Real Estate Investing in Kathleen, Florida (33849)

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

Polk • Population: 736 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 33849 (Kathleen, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 27.0% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Kathleen, FL (33849)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $398,930
Avg Monthly Rent $1,395
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,646
% Renters 24.0%

Market Analysis: 33849 Kathleen

The 33849 ZIP covers a section of Kathleen that demands careful diligence. Prices near $399K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 33849 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $399K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Kathleen have seen price recovery that 33849 has not matched. Polk data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 33849 ZIP's population of 736 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 33849 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.

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 Kathleen:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,395/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$422K$359K$296K$233K$170K$107KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 33849 Compare?

Metric 33849 Kathleen Florida
Home Value $398,930 $398,930 $374,697
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,395 $1,395 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 33849? 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 33849 (Kathleen, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Polk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

All County Polk is a full-service residential property management company in Lakeland, FL, serving Lakeland and surrounding areas in Polk County. summary from their website

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Paragon Property Services, LLC offers full-service home inspection services in Central Florida, including Lake, Sumter, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Volusia, and Cit summary from their website

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PMI Arrico Realty and Property Management offers residential property management, investment services, and real estate services in Lakeland, FL. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $398,930
Monthly Rent $1,395
Price-to-Rent 23.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
10.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 33849

Population: 736

💰 Median Household Income
$53,646
This area
$53,646
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.1 years
This area
44.1 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.9%
This area
10.9%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.6%
Hispanic/Latino 14.4%
Other/Mixed 14.4%
👶 Under 18
13.9%
This area
13.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
27.0%
This area
27.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

5 Nearby 260 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Lakeland
132 students · 9.7 mi
C
Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
192 students · 13.6 mi
C
Saint Leo University
10,231 students · 13.9 mi
C+
Florida Polytechnic University
1,618 students · 14.6 mi
C+
Florida Southern College
3,194 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the renter demographic in Kathleen, FL?

Kathleen, FL draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,395/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Does Kathleen, FL make sense for an investment property?

Kathleen, FL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $399K and rents near $1,395/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How expensive is real estate in Kathleen, FL?

Kathleen, FL home values average about $399K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,395/mo in monthly income.

Is Kathleen, FL landlord-friendly?

Kathleen, FL falls under FL landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What do landlords charge for rent in Kathleen, FL?

Rents in Kathleen, FL run near $1,395/mo. Compared with median home prices of $399K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

You know 33849 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 33849 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.

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