Real Estate Investing in Iron River, Michigan (49935)

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

Iron County • Population: 5,969 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49935 (Iron River, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 41.7% 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 Iron River, MI (49935)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $157,261
Avg Monthly Rent $990
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,913
% Renters 21.5%

Market Analysis: 49935 Iron River

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Iron River's 49935 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $157K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $157K asset, 49935 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MI picture, 49935 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

From a cash-flow lens, 5,969 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 49935 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Iron River:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+18.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $990/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$165K$143K$120K$98K$75K$53KJan 2010May 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49935 Compare?

Metric 49935 Iron River Michigan
Home Value $157,261 $157,261 $253,279
5-Year CAGR 9.2% 9.2% 6.8%
Avg Rent $990 $990 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 49935? 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 49935 (Iron River, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+9.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $157,261
Monthly Rent $990
Price-to-Rent 13.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 14.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +18.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +12.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
41.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49935

Population: 5,969

💰 Median Household Income
$51,913
This area
$51,913
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.5%
This area
21.5%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.3 years
This area
50.3 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
41.7%
This area
41.7%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.4%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Asian 0.7%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 49935

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.8:1 Avg Class Size
$13,373 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Stambaugh Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,373 Per Student
B Good

West Iron County Middle High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
438 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,373 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Iron River, MI?

Iron River, MI vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

How landlord-friendly is Iron River, MI?

The landlord environment in Iron River, MI is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Iron River, MI?

Average rent in Iron River, MI is approximately $990/mo per month. Against $157K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Does house hacking make sense in Iron River, MI?

House hacking works a challenging in Iron River, MI. Rents of $990/mo against $157K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Should investors consider Iron River, MI?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Iron River, MI reflects its $157K prices and $990/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MI.

You know 49935 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 49935 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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