Real Estate Investing in Merrimac, Wisconsin (53561)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53561 (Merrimac, 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: 31.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 39.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Merrimac, WI (53561)?
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Market Analysis: 53561 Merrimac
Investors eyeing 53561 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $506K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The investment case in 53561 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $506K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Statewide comparisons place 53561 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
From an investor standpoint, 1,954 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.
New investors are better served looking at Merrimac's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 53561. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Merrimac:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53561 Compare?
| Metric | 53561 | Merrimac | Baraboo, WI | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $506,083 | $506,083 | N/A | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.0% | 6.0% | N/A | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,071 | $1,071 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% | 1.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53561 (Merrimac, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $506,083 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,071 |
| Price-to-Rent | 39.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.5% |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
🏠 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 (1.7%). 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 53561
Population: 1,954
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 53561
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
What is the best play in Merrimac, WI?
For Merrimac, WI, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
How strong is tenant demand in Merrimac, WI?
Merrimac, WI draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,071/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
What are vacancy rates like in Merrimac, WI?
Vacancy in Merrimac, WI is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,071/mo.
Does Merrimac, WI favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in Merrimac, WI deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
Does Merrimac, WI make sense for an investment property?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Merrimac, WI reflects its $506K prices and $1,071/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WI.
You know 53561 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 53561 ranks in Baraboo, WI
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