Real Estate Investing in Hartford, Alabama (36344)

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

Geneva County • Population: 5,345 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36344 (Hartford, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.0% 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 Hartford, AL (36344)?

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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 $179,018
Avg Monthly Rent $765
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,566
% Renters 25.6%

Market Analysis: 36344 Hartford

ZIP 36344 in Hartford, AL carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $179K and rents of $765/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $179K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 36344 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within AL, ZIP 36344 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Geneva County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

On balance, 5,345 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 36344, 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 Hartford:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $765/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
Dothan, AL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
56 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.0%
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 Dothan, AL metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$185K$168K$152K$136K$120K$104KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36344 Compare?

Metric 36344 Hartford Dothan, AL Alabama
Home Value $179,018 $179,018 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 4.7% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $765 $765 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 36344? 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 →
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 36344 (Hartford, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Dothan, AL metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
73%
Days Pending
1/2
56 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $179,018
Monthly Rent $765
Price-to-Rent 19.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 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
18.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36344

Population: 5,345

💰 Median Household Income
$53,566
This area
$53,566
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.6%
This area
25.6%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.4%
This area
0.4%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.5 years
This area
37.5 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.1%
Other/Mixed 15.2%
Black/African American 13.7%
Hispanic/Latino 10.1%
👶 Under 18
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
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 36344

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
16.7:1 Avg Class Size
$13,787 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Geneva County Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
475 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,787 Per Student
B Good

Geneva County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
232 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,787 Per Student
B Good

Geneva County Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
178 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,787 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

What investment strategy works best in Hartford, AL?

Most investors in Hartford, AL run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is the average home sale price in Hartford, AL?

Expect median prices around $179K in Hartford, AL. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

What do landlords charge for rent in Hartford, AL?

Expect rents around $765/mo per month in Hartford, AL. With home values at $179K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How landlord-friendly is Hartford, AL?

The landlord environment in Hartford, AL is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Does Hartford, AL make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Hartford, AL reflects its $179K prices and $765/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within AL.

You know 36344 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 36344 ranks in Dothan, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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