Real Estate Investing in Bell Buckle, Tennessee (37020)

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

Bedford County • Population: 5,171 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 37020 (Bell Buckle, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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 price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.0 — 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 Bell Buckle, TN (37020)?

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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 $426,151
Avg Monthly Rent $1,224
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,654
% Renters 7.4%

Market Analysis: 37020 Bell Buckle

This part of Bedford County is not an easy win. The 37020 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 37020 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $426K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader TN picture, 37020 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 37020 ZIP's population of 5,171 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 37020, 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 Bell Buckle:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,224/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Shelbyville, TN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.1%
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 Shelbyville, TN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 37020

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$126,230/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $383,849 $1,810 3.4% +9.4% $127,950
4BR $504,922 $2,130 3.0% +9.9% $126,230

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$453K$386K$318K$250K$182K$115KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 37020 Compare?

Metric 37020 Bell Buckle Shelbyville, TN Tennessee
Home Value $426,151 $426,151 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,224 $1,224 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 37020? 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 37020 (Bell Buckle, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Shelbyville, TN metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
61%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $426,151
Monthly Rent $1,224
Price-to-Rent 29.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.1% ▲

🏠 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
3.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 37020

Population: 5,171

💰 Median Household Income
$73,654
This area
$73,654
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.4%
This area
7.4%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.2%
This area
26.2%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.9 years
This area
38.9 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.7%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Black/African American 4.4%
Asian 3.4%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
👶 Under 18
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.8%
This area
12.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 251 Off-Campus Students
C+
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
544 students · 9.7 mi
C
Allied Health Careers Institute
47 students · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there empty rentals in Bell Buckle, TN?

Vacancy risk in Bell Buckle, TN is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

What is the average home sale price in Bell Buckle, TN?

Bell Buckle, TN median home values land near $426K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,224/mo-per-month rentals.

Does Bell Buckle, TN make sense for an investment property?

Bell Buckle, TN comes in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $426K and average rents around $1,224/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

Are tenants stable in Bell Buckle, TN?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Bell Buckle, TN. The rental market absorbs $1,224/mo rents without meaningful friction.

How much rent can I charge in Bell Buckle, TN?

Average rent in Bell Buckle, TN is approximately $1,224/mo per month. Against $426K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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