Real Estate Investing in International Falls, Minnesota (56649)

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

Koochiching County • Population: 8,895 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56649 (International Falls, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 15.5% 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 International Falls, MN (56649)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $161,947
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,415
% Renters 21.4%

Market Analysis: 56649 International Falls

Investors eyeing 56649 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $162K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $162K asset, 56649 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 56649 and stronger International Falls ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 56649 ZIP's population of 8,895 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 56649 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $162K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 International Falls:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Duluth, MN-WI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 56649

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$46,095/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $92,191 $1,030 8.0% +7.1% $46,095
3BR $152,867 $1,390 6.5% +7.3% $50,956
4BR $210,328 $1,730 5.9% +6.9% $52,582

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$168K$150K$131K$112K$93K$74KJun 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56649 Compare?

Metric 56649 International Falls Duluth, MN-WI Minnesota
Home Value $161,947 $161,947 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $927 $927 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% - -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 56649? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 56649 (International Falls, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $161,947
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 14.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
15.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56649

Population: 8,895

💰 Median Household Income
$59,415
This area
$59,415
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.6%
This area
17.6%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.8 years
This area
46.8 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.1%
Other/Mixed 7.6%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
Black/African American 1.0%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.5%
This area
24.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.3%
This area
9.3%
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 56649

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$34,231 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

FALLS ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,439 Per Student
A Very Good

FALLS SECONDARY

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,439 Per Student
C+ Average

ISD 361 - ALC Program

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
24 Students
💰
$67,814 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 is the rental occupancy rate in International Falls, MN?

Expect elevated vacancy in International Falls, MN. Rents at $927/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is the best play in International Falls, MN?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in International Falls, MN. The numbers - $162K homes against $927/mo rents - support that play.

Is the tenant base reliable in International Falls, MN?

International Falls, MN offers a even-keeled renter base at the $927/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Can I house hack in International Falls, MN?

House hacking in International Falls, MN is a challenging. With home values around $162K and rents at $927/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What kind of market is International Falls, MN for investors?

International Falls, MN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $162K and rents near $927/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 56649 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56649 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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How 56649 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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