Investor-friendly real estate agents in Ann Arbor, MI
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Get matched in Ann ArborVetted investor agents across the Ann Arbor metro
Ann Arbor is a University of Michigan town, and the university and its hospital anchor the local economy and the rental market. It's the most expensive of our Michigan markets: typical home values in the metro are about $412,000 and typical rent about $1,920, or about 0.47% a month. Home values rose about 2.5% over the past year and rents about 2%. More people move out of the metro to other parts of the U.S. than move in, but the university's students and staff keep rental demand steady. The city requires a Certificate of Compliance for every rental and limits investor-owned short-term rentals in residential zones. Michigan bars rent control. Our two vetted partners cover Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and the rest of Southeast Michigan.
Investor purchases in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti from an agent licensed since 2013 who works the Southeast Michigan market.
Help buying several properties over time, from a partner with 8+ years in the business whose focus is investment properties, property management and helping investors build portfolios.
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Is Ann Arbor worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Ann Arbor metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 346,108 |
| 2011 | 350,715 |
| 2012 | 353,845 |
| 2013 | 358,147 |
| 2014 | 362,711 |
| 2015 | 366,258 |
| 2016 | 370,179 |
| 2017 | 373,437 |
| 2018 | 374,797 |
| 2019 | 373,006 |
| 2020 | 371,814 |
| 2021 | 364,941 |
| 2022 | 367,307 |
| 2023 | 367,845 |
| 2024 | 368,956 |
| 2025 | 370,214 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | +120 |
| 2012 | -1,330 |
| 2013 | -38 |
| 2014 | +247 |
| 2015 | -491 |
| 2016 | -808 |
| 2017 | -719 |
| 2018 | -1,670 |
| 2019 | -4,171 |
| 2020 | -3,206 |
| 2021 | -7,533 |
| 2022 | -460 |
| 2023 | -3,677 |
| 2024 | -3,712 |
| 2025 | -2,446 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 195,900 |
| 2011 | 198,500 |
| 2012 | 202,400 |
| 2013 | 206,100 |
| 2014 | 208,800 |
| 2015 | 211,800 |
| 2016 | 215,700 |
| 2017 | 219,900 |
| 2018 | 223,500 |
| 2019 | 227,800 |
| 2020 | 208,500 |
| 2021 | 213,800 |
| 2022 | 222,300 |
| 2023 | 227,300 |
| 2024 | 229,700 |
| 2025 | 230,900 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $1,218/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $1,274/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $1,324/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $1,365/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $1,412/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $1,434/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $1,577/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,705/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,773/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,878/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,908/mo |
| Sep 2026 | $1,917/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $181,503 |
| Dec 2011 | $175,348 |
| Dec 2012 | $190,433 |
| Dec 2013 | $216,043 |
| Dec 2014 | $231,322 |
| Dec 2015 | $247,113 |
| Dec 2016 | $259,353 |
| Dec 2017 | $276,808 |
| Dec 2018 | $295,514 |
| Dec 2019 | $308,934 |
| Dec 2020 | $322,326 |
| Dec 2021 | $346,967 |
| Dec 2022 | $371,043 |
| Dec 2023 | $383,483 |
| Dec 2024 | $399,962 |
| Dec 2025 | $407,605 |
| Sep 2026 | $411,985 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | 16.9× |
| Dec 2016 | 17.0× |
| Dec 2017 | 17.4× |
| Dec 2018 | 18.0× |
| Dec 2019 | 18.2× |
| Dec 2020 | 18.7× |
| Dec 2021 | 18.3× |
| Dec 2022 | 18.1× |
| Dec 2023 | 18.0× |
| Dec 2024 | 17.7× |
| Dec 2025 | 17.8× |
| Sep 2026 | 17.9× |
Data retrieved October 16, 2026. Figures cover the Ann Arbor metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Ann Arbor
Zillow Home Value Index, Ann Arbor metro, Sep 2026 (+2.4% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Sep 2026 (+1.8% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values +2.4%, rents +1.8%.
Michigan landlord-tenant basics, plus Ann Arbor's rental rules
Michigan's security deposit act (MCL 554.601 and following) and the summary proceedings statute (MCL 600.5714) cover most of what investors ask about. The City of Ann Arbor adds certification and its own leasing rules:
- Security deposit: capped at 1.5 months' rent (MCL 554.602). Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, mail the tenant an itemized list of damages with a check for any balance (MCL 554.609).
- Inventory checklists: give the tenant two blank move-in checklists; they have 7 days to return one. At move-out, complete a checklist listing the damages you claim (MCL 554.608).
