Real Estate Investing in Fairbury, Illinois (61739)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 61739 (Fairbury, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
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 Fairbury, IL (61739)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 61739 Fairbury
The 61739 ZIP in Fairbury, IL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $201K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 61739 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Nearby ZIPs in Fairbury have seen price recovery that 61739 has not matched. Livingston County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
The 61739 ZIP's population of 4,673 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.
The 61739 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Fairbury:
Property Strategy for 61739
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $137,103 | $980 | 5.1% | — | $68,552 |
| 3BR | $178,144 | $1,290 | 5.2% | +8.0% | $59,381 |
| 4BR | $226,693 | $1,290 | 4.1% | +8.1% | $56,673 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 61739 Compare?
| Metric | 61739 | Fairbury | Pontiac, IL | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $201,090 | $201,090 | N/A | $279,761 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 9.1% | 9.1% | N/A | 6.6% |
| Avg Rent | $882 | $882 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% | 3.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 61739 (Fairbury, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 61739 (Fairbury, IL)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $201,090 |
| Monthly Rent | $882 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.3% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +13.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +9.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +9.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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.
Demographics in 61739
Population: 4,673
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 61739
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
What is the average home sale price in Fairbury, IL?
Expect median prices around $201K in Fairbury, IL. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Fairbury, IL?
IL law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Fairbury inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
Are tenants stable in Fairbury, IL?
Fairbury, IL draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $882/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
What is the best play in Fairbury, IL?
Fairbury, IL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($201K prices, $882/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
How does Fairbury, IL rate as a rental market?
Fairbury, IL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $201K and rents near $882/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
You know 61739 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61739 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.
How 61739 ranks in Pontiac, IL
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 61739 (Fairbury)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 61739 (Fairbury, IL).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.