Real Estate Investing in Finlayson, Minnesota (55735)

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

Pine County • Population: 1,802 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55735 (Finlayson, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 46.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Finlayson, MN (55735)?

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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 $281,612
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,023
% Renters 5.6%

Market Analysis: 55735 Finlayson

ZIP 55735 inside Pine County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $282K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $282K asset, 55735 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MN, ZIP 55735 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pine County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 55735 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 55735, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Finlayson:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 55735

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$85,440/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $257,805 $1,190 3.3% +9.5% $128,903
3BR $309,096 $1,480 3.4% +8.9% $103,032
4BR $341,761 $1,630 3.4% +8.1% $85,440

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$296K$255K$214K$174K$133K$92KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55735 Compare?

Metric 55735 Finlayson Minnesota
Home Value $281,612 $281,612 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 55735? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 55735 (Finlayson, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $281,612
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 21.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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.

Vacancy
46.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55735

Population: 1,802

💰 Median Household Income
$61,023
This area
$61,023
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
5.6%
This area
5.6%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.5 years
This area
52.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
46.8%
This area
46.8%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.3%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.8%
This area
18.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
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

🎓 Schools in 55735

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
33.5:1 Avg Class Size
$16,498 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
382 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,647 Per Student
B+ Above Average

EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,647 Per Student
B+ Above Average

FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
58 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,903 Per Student
C+ Average

East Central Early Childhood

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary Limited Data
💰
$16,647 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
38 Students
👨‍🏫
90.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,647 Per Student
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 monthly rent should investors expect in Finlayson, MN?

Rents in Finlayson, MN run near $1,071/mo. Compared with median home prices of $282K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the renter demographic in Finlayson, MN?

The renter base in Finlayson, MN is reasonable for the $1,071/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

How strong is Finlayson, MN for real estate investors?

Our data puts Finlayson, MN at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $282K and rents around $1,071/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What approach is best for Finlayson, MN real estate?

Finlayson, MN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($282K prices, $1,071/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Finlayson, MN?

Expect elevated vacancy in Finlayson, MN. Rents at $1,071/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 55735 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55735 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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