,712sqft lot
- Circa 1920

601 Monroe St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 $39,900
If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended.
Contact Realtor: Jayden Johnson

Pros
1. 🏡 Affordable & Low Cost of Living
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Overall cost of living is about 27% below the U.S. average, with housing nearly 63% cheaper than national norms—median house around $125K and rent about $790/mo
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Utilities, transportation, groceries, and healthcare all trend below average.
2. 🚓 Exceptionally Safe
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Crime rates are 60–65% lower than national averages, with both violent and property crime well below typical U.S. levels
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Low daily crime (~0.08/day) and no homicides in the last reported year.
3. 📚 Strong Schools & Education Options
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Public school district (K–12) includes tech and college-credit programs; high graduation rate (~92%) and strong test scores (~66%)
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Iowa Lakes Community College has a campus in town.
4. 🌲 Excellent Outdoor & Lake Lifestyle
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Located on Five Island Lake (9th largest natural lake in Iowa) offering boating, fishing, swimming, ice fishing, trails, parks, and golf
5. 👪 Family-Oriented & Welcoming
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Small-town feel (~3,700 residents) with strong sense of community, festivals (Irish St. Patrick’s celebration), theater, casino, and local events .
6. 🚗 Short Commutes
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Average commute is ~16 minutes, with low traffic and pollution
❌ Cons
1. 📉 Limited Amenities & Walkability
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Few amenities within walking distance; public transit is nearly nonexistent
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Entertainment and shopping options are limited compared to urban areas.
2. 👥 Small Population & Limited Diversity
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Population is small (~3,700) and slightly aging—this scale can restrict cultural diversity and business growth.
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Predominantly White (~93%), with limited demographic variety .
3. 💼 Mixed Job Market
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Employment strong in agriculture, education, healthcare, and manufacturing, but employer diversity is limited .
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Median household income (~$49K) is slightly below state average .
4. 🌡️ Harsh Winters & Weather
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Long, cold winters with ice and snow that may complicate driving—though snowfall accumulates gradually .
5. 🛍️ Limited Retail & Entertainment
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Residents report a need for more stores and social options
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Some online comments suggest the older generation dominates, with fewer activities for youth .







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