Real Estate Investing in Lily, Kentucky (40740)

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

Laurel County • Population: 3,954 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40740 (Lily, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (84/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
2 flags
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 5.1% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Lily, KY (40740)?

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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 $158,214
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,260
% Renters 43.8%

Market Analysis: 40740 Lily

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Lily's 40740 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $158K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $158K asset, 40740 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Lily have seen price recovery that 40740 has not matched. Laurel County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 40740 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 40740 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Lily:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $783/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
London, KY Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
82 days
Average time to sell
Slow
10.8%
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 London, KY metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$175K$154K$133K$113K$92K$72KMay 2013Dec 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40740 Compare?

Metric 40740 Lily London, KY Kentucky
Home Value $158,214 $158,214 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 40740? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 44% 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 40740 (Lily, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on London, KY metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
73%
Days Pending
2/2
82 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $158,214
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -5.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
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: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
2.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40740

Population: 3,954

💰 Median Household Income
$58,260
This area
$58,260
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.8%
This area
43.8%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.2 years
This area
39.2 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.8%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
👶 Under 18
28.1%
This area
28.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
7.6%
This area
7.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.2%
This area
20.2%
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

🎓 Schools in 40740

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

Sublimity Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 900 Sublimity School Rd, London
👥
301 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,285 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2330 KEAVY ROAD, London
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,285 Per Student
B Good

Camp Ground Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 6800 Barbourville Rd, London
👥
312 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,285 Per Student
B Good

South Laurel Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 223 S Laurel Rd, London
👥
904 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,285 Per Student
C+ Average

McDaniel Learning Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 275 South Laurel Rd., London
👥
37 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,285 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

1 Nearby
C
Union College
1,129 students · 13.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lily, KY a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Lily, KY a 3.0/5 investability score. With $158K home prices against $783/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the average home sale price in Lily, KY?

Expect median prices around $158K in Lily, KY. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

Is Lily, KY better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

For Lily, KY, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Lily, KY?

Lily, KY carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $783/mo.

Is house hacking profitable in Lily, KY?

House hacking in Lily, KY is reasonable to execute. Prices around $158K and rents of $783/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 40740 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 40740 ranks in London, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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