Real Estate Investing in Tellico Plains, Tennessee (37385)

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

Monroe County • Population: 8,610 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 37385 (Tellico Plains, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 27.3% 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 Tellico Plains, TN (37385)?

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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 $254,697
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,827
% Renters 15.7%

Market Analysis: 37385 Tellico Plains

The 37385 ZIP covers a section of Tellico Plains that demands careful diligence. Prices near $255K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 37385 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $255K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 37385 among TN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 37385 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 37385, 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 Tellico Plains:

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 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 37385

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+12.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$104,482/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $259,742 $1,090 3.0% +11.9% $129,871
3BR $313,446 $1,430 3.3% +12.1% $104,482

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$273K$234K$195K$156K$116K$77KSep 2009Mar 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 37385 Compare?

Metric 37385 Tellico Plains Tennessee
Home Value $254,697 $254,697 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% 7.7%
Avg Rent $981 $981 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 37385? 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 37385 (Tellico Plains, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $254,697
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
27.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 37385

Population: 8,610

💰 Median Household Income
$58,827
This area
$58,827
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.3%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Hispanic/Latino 5.0%
Asian 0.8%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.1%
This area
13.1%
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 37385

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
16.4:1 Avg Class Size
$11,870 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Coker Creek Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
54 Students
👨‍🏫
7.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

Tellico Plains Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
334 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

Tellico Plains High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
C+ Average

Tellico Plains Junior High School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
263 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
C+ Average

Rural Vale Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
22.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 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

Is Tellico Plains, TN a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Tellico Plains, TN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $255K home prices against $981/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Does Tellico Plains, TN favor landlords or tenants?

Tellico Plains, TN operates under TN law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the best play in Tellico Plains, TN?

For Tellico Plains, TN, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Are there empty rentals in Tellico Plains, TN?

Vacancy in Tellico Plains, TN is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $981/mo.

Is Tellico Plains, TN a good market for FHA house hackers?

Tellico Plains, TN is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $255K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 37385 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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