Real Estate Investing in Melvin, Illinois (60952)

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

Ford County • Population: 654 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60952 (Melvin, IL)? 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: 21.1% 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 Melvin, IL (60952)?

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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 $124,976
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,792
% Renters 14.7%

Market Analysis: 60952 Melvin

The 60952 ZIP covers a section of Melvin that demands careful diligence. Prices near $125K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 60952 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within IL, ZIP 60952 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Ford County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 60952 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 60952 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Melvin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$129K$117K$104K$91K$78K$65KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60952 Compare?

Metric 60952 Melvin Illinois
Home Value $124,976 $124,976 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 5.2% 5.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 60952? 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 60952 (Melvin, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $124,976
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 12.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.0%
Cap Rate 5.2%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.2%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
21.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60952

Population: 654

💰 Median Household Income
$54,792
This area
$54,792
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.7%
This area
14.7%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.4%
This area
27.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.1 years
This area
33.1 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.1%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
👶 Under 18
27.4%
This area
27.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.8%
This area
11.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
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

How strong is Melvin, IL for real estate investors?

Melvin, IL reflects an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $125K and average rents around $828/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

Are tenants stable in Melvin, IL?

The renter base in Melvin, IL is reasonable for the $828/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

How strong are rents in Melvin, IL?

Rents in Melvin, IL run near $828/mo. Compared with median home prices of $125K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is IL a landlord-friendly state?

For rental operators, Melvin, IL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How tight is the rental market in Melvin, IL?

Melvin, IL vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

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