Union County, Iowa Sees 20 Home Flips, Averaging 29.8% Gross ROI in July 2026
Union County, Iowa registered 20 residential home flips over the past 12 months, with investors achieving an average gross return on investment of 29.8% on these properties.
County Overview
Real estate investors in Union County, Iowa, engaged in 20 residential home flips, defined as properties bought and resold within a 12-month period, according to BatchData's flip activity report for July 2026. This level of activity highlights a consistent, albeit modest, engagement in property rehabilitation and resale within the county. The average gross profit for these flips stood at $18K, demonstrating potential for capital appreciation on individual projects.
The average gross ROI for flipped properties in Union County reached 29.8%. This metric, calculated as gross flip profit divided by purchase price before accounting for rehab, holding, or selling costs, indicates a healthy margin for investors who successfully execute on their projects. Furthermore, the average days to flip in Union County was 167 days. This relatively swift turnaround time suggests an active market where capital can be deployed and recovered efficiently, often falling within the "fast" hold length category (within 6 months) for a significant portion of these investments, allowing for quicker reinvestment cycles for local real estate investing professionals.
The dynamics of these transactions, from initial purchase to final resale, are critical for understanding investor behavior. The gross profit of $18K represents the value added through renovation and market timing, while the 167 days to flip reflect the pace at which properties move through the investment cycle. These figures collectively paint a picture of a market where investors are finding opportunities to add value and generate returns within a relatively constrained timeframe, as illuminated by the breakdown of flip values and hold lengths.
Local Market Context
Comparing Union County's flip activity to broader trends reveals its specific position within the state of Iowa. With 20 homes flipped, Union County accounts for 0.5% of the total 4,187 flips recorded across Iowa, a state that itself contributes to the national total of 341,944 residential property flips reported by BatchData during the same period. This places Union County at #43 among the 98 counties in the state by flip volume. While it does not lead in sheer number of transactions, its consistent activity reflects an ongoing, localized investor interest rather than a lack of opportunity.
Despite its smaller contribution to the state's overall flip volume, Union County's average gross ROI of 29.8% is a noteworthy figure for investors evaluating market profitability. This return compares favorably, suggesting that the opportunities identified in Union County offer competitive margins for those undertaking residential property enrichment and resale projects. The 167-day average flip duration further reinforces the efficiency of the local market, allowing investors to turn capital over faster than markets with longer holding periods. This pace is essential for maximizing annual returns and managing holding costs.
For investors and analysts seeking to understand the underlying property characteristics or owner profiles influencing these flip trends, BatchData provides a range of granular property datasets. Further insights into Union County's real estate landscape can be gained through specialized reports, such as the property ownership by owner type report or an active pre-foreclosures report, which can help identify potential distressed assets. The consistent average gross ROI of 29.8% in Union County, for example, underscores the importance of such detailed data in identifying profitable investment niches. Additionally, leveraging advanced tools like a property data API can provide comprehensive details on individual properties, assisting in due diligence and strategic decision-making for future flip projects in the region.