403 E 3rd Street, Huxley, IA 50124

Take a fresh look at 403 E 3rd Street in Huxley: Priced at $175,000, 403 E 3rd Street is one of the most affordable ways into the Ballard School District -- a tidy 2-bedroom, 1-bath home in the heart of Huxley, a short walk from Ballard Middle School and the high school.

The updated kitchen is the anchor of the main level, with clean white cabinetry, durable tile floors, an eat-in dining area plus an eat-at bar, and appliances included. The living room is bright with natural light, and upstairs you'll find both bedrooms together on their own level -- a quiet, private sleeping space set apart from the day-to-day living areas.

For a first-time buyer, it's a manageable home with easy upkeep in a district people move here for. For an investor, it's a low-maintenance property under $180K in a strong school district where rental demand stays steady. Either way, the location does the heavy lifting: small-town living in Huxley with an easy I-35 commute to Ames or the Des Moines metro.