Real Estate Investing in Horse Cave, Kentucky (42749)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 42749 (Horse Cave, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 18.7% 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 Cave, KY (42749)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 42749 Horse Cave
ZIP 42749 inside Hart County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $177K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 42749 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $177K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Statewide comparisons place 42749 among KY's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Turning to rents, 4,835 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Horse Cave:
Property Strategy for 42749
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $125,526 | $950 | 5.4% | +11.4% | $62,763 |
| 3BR | $182,786 | $1,180 | 4.6% | +10.7% | $60,929 |
| 4BR | $259,521 | $1,310 | 3.6% | +10.8% | $64,880 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 42749 Compare?
| Metric | 42749 | Horse Cave | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $176,746 | $176,746 | $225,788 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.6% | 8.6% | 6.9% |
| Avg Rent | $855 | $855 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 42749 (Horse Cave, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $176,746 |
| Monthly Rent | $855 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 42749
Population: 4,835
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 42749
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is housing expensive in Horse Cave, KY?
Horse Cave, KY home values average about $177K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $855/mo in monthly income.
Is it easy to find good tenants in Horse Cave, KY?
The renter base in Horse Cave, KY is reasonable for the $855/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.
How quickly do rentals get leased in Horse Cave, KY?
Horse Cave, KY carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $855/mo.
How much rent can I charge in Horse Cave, KY?
Rents in Horse Cave, KY run near $855/mo. Compared with median home prices of $177K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Is Horse Cave, KY landlord-friendly?
KY ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Horse Cave generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
You know 42749 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42749 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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