Real Estate Investing in Wawaka, Indiana (46794)

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

Noble County • Population: 1,138 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46794 (Wawaka, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 31.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Wawaka, IN (46794)?

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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 $235,361
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,188
% Renters 10.8%

Market Analysis: 46794 Wawaka

The 46794 ZIP covers a section of Wawaka that demands careful diligence. Prices near $235K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 46794 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Regionally, 46794 sits on the difficult end of the IN spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 46794 ZIP's population of 1,138 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 46794, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Wawaka:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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
Kendallville, IN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
13.4%
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 Kendallville, IN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 46794

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$79,491/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $193,104 $1,020 3.8% +9.3% $96,552
3BR $238,474 $1,230 3.7% +8.3% $79,491

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$247K$212K$177K$142K$107K$72KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46794 Compare?

Metric 46794 Wawaka Kendallville, IN Indiana
Home Value $235,361 $235,361 N/A $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $918 $918 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 46794? 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 46794 (Wawaka, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Kendallville, IN metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
44%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $235,361
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 21.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
31.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46794

Population: 1,138

💰 Median Household Income
$72,188
This area
$72,188
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.6 years
This area
52.6 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
31.3%
This area
31.3%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.5%
Other/Mixed 12.1%
Hispanic/Latino 11.6%
Black/African American 1.4%
👶 Under 18
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.4%
This area
13.4%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Wawaka, IN?

Rental rates in Wawaka, IN average $918/mo. Tenant demand and $235K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the tenant pool like in Wawaka, IN?

The tenant pool in Wawaka, IN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $918/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is the median home value in Wawaka, IN?

Typical homes in Wawaka, IN go for around $235K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% predictable price movement.

How strict are landlord regulations in Wawaka, IN?

Wawaka, IN operates under IN law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Does house hacking make sense in Wawaka, IN?

House hacking works a challenging in Wawaka, IN. Rents of $918/mo against $235K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 46794 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46794 ranks in Kendallville, IN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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