Real Estate Investing in Bells, Tennessee (38006)

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

Crockett County • Population: 5,375 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38006 (Bells, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Bells, TN (38006)?

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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 $213,366
Avg Monthly Rent $1,035
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,823
% Renters 35.3%

Market Analysis: 38006 Bells

The 38006 ZIP covers a section of Bells that demands careful diligence. Prices near $213K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,035/mo on a $213K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 38006 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Looking more closely, 38006 offers a low basis, the region around Bells has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 38006 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 38006 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 Bells:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,035/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Jackson, TN Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
64 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.9%
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 Jackson, TN metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$223K$196K$168K$140K$113K$85KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38006 Compare?

Metric 38006 Bells Jackson, TN Tennessee
Home Value $213,366 $213,366 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,035 $1,035 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 38006? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38006 (Bells, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Jackson, TN metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
64%
Days Pending
2/2
64 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $213,366
Monthly Rent $1,035
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
9.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38006

Population: 5,375

💰 Median Household Income
$62,823
This area
$62,823
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.3%
This area
35.3%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.2%
This area
9.2%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.1%
Other/Mixed 13.6%
Black/African American 11.2%
Hispanic/Latino 10.6%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.7%
This area
16.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.9%
This area
18.9%
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

🎓 Schools in 38006

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$11,084 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Bells Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
411 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,084 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 2,427 Off-Campus Students
B
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
2,427 students · 11.7 mi
B
Union University
2,674 students · 13.5 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Jackson
44 students · 14.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,427 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Bells, TN?

Typical homes in Bells, TN go for around $213K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Bells, TN?

Rental vacancy in Bells, TN is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How should investors approach Bells, TN?

In Bells, TN the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $213K prices and $1,035/mo rents suits that approach.

Is rental property easy to operate in Bells, TN?

The landlord environment in Bells, TN is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Bells, TN?

Rental rates in Bells, TN average $1,035/mo. Tenant demand and $213K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

You know 38006 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 38006 ranks in Jackson, TN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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