Real Estate Investing in Detroit, Michigan (48235)

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

Wayne County • Population: 46,960 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48235 (Detroit, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.6% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.3% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • Lower household income: $38,901 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Detroit, MI (48235)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $93,938
Avg Monthly Rent $1,316
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $38,901
% Renters 46.7%

Market Analysis: 48235 Detroit

In Detroit's 48235 ZIP, the arithmetic favors hands-on owners. Median home values clocks in at $94K, leaving spread for capex-heavy BRRRR or reposition strategies.

Investors in 48235 do not buy the market average — they buy the unit they can improve. $94K median pricing and $1,316/mo comps define the envelope within which the work has to pay.

Across MI, value-add opportunity tends to concentrate where housing stock is older and entry prices are below the state median. ZIP 48235 registers both traits clearly.

The a viable market for angle on demographics here is renter willingness to pay a premium for renovated product. The 47% rental share provides scale for the strategy.

Experienced operators with contractor networks find 48235 a solid fit for. First-time flippers often underestimate scope, budget, and timeline, which is how deals here turn sour.

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 Detroit:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,316/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
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 48235

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
14.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$33,421/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $67,061 $1,330 14.3% +11.3% $33,530
3BR $103,359 $1,620 11.3% +9.3% $34,453
4BR $133,685 $1,760 9.5% +9.4% $33,421

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$101K$82K$64K$45K$27K$8KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,371$1,290$1,209$1,128$1,047$966Mar 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48235 Compare?

Metric 48235 Detroit Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Michigan
Home Value $93,938 $99,748 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 3.3% 0.9% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,316 $1,292 N/A -
Cap Rate 10.9% 11.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48235? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,316/mo on homes averaging $93,938 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

A healthy rental market with 47% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 48235 (Detroit, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Wayne County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Metro Detroit Property Management manages and maintains properties with high standards, committed to the success of real estate investments in the Metro Detroit area. 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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Premier Property Services offers real estate services in Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, and Grosse Pointe Woods. 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
Excellent
Cap Rate
10.9%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+3.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $93,938
Monthly Rent $1,316
Price-to-Rent 6.0:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 16.8%
Cap Rate 10.9%
5-Year IRR 14.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +11.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 10.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (10.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48235

Population: 46,960

💰 Median Household Income
$38,901
This area
$38,901
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.7%
This area
46.7%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.9 years
This area
37.9 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 94.5%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
White 2.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.5%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
25.2%
This area
25.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.6%
This area
24.6%
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 48235

B Avg School Grade
17 Schools
21.9:1 Avg Class Size
$18,225 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Detroit Achievement Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
341 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$34,995 Per Student
A Very Good

Bow ElementaryMiddle School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
514 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
689 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Vernor Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
301 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Jerry L White Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
126 Students
👨‍🏫
6.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

Randolph Career and Technical Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
11 Students
👨‍🏫
1.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
A Very Good

David Ellis Academy

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
215 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,333 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pembroke Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
343 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,426 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Renaissance High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,171 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,228 Per Student
B Good

Rutherford Winans Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
161 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,173 Per Student
C+ Average

LincolnKing Adams Young School Grove Campus

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
505 Students
👨‍🏫
25.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,653 Per Student
C+ Average

Old Redford Academy High

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
425 Students
👨‍🏫
22.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,510 Per Student
C+ Average

University Yes Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
440 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,722 Per Student
C Below Average

AdamsYoung Building

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
52.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,653 Per Student
C Below Average

LincolnKing AdamsYoung 68

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
339 Students
👨‍🏫
37.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,653 Per Student
C Below Average

Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
421 Students
👨‍🏫
31.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,789 Per Student
C Below Average

Martin Luther King Jr Education Center Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
50.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,553 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

8 Nearby
C+
Abcott Institute
166 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Metro Detroit Barber College
30 students · 2.6 mi
C+
University of Detroit Mercy
5,528 students · 3.0 mi
C+
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
71 students · 3.1 mi
C
Northwestern Technological Institute
689 students · 3.8 mi
C
P&A Scholars Beauty School
135 students · 4.0 mi
C+
Lawrence Technological University
3,260 students · 4.3 mi
C
David Pressley School of Cosmetology
263 students · 4.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Detroit, MI?

Rent in Detroit, MI is around $1,316/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $94K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Can you recycle capital via BRRRR in Detroit, MI?

BRRRR in Detroit, MI is a strong. The interplay of $94K values and $1,316/mo rents creates reasonable refinance conditions.

Which real estate strategy fits Detroit, MI?

For Detroit, MI, value-add and BRRRR deals is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How expensive is real estate in Detroit, MI?

In Detroit, MI the median home value sits at $94K. Against the broader MI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How does Detroit, MI rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Detroit, MI will find a 5.0/5 rating supported by $94K median home values and $1,316/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

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How 48235 ranks in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

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