Real Estate Investing in De Forest, Wisconsin (53532)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53532 (De Forest, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
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 De Forest, WI (53532)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53532 De Forest
The 53532 ZIP in De Forest, WI is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $483K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 53532 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Regionally, 53532 sits on the difficult end of the WI spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
A sturdy renter share of 19% in 53532 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
The 53532 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 De Forest:
Property Strategy for 53532
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $338,596 | $1,710 | 3.6% | +8.3% | $169,298 |
| 3BR | $427,087 | $2,260 | 3.8% | +7.4% | $142,362 |
| 4BR | $524,047 | $2,530 | 3.5% | +7.3% | $131,012 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53532 Compare?
| Metric | 53532 | De Forest | Madison, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $482,643 | $482,643 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.9% | 5.9% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,742 | $1,742 | 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 53532 (De Forest, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 53532 (De Forest, WI)?
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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 | $482,643 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,742 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.3% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -1.9% ▼ |
| 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 53532
Population: 16,286
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 53532
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
How do home values compare in De Forest, WI?
In De Forest, WI the median home value sits at $483K. Against the broader WI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
How tight is the rental market in De Forest, WI?
De Forest, WI carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,742/mo.
Does De Forest, WI favor landlords or tenants?
De Forest, WI operates under WI law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
Is house hacking profitable in De Forest, WI?
House hacking in De Forest, WI is reasonable to execute. Prices around $483K and rents of $1,742/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
What is the renter demographic in De Forest, WI?
De Forest, WI offers a predictable renter base at the $1,742/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
You know 53532 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 53532 ranks in Madison, WI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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