Real Estate Investing in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin (53527)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53527 (Cottage Grove, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
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 Cottage Grove, WI (53527)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53527 Cottage Grove
Investors eyeing 53527 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $487K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $487K asset, 53527 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Statewide comparisons place 53527 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
In practical terms, 11,515 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 right play in 53527 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cottage Grove:
Property Strategy for 53527
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $304,785 | $1,950 | 4.6% | +4.3% | $152,392 |
| 3BR | $424,286 | $2,570 | 4.4% | +6.8% | $141,429 |
| 4BR | $521,434 | $2,890 | 4.0% | +6.6% | $130,359 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53527 Compare?
| Metric | 53527 | Cottage Grove | Madison, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $486,636 | $486,636 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.9% | 5.9% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,738 | $1,738 | 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 53527 (Cottage Grove, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Dane County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Evans Property Management Services, LLC (PRIMA™) offers pet-friendly apartments and rentals in and around Madison, WI. summary from their website
Kader Property Management offers residential and multi-family property management services in Madison. summary from their website
Madison Property offers apartments and housing for rent in Madison, WI. 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 | $486,636 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,738 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.1% ▲ |
🏠 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 (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 53527
Population: 11,515
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 53527
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 7,911 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smart move for investors in Cottage Grove, WI?
Most investors in Cottage Grove, WI run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Is Cottage Grove, WI landlord-friendly?
WI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Cottage Grove generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
How much do tenants pay in Cottage Grove, WI?
Expect rents around $1,738/mo per month in Cottage Grove, WI. With home values at $487K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Cottage Grove, WI?
Cottage Grove, WI sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WI rental market.
What does house hacking look like in Cottage Grove, WI?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Cottage Grove, WI reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
You know 53527 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 53527 ranks in Madison, WI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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