Melrose Real Estate

Melrose Real Estate

Welcome to Melrose, Iowa – a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Midwest. This charming city, with a population of around 400 residents, offers a unique blend of small-town warmth and a vibrant community spirit. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, Melrose is a place where nature thrives, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from fishing and boating on the nearby Lake Rathbun to hiking the scenic trails that wind through the lush countryside.

Melrose is known for its rich history and strong sense of community. Originally established in the late 19th century, the town boasts a quaint downtown area filled with local shops, cafes, and friendly faces. The annual community events, such as the Melrose Fair, bring residents together to celebrate their heritage and foster connections among neighbors, making it a welcoming place for families and newcomers alike.

Education is a cornerstone of the Melrose community, with access to quality schools that prioritize student success and development. The city’s commitment to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children makes it an ideal place for families to settle down and grow.

For those seeking a peaceful lifestyle with the convenience of modern amenities, Melrose is perfectly situated just a short drive from larger cities like Ottumwa and Centerville, providing residents with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, retire in tranquility, or invest in a promising community, Melrose, Iowa, offers a delightful blend of charm, community, and opportunity. Come explore all that this enchanting city has to offer!

Newest Listings in Melrose

5232 1st St, Melrose
$125,000
1 Beds ⋅ 1 Baths ⋅ 6343177 MLS
Your little slice of lake country paradise awaits! This charming furnished cabin in Lazy Daz Development sits right on the community fishing pond with a beautiful view. Step onto your deck, cast a line, and enjoy the peaceful setting! Inside, you’ll find a cozy layout complete with a loft, making great use of the space. Outside, enjoy raised garden beds and a 12' x 14' insulated shed with electricity for extra storage or hobbies. A golf cart is included, perfect for cruising around the community! Lazy Daz offers plenty to enjoy, including a community center, playground, shower house, and fishing pond. Plus, you’re conveniently located near Rathbun Lake for even more boating, fishing, and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, summer retreat, or your own peaceful escape, this cabin is ready to enjoy!

5232 1st St, Melrose
88 Arrowhead Rd, Melrose
$138,000
3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ 6340446 MLS
Enjoy the perfect lake retreat at Indian Ridge subdivision, just minutes from beautiful Rathbun Lake. Situated on two lots, this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath fully furnished manufactured home offers plenty of space for relaxing, entertaining, and storing all your lake toys. The open-concept floor plan features a spacious kitchen, dining, and living area, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for family and friends. A bright four season room provides additional living space to enjoy year-round. Outside, you'll find a heated two-stall garage and a large enclosed carport that's ideal for a boat, motorhome, or extra recreational equipment. Whether you're looking for a full-time residence, weekend getaway, or vacation property, this home offers the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and outdoor recreation. Located just minutes from boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and all that Rathbun Lake has to offer, this is your opportunity to enjoy lake living at its finest.

88 Arrowhead Rd, Melrose
10674 112th Ave, Melrose
$399,900
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 6339038 MLS
Exceptional Southern Iowa recreational retreat on Lake Rathbun's northwest shoreline! This rare 7-acre m/l property borders Lake Rathbun and the Waterfowl Refuge, offering direct access to over 23,000 acres of public hunting and recreational land and 11,000 acres of premier fishing waters. Perfect as a full-time residence, hunting lodge, vacation getaway, horse property, or investment opportunity, this property is designed for outdoor living. Features include an established food plot that attracts trophy whitetail deer and turkey, a stocked 30-foot-deep pond with walleye, perch, and redear sunfish, fenced pasture with gravity-fed well and hydrant, fruit trees, and berry plantings. The updated home offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with new windows, siding, flooring, and extensive interior renovations. The open-concept layout is ideal for entertaining, while the spacious owner's suite features a spa-like bath. A wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and character, and the semi-covered 12x55 front deck provides stunning views of Lake Rathbun and the surrounding countryside. Additional improvements include a 30x40 pole barn and a 24x48 barn with horse stalls, providing ample space for boats, ATVs, equipment, livestock, and recreational vehicles. Properties offering this combination of lake views, hunting, fishing, acreage, wildlife habitat, privacy, and updated living space are rarely available.

10674 112th Ave, Melrose
LOT 8 BLK 4 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
$9,000
6338880 MLS
Nice lot in a quieter subdivision near Rathbun Lake. Wind-n-Waves has its own boat ramp, plus is only 2.8 miles from Bridgeview boat ramp, 11 minutes from Honey Creek State Park, and only 1 1/2 hours from Des Moines!

LOT 8 BLK 4 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
813 Lakeshore Dr, Melrose
$11,000
6338564 MLS
FLAT lot less than a 1/2 mile from Hwy S70 in Wind 'n Waves Subdivision near Rathbun Lake. No need to worry about HOA fees or restrictions, because there are none! Only Appanoose County Zoning restrictions apply. Water and electric are at the road to tie into and a private septic system will be needed. Drive by and take a look today!

813 Lakeshore Dr, Melrose
Lot 20 & 21 1st St., Melrose
$14,000
6338264 MLS
Build your dream getaway at Lazy Daz Ranch Estates! Lots 20 & 21 offer the perfect opportunity to own a slice of Iowa countryside with plenty of space to create your ideal retreat. Whether you're looking for a weekend escape, future home site, or recreational property, these adjoining lots provide flexibility and room to spread out. Enjoy peaceful surroundings, scenic views, and easy access to nearby outdoor recreation. Bring your home ideas and start making memories at Lazy Daz Ranch Estates today!

