Real Estate Investing in Horse Branch, Kentucky (42349)

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

Ohio County • Population: 1,921 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42349 (Horse Branch, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 13.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Horse Branch, KY (42349)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $135,475
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,941
% Renters 16.0%

Market Analysis: 42349 Horse Branch

ZIP 42349 in Horse Branch, KY carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $135K and rents of $783/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 42349 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $135K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 42349 and stronger Horse Branch ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 42349 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 42349, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Horse Branch:

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 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.7%)
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)

$156K$139K$122K$105K$88K$71KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42349 Compare?

Metric 42349 Horse Branch Kentucky
Home Value $135,475 $135,475 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% 6.9%
Avg Rent $783 $783 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 42349? 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 42349 (Horse Branch, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $135,475
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
13.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42349

Population: 1,921

💰 Median Household Income
$54,941
This area
$54,941
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.0%
This area
16.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.5%
This area
0.5%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.9%
This area
6.9%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.0%
This area
15.0%
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

🎓 Schools in 42349

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.7:1 Avg Class Size
$13,923 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Horse Branch Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
188 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,923 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

Is Horse Branch, KY a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Horse Branch, KY ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $135K and rents of $783/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Where do rents currently stand in Horse Branch, KY?

Rents in Horse Branch, KY run near $783/mo. Compared with median home prices of $135K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the average home sale price in Horse Branch, KY?

The median home value in Horse Branch, KY is roughly $135K. That puts it reasonable relative to the KY statewide average.

How high is vacancy risk in Horse Branch, KY?

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

What approach is best for Horse Branch, KY real estate?

Most investors in Horse Branch, KY run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 42349 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42349 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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