Real Estate Investing in Totz, Kentucky (40870)

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

Harlan County • Population: 635 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40870 (Totz, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.3% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• 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 Totz, KY (40870)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $97,895
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,673
% Renters 12.1%

Market Analysis: 40870 Totz

ZIP 40870 inside Harlan County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $98K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 40870 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within KY, ZIP 40870 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Harlan County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

On the rental side, 635 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.

tilts toward 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 Totz:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $783/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)

$101K$91K$81K$72K$62K$52KAug 2015Feb 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40870 Compare?

Metric 40870 Totz Kentucky
Home Value $97,895 $97,895 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 -
Cap Rate 6.2% 6.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 40870? 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 40870 (Totz, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.2%
Good
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $97,895
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 10.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.6%
Cap Rate 6.2%
5-Year IRR 12.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 6.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (6.2%). 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
12.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40870

Population: 635

💰 Median Household Income
$45,673
This area
$45,673
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.4 years
This area
47.4 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.2%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
32.4%
This area
32.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.4%
This area
7.4%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 1,446 Off-Campus Students
C
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
3,144 students · 8.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,446 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Totz, KY good for house hacking?

House hacking in Totz, KY is reasonable to execute. Prices around $98K and rents of $783/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Totz, KY?

Occupancy in Totz, KY runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $783/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is the tenant base reliable in Totz, KY?

Working renters make up the core of the Totz, KY tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What do rentals go for in Totz, KY?

Expect rents around $783/mo per month in Totz, KY. With home values at $98K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Totz, KY?

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

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