Real Estate Investing in Winifred, Montana (59489)

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

Fergus • Population: 330 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 59489 (Winifred, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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: 16.7% 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 Winifred, MT (59489)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $295,380
Avg Monthly Rent $1,260
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,180
% Renters 11.7%

Market Analysis: 59489 Winifred

The 59489 ZIP covers a section of Winifred that demands careful diligence. Prices near $295K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $295K asset, 59489 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MT, ZIP 59489 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Fergus submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 59489 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 59489, 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 Winifred:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,260/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)

$329K$284K$239K$194K$149K$104KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59489 Compare?

Metric 59489 Winifred Montana
Home Value $295,380 $295,380 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 9.2% 9.2% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,260 $1,260 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 59489? 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59489 (Winifred, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 59489 (Winifred, MT)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+9.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $295,380
Monthly Rent $1,260
Price-to-Rent 19.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 12.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
16.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59489

Population: 330

💰 Median Household Income
$59,180
This area
$59,180
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
62.6 years
This area
62.6 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.1%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
👶 Under 18
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
46.3%
This area
46.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
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 59489

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.0:1 Avg Class Size
$198,923 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Winifred School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
93 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$198,923 Per Student
A Very Good

Winifred 6-8

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
28 Students
👨‍🏫
8.1:1 Class Size
💰
$198,923 Per Student
A Very Good

Winifred High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
45 Students
👨‍🏫
7.9:1 Class Size
💰
$198,923 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

How does Winifred, MT stack up for property investment?

Yes - Winifred, MT a 3.0/5 investability score. With $295K home prices against $1,260/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Are renters plentiful in Winifred, MT?

Winifred, MT draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $1,260/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is vacancy a concern in Winifred, MT?

Expect elevated vacancy in Winifred, MT. Rents at $1,260/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Which real estate strategy fits Winifred, MT?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Winifred, MT. The numbers - $295K homes against $1,260/mo rents - support that play.

What do landlords charge for rent in Winifred, MT?

Rent in Winifred, MT is around $1,260/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $295K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 59489 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59489 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 59489 (Winifred)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 59489 (Winifred, MT).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.