Deep Dive into Metro Detroit Ring Cities: Redford Twp

With 185 cities and 290 neighborhoods in the Detroit area, each with its own unique character and challenges, the rental market here is anything but straightforward.

But we love a challenge, so we’ve created this Deep Dive series to help out-of-state investors, first-timers, and seasoned landlords navigate the complexities of this market and uncover the next great rental investment opportunity.

Today, we’re exploring Redford Township—a Detroit suburb that’s become a favorite among rental property investors.

To kick things off, we’ll take you on a virtual tour of the area, showcasing its amenities and houses for sale right now:

If Redford catches your eye, keep reading for a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know before investing, including:

• Sale Trends
• Rent Trends
• Current Listings
• Tenant Demographics
• Neighborhood Livability
  …and more.

We’ll even highlight the best streets to focus your search on.

Ready? Let’s dive into Redford Township!

Overview

Redford Township is what we like to call a “Ring City.” Located just outside Detroit’s city limits, it borders the Brightmoor and Franklin Park neighborhoods to the northwest:

Source: Google Maps

Ring Cities like Redford and its neighbor Dearborn Heights hit the sweet spot for rental investors. Why? Because Detroit’s real estate market flips the usual urban-suburban pricing trend on its head. While properties in the city center are more affordable, suburban homes come with a higher price tag.

Redford Township sits perfectly in this “Goldilocks zone,” offering:

• - Affordable property prices
• - Strong rental demand
• - Fewer of the management headaches often tied to Detroit rentals

Here’s a quick overview to illustrate the appeal:

Redford is a solid Class B city where people tend to settle down—just look at the nearly 78% homeownership rate. This creates a high demand for rentals, making it a prime opportunity for investors.

The township is largely residential, ideal for families and professionals who want a quiet community with easy access to key destinations.

While nightlife seekers might prefer Dearborn Heights, Redford’s location is unbeatable for commuters. Downtown Detroit, the airport, and hotspots like Royal Oak are all within a 30-minute drive, thanks to major roadways like I-275, I-96, Route 24, and Route 5.

And buying property in Redford is 43% cheaper than in neighboring Livonia.

It’s no wonder this area is a favorite among rental investors.

Now, let’s dig into the numbers to uncover its full investment potential.

Property Prices and Rental Trends

Let’s start by examining how property values and rental rates in Redford Township have evolved over the years.

Sale Trends

As of June 2025, the average home value in Redford, MI stands at $176,411—a significant jump from $78,564 back in February 2017:

Source: Zillow

Looking for tailored advice on investment opportunities in Redford Township, Detroit, or across Michigan? for a free consultation!

Rent Trends

The last time we took a Deep Dive into Redford Township was five years ago, during the height of the Covid pandemic. At that time, rents, which had been climbing steadily since 2015, took a slight dip, bringing the average monthly rent to $1,050 in 2020.

Fast forward to today, and the average rent has risen to $1,500/month.

When you compare this to the average sale price of $115,889 in 2020, it’s clear that both rents and home values have seen healthy growth over the past five years:

Source: Zillow.com

For context, the average rent across the City of Detroit is currently $1,200/month. This highlights how Ring Cities like Redford often present stronger investment opportunities compared to Detroit proper.

Now, let’s dive into some specific investment opportunities and crunch the numbers!

Investment Opportunities in Redford, MI

Currently there are 107 houses on the market in Redford, but only 23 rentals:

So rentals are much lower in supply and higher in demand than sales.

Example Investment Properties

Let’s take a look at some real properties currently on the market in Redford and evaluate them from a rental investor’s perspective.

1. The Turnkey Rental

This 2-bedroom home has already been renovated to turnkey condition by a developer:

While there’s no room to add value through renovations, this 1,000-sq ft property is an excellent choice for first-time landlords or out-of-state investors who prefer a hassle-free option without the need for project management.

With a Zestimate monthly rent of $1,370, the rent-to-price ratio offers solid potential for cash flow:

• Purchase Price: $137,500 (based on the Zestimate)
• Repair Costs: $0
• After-Repair Value: $137,500
• Rent Zestimate: $1,370
• RTP Ratio: 0.99%

The numbers align so well that it’s likely this property was flipped by a developer specifically for landlord investors, ensuring it meets the 1% rule.

But if you’re looking for an opportunity to build equity alongside generating cash flow, here’s another option worth considering…

1. The Fixer-Upper

This 3-bedroom home, located on the north side of Redford near 7 Mile, is currently listed for $130,000:

With over 700 additional square feet compared to the turnkey example, this property offers more space—and more potential.

While it does need some renovations, the Zestimate of $160,900 (with an estimated sales range of $142,000 to $179,000) suggests there’s significant profit to be made here.

For investors willing to put in the effort to maximize this property’s value, here’s how the numbers could play out:

• Purchase Price: $130,000
• Repair Costs: $20,000
• After-Repair Value: $179,000
• Rent Zestimate: $1,615
• RTP Ratio: 1.08%

Whether you’re looking to flip it for a quick profit or use the BRRRR strategy (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) for long-term gains, this property has a lot of potential.

Here’s an original rewrite for your second website:

Area and Tenant Quality

Now that we’ve covered the numbers, let’s dive into what makes Redford an appealing place to live. Here, we’ll explore:

• - Housing Stock Quality
• - Tenant Quality
• - Area Development
• - Crime & Safety

Redford Township offers a charming, community-focused lifestyle, with over a dozen public parks and a variety of activities organized by the city’s Leisure Services, including:

• - Kids’ Art Classes
• - Soccer Programs
• - Pickleball Lessons
• - Senior Yoga
• - Bus Trips for Seniors
• And more!

