Real Estate Investing in Hortense, Georgia (31543)

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

Brantley County • Population: 4,914 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 31543 (Hortense, GA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 25.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.4% CAGR).
  • Lower household income: $36,648 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Hortense, GA (31543)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $180,784
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $36,648
% Renters 14.1%

Market Analysis: 31543 Hortense

ZIP 31543 in Hortense, GA carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $181K and rents of $1,026/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 31543 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $181K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

On the rental side, 31543 offers a low basis, the region around Hortense has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 31543 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Hortense averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 31543, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Hortense:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Brunswick, GA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
81 days
Average time to sell
Slow
5.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Brunswick, GA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$202K$183K$164K$145K$126K$107KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 31543 Compare?

Metric 31543 Hortense Brunswick, GA Georgia
Home Value $180,784 $180,784 N/A $329,538
5-Year CAGR 0.4% 0.4% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,026 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 31543? 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 31543 (Hortense, GA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+0.4%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Brunswick, GA metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
74%
Days Pending
2/2
81 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $180,784
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 14.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 4.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 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
25.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 31543

Population: 4,914

💰 Median Household Income
$36,648
This area
$36,648
State
$64,001
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-18.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.8%
This area
11.8%
State
-3.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.4 years
This area
43.4 years
State
10.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
15.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.4%
Black/African American 7.8%
Other/Mixed 3.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
👶 Under 18
22.3%
This area
22.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.7%
This area
22.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.3%
This area
16.3%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Hortense, GA?

Rents in Hortense, GA run near $1,026/mo. Compared with median home prices of $181K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is the tenant base reliable in Hortense, GA?

The renter base in Hortense, GA is reasonable for the $1,026/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.

How should investors approach Hortense, GA?

Most investors in Hortense, GA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Hortense, GA?

Hortense, GA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Where do home prices stand in Hortense, GA?

Hortense, GA home values average about $181K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,026/mo in monthly income.

You know 31543 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 31543 ranks in Brunswick, GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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