Real Estate Investing in Oberlin, Ohio (44074)

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

Lorain County • Population: 11,684 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 44074 (Oberlin, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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 Oberlin, OH (44074)?

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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 $282,004
Avg Monthly Rent $1,062
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,014
% Renters 38.7%

Market Analysis: 44074 Oberlin

This part of Lorain County is not an easy win. The 44074 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 44074 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 44074's metrics run below Lorain County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 44074 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Oberlin's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 44074. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Oberlin:

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 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,062/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 44074

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$71,814/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $205,725 $1,180 4.1% +7.2% $102,862
3BR $261,503 $1,520 4.2% +7.5% $87,168
4BR $312,319 $1,620 3.7% +7.2% $78,080
5BR $359,071 +6.3% $71,814

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$295K$259K$222K$186K$149K$113KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 44074 Compare?

Metric 44074 Oberlin Cleveland-Elyria, OH Ohio
Home Value $282,004 $282,004 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,062 $1,062 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 44074? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 44074 (Oberlin, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $282,004
Monthly Rent $1,062
Price-to-Rent 22.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
7.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 44074

Population: 11,684

💰 Median Household Income
$68,014
This area
$68,014
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.7%
This area
38.7%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.9%
This area
41.9%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.2 years
This area
34.2 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.4%
This area
7.4%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.5%
Other/Mixed 10.8%
Black/African American 9.7%
Asian 3.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
👶 Under 18
11.4%
This area
11.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
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 44074

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$24,553 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Oberlin High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$27,542 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Oberlin Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
361 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,542 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Langston Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
196 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$27,542 Per Student
A Very Good

Firelands Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
791 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,118 Per Student
A Very Good

Firelands High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,118 Per Student
A Very Good

Firelands Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,118 Per Student
A Very Good

William R Burton

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
1,222 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,892 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

6 Nearby 2,646 Off-Campus Students
B
Oberlin College
2,976 students · 1.0 mi
C+
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District
108 students · 2.2 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Elyria
58 students · 9.6 mi
C+
Lorain County Community College
9,410 students · 12.1 mi
C
Ohio Business College-Sheffield
165 students · 12.6 mi
C
Northern Institute of Cosmetology
41 students · 12.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,646 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oberlin, OH a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Oberlin, OH rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $282K and rents near $1,062/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the average monthly rent in Oberlin, OH?

Investors in Oberlin, OH typically see rents near $1,062/mo per month against $282K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Oberlin, OH?

Oberlin, OH median home values land near $282K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,062/mo-per-month rentals.

What approach is best for Oberlin, OH real estate?

Oberlin, OH investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($282K prices, $1,062/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Oberlin, OH?

Vacancy in Oberlin, OH is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,062/mo.

You know 44074 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 44074 ranks in Cleveland-Elyria, OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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