Real Estate Investing in Birmingham, Alabama (35212)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 10,059 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35212 (Birmingham, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (81/100)

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
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 21.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -0.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 39.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.2% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Birmingham, AL (35212)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $121,059
Avg Monthly Rent $1,218
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $28,216
% Renters 57.7%

Market Analysis: 35212 Birmingham

Within Jefferson County, the 35212 ZIP comes in at a lower entry point around $121K. Put differently, operators who can improve stock here typically see outsized uplift.

In 35212, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. solid entry prices of $121K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

Comparing Birmingham submarkets, ZIP 35212 offers an entry cost that most surrounding neighborhoods have moved past. The healthy delta is the opportunity.

The resident base in 35212 runs younger and more tenure-renter than county averages. 58% of 10,059 households lease, which is the demand source for post-rehab rent lifts.

BRRRR is the most natural fit. Buy under $121K, rehab, refinance, and the capital recycles in a way turnkey markets cannot replicate.

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 Birmingham:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,218/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.3%
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 Birmingham-Hoover, AL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 35212

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$38,881/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $77,762 $1,020 9.4% +9.3% $38,881
3BR $123,176 $1,280 7.5% +3.2% $41,059
4BR $205,246 $1,430 5.0% +2.3% $51,311

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$151K$130K$110K$89K$68K$48KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,300$1,252$1,203$1,154$1,106$1,057Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35212 Compare?

Metric 35212 Birmingham Birmingham-Hoover, AL Alabama
Home Value $121,059 $172,809 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A 2.1% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,218 $1,275 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.9% 7.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 35212? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,218/mo on homes averaging $121,059 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

58% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 35212 (Birmingham, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Jefferson County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Signal Property Management serves Adamsville, Birmingham, Calera, East Lake, and Ensley, offering services for tenants and owners including rent payment and repair requests. 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
Excellent
Cap Rate
7.9%
Good
5yr Growth
-0.6%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $121,059
Monthly Rent $1,218
Price-to-Rent 8.3:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.1%
Cap Rate 7.9%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 7.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (7.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
21.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35212

Population: 10,059

💰 Median Household Income
$28,216
This area
$28,216
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
57.7%
This area
57.7%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.5%
This area
33.5%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.1 years
This area
33.1 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.2%
This area
21.2%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 69.9%
White 24.6%
Other/Mixed 4.4%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
31.3%
This area
31.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.5%
This area
11.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
39.2%
This area
39.2%
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 35212

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
20.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,947 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Oliver K5 School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
349 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,867 Per Student
B Good

i3 Academy Phase 1

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
420 Students
👨‍🏫
23.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,186 Per Student
B Good

Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
764 Students
👨‍🏫
21.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,867 Per Student
C Below Average

Dupuy Alternative School

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$15,867 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Crestline Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 3785 Jackson Blvd, Mountain Brook
👥
733 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,427 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mountain Brook Junior High School

📚 07 – 09 High School
📍 205 Overbrook Dr, Mountain Brook
👥
994 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,427 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cherokee Bend Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 4400 Fair Oaks Dr, Mountain Brook
👥
564 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,427 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Avondale Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4000 8th Ct S, Birmingham
👥
327 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,867 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hayes K8

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 505 43rd Street North, Birmingham
👥
672 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,867 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,604 Off-Campus Students
D
Strayer University-Alabama
1,596 students · 3.9 mi
C+
University of Alabama at Birmingham
21,160 students · 4.0 mi
C+
Birmingham-Southern College
731 students · 6.1 mi
C+
Samford University
5,791 students · 6.2 mi
D
Herzing University-Birmingham
448 students · 7.1 mi
C
Jefferson State Community College
8,839 students · 7.7 mi
D
Fortis Institute-Birmingham
339 students · 9.6 mi
C
Miles College
1,151 students · 10.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,604 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Birmingham, AL stack up for property investment?

Yes - Birmingham, AL a 4.0/5 investability score. With $121K home prices against $1,218/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Which investment style suits Birmingham, AL?

Investors usually favor value-add and BRRRR deals in Birmingham, AL. With home values at $121K and rents near $1,218/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

How do home values compare in Birmingham, AL?

In Birmingham, AL the median home value sits at $121K. Against the broader AL market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Are there BRRRR deals in Birmingham, AL?

Birmingham, AL BRRRR deals are a strong. With proper buy-side discipline, operators can recycle most of their capital post-refinance.

Where do rents currently stand in Birmingham, AL?

Investors in Birmingham, AL typically see rents near $1,218/mo per month against $121K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 35212 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35212 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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How 35212 ranks in Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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