Real Estate Investing in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (53147)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53147 (Lake Geneva, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 28.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Lake Geneva, WI (53147)?
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Market Analysis: 53147 Lake Geneva
In practical terms, ZIP 53147 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $466K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
The investment case in 53147 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $466K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Meanwhile, 53147 offers a low basis, the region around Lake Geneva has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
The 53147 ZIP's population of 18,440 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.
appears to 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lake Geneva:
Property Strategy for 53147
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $208,323 | $1,010 | 3.5% | +11.2% | $208,323 |
| 2BR | $299,919 | $1,320 | 3.2% | +9.5% | $149,959 |
| 3BR | $456,223 | $1,660 | 2.6% | +8.9% | $152,074 |
| 4BR | $706,532 | $2,140 | 2.2% | +9.7% | $176,633 |
| 5BR | $1,175,893 | — | — | +9.6% | $235,179 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53147 Compare?
| Metric | 53147 | Lake Geneva | Whitewater, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $465,610 | $465,610 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.7% | 5.7% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,848 | $1,848 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% | 3.1% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53147 (Lake Geneva, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $465,610 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,848 |
| Price-to-Rent | 21.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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.
Demographics in 53147
Population: 18,440
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 53147
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Is real estate in Lake Geneva, WI a good investment right now?
Lake Geneva, WI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $466K and rents near $1,848/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
What do rentals go for in Lake Geneva, WI?
Rental rates in Lake Geneva, WI average $1,848/mo. Tenant demand and $466K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Lake Geneva, WI?
Lake Geneva, WI falls under WI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Are tenants stable in Lake Geneva, WI?
Working renters make up the core of the Lake Geneva, WI tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
How should investors approach Lake Geneva, WI?
In Lake Geneva, WI the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $466K prices and $1,848/mo rents suits that approach.
You know 53147 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 53147 ranks in Whitewater, WI
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