Real Estate Investing in Lincoln, Michigan (48742)

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

Alcona County • Population: 1,767 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48742 (Lincoln, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 45.5% 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 Lincoln, MI (48742)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $190,367
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,250
% Renters 14.7%

Market Analysis: 48742 Lincoln

The 48742 ZIP covers a section of Lincoln that demands careful diligence. Prices near $190K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 48742 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $190K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader MI picture, 48742 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 48742 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 48742 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 Lincoln:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$198K$176K$154K$131K$109K$87KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48742 Compare?

Metric 48742 Lincoln Michigan
Home Value $190,367 $190,367 $253,279
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.0% 6.8%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 48742? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 48742 (Lincoln, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $190,367
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 18.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
45.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48742

Population: 1,767

💰 Median Household Income
$51,250
This area
$51,250
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.7%
This area
14.7%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.8%
This area
24.8%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.4 years
This area
59.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
45.5%
This area
45.5%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.1%
Other/Mixed 4.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Black/African American 0.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
38.7%
This area
38.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.4%
This area
7.4%
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

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Lincoln, MI?

For house hackers, Lincoln, MI is a challenging. The $873/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $190K property.

What kind of market is Lincoln, MI for investors?

Our data puts Lincoln, MI at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $190K and rents around $873/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Lincoln, MI?

The tenant pool in Lincoln, MI is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $873/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Lincoln, MI a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Lincoln, MI rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the average home sale price in Lincoln, MI?

Typical homes in Lincoln, MI go for around $190K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% reliable price movement.

You know 48742 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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