Real Estate Investing in Lyons, Michigan (48851)

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

Ionia County • Population: 2,310 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 48851 (Lyons, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Lyons, MI (48851)?

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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 $256,633
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,315
% Renters 11.8%

Market Analysis: 48851 Lyons

Investors eyeing 48851 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $257K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Rent of $1,161/mo on a $257K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 48851 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Turning to rents, 48851 offers a low basis, the region around Lyons has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 48851 ZIP's population of 2,310 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 48851 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Lyons:

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 (+12.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,161/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
Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
24 days
Average time to sell
Fast
13.3%
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 Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 48851

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$79,265/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $161,267 $1,290 5.8% +8.5% $80,633
3BR $237,796 $1,580 4.8% +6.9% $79,265

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$270K$232K$194K$156K$118K$79KMay 2007Dec 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 48851 Compare?

Metric 48851 Lyons Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI Michigan
Home Value $256,633 $256,633 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.4% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 48851? 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 48851 (Lyons, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $256,633
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
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: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
6.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 48851

Population: 2,310

💰 Median Household Income
$64,315
This area
$64,315
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.8%
This area
11.8%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.4 years
This area
42.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.3%
Other/Mixed 10.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.3%
Black/African American 1.1%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.5%
This area
10.5%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
B
School of Missionary Aviation Technology
36 students · 6.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Lyons, MI?

Lyons, MI median home values land near $257K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,161/mo-per-month rentals.

How strong is Lyons, MI for real estate investors?

Lyons, MI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $257K and rents near $1,161/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is the tenant base reliable in Lyons, MI?

The renter base in Lyons, MI is reasonable for the $1,161/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Lyons, MI?

Expect elevated vacancy in Lyons, MI. Rents at $1,161/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How strict are landlord regulations in Lyons, MI?

Lyons, MI operates under MI law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

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How 48851 ranks in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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