Real Estate Investing in Waubun, Minnesota (56589)

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

Becker County • Population: 1,939 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56589 (Waubun, 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: 46.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.3 — 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 Waubun, MN (56589)?

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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 $285,546
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,529
% Renters 15.6%

Market Analysis: 56589 Waubun

ZIP 56589 in Waubun, MN carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $286K and rents of $873/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $286K asset, 56589 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MN, ZIP 56589 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Becker County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 56589 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waubun averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Waubun:

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 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.6%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 56589

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$121,767/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $310,587 $970 2.2% +6.9% $155,294
3BR $365,302 $1,230 2.4% +6.4% $121,767

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$301K$257K$214K$171K$127K$84KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56589 Compare?

Metric 56589 Waubun Minnesota
Home Value $285,546 $285,546 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 56589? 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 56589 (Waubun, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $285,546
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 27.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
46.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56589

Population: 1,939

💰 Median Household Income
$63,529
This area
$63,529
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.8 years
This area
39.8 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
46.2%
This area
46.2%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 54.2%
White 45.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
29.2%
This area
29.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
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 56589

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
27.4:1 Avg Class Size
$23,815 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

WAUBUN ELEMENTARY

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
176 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,815 Per Student
A+ Excellent

WAUBUN SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
252 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,815 Per Student
C+ Average

WAUBUN AREA LEARNING PROGRAM

📚 10 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$23,815 Per Student
C Below Average

Waubun ALC

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
39 Students
👨‍🏫
58.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,815 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
D
White Earth Tribal and Community College
103 students · 14.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Waubun, MN?

Rents in Waubun, MN run near $873/mo. Compared with median home prices of $286K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How high is vacancy risk in Waubun, MN?

Vacancy in Waubun, MN is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $873/mo.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Waubun, MN?

The best-fit strategy in Waubun, MN is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Does Waubun, MN favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Waubun, MN rates as balanced. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How deep is the rental pool in Waubun, MN?

Waubun, MN draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $873/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 56589 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56589 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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