Real Estate Investing in Linden, Alabama (36748)

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

Marengo • Population: 2,358 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 36748 (Linden, AL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 28.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -0.3% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Linden, AL (36748)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $106,525
Avg Monthly Rent $729
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,149
% Renters 35.1%

Market Analysis: 36748 Linden

ZIP 36748 inside Marengo looks affordable on the surface — median value of $107K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $107K asset, 36748 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader AL picture, 36748 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 36748 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 36748 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Linden:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.9%)
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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$132K$123K$115K$106K$98K$89KMay 2014Jun 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 36748 Compare?

Metric 36748 Linden Alabama
Home Value $106,525 $106,525 $231,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.6%
Avg Rent $729 $729 -
Cap Rate 5.3% 5.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 36748? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 35% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 36748 (Linden, AL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
-0.3%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $106,525
Monthly Rent $729
Price-to-Rent 12.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.2%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 5.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.3% ▼
10-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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
28.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 36748

Population: 2,358

💰 Median Household Income
$46,149
This area
$46,149
State
$56,875
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.1%
This area
35.1%
State
24.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-24.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
-11.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.2 years
This area
51.2 years
State
-0.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
28.9%
This area
28.9%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 62.6%
Black/African American 35.7%
Asian 0.9%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
👶 Under 18
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.3%
This area
22.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 36748

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,489 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Linden High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
126 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,489 Per Student
A Very Good

Linden Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
202 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,489 Per Student
B+ Above Average

George P Austin Junior High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
78 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,489 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

Does house hacking work in Linden, AL?

For house hackers, Linden, AL is a challenging. The $729/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $107K property.

Which real estate strategy fits Linden, AL?

Linden, AL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($107K prices, $729/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What do rentals go for in Linden, AL?

Rents in Linden, AL run near $729/mo. Compared with median home prices of $107K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is Linden, AL good for landlords?

Linden, AL operates under AL law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Are homes affordable in Linden, AL?

Expect median prices around $107K in Linden, AL. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

You know 36748 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 36748 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.

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