Real Estate Investing in Brutus, Michigan (49716)

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

Emmet County • Population: 1,039 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49716 (Brutus, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 44.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 37.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Brutus, MI (49716)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $458,663
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $90,208
% Renters 6.2%

Market Analysis: 49716 Brutus

The 49716 ZIP in Brutus, MI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $459K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $459K asset, 49716 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MI, ZIP 49716 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Emmet County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 49716 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 49716 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $459K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Brutus:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$483K$427K$371K$315K$259K$203KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49716 Compare?

Metric 49716 Brutus Michigan
Home Value $458,663 $458,663 $253,279
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,026 -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 49716 (Brutus, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $458,663
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 37.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 5.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
44.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49716

Population: 1,039

💰 Median Household Income
$90,208
This area
$90,208
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.5%
This area
33.5%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.9 years
This area
38.9 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
44.1%
This area
44.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.4%
Other/Mixed 7.2%
Black/African American 1.4%
👶 Under 18
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 863 Off-Campus Students
C
North Central Michigan College
1,540 students · 14.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 863 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brutus, MI a good place for real estate investing?

Brutus, MI posts an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $459K and average rents around $1,026/mo. That combination puts it in the robust tier for investor interest.

Where do rents currently stand in Brutus, MI?

Investors in Brutus, MI typically see rents near $1,026/mo per month against $459K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is vacancy a concern in Brutus, MI?

Rental vacancy in Brutus, MI is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the typical home price in Brutus, MI?

In Brutus, MI the median home value sits at $459K. Against the broader MI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Brutus, MI?

House hacking in Brutus, MI is a challenging. With home values around $459K and rents at $1,026/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 49716 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 49716 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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