- Nonpayment: serve a 7-day demand for possession (court form DC 100a). If the tenant hasn't paid or moved out after 7 days, you can file in district court (MCL 600.5714).
- No rent control: MCL 123.411 bars cities, villages, townships and counties from controlling private rents.
- New in 2025: since April 2, 2025, Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act bars turning down tenants because of their source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers, Social Security, veterans' benefits and child support.
- Ann Arbor: you can't lease or advertise a unit without a current Certificate of Compliance (City Code 8:516). Rental Housing Services inspects rentals on a roughly 30-month cycle, and a property that passes on the first inspection gets an extra year. Register and apply through the city's STREAM system.
- Right to Renew (City Code 8:530, formerly the Early Leasing Ordinance): you can't offer a current tenant a renewal until 180 days into the lease, and you can't show the unit to or lease it to someone else until 210 days in. Not renewing requires good cause. This shapes the student leasing calendar.
- Ann Arbor's Green Rental Housing Ordinance adds materials you submit with the rental license application before inspection.
- Ypsilanti and the townships around Ann Arbor are separate governments with their own rental rules.
Short-term rental rules in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor requires a short-term rental license for every STR and treats investor-owned STRs as a commercial use:
- Principal residence STRs: if you live in the home full time, you can rent it short term in residential zones with a city STR license and a sworn statement that it's your principal residence.
- Non-principal-residence (investor-owned) STRs are generally prohibited in residential zoning districts. They're allowed only in certain zones under the city's zoning code, need a Certificate of Compliance and are inspected under the housing code. Ones established before March 1, 2021 can continue as legal nonconforming uses.
- Accessory dwelling units can't be used as short-term rentals.
- Michigan's 6% use tax applies to rooms and lodging rented for a month or less. Platforms collect it on their bookings; direct bookings are on you.
- Ypsilanti and the townships set their own STR rules. Check the specific parcel before you buy for football weekends or graduation.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Ann Arbor metro; MCL 554.602 — Security deposit limit; MCL 554.608 — Inventory checklists; MCL 554.609 — Itemized list of damages; MCL 123.411 — Local rent control prohibited; Michigan courts — Demand for possession, nonpayment of rent (DC 100a); Fair Housing Center of Michigan — Source of income protections added to state law (2025); Michigan Treasury — Use tax; City of Ann Arbor — Rental Housing Services; City of Ann Arbor — Property registration and inspection information; City of Ann Arbor — Guide to the Right to Renew Ordinance (2024); City of Ann Arbor — Short-term rentals; City of Ann Arbor — Guide to short-term rentals.
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About 45 miles east: cheaper rentals under the same Michigan law, with Detroit's own rental certification and rent escrow rules.
About 65 miles northwest: a state-capital and college market with one of the same agents.
About 35 miles east, between Ann Arbor and Detroit, under the same Michigan law.
Questions investors ask about Ann Arbor
Who will I work with in Ann Arbor?
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We have two vetted partners who cover Ann Arbor. One has been licensed since 2013 and works Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Southeast Michigan; the other has 8+ years helping investors build rental portfolios across Ann Arbor, Jackson and Lansing, with a property management focus. We match you with the one that fits your deal.
Do rentals cash flow in Ann Arbor?
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Rarely at median prices. Typical rent is about 0.47% of typical home value a month, and Ann Arbor is the priciest of our Michigan markets. Investors buy here for stable, university-driven demand and long-term value. Ask your agent for Ypsilanti comps too.
Is Ann Arbor good for student rentals?
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Demand is steady because of the University of Michigan, but student rentals mean yearly turnover, more wear, and Ann Arbor's Right to Renew rules, which control when you can offer renewals and show units to new tenants. Budget for all three.
Can I run an Airbnb in Ann Arbor?
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Only in your own home if it's in a residential zone: the city licenses principal-residence STRs there, but investor-owned STRs are generally prohibited in residential districts unless they were operating before March 1, 2021. ADUs can't be STRs.
Do I need a rental certificate in Ann Arbor?
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Yes. You can't lease or even advertise a unit without a current Certificate of Compliance from Rental Housing Services, which inspects rentals on a roughly 30-month cycle.
Is Michigan landlord-friendly?
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Mostly. Deposits are capped at 1.5 months' rent, nonpayment cases start with a 7-day demand for possession, and cities can't impose rent control. Ann Arbor adds its own certification and leasing rules.
What does it cost to get matched with an Ann Arbor agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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