Real Estate Investing in Staples, Minnesota (56479)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 56479 (Staples, MN)? 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.
- High vacancy: 18.6% 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 Staples, MN (56479)?
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Market Analysis: 56479 Staples
This part of Wadena County is not an easy win. The 56479 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
The 56479 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Within MN, ZIP 56479 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Wadena County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 56479 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The 56479 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 Staples:
Property Strategy for 56479
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $171,452 | $1,170 | 4.9% | +9.3% | $85,726 |
| 3BR | $222,166 | $1,530 | 5.0% | +8.7% | $74,055 |
| 4BR | $267,829 | $1,770 | 4.8% | +9.0% | $66,957 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 56479 Compare?
| Metric | 56479 | Staples | Brainerd, MN | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $225,182 | $225,182 | N/A | $340,597 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.0% | 7.0% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,053 | $1,053 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% | 3.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 56479 (Staples, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $225,182 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,053 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.6% |
| Cap Rate | 3.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +11.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.7% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.7%). 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 56479
Population: 5,018
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 56479
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 does Staples, MN rate as a rental market?
Our data puts Staples, MN at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $225K and rents around $1,053/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
What approach is best for Staples, MN real estate?
Staples, MN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($225K prices, $1,053/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
What are rental rates like in Staples, MN?
Staples, MN rentals go for roughly $1,053/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $225K acquisition costs.
Is Staples, MN a friendly market for rental owners?
Staples, MN operates under MN law, which is balanced overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
Are there empty rentals in Staples, MN?
Vacancy risk in Staples, MN is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.
You know 56479 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56479 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.
How 56479 ranks in Brainerd, MN
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