Real Estate Investing in Wilder, Tennessee (38589)

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

Fentress County • Population: 476 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38589 (Wilder, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• 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 Wilder, TN (38589)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $231,995
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,750
% Renters 3.7%

Market Analysis: 38589 Wilder

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Wilder's 38589 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $232K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $232K asset, 38589 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 38589 among TN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 38589 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Wilder averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 38589 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Wilder:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Cookeville, TN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.5%
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 Cookeville, TN metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$244K$235K$227K$218K$210K$201KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38589 Compare?

Metric 38589 Wilder Cookeville, TN Tennessee
Home Value $231,995 $231,995 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $837 $837 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38589 (Wilder, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Cookeville, TN metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
3/3
76%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $231,995
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
8.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38589

Population: 476

💰 Median Household Income
$52,750
This area
$52,750
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.6 years
This area
52.6 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
10.9%
This area
10.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.5%
This area
35.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 does Wilder, TN stack up for property investment?

Yes - Wilder, TN a 2.0/5 investability score. With $232K home prices against $837/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the typical renter like in Wilder, TN?

Tenant quality in Wilder, TN ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $837/mo.

What are rental rates like in Wilder, TN?

Average rent in Wilder, TN is approximately $837/mo per month. Against $232K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is Wilder, TN a good market for FHA house hackers?

Wilder, TN is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $232K price point reasonable to enter.

Are there empty rentals in Wilder, TN?

Vacancy in Wilder, TN is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $837/mo.

You know 38589 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 38589 ranks in Cookeville, TN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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