Real Estate Investing in South Boardman, Michigan (49680)

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

Kalkaska County • Population: 2,125 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49680 (South Boardman, 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: 20.7% 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 South Boardman, MI (49680)?

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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 $225,860
Avg Monthly Rent $1,089
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,426
% Renters 7.9%

Market Analysis: 49680 South Boardman

On balance, ZIP 49680 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $226K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 49680 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 49680 and stronger South Boardman ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 49680 ZIP's population of 2,125 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

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 South Boardman:

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 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,089/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
Traverse City, MI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.4%
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 Traverse City, MI metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$243K$205K$167K$128K$90K$52KNov 2010Sep 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49680 Compare?

Metric 49680 South Boardman Traverse City, MI Michigan
Home Value $225,860 $225,860 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.0% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,089 $1,089 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49680? 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 49680 (South Boardman, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Traverse City, MI metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
58%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $225,860
Monthly Rent $1,089
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
20.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49680

Population: 2,125

💰 Median Household Income
$57,426
This area
$57,426
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.9%
This area
7.9%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.5 years
This area
35.5 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.7%
This area
20.7%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.4%
Black/African American 4.0%
Other/Mixed 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

South Boardman, MI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $226K and rents near $1,089/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How much rent can I charge in South Boardman, MI?

South Boardman, MI rentals go for roughly $1,089/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $226K acquisition costs.

What is it like being a landlord in South Boardman, MI?

MI law landlord-friendly for landlords, and South Boardman inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the best play in South Boardman, MI?

South Boardman, MI investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($226K prices, $1,089/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is the tenant base reliable in South Boardman, MI?

The renter base in South Boardman, MI is reasonable for the $1,089/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

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How 49680 ranks in Traverse City, MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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