Real Estate Investing in Fountain, Michigan (49410)

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

Mason County • Population: 1,709 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49410 (Fountain, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 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: 48.8% 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 Fountain, MI (49410)?

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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 $183,161
Avg Monthly Rent $1,035
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,750
% Renters 14.1%

Market Analysis: 49410 Fountain

Investors eyeing 49410 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $183K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $183K asset, 49410 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 49410 and stronger Fountain ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 49410 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

New investors are better served looking at Fountain's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 49410. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Fountain:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,035/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Ludington, MI Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.7%
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 Ludington, MI metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$191K$169K$147K$126K$104K$82KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49410 Compare?

Metric 49410 Fountain Ludington, MI Michigan
Home Value $183,161 $183,161 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,035 $1,035 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49410? 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 49410 (Fountain, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Ludington, MI metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
57%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $183,161
Monthly Rent $1,035
Price-to-Rent 14.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
48.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49410

Population: 1,709

💰 Median Household Income
$50,750
This area
$50,750
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.8 years
This area
42.8 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
48.8%
This area
48.8%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.3%
Other/Mixed 9.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
Asian 0.5%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
28.4%
This area
28.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.7%
This area
14.7%
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 322 Off-Campus Students
C
West Shore Community College
1,028 students · 9.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Fountain, MI for investors?

Investors tracking Fountain, MI will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $183K median home values and $1,035/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What are rental rates like in Fountain, MI?

Rental rates in Fountain, MI average $1,035/mo. Tenant demand and $183K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How deep is the rental pool in Fountain, MI?

The tenant pool in Fountain, MI is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,035/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How high is vacancy risk in Fountain, MI?

Fountain, MI carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,035/mo.

Which investment style suits Fountain, MI?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Fountain, MI best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $183K price point.

You know 49410 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 49410 ranks in Ludington, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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