Real Estate Investing in Manistee, Michigan (49660)

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

Manistee County • Population: 14,501 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49660 (Manistee, 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: 25.5% 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 Manistee, MI (49660)?

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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 $273,387
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,816
% Renters 17.0%

Market Analysis: 49660 Manistee

ZIP 49660 inside Manistee County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $273K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 49660 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $273K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 49660 and stronger Manistee ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 49660 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.

trends toward 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 Manistee:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/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
🏠

Property Strategy for 49660

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$73,971/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $242,844 $1,040 3.1% +10.4% $121,422
3BR $258,224 $1,320 3.7% +10.7% $86,075
4BR $303,211 $1,380 3.3% +9.9% $75,803
5BR $369,853 +10.0% $73,971

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$286K$249K$212K$175K$138K$101KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49660 Compare?

Metric 49660 Manistee Ludington, MI Michigan
Home Value $273,387 $273,387 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $936 $936 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49660? 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 49660 (Manistee, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📉 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 $273,387
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 24.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
25.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49660

Population: 14,501

💰 Median Household Income
$62,816
This area
$62,816
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.0%
This area
17.0%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.6 years
This area
49.6 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.1%
Other/Mixed 8.5%
Black/African American 4.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
16.3%
This area
16.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.5%
This area
26.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
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 49660

C+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$14,599 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Manistee Middle High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
669 Students
👨‍🏫
20.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,315 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John F Kennedy Elem School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,315 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Thomas Jefferson Elem School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
20.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,315 Per Student
C+ Average

Casman Alternative Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
64 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,108 Per Student
C+ Average

Manistee ISD Center Programs

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
44 Students
👨‍🏫
4.8:1 Class Size
C Below Average

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
3,517 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$9,941 Per Student
C Below Average

Oaks Correctional Facility

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

Are eviction rules reasonable in Manistee, MI?

Landlord-friendliness in Manistee, MI is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Manistee, MI?

Manistee, MI draws a stable base of working renters. Demand at the $936/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How should investors approach Manistee, MI?

The best-fit strategy in Manistee, MI is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

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

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Manistee, MI ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $273K and rents of $936/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Where do home prices stand in Manistee, MI?

In Manistee, MI the median home value sits at $273K. Against the broader MI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 49660 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 49660 ranks in Ludington, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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