Real Estate Investing in Athens, Alabama (35614)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 35614 (Athens, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 18.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Athens, AL (35614)?
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Market Analysis: 35614 Athens
From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 35614 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $257K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
The 35614 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Regionally, 35614 sits on the difficult end of the AL spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Resident income in 35614 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
seems to 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Athens:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 35614 Compare?
| Metric | 35614 | Athens | Huntsville, AL | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $256,607 | $286,388 | N/A | $231,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.0% | 3.8% | N/A | 5.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,116 | $1,427 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 35614 (Athens, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $256,607 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,116 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.2% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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.
Demographics in 35614
Population: 7,157
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 35614
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens, AL a good place for real estate investing?
Athens, AL posts an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $257K and average rents around $1,116/mo. That combination puts it in the durable tier for investor interest.
What type of investing works in Athens, AL?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Athens, AL best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $257K price point.
How much rent can I charge in Athens, AL?
Athens, AL rentals go for roughly $1,116/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $257K acquisition costs.
What is the renter demographic in Athens, AL?
Tenant quality in Athens, AL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $1,116/mo.
Is Athens, AL landlord-friendly?
AL law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Athens inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
You know 35614 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35614 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.
How 35614 ranks in Huntsville, AL
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