Real Estate Investing in Cedar Bluff, Alabama (35959)

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

Cherokee • Population: 4,431 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 35959 (Cedar Bluff, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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: 43.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Cedar Bluff, AL (35959)?

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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 $246,892
Avg Monthly Rent $729
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,275
% Renters 22.7%

Market Analysis: 35959 Cedar Bluff

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Cedar Bluff's 35959 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $247K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 35959 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $247K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 35959's metrics run below Cherokee's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Turning to rents, 4,431 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 35959 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 Cedar Bluff:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $729/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$266K$230K$194K$158K$122K$86KFeb 2010May 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 35959 Compare?

Metric 35959 Cedar Bluff Alabama
Home Value $246,892 $246,892 $231,003
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% 5.6%
Avg Rent $729 $729 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 35959? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 35959 (Cedar Bluff, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $246,892
Monthly Rent $729
Price-to-Rent 28.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 6.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
43.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 35959

Population: 4,431

💰 Median Household Income
$41,275
This area
$41,275
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.7%
This area
22.7%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.7%
This area
14.7%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.5 years
This area
53.5 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
43.9%
This area
43.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.6%
Other/Mixed 4.2%
Black/African American 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.7%
This area
27.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.3%
This area
10.3%
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 35959

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
18.4:1 Avg Class Size
$13,755 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Cedar Bluff High School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
623 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,755 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

Is Cedar Bluff, AL a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Cedar Bluff, AL reflects its $247K prices and $729/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within AL.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Cedar Bluff, AL?

The renter base in Cedar Bluff, AL is reasonable for the $729/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Cedar Bluff, AL?

Expect elevated vacancy in Cedar Bluff, AL. Rents at $729/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How do home values compare in Cedar Bluff, AL?

In Cedar Bluff, AL the median home value sits at $247K. Against the broader AL market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What approach is best for Cedar Bluff, AL real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Cedar Bluff, AL. The numbers - $247K homes against $729/mo rents - support that play.

You know 35959 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 35959 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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