Real Estate Investing in Wautoma, Wisconsin (54982)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 54982 (Wautoma, 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: 30.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.8 — 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 Wautoma, WI (54982)?
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Market Analysis: 54982 Wautoma
ZIP 54982 inside Waushara County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $301K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 54982 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
In the broader WI picture, 54982 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
The demographic picture in 54982 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Wautoma averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
The 54982 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 Wautoma:
Property Strategy for 54982
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $231,387 | $970 | 3.0% | +10.2% | $115,693 |
| 3BR | $305,986 | $1,290 | 3.0% | +10.1% | $101,995 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 54982 Compare?
| Metric | 54982 | Wautoma | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $301,247 | $301,247 | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $873 | $873 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% | 2.3% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 54982 (Wautoma, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $301,247 |
| Monthly Rent | $873 |
| Price-to-Rent | 28.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.5% |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.3%). 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 54982
Population: 6,881
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 54982
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 quickly do rentals get leased in Wautoma, WI?
Vacancy in Wautoma, WI is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $873/mo.
What strategy should investors use in Wautoma, WI?
In Wautoma, WI the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $301K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.
What is the typical renter like in Wautoma, WI?
Tenant demand in Wautoma, WI is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.
How landlord-friendly is Wautoma, WI?
WI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Wautoma generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
What is the investability score for Wautoma, WI?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Wautoma, WI reflects its $301K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WI.
You know 54982 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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