Real Estate Investing in Sugar Tree, Tennessee (38380)

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

Decatur County • Population: 450 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38380 (Sugar Tree, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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: 69.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Sugar Tree, TN (38380)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $175,703
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,042
% Renters 7.5%

Market Analysis: 38380 Sugar Tree

ZIP 38380 inside Decatur County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $176K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 38380 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $176K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within TN, ZIP 38380 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Decatur County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 38380 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Sugar Tree:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/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)

$183K$162K$141K$121K$100K$79KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38380 Compare?

Metric 38380 Sugar Tree Tennessee
Home Value $175,703 $175,703 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 3.5% 3.5% 7.7%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 38380? 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 38380 (Sugar Tree, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $175,703
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 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
69.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38380

Population: 450

💰 Median Household Income
$51,042
This area
$51,042
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.5%
This area
7.5%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.0 years
This area
59.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
69.7%
This area
69.7%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.7%
Other/Mixed 10.3%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
42.4%
This area
42.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.2%
This area
12.2%
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

How expensive is real estate in Sugar Tree, TN?

The median home value in Sugar Tree, TN is roughly $176K. That puts it reasonable relative to the TN statewide average.

What is the tenant pool like in Sugar Tree, TN?

The tenant pool in Sugar Tree, TN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $846/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Sugar Tree, TN a good place for real estate investing?

Sugar Tree, TN posts an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $176K and average rents around $846/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Sugar Tree, TN?

Average rent in Sugar Tree, TN is approximately $846/mo per month. Against $176K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Sugar Tree, TN?

Sugar Tree, TN falls under TN landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

You know 38380 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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