Real Estate Investing in Big Arm, Montana (59914)

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

Lake County • Population: 379 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59914 (Big Arm, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 47.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 42.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Big Arm, MT (59914)?

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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 $874,933
Avg Monthly Rent $1,710
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,292
% Renters 32.7%

Market Analysis: 59914 Big Arm

Stepping back, ZIP 59914 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $875K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 59914 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $875K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Big Arm have seen price recovery that 59914 has not matched. Lake County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

On balance, 379 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.

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 Big Arm:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 15.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,710/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$929K$802K$676K$549K$423K$296KJan 2013Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59914 Compare?

Metric 59914 Big Arm Montana
Home Value $874,933 $896,189 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 6.8% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,710 $1,548 -
Cap Rate 1.5% 1.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 59914? 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 59914 (Big Arm, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $874,933
Monthly Rent $1,710
Price-to-Rent 42.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.4%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
47.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59914

Population: 379

💰 Median Household Income
$57,292
This area
$57,292
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.7%
This area
32.7%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
63.4 years
This area
63.4 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
47.1%
This area
47.1%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.6%
Other/Mixed 21.3%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
15.5%
This area
15.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
45.0%
This area
45.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.7%
This area
20.7%
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 59914

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
8.2:1 Avg Class Size
$12,967 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Dayton School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
49 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,967 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 tight is the rental market in Big Arm, MT?

Big Arm, MT carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,710/mo.

How much rent can I charge in Big Arm, MT?

Big Arm, MT rentals go for roughly $1,710/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $875K acquisition costs.

What is the smart move for investors in Big Arm, MT?

Most investors in Big Arm, MT run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How landlord-friendly is Big Arm, MT?

The landlord environment in Big Arm, MT is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How strong is Big Arm, MT for real estate investors?

Big Arm, MT scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $875K and rents near $1,710/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

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