This is a peaceful, family-friendly community with quiet residential streets, tree-lined sidewalks, and well-kept homes. It’s not uncommon to see kids shooting hoops in the driveway or neighbors chatting on their porches.

As a solidly Class B area, Redford is both affordable and desirable, making it a reliable choice for tenants—even during economic downturns.

Housing Stock

Redford’s homes are mostly mid-century bungalows, built around 1955, with brick or wood frames. They’re typically modest in size—about 1,000 square feet on lots under 5,000 square feet—making them affordable for investors, tenants, and first-time buyers alike.

With a homeownership rate of 77.8%, rentals are less common here, but the well-maintained streets and properties reflect the pride of ownership in this community.

Most homes don’t require major repairs, but if you’re eyeing a fixer-upper, watch for common issues in older properties, such as:

• - Outdated cast-iron plumbing
• - Asbestos in insulation or tiles
• - Lead-based paint
• - Structural wear and tear
• - Insufficient insulation
• - Aging systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical)

Be sure to have your home inspector check for these potential concerns to avoid surprises down the road.

Tenant Stock

What kind of tenants can you expect in Redford?

Here’s a quick overview:

With the general rule that “Rent = 3x monthly salary,” most Redford residents are well-positioned to pay rent reliably:

• Average Monthly Household Income: $5,587
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,500
• Income-to-Rent Ratio: 3.7x

Redford Township also boasts a cost of living that’s 17% lower than the national average, making it an appealing choice for middle-class families and professionals who commute to Downtown Detroit—just a 20-minute drive away.

In short, Redford is a solid Class B area that attracts Class B tenants and long-term homeowners. Its affordability, community-focused lifestyle, and proximity to the city ensure it remains a sought-after location, especially compared to pricier neighbors like Livonia.

Economic Development

Here’s a concise and original rewrite for your second website:

Redford’s Growth and Development

Metro Detroit is experiencing a surge of investment in housing, commercial spaces, and large-scale economic projects—many tied to the auto industry that put Motor City on the map.

Redford Township is no exception. Already home to Ford’s $45M Advanced Manufacturing Center, the area is seeing even more developments that solidify its role in the automotive sector:

• is investing $285M into its Redford facility, creating 436 new jobs. This site produces parts for zero-emission vehicles and internal combustion engines, and its expansion is likely to attract additional manufacturers to the area.
• construction began in 2024. This $6.5M project highlights the local government’s commitment to improving public services, funded by rising property tax revenues—a positive sign for investors.
• is undergoing a $28M rehabilitation to create 61 new studio, 1-bed, and 2-bed units. This project preserves a historic church while addressing the growing demand for affordable housing.

These developments signal a future for Redford with rising home values, improved amenities, and increasing demand—all great news for investors.

Crime and Safety

Redford Township is significantly safer than Metro Detroit as a whole. While crime rates in the City of Detroit often exceed national averages, Redford’s rates for robberies, thefts, and burglaries are all below the national average.

According to Niche, most residents describe the area as “pretty” or “very safe” and praise law enforcement for being “very visible and very responsive.”

That said, there is a slight east-west divide.

Crime heat maps show higher activity east of Beech-Daly compared to the quieter neighborhoods westward, closer to Livonia. However, even the eastern areas remain safer than most parts of Detroit—just something to keep in mind as you explore investment opportunities.

Investment Report Card

Let’s sum it all up and see how Redford stacks up.

We’ve created a standardized Report Card for every city we cover to help you evaluate and compare investment opportunities:

In short, Redford is a solid Class B+ neighborhood and a favorite among Metro Detroit rental investors for several reasons:

• - Cash Flow + Appreciation: Homes priced between $120K–$160K typically generate positive cash flow and continue to appreciate as demand grows.
• - Easy to Manage: Well-maintained housing stock with minimal repair needs and reliable tenants who pay on time.
• - Low Vacancy Rates: Strong demand from a solid Class B tenant pool and a limited supply of quality rentals.

That said, Redford isn’t as affordable as some other areas, like Harper Woods, where entry-level properties can still be found for under $100K. Here, you’ll need at least $120K for a 2-bedroom rental, but the investment will likely meet the 1% Rule, attract dependable tenants, and come with fewer management headaches compared to other Detroit locales.

Best Streets to Invest In:

There aren’t any “Streets to Avoid” in Redford (yay!), but here are some top picks for investment:

• - Kinloch Street & Surrounding Blocks: South of 5 Mile, near Redford’s “downtown” and the Western Golf & Country Club. These tree-lined streets feature well-kept bungalows that fit the 1% Rule with minimal work needed.
• - Knight, Puritan, etc.: Southeast of Glenhurst Golf Course, these streets (with no suffixes) are slightly more affordable, averaging around $160K.
• - Near Brady & Elmira Street: South of Detroit Memorial Park West, this area has larger brick bungalows (1,000–1,200 sq ft) closer to the $200K range. If you find a deal here, grab it!

This list isn’t exhaustive—Redford is a safe, desirable area overall. It’s just a matter of finding a street that fits your budget and a property that meets the 1% Rule.

That’s why Redford is one of our top recommendations for Metro Detroit Ring Cities to expand your rental portfolio.

Stay tuned for more Deep Dives into other Metro Detroit neighborhoods! Have a specific area in mind? Drop us a comment, and we’ll cover it in a future installment.

Ready to explore investment properties in Redford? for a list of available units!