Real Estate Investing in Rockford, Tennessee (37853)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 37853 (Rockford, TN)? 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: 12.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.8 — 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 Rockford, TN (37853)?
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Market Analysis: 37853 Rockford
This part of Blount County is not an easy win. The 37853 ZIP comes in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
For an experienced owner, 37853 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $344K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
In the broader TN picture, 37853 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
Resident income in 37853 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 37853, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Rockford:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 37853 Compare?
| Metric | 37853 | Rockford | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $344,490 | $344,490 | N/A | $327,001 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.0% | 7.0% | N/A | 7.7% |
| Avg Rent | $963 | $963 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 37853 (Rockford, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $344,490 |
| Monthly Rent | $963 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.2% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.2%). 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.
Demographics in 37853
Population: 3,533
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 37853
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 798 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is real estate in Rockford, TN?
Homes in Rockford, TN typically sell near $344K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which steady long-term demand.
Is the tenant base reliable in Rockford, TN?
Rockford, TN offers a stable renter base at the $963/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
What is the typical rental rate in Rockford, TN?
Expect rents around $963/mo per month in Rockford, TN. With home values at $344K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
What approach is best for Rockford, TN real estate?
For Rockford, TN, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
What kind of market is Rockford, TN for investors?
Rockford, TN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $344K and rents near $963/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
You know 37853 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 37853 ranks in Knoxville, TN
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