Is Branch County, MI good for real estate investing?

Branch County has an investment score of 68/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #191 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Branch?

The rent-to-price ratio in Branch County is 6.80% annually, which ranks in the 73th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Branch?

The median home price in Branch County is $194,024. This ranks #210 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Branch?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Branch County would generate negative cash flow of $302/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Branch County

MichiganPopulation: 44,795

/100

Buy

#191 of 1,000 counties

#31 in Michigan (83 counties)

Market Snapshot

$194,024

Median Home Price

29% below national median

$1,100/mo

Median Rent

27% below national median

6.80%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 27% nationally

-$302

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$194,024

Down Payment (20%)$38,805

Loan Amount$155,219

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,100

Monthly P&I-$1,017

Est. Expenses (35%)-$385

Net Cash Flow-$302/mo

4.4%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-8.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.80%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.4% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

68/100

Cash Flow(30%)

68/100

Based on 6.80% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

74/100

Based on 2.4% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

82/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.2x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (6.80%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$302/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.4% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

44,795

Median Income

$60,600

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

3.2x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
CurrentBranchMI	68	$194,024	$1,100	6.80%	Buy
MacombMI	68	$261,061	$1,388	6.38%	Buy	View
ManisteeMI	68	$240,628	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
ShiawasseeMI	68	$201,542	$1,039	6.19%	Buy	View
ArenacMI	68	$149,931	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
LivingstonMI	67	$383,343	$2,025	6.34%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyBranch offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Branch County in Michigan scores 68/100, ranking #191 of 1,000 US counties (top 19%). The 6.80% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-302/mo

Cap Rate

4.4%

Cash-on-Cash

-8.1%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Branch?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$194,024

Down Payment (20%)$38,805

Loan Amount$155,219

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,100

Monthly P&I-$1,017

Est. Expenses (35%)-$385

Net Cash Flow-$302/mo

4.4%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-8.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.80%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.4% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

68/100

Cash Flow(30%)

68/100

Based on 6.80% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

74/100

Based on 2.4% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

82/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.2x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

CurrentBranchMI

$194,024

$1,100

6.80%

Buy

MacombMI

$261,061

$1,388

6.38%

Buy

View

ManisteeMI

$240,628

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

ShiawasseeMI

$201,542

$1,039

6.19%

Buy

View

ArenacMI

$149,931

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

LivingstonMI

$383,343

$2,025

6.34%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyBranch offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-302/mo

Cap Rate

4.4%

Cash-on-Cash

-8.1%