Real Estate Investing in Callaway, Minnesota (56521)

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

Becker County • Population: 718 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56521 (Callaway, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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: 12.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Callaway, MN (56521)?

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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 $264,603
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,625
% Renters 14.6%

Market Analysis: 56521 Callaway

This part of Becker County is not an easy win. The 56521 ZIP reflects 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 56521 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader MN picture, 56521 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 56521 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 56521 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 Callaway:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$281K$240K$200K$159K$119K$78KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56521 Compare?

Metric 56521 Callaway Minnesota
Home Value $264,603 $264,603 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 56521? 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 56521 (Callaway, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $264,603
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 25.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
12.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56521

Population: 718

💰 Median Household Income
$65,625
This area
$65,625
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.9%
Other/Mixed 29.1%
👶 Under 18
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
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

How much does a house cost in Callaway, MN?

Median home price in Callaway, MN is near $265K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What is the renter demographic in Callaway, MN?

Tenant demand in Callaway, MN is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is Callaway, MN good for house hacking?

Callaway, MN offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $873/mo rent level.

Is MN a landlord-friendly state?

MN law balanced for landlords, and Callaway inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Callaway, MN better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Callaway, MN. The numbers - $265K homes against $873/mo rents - support that play.

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