Real Estate Investing in Gerlaw, Illinois (61412)

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

Warren County • Population: 1,310 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 61412 (Gerlaw, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Gerlaw, IL (61412)?

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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 $152,939
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,426
% Renters 5.9%

Market Analysis: 61412 Gerlaw

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Gerlaw's 61412 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $153K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 61412 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Looking more closely, 61412 offers a low basis, the region around Gerlaw has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 61412 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 61412 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $153K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Gerlaw:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/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)

$159K$145K$131K$118K$104K$91KDec 2015Apr 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 61412 Compare?

Metric 61412 Gerlaw Illinois
Home Value $152,939 $76,470 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% 6.6%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 61412? 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 61412 (Gerlaw, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $152,939
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 14.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
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: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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
6.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 61412

Population: 1,310

💰 Median Household Income
$58,426
This area
$58,426
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.2 years
This area
50.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.8%
Other/Mixed 1.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
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 61412

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,287 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

United Elem Sch - North

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,287 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 437 Off-Campus Students
C
Monmouth College
727 students · 11.1 mi
C
Carl Sandburg College
1,688 students · 11.3 mi
C+
Knox College
1,001 students · 14.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental property easy to operate in Gerlaw, IL?

The landlord environment in Gerlaw, IL is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What is the renter demographic in Gerlaw, IL?

Tenant quality in Gerlaw, IL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $864/mo.

What are home prices like in Gerlaw, IL?

Median home price in Gerlaw, IL is near $153K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Gerlaw, IL?

Gerlaw, IL sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IL rental market.

Is Gerlaw, IL good for house hacking?

House hacking in Gerlaw, IL is a challenging. With home values around $153K and rents at $864/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 61412 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 61412 ranks in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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