Real Estate Investing in Dauphin Island, Alabama (36528)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 36528 (Dauphin Island, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 63.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
- 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 Dauphin Island, AL (36528)?
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Market Analysis: 36528 Dauphin Island
ZIP 36528 in Dauphin Island, AL carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $467K and rents of $1,332/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 36528 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Regionally, 36528 sits on the difficult end of the AL spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
The demographic picture in 36528 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Dauphin Island averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
The right play in 36528 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Dauphin Island:
Property Strategy for 36528
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $342,948 | $1,480 | 3.1% | +7.0% | $171,474 |
| 3BR | $468,444 | $1,930 | 3.0% | +8.0% | $156,148 |
| 4BR | $653,725 | $1,970 | 2.2% | +7.6% | $163,431 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 36528 Compare?
| Metric | 36528 | Dauphin Island | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $467,293 | $467,293 | $231,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,332 | $1,332 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36528 (Dauphin Island, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $467,293 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,332 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.9% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
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.
Demographics in 36528
Population: 1,944
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 36528
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Are there empty rentals in Dauphin Island, AL?
Vacancy risk in Dauphin Island, AL is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.
What is the renter demographic in Dauphin Island, AL?
The renter base in Dauphin Island, AL is reasonable for the $1,332/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.
What is the investability score for Dauphin Island, AL?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Dauphin Island, AL reflects its $467K prices and $1,332/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within AL.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Dauphin Island, AL?
House hacking works a challenging in Dauphin Island, AL. Rents of $1,332/mo against $467K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
Which real estate strategy fits Dauphin Island, AL?
Dauphin Island, AL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($467K prices, $1,332/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
You know 36528 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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