Real Estate Investing in Lapine, Alabama (36046)

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

Crenshaw County • Population: 1,427 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36046 (Lapine, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.1% 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 Lapine, AL (36046)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $154,780
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,289
% Renters 9.4%

Market Analysis: 36046 Lapine

ZIP 36046 in Lapine, AL carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $155K and rents of $810/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 36046 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $155K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 36046's metrics run below Crenshaw County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 36046 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 36046, 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 Lapine:

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 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Montgomery, AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.8%
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 Montgomery, AL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$159K$147K$135K$124K$112K$100KFeb 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36046 Compare?

Metric 36046 Lapine Montgomery, AL Alabama
Home Value $154,780 $154,780 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 3.4% 3.4% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $810 $810 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 36046? 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 36046 (Lapine, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Montgomery, AL metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
58%
Days Pending
1/2
59 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $154,780
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 15.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 7.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
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: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
11.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36046

Population: 1,427

💰 Median Household Income
$43,289
This area
$43,289
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.4%
This area
9.4%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.8 years
This area
37.8 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.2%
Black/African American 27.9%
Other/Mixed 7.9%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Lapine, AL?

Lapine, AL rentals go for roughly $810/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $155K acquisition costs.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Lapine, AL?

Tenant demand in Lapine, AL is solid. The local workforce $810/mo rents across most rental classes.

How tight is the rental market in Lapine, AL?

Vacancy risk in Lapine, AL is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is house hacking profitable in Lapine, AL?

House hacking works a challenging in Lapine, AL. Rents of $810/mo against $155K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How does Lapine, AL rate as a rental market?

Lapine, AL scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $155K and rents near $810/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

You know 36046 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 36046 ranks in Montgomery, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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