Real Estate Investing in Melrose, Wisconsin (54642)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 54642 (Melrose, 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.
- Elevated vacancy: 11.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Melrose, WI (54642)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 54642 Melrose
This part of Jackson County is not an easy win. The 54642 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 54642 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
The gap between 54642 and stronger Melrose ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
The 54642 ZIP's population of 2,360 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.
New investors are better served looking at Melrose's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 54642. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Melrose:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 54642 Compare?
| Metric | 54642 | Melrose | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $261,164 | $261,164 | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.2% | 6.2% | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,089 | $1,089 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% | 3.3% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54642 (Melrose, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $261,164 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,089 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.0% |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +11.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.3%). 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 54642
Population: 2,360
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 54642
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
How tight is the rental market in Melrose, WI?
Melrose, WI carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,089/mo.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Melrose, WI?
Melrose, WI falls under WI landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
What is the tenant pool like in Melrose, WI?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Melrose, WI. The rental market absorbs $1,089/mo rents without meaningful friction.
How viable is house hacking in Melrose, WI?
The house hack math a challenging in Melrose, WI. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,089/mo rents and $261K home values.
What are home prices like in Melrose, WI?
The median home value in Melrose, WI is roughly $261K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WI statewide average.
You know 54642 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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