Real Estate Investing in South Haven, Michigan (49090)

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

Van Buren County • Population: 13,562 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49090 (South Haven, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 34.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in South Haven, MI (49090)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $380,137
Avg Monthly Rent $2,250
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,020
% Renters 23.4%

Market Analysis: 49090 South Haven

Not every below-median market is a bargain. South Haven's 49090 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $380K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 49090 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within MI, ZIP 49090 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Van Buren County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

The 49090 ZIP's population of 13,562 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 49090 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $380K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 South Haven:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,250/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
Holland, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
24 days
Average time to sell
Fast
11.4%
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 Holland, MI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 49090

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$134,133/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $285,204 $820 2.1% +8.8% $285,204
2BR $347,186 $1,070 2.2% +8.9% $173,593
3BR $402,400 $1,400 2.5% +8.7% $134,133
4BR $552,601 $1,480 1.9% +8.6% $138,150
5BR $847,980 +8.8% $169,596

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$398K$349K$300K$250K$201K$151KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 49090 Compare?

Metric 49090 South Haven Holland, MI Michigan
Home Value $380,137 $380,137 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.4% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $2,250 $2,250 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49090? 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 49090 (South Haven, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Holland, MI metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
24 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $380,137
Monthly Rent $2,250
Price-to-Rent 14.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
34.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49090

Population: 13,562

💰 Median Household Income
$63,020
This area
$63,020
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.2%
This area
28.2%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.3 years
This area
49.3 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
34.1%
This area
34.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.9%
Other/Mixed 13.5%
Hispanic/Latino 10.8%
Black/African American 6.6%
Asian 1.9%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.9%
This area
27.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.2%
This area
11.2%
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 49090

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,700 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Lincoln School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
227 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Baseline Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 Per Student
B+ Above Average

South Haven High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
569 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Maple Grove Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
290 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 Per Student
B+ Above Average

North Shore Elementary

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WAY South Haven

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
29 Students
👨‍🏫
3.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,700 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

How strong is South Haven, MI for real estate investors?

South Haven, MI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $380K and rents near $2,250/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Are rents high in South Haven, MI?

South Haven, MI rentals go for roughly $2,250/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $380K acquisition costs.

How deep is the rental pool in South Haven, MI?

The tenant pool in South Haven, MI is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,250/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What are home prices like in South Haven, MI?

Median home price in South Haven, MI is near $380K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What investment strategy works best in South Haven, MI?

In South Haven, MI the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $380K prices and $2,250/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 49090 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 49090 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 49090 ranks in Holland, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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