Real Estate Investing in Baldwin, Michigan (49304)

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

Lake County • Population: 4,680 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49304 (Baldwin, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

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

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 71.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Lower household income: $35,882 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Baldwin, MI (49304)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $151,987
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $35,882
% Renters 23.9%

Market Analysis: 49304 Baldwin

In practical terms, ZIP 49304 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $152K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 49304 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Regionally, 49304 sits on the difficult end of the MI spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 49304 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 49304 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 Baldwin:

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 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 49304

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$69,028/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $149,552 $990 4.8% +11.3% $74,776
3BR $207,084 $1,360 4.7% +10.6% $69,028

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$157K$145K$134K$122K$111K$99KFeb 2010May 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49304 Compare?

Metric 49304 Baldwin Michigan
Home Value $151,987 $151,987 $253,279
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.7% 6.8%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 49304? 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 49304 (Baldwin, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $151,987
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 14.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲

🏠 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
71.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49304

Population: 4,680

💰 Median Household Income
$35,882
This area
$35,882
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.9 years
This area
48.9 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
71.8%
This area
71.8%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.8%
Black/African American 17.2%
Other/Mixed 10.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
14.0%
This area
14.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.3%
This area
27.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.1%
This area
14.1%
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 49304

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.0:1 Avg Class Size
$89,095 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Baldwin Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
204 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$89,095 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Baldwin Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
128 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$89,095 Per Student
A Very Good

Baldwin Junior High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
89 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$89,095 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

Which real estate strategy fits Baldwin, MI?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Baldwin, MI. The numbers - $152K homes against $891/mo rents - support that play.

What is the typical rental rate in Baldwin, MI?

Investors in Baldwin, MI typically see rents near $891/mo per month against $152K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How expensive is real estate in Baldwin, MI?

Median home price in Baldwin, MI is near $152K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Can I house hack in Baldwin, MI?

Baldwin, MI is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $152K price point reasonable to enter.

Is Baldwin, MI a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Our data puts Baldwin, MI at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $152K and rents around $891/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 49304 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 49304 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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