Real Estate Investing in Garrett, Indiana (46738)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

De Kalb County • Population: 8,462 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46738 (Garrett, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Garrett, IN (46738)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $211,547
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,656
% Renters 16.3%

Market Analysis: 46738 Garrett

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 46738 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $212K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $212K asset, 46738 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 46738 among IN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 46738 ZIP's population of 8,462 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Garrett:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Auburn, IN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
11.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Auburn, IN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 46738

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$59,465/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $150,569 $980 4.7% +9.5% $75,285
3BR $203,196 $1,220 4.3% +8.6% $67,732
4BR $237,861 $1,300 3.9% +8.1% $59,465

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$222K$192K$162K$131K$101K$70KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46738 Compare?

Metric 46738 Garrett Auburn, IN Indiana
Home Value $211,547 $211,547 N/A $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $882 $882 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 46738? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46738 (Garrett, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Auburn, IN metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
39%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $211,547
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 20.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
8.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46738

Population: 8,462

💰 Median Household Income
$59,656
This area
$59,656
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.9%
This area
15.9%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.5 years
This area
38.5 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.3%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
Asian 1.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.6%
This area
8.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 46738

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,588 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Garrett High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
558 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,588 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Garrett Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
387 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,588 Per Student
B+ Above Average

J E Ober Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
712 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,588 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

5 Nearby 1,109 Off-Campus Students
C
Concordia Theological Seminary
296 students · 12.7 mi
C
Rudae's School of Beauty Culture-Ft Wayne
121 students · 13.4 mi
C+
Purdue University Fort Wayne
8,874 students · 14.2 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne
124 students · 14.3 mi
C
Ravenscroft Beauty College
114 students · 14.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,109 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Garrett, IN a good investment right now?

Garrett, IN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $212K and rents near $882/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is house hacking profitable in Garrett, IN?

House hacking in Garrett, IN is reasonable to execute. Prices around $212K and rents of $882/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What investment strategy works best in Garrett, IN?

Most investors in Garrett, IN run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Garrett, IN?

Garrett, IN sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IN rental market.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Garrett, IN?

Expect median prices around $212K in Garrett, IN. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

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How 46738 ranks in Auburn, IN

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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