Real Estate Investing in Wallins Creek, Kentucky (40873)

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

Harlan County • Population: 2,329 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40873 (Wallins Creek, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

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

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 20.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 11.8% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 22.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $36,591 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Wallins Creek, KY (40873)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $80,561
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $36,591
% Renters 19.2%

Market Analysis: 40873 Wallins Creek

In Wallins Creek's 40873 ZIP, the arithmetic favors hands-on owners. Median home values sits at $81K, leaving spread for capex-heavy BRRRR or reposition strategies.

Investors in 40873 do not buy the market average — they buy the unit they can improve. $81K median pricing and $918/mo comps define the envelope within which the work has to pay.

Relative to KY, 40873 reads as a working-capital ZIP — prices below average, renter share elevated at 19%, and room for operator-led upside.

On the rental side, incomes in 40873 sit below the county median, the tenant pool is deep and the demand for upgraded rental stock consistently outruns supply.

Value-add plays pencil in 40873 when three things line up: a sub-median purchase, a realistic rehab budget, and a post-rehab rent comp that stands up. All three are present in this ZIP.

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 Wallins Creek:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.2× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-11.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 40873

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
12.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$29,257/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $58,513 $1,020 12.6% +12.8% $29,257
3BR $98,584 $1,350 9.9% +11.0% $32,861

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$96K$85K$74K$63K$52K$40KMar 2015Nov 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40873 Compare?

Metric 40873 Wallins Creek Kentucky
Home Value $80,561 $88,213 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.0% 6.9%
Avg Rent $918 $851 -
Cap Rate 8.9% 7.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 40873? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $918/mo on homes averaging $80,561 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 40873 (Wallins Creek, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.9%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $80,561
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 7.3:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 13.7%
Cap Rate 8.9%
5-Year IRR 13.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -11.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.9%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
20.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40873

Population: 2,329

💰 Median Household Income
$36,591
This area
$36,591
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.2%
This area
19.2%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.5%
This area
7.5%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.3 years
This area
36.3 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.2%
This area
20.2%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.5%
Asian 2.4%
Other/Mixed 1.0%
👶 Under 18
30.3%
This area
30.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
22.1%
This area
22.1%
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

🎓 Schools in 40873

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$15,949 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Wallins Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,949 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recycle capital via BRRRR in Wallins Creek, KY?

Wallins Creek, KY BRRRR deals are a strong. With proper buy-side discipline, operators can recycle most of their capital post-refinance.

How strong is Wallins Creek, KY for real estate investors?

Yes - Wallins Creek, KY a 5.0/5 investability score. With $81K home prices against $918/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is house hacking profitable in Wallins Creek, KY?

The house hack math an attractive in Wallins Creek, KY. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $918/mo rents and $81K home values.

Are rents high in Wallins Creek, KY?

The typical rental in Wallins Creek, KY commands about $918/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $81K purchase basis.

Does Wallins Creek, KY rent-to-price ratio clear the 1% rule?

Wallins Creek, KY delivers a 1.14% rent-to-price ratio on average. Investors targeting the 1% rule will find solid opportunities.

You know 40873 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40873 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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