Real Estate Investing in Stephenson, Michigan (49821)

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

Menominee County • Population: 1,279 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49821 (Stephenson, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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: 44.3% 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 Stephenson, MI (49821)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $194,456
Avg Monthly Rent $1,296
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,309
% Renters 6.2%

Market Analysis: 49821 Stephenson

ZIP 49821 inside Menominee County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $194K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 49821 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 49821 and stronger Stephenson ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 49821 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

leans 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 Stephenson:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,296/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
Marinette, WI-MI Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.3%
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 Marinette, WI-MI metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$202K$192K$183K$174K$164K$155KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49821 Compare?

Metric 49821 Stephenson Marinette, WI-MI Michigan
Home Value $194,456 $194,456 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $1,296 $1,296 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.2% 5.2% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 49821 (Stephenson, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
5.2%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $194,456
Monthly Rent $1,296
Price-to-Rent 12.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.0%
Cap Rate 5.2%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.2%). 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
44.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49821

Population: 1,279

💰 Median Household Income
$53,309
This area
$53,309
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.4 years
This area
46.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
44.3%
This area
44.3%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.5%
Other/Mixed 3.1%
Black/African American 2.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.1%
This area
28.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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

What price range are homes in Stephenson, MI?

The median home value in Stephenson, MI is roughly $194K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MI statewide average.

How much rent can I charge in Stephenson, MI?

Rents in Stephenson, MI run near $1,296/mo. Compared with median home prices of $194K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is Stephenson, MI better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

For Stephenson, MI, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Stephenson, MI?

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

Can I house hack in Stephenson, MI?

Stephenson, MI offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,296/mo rent level.

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How 49821 ranks in Marinette, WI-MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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