Real Estate Investing in Lillian, Alabama (36549)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 36549 (Lillian, 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: 15.7% 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 Lillian, AL (36549)?
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Market Analysis: 36549 Lillian
The 36549 ZIP covers a section of Lillian that demands careful diligence. Prices near $311K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Rent of $1,197/mo on a $311K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 36549 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Statewide comparisons place 36549 among AL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Employment concentration in 36549 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
New investors are better served looking at Lillian's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 36549. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lillian:
Property Strategy for 36549
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $234,460 | $1,330 | 4.1% | +9.5% | $117,230 |
| 3BR | $310,008 | $1,720 | 4.0% | +8.9% | $103,336 |
| 4BR | $349,450 | $2,150 | 4.4% | +8.6% | $87,362 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 36549 Compare?
| Metric | 36549 | Lillian | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $310,562 | $310,562 | N/A | $231,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.3% | 5.3% | N/A | 5.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,197 | $1,197 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% | 3.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 36549 (Lillian, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $310,562 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,197 |
| Price-to-Rent | 21.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.6% |
| Cap Rate | 3.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.7% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.0%). 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 36549
Population: 6,152
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
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 652 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lillian, AL rate as a rental market?
Investors tracking Lillian, AL will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $311K median home values and $1,197/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.
Is vacancy a concern in Lillian, AL?
Lillian, AL vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Lillian, AL?
Landlord-friendliness in Lillian, AL is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
What does house hacking look like in Lillian, AL?
House hacking in Lillian, AL is reasonable to execute. Prices around $311K and rents of $1,197/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
What is the typical rental rate in Lillian, AL?
Expect rents around $1,197/mo per month in Lillian, AL. With home values at $311K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
You know 36549 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36549 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.
How 36549 ranks in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL
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