Real Estate Investing in Red Bay, Alabama (35582)

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

Franklin County • Population: 4,507 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35582 (Red Bay, 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
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: 18.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Lower household income: $37,991 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 Red Bay, AL (35582)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $164,752
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $37,991
% Renters 34.1%

Market Analysis: 35582 Red Bay

ZIP 35582 in Red Bay, AL carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $165K and rents of $792/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 35582 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 35582 and stronger Red Bay ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

A healthy renter share of 34% in 35582 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 35582, 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 Red Bay:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$180K$161K$142K$123K$104K$85KAug 2014Aug 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35582 Compare?

Metric 35582 Red Bay Alabama
Home Value $164,752 $164,752 $231,003
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% 5.6%
Avg Rent $792 $792 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 35582? 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 35582 (Red Bay, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $164,752
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 7.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
18.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35582

Population: 4,507

💰 Median Household Income
$37,991
This area
$37,991
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.1%
This area
34.1%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.6%
This area
22.6%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.1%
This area
18.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.9%
Other/Mixed 6.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.8%
This area
18.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 35582

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$14,043 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Red Bay Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
432 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Red Bay High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
337 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,043 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 do landlord-tenant laws work in Red Bay, AL?

AL ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Red Bay generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is house hacking profitable in Red Bay, AL?

House hacking in Red Bay, AL is reasonable to execute. Prices around $165K and rents of $792/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Is housing expensive in Red Bay, AL?

Red Bay, AL home values average about $165K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $792/mo in monthly income.

What is the smart move for investors in Red Bay, AL?

In Red Bay, AL the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $165K prices and $792/mo rents suits that approach.

How deep is the rental pool in Red Bay, AL?

The tenant pool in Red Bay, AL is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $792/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 35582 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35582 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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