Lot 20 & 21 1st St., Melrose
101 Tipperary St, Melrose
$190,000
3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ 6337910 MLS
This property includes a nice 2-story home, detached garage, and great building - all on 1.2 acres inside the community of Melrose just 7 miles north of Lake Rathbun. The main floor offers a mudroom at the back entrance with laundry, full bathroom, a large dining room, and a very spacious oak kitchen with cabinet and counter space you've been dreaming of! The living room features an electric fireplace, and tall windows allow for great natural light throughout the entire main floor. Upstairs are three bedrooms, a large walk-in closet, and a second bathroom with tiled shower. Stamped concrete patio in the back is ideal for entertaining and relaxing. The 30 x 60 insulated building with concrete floor is a great bonus. The west end is heated and cooled by a new mini-split. Garden areas, established fruit trees, fantastic parking and storage - don't miss out on this property, schedule your showing today!

101 Tipperary St, Melrose
10620 112th Ave, Melrose
$599,900
5 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 6337786 MLS
This exceptional Southern Iowa hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational retreat, with a house and guest cottage, is ideally located on Lake Rathbun’s northwest shore and abuts Lake Rathbun and Waterfowl Refuge. This rare 12-acre estate offers unmatched privacy, stunning scenery, and direct access to over 23,000 acres of public and hunting land and 11,000 acres of premier fishing waters—perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Designed for the avid outdoorsman, the property features an established food plot attracting trophy whitetail and turkey, plus a 30-foot-deep stocked pond with walleye, perch, and redear sunfish. The fully fenced rolling pasture includes a gravity-fed well and hydrant. Fruit trees and berries enhance both beauty and wildlife appeal. The updated main home offers 3 bedrooms and 3 baths with new windows, flooring, siding, and a renovated interior. The open-concept layout connects kitchen and dining areas, ideal for entertaining. The private owner’s suite features a spa-like bath, while a wood-burning fireplace adds warmth. A semi-covered 12x55 front deck showcases stunning lake views. A separate 2-bedroom, 1-bath guest cottage—formerly a successful Airbnb/VRBO—offers income potential or guest space. Outbuildings include a 30x40 pole barn and a 24x48 barn with horse stalls. A rare opportunity for a home, getaway, or income-producing retreat. Please review MLS 6339038 for more info on the main home for purchase.

10620 112th Ave, Melrose
5253 5th St, Melrose
$84,500
1 Beds ⋅ 1 Baths ⋅ 6337556 MLS
Tucked away in the peaceful community of Lazy Daz near Rathbun Lake, this like new cabin is the perfect retreat for anyone seeking relaxation and simplicity. Cute, cozy, and thoughtfully designed, this property offers the feel of a brand-new home with all the comforts already in place. Step inside to find an inviting interior featuring modern finishes and a fresh, clean look throughout. The open layout maximizes space and functionality, making it ideal for weekend getaways or full-time living. All appliances are included, allowing for a truly turnkey experience just bring your personal touches and start enjoying lake life. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a vacation property, or an investment opportunity, this charming cabin checks all the boxes. Enjoy the serenity of nature while being just minutes from boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation at Rathbun Lake.

5253 5th St, Melrose
196 Lakeview Dr, Melrose
$345,000
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 6336555 MLS
MOTIVATED SELLERS! This one-of-a-kind double A-frame home overlooking Rathbun Lake located in the Wind-n-Waves subdivision is ready for your touch! This 3 bed/3 bath home has plenty of open space for entertaining and the finished basement features a large bedroom, bath, laundry and sauna. There are large cedar-lined closets throughout, a walk-in pantry and small utility room right off the kitchen, as well as a wood-burning fireplace. Decks on both levels of the home make for beautiful views of the surrounding area and even a peek at Rathbun Lake!! The 36 x 45 oversized garage with a 12 foot door is wired for 220v, has a loft for storage, water, and is large enough to accommodate an RV/camper in addition to all your other toys and tools. There is also a 22 x 24 garage with a wood closet closer to the home for parking and storage as well as a partially fenced in yard! This property is backed up by a whole house 20KW generator with automatic transfer switch covering the whole home and both garages. The home has 4 fruit trees, a grape arbor, and the Purple Martin houses come with spring/summer inhabitants for those bird lovers out there!

196 Lakeview Dr, Melrose
LOT 11-13 BLK 7 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
$24,000
6336372 MLS
Located in the Wind-n-Waves subdivision near Rathbun Lake, this property includes three parcels totaling approximately 0.7 acres, offering plenty of space to build your ideal lake getaway. The lot sits in a quiet, secluded area with a tree line at the back, providing added privacy and a peaceful setting. Enjoy easy access to the water with the Bridgeview boat ramp just minutes away, and Honey Creek State Park only about 10 minutes down the road for boating, fishing, camping, and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re planning a weekend retreat or a future lake home, this is a great opportunity to build the vacation property you’ve always dreamed of near Rathbun Lake. And the best part, no HOA Dues!

LOT 11-13 BLK 7 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
LOT 5 BLK 3 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
$9,999
6335961 MLS
Looking for a nice, flat lot close to Rathbun Lake? This cleared, flat lot in the Wind-n-Waves subdivision may be just the one! 2.8 miles from Bridgeview boat ramp, 11 minutes from Honey Creek State Park, and only 1 1/2 hours from Des Moines.

LOT 5 BLK 3 Wind-N-Waves, Melrose
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