Real Estate Investing in Piney Flats, Tennessee (37686)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 37686 (Piney Flats, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.4 — 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 Piney Flats, TN (37686)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 37686 Piney Flats
The 37686 ZIP covers a section of Piney Flats that demands careful diligence. Prices near $392K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Rent of $1,287/mo on a $392K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 37686 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Stepping back, 37686 offers a low basis, the region around Piney Flats has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
The demographic picture in 37686 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Piney Flats averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Strategically, 37686 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Piney Flats:
Property Strategy for 37686
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $263,566 | $1,430 | 3.9% | +10.6% | $131,783 |
| 3BR | $390,214 | $1,830 | 3.4% | +10.7% | $130,071 |
| 4BR | $510,254 | $2,010 | 2.8% | +11.0% | $127,563 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 37686 Compare?
| Metric | 37686 | Piney Flats | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $392,248 | $392,248 | $327,001 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,287 | $1,287 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 2.6% | - |
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 37686 (Piney Flats, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 37686 (Piney Flats, TN)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $392,248 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,287 |
| Price-to-Rent | 25.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.9% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.6%). 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 37686
Population: 9,149
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 37686
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 4,709 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of tenants rent in Piney Flats, TN?
Piney Flats, TN offers a steady renter base at the $1,287/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
How strict are landlord regulations in Piney Flats, TN?
Rental owners in Piney Flats, TN deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
What is the median home value in Piney Flats, TN?
Typical homes in Piney Flats, TN go for around $392K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.
Where do rents currently stand in Piney Flats, TN?
Investors in Piney Flats, TN typically see rents near $1,287/mo per month against $392K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Piney Flats, TN?
For house hackers, Piney Flats, TN is a challenging. The $1,287/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $392K property.
You know 37686 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 37686 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 37686 ranks in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 37686 (Piney Flats)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 37686 (Piney Flats, TN).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.