Real Estate Investing in Wauchula, Florida (33873)

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

Hardee County • Population: 14,162 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 33873 (Wauchula, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 13.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Wauchula, FL (33873)?

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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 $239,289
Avg Monthly Rent $1,125
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $40,625
% Renters 35.6%

Market Analysis: 33873 Wauchula

The 33873 ZIP covers a section of Wauchula that demands careful diligence. Prices near $239K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 33873 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $239K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Regionally, 33873 sits on the difficult end of the FL spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 33873 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Wauchula:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,125/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Wauchula, FL Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.4%
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 Wauchula, FL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 33873

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$74,819/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $149,638 $1,250 6.0% +11.5% $74,819
3BR $241,413 $1,690 5.0% +10.6% $80,471
4BR $317,464 $2,100 4.8% +10.7% $79,366

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$253K$215K$178K$140K$102K$64KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 33873 Compare?

Metric 33873 Wauchula Wauchula, FL Florida
Home Value $239,289 $239,289 N/A $374,697
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,125 $1,125 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 33873? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 33873 (Wauchula, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Wauchula, FL metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $239,289
Monthly Rent $1,125
Price-to-Rent 17.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
13.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 33873

Population: 14,162

💰 Median Household Income
$40,625
This area
$40,625
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.6%
This area
35.6%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.7%
This area
9.7%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.3 years
This area
35.3 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.7%
This area
13.7%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 69.8%
Other/Mixed 23.6%
Hispanic/Latino 19.1%
Black/African American 5.6%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
26.7%
This area
26.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.9%
This area
21.9%
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

🎓 Schools in 33873

C+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
20.9:1 Avg Class Size
$11,569 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
545 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
572 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
B Good

HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
264 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
B Good

HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
1,089 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
C+ Average

HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,335 Students
👨‍🏫
20.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
C+ Average

HARDEE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$11,569 Per Student
C+ Average

HARDEE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED)

📚 K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$11,569 Per Student
C Below Average

HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
35 Students
💰
$11,569 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
44 Students
👨‍🏫
44.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,569 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Wauchula, FL?

Median home price in Wauchula, FL is near $239K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is Wauchula, FL a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Wauchula, FL a 3.0/5 investability score. With $239K home prices against $1,125/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Are renters plentiful in Wauchula, FL?

Wauchula, FL draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,125/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is FL a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Wauchula, FL is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What does house hacking look like in Wauchula, FL?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Wauchula, FL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 33873 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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