Real Estate Investing in Fowler, Michigan (48835)

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

Clinton County • Population: 2,646 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48835 (Fowler, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

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 price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.2 — 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 Fowler, MI (48835)?

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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 $310,130
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,557
% Renters 9.3%

Market Analysis: 48835 Fowler

The 48835 ZIP in Fowler, MI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $310K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $310K asset, 48835 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MI, ZIP 48835 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Clinton County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

Resident income in 48835 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 48835 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Fowler:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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
Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
27 days
Average time to sell
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 48835

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$76,899/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $229,486 $1,020 3.2% +8.2% $114,743
3BR $287,792 $1,320 3.3% +6.9% $95,931
4BR $307,595 $1,350 3.2% +6.8% $76,899

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$324K$283K$242K$201K$160K$118KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48835 Compare?

Metric 48835 Fowler Lansing-East Lansing, MI Michigan
Home Value $310,130 $310,130 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $918 $918 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48835? 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 48835 (Fowler, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $310,130
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 28.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
6.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48835

Population: 2,646

💰 Median Household Income
$77,557
This area
$77,557
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.3%
This area
9.3%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.3%
This area
24.3%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.5%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
24.0%
This area
24.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.1%
This area
0.1%
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 48835

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.5:1 Avg Class Size
$25,492 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent
👥
260 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,492 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Fowler High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
177 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,492 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Fowler, MI?

Occupancy in Fowler, MI runs predictable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $918/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the typical renter like in Fowler, MI?

The renter base in Fowler, MI is reasonable for the $918/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

What are home prices like in Fowler, MI?

In Fowler, MI the median home value sits at $310K. Against the broader MI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Does house hacking work in Fowler, MI?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Fowler, MI reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Is rental property easy to operate in Fowler, MI?

MI law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Fowler inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

You know 48835 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 48835 ranks in Lansing-East Lansing, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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