Real Estate Investing in Sister Bay, Wisconsin (54234)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Door County • Population: 2,130 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54234 (Sister Bay, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 54.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.8 — 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 Sister Bay, WI (54234)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $528,989
Avg Monthly Rent $1,233
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,671
% Renters 33.4%

Market Analysis: 54234 Sister Bay

ZIP 54234 inside Door County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $529K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 54234 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Sister Bay have seen price recovery that 54234 has not matched. Door County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 54234 ZIP's population of 2,130 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

The 54234 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.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Sister Bay:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,233/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$554K$488K$421K$355K$288K$222KAug 2014Aug 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54234 Compare?

Metric 54234 Sister Bay Wisconsin
Home Value $528,989 $528,989 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,233 $1,233 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 54234? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54234 (Sister Bay, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $528,989
Monthly Rent $1,233
Price-to-Rent 35.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.8%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
54.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54234

Population: 2,130

💰 Median Household Income
$64,671
This area
$64,671
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.4%
This area
33.4%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.3%
This area
46.3%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.1 years
This area
59.1 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
54.6%
This area
54.6%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.8%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
39.0%
This area
39.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
USA
11.5%

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Sister Bay, WI?

Expect rents around $1,233/mo per month in Sister Bay, WI. With home values at $529K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Sister Bay, WI?

Sister Bay, WI sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WI rental market.

Does Sister Bay, WI make sense for an investment property?

Sister Bay, WI registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $529K and average rents around $1,233/mo. That combination puts it in the robust tier for investor interest.

What are home prices like in Sister Bay, WI?

Homes in Sister Bay, WI typically sell near $529K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

What kind of tenants rent in Sister Bay, WI?

Tenant demand in Sister Bay, WI is solid. The local workforce $1,233/mo rents across most rental classes.

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