Real Estate Investing in Scottville, Michigan (49454)

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

Mason County • Population: 4,905 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49454 (Scottville, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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 vacancy: 13.9% 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 Scottville, MI (49454)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $226,077
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,000
% Renters 24.1%

Market Analysis: 49454 Scottville

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 49454 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $226K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 49454 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $226K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 49454 sits on the difficult end of the MI spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 49454 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Scottville:

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 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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)

$237K$205K$174K$142K$110K$78KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49454 Compare?

Metric 49454 Scottville Ludington, MI Michigan
Home Value $226,077 $226,077 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49454? 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 49454 (Scottville, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
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 $226,077
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
13.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49454

Population: 4,905

💰 Median Household Income
$56,000
This area
$56,000
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.4 years
This area
39.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 5.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.7%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
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

🎓 Schools in 49454

C+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$12,242 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Mason County Central Upper Elementary

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,563 Per Student
B Good

Scottville Elementary School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
232 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,563 Per Student
C+ Average

Mason County Central MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
273 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,563 Per Student
C+ Average

Mason County Central HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
398 Students
👨‍🏫
25.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,563 Per Student
C+ Average

Gateway To Success Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
124 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,959 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 322 Off-Campus Students
C
West Shore Community College
1,028 students · 4.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Which investment style suits Scottville, MI?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Scottville, MI. With home values at $226K and rents near $873/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Scottville, MI?

The tenant pool in Scottville, MI is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $873/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is the typical rental rate in Scottville, MI?

The typical rental in Scottville, MI commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $226K purchase basis.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Scottville, MI?

Vacancy risk in Scottville, MI is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Scottville, MI?

For house hackers, Scottville, MI is a challenging. The $873/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $226K property.

You know 49454 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 49454 ranks in Ludington, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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