Real Estate Investing in Lester, Alabama (35647)

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

Limestone County • Population: 1,031 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35647 (Lester, 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
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Lester, AL (35647)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $251,521
Avg Monthly Rent $1,062
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $93,793
% Renters 4.2%

Market Analysis: 35647 Lester

The 35647 ZIP in Lester, AL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $252K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $252K asset, 35647 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 35647 among AL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 35647 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.

The 35647 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 Lester:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,062/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Huntsville, AL Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
57 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.7%
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 Huntsville, AL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$262K$258K$253K$249K$245K$241KJan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35647 Compare?

Metric 35647 Lester Huntsville, AL Alabama
Home Value $251,521 $251,521 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $1,062 $1,062 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% - -
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 35647 (Lester, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Huntsville, AL metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
52%
Days Pending
1/2
57 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $251,521
Monthly Rent $1,062
Price-to-Rent 19.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 5.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
9.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35647

Population: 1,031

💰 Median Household Income
$93,793
This area
$93,793
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.7%
This area
30.7%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.3 years
This area
32.3 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.0%
This area
9.0%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.7%
Black/African American 5.8%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
👶 Under 18
29.6%
This area
29.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
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 35647

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.5:1 Avg Class Size
$8,557 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Sugar Creek Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
625 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$8,557 Per Student
C+ Average

West Limestone High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
718 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$8,557 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

1 Nearby
C
Athens State University
2,955 students · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Lester, AL?

Investors in Lester, AL typically see rents near $1,062/mo per month against $252K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is it like being a landlord in Lester, AL?

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

What is the investability score for Lester, AL?

Lester, AL reflects an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $252K and average rents around $1,062/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Lester, AL?

Vacancy risk in Lester, AL is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does house hacking make sense in Lester, AL?

House hacking works a challenging in Lester, AL. Rents of $1,062/mo against $252K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

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How 35647 ranks in Huntsville, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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