Real Estate Investing in Williams, Minnesota (56686)

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

Lake of the Woods County • Population: 962 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56686 (Williams, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 53.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Williams, MN (56686)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $223,773
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,531
% Renters 11.3%

Market Analysis: 56686 Williams

ZIP 56686 in Williams, MN carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $224K and rents of $1,071/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 56686 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 56686's metrics run below Lake of the Woods County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 56686 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Williams averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

trends toward 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 Williams:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$235K$210K$184K$158K$133K$107KFeb 2013Nov 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56686 Compare?

Metric 56686 Williams Minnesota
Home Value $223,773 $223,773 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.3% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 56686? 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 56686 (Williams, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $223,773
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 17.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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.

Vacancy
53.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56686

Population: 962

💰 Median Household Income
$64,531
This area
$64,531
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.4 years
This area
43.4 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
53.6%
This area
53.6%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.9%
Other/Mixed 7.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
👶 Under 18
23.2%
This area
23.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
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

Where do rents currently stand in Williams, MN?

Rent in Williams, MN is around $1,071/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $224K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How strong is the working-renter base in Williams, MN?

Tenant quality in Williams, MN ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $1,071/mo.

How expensive is real estate in Williams, MN?

In Williams, MN the median home value sits at $224K. Against the broader MN market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Williams, MN?

The house hack math a challenging in Williams, MN. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,071/mo rents and $224K home values.

What type of investing works in Williams, MN?

In Williams, MN the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $224K prices and $1,071/mo rents suits that approach.

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