Real Estate Investing in Newton, Alabama (36352)

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

Houston County • Population: 5,762 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36352 (Newton, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.2 — 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 Newton, AL (36352)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $255,647
Avg Monthly Rent $729
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,429
% Renters 15.6%

Market Analysis: 36352 Newton

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Newton's 36352 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $256K pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 36352 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

On balance, 36352 offers a low basis, the region around Newton has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 36352 ZIP's population of 5,762 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 36352 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $256K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Newton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
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: 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
🏠

Property Strategy for 36352

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$79,067/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $237,202 $1,110 3.4% +8.3% $79,067
4BR $346,752 $1,260 2.6% +6.6% $86,688

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$269K$238K$207K$175K$144K$113KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36352 Compare?

Metric 36352 Newton Dothan, AL Alabama
Home Value $255,647 $255,647 N/A $231,003
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $729 $729 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 36352? 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 36352 (Newton, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📉 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 $255,647
Monthly Rent $729
Price-to-Rent 29.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
11.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36352

Population: 5,762

💰 Median Household Income
$69,429
This area
$69,429
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.6%
This area
17.6%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.6 years
This area
41.6 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.8%
Black/African American 5.9%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
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 36352

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
18.7:1 Avg Class Size
$11,944 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Newton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
282 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,895 Per Student
B Good

Wicksburg High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,627 Per Student
B Good

Wicksburg Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
619 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,627 Per Student
C+ Average

Houston County Virtual Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
232 Students
👨‍🏫
25.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,627 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

3 Nearby 1,374 Off-Campus Students
C
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
4,010 students · 9.8 mi
C
Enterprise State Community College
2,248 students · 13.3 mi
D
Fortis College-Dothan
154 students · 14.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,374 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of investing works in Newton, AL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Newton, AL best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $256K price point.

What kind of tenants rent in Newton, AL?

Tenant quality in Newton, AL ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $729/mo.

What is the typical home price in Newton, AL?

In Newton, AL the median home value sits at $256K. Against the broader AL market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is Newton, AL a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Newton, AL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How does Newton, AL rate as a rental market?

Newton, AL rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $256K and rents near $729/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 36352 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 36352 ranks in Dothan, AL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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