Real Estate Investing in Grafton, Ohio (44044)

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

Lorain County • Population: 14,422 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 44044 (Grafton, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

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

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Grafton, OH (44044)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $320,910
Avg Monthly Rent $1,134
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $82,635
% Renters 12.4%

Market Analysis: 44044 Grafton

ZIP 44044 inside Lorain County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $321K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $321K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 44044 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 44044 and stronger Grafton ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Looking more closely, 14,422 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.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 44044 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Grafton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,134/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Cleveland-Elyria, OH Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
28 days
Average time to sell
Fast
10.2%
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 Cleveland-Elyria, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 44044

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$92,411/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $223,880 $1,260 4.1% +8.5% $111,940
3BR $284,360 $1,620 4.1% +8.2% $94,787
4BR $383,425 $1,730 3.2% +8.2% $95,856
5BR $462,055 +8.5% $92,411

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$336K$294K$252K$210K$168K$126KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 44044 Compare?

Metric 44044 Grafton Cleveland-Elyria, OH Ohio
Home Value $320,910 $320,910 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,134 $1,134 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 44044? Click to expand

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

📊 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 44044 (Grafton, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $320,910
Monthly Rent $1,134
Price-to-Rent 23.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 9.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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.

Vacancy
4.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 44044

Population: 14,422

💰 Median Household Income
$82,635
This area
$82,635
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.5 years
This area
46.5 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.2%
Other/Mixed 9.9%
Black/African American 8.5%
Hispanic/Latino 5.8%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
13.7%
This area
13.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
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 44044

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
18.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,407 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Midview High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
735 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Midview Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
408 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Midview West Elementary School

📚 03 – 04 Elementary
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
B Good

Midview East Intermediate School

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
409 Students
👨‍🏫
20.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
B Good

Midview North Elementary School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
474 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
C+ Average

Little Middies PreSchool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
73 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,407 Per Student
C+ Average

Midview Virtual Programming

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
6 Students
💰
$14,407 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

8 Nearby 2,672 Off-Campus Students
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Elyria
58 students · 8.8 mi
C+
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District
108 students · 8.9 mi
B
Oberlin College
2,976 students · 9.2 mi
C+
Lorain County Community College
9,410 students · 10.2 mi
C+
Medina County Career Center
52 students · 10.7 mi
C
Ohio Business College-Sheffield
165 students · 10.9 mi
C+
Brown Aveda Institute-Strongsville
139 students · 11.6 mi
C+
Baldwin Wallace University
3,308 students · 12.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,672 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Grafton, OH?

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

Is Grafton, OH suited for a house hack?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Grafton, OH reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Are there empty rentals in Grafton, OH?

Grafton, OH sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader OH rental market.

What price range are homes in Grafton, OH?

Median home price in Grafton, OH is near $321K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How strong are rents in Grafton, OH?

The typical rental in Grafton, OH commands about $1,134/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $321K purchase basis.

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How 44044 ranks in Cleveland-Elyria, OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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