Real Estate Investing in Mason, Tennessee (38049)

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

Fayette • Population: 4,319 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38049 (Mason, 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: 14.2% 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 Mason, TN (38049)?

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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 $235,328
Avg Monthly Rent $963
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,658
% Renters 30.5%

Market Analysis: 38049 Mason

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Mason's 38049 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $235K pricing implies.

Rent of $963/mo on a $235K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 38049 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 38049's metrics run below Fayette's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

From an investor standpoint, 4,319 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategy in 38049 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $235K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Mason:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $963/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$249K$214K$180K$145K$110K$76KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38049 Compare?

Metric 38049 Mason Tennessee
Home Value $235,328 $235,328 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 7.7%
Avg Rent $963 $963 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 38049? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38049 (Mason, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $235,328
Monthly Rent $963
Price-to-Rent 20.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
14.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38049

Population: 4,319

💰 Median Household Income
$55,658
This area
$55,658
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.5%
This area
30.5%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.2%
This area
14.2%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 51.1%
White 43.0%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.7%
This area
16.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical home price in Mason, TN?

In Mason, TN the median home value sits at $235K. Against the broader TN market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is TN a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Mason, TN is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Mason, TN?

Mason, TN is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $235K price point reasonable to enter.

How much do tenants pay in Mason, TN?

Expect rents around $963/mo per month in Mason, TN. With home values at $235K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Is real estate in Mason, TN a good investment right now?

Mason, TN scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $235K and rents near $963/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

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