Real Estate Investing in Ray, Michigan (48096)

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

Macomb County • Population: 3,779 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48096 (Ray, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (77/100)

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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Ray, MI (48096)?

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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 $437,204
Avg Monthly Rent $1,332
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $115,507
% Renters 19.7%

Market Analysis: 48096 Ray

The 48096 ZIP covers a section of Ray that demands careful diligence. Prices near $437K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 48096 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $437K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 48096 sits on the difficult end of the MI spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 48096 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategically, 48096 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Ray:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,332/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 48096

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$135,849/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $407,547 $1,810 3.2% +7.2% $135,849
4BR $565,637 $1,960 2.5% +7.9% $141,409

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$460K$393K$326K$258K$191K$123KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48096 Compare?

Metric 48096 Ray Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Michigan
Home Value $437,204 $437,204 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,332 $1,332 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48096? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 48096 (Ray, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Macomb County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Beacon Management offers property management services for various communities and properties across Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, and Southfield. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Key 3 Property Management Group offers property management services in Michigan. summary from their website

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Michigan Property Management Solutions offers homes for rent in Michigan, near Macomb Twp., Fraser, Utica, Clinton Valley, and Detroit. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $437,204
Monthly Rent $1,332
Price-to-Rent 27.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48096

Population: 3,779

💰 Median Household Income
$115,507
This area
$115,507
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.7%
This area
19.7%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.1 years
This area
48.1 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.4%
Other/Mixed 4.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
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 48096

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
18.7:1 Avg Class Size
$14,668 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good
👥
585 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,668 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

3 Nearby
C
Ross Medical Education Center-New Baltimore
39 students · 10.3 mi
C+
Paul Mitchell the School-Michigan
162 students · 12.9 mi
C
Rochester University
1,173 students · 13.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Ray, MI?

Average rent in Ray, MI is approximately $1,332/mo per month. Against $437K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How strong is the working-renter base in Ray, MI?

The renter base in Ray, MI is reasonable for the $1,332/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

Is Ray in MI worth investing in?

Investors tracking Ray, MI will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $437K median home values and $1,332/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

What is the best play in Ray, MI?

Ray, MI investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($437K prices, $1,332/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Ray, MI?

House hacking in Ray, MI is a challenging. With home values around $437K and rents at $1,332/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 48096 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 48096 ranks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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