Real Estate Investing in Karlstad, Minnesota (56732)

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

Kittson County • Population: 978 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56732 (Karlstad, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 24.4% 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 Karlstad, MN (56732)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $164,360
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,079
% Renters 22.5%

Market Analysis: 56732 Karlstad

ZIP 56732 inside Kittson County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $164K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 56732 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader MN picture, 56732 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

From an investor standpoint, 978 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 56732, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Karlstad:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.4%)
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)

$176K$161K$145K$129K$113K$97KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56732 Compare?

Metric 56732 Karlstad Minnesota
Home Value $164,360 $164,360 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 2.4% 2.4% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 56732? 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 56732 (Karlstad, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.4%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $164,360
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 15.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 6.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
24.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56732

Population: 978

💰 Median Household Income
$59,079
This area
$59,079
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.5%
This area
22.5%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.7 years
This area
48.7 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.7%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Black/African American 0.6%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 56732

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$22,376 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

KARLSTAD ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
93 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,376 Per Student
A Very Good

TRI-COUNTY SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
83 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,376 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

Is Karlstad, MN a friendly market for rental owners?

Rental owners in Karlstad, MN deal with a balanced legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How deep is the rental pool in Karlstad, MN?

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

What is the typical rental rate in Karlstad, MN?

Rent in Karlstad, MN is around $873/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $164K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Is Karlstad, MN good for house hacking?

Karlstad, MN is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $164K price point reasonable to enter.

How much does a house cost in Karlstad, MN?

The median home value in Karlstad, MN is roughly $164K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MN statewide average.

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