Real Estate Investing in Waukesha, Wisconsin (53186)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53186 (Waukesha, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Waukesha, WI (53186)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53186 Waukesha
This part of Waukesha County is not an easy win. The 53186 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
The 53186 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Within WI, ZIP 53186 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Waukesha County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 53186 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The 53186 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Waukesha:
Property Strategy for 53186
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $174,719 | $1,220 | 5.0% | +8.8% | $174,719 |
| 2BR | $260,813 | $1,460 | 4.0% | +8.1% | $130,407 |
| 3BR | $346,647 | $1,800 | 3.7% | +7.4% | $115,549 |
| 4BR | $396,592 | $1,950 | 3.5% | +7.3% | $99,148 |
| 5BR | $431,764 | — | — | +8.3% | $86,353 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53186 Compare?
| Metric | 53186 | Waukesha | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $375,394 | $444,178 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.7% | 6.5% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,341 | $1,574 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% | 2.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53186 (Waukesha, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Waukesha County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Home Path Property Management offers home rentals, build-to-rent options, and vacation rentals in the Milwaukee Area. summary from their website
MPC Property Management offers a wide range of property management services for residential, commercial, and association properties in Wisconsin. summary from their website
Diamond Property Management LLC appears to offer property management services based on the domain and name, though homepage content is technical. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $375,394 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,341 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +9.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +16.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 53186
Population: 33,264
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 53186
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 4,204 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do landlords charge for rent in Waukesha, WI?
Rent in Waukesha, WI is around $1,341/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $375K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Waukesha, WI?
Rental vacancy in Waukesha, WI is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
How strong is Waukesha, WI for real estate investors?
Waukesha, WI rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $375K and rents near $1,341/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
Where do home prices stand in Waukesha, WI?
Waukesha, WI home values average about $375K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,341/mo in monthly income.
What strategy should investors use in Waukesha, WI?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Waukesha, WI best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $375K price point.
You know 53186 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 53186 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.
How 53186 ranks in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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