Real Estate Investing in Lima, Ohio (45804)

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

Allen County • Population: 14,197 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 45804 (Lima, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

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

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Lima, OH (45804)?

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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 $80,985
Avg Monthly Rent $1,000
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $41,536
% Renters 44.4%

Market Analysis: 45804 Lima

The 45804 ZIP records an healthy value-add profile — below-median pricing at $81K, a renter base of 44%, and room for operational improvement.

Flippers and value-add operators have treated 45804 as a working ZIP for a reason. Entry prices around $81K and a deep rental base of 44% renters underpin the exit strategy on both the sale and rent sides.

In Allen County, 45804 is part of the operational map, not the passive one. The spread between median price and renovated comp reflects the work available.

Household income in 45804 supports the rent-lift thesis. 14,197 residents, deep working-age cohort, and the kind of tenant profile that responds to upgraded stock.

Value-add plays pencil in 45804 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 Lima:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,000/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Lima, OH Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
11.4%
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 Lima, OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 45804

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
12.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$27,168/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $63,075 $1,090 12.4% +5.5% $31,538
3BR $83,467 $1,320 11.4% +4.0% $27,822
4BR $108,670 $1,470 9.7% +5.4% $27,168

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$88K$79K$71K$62K$53K$44KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,038$1,030$1,022$1,013$1,005$997Sep 2025Dec 2025Feb 2026

📊 How Does 45804 Compare?

Metric 45804 Lima Lima, OH Ohio
Home Value $80,985 $136,889 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 5.2% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,000 $1,137 N/A -
Cap Rate 9.6% 6.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 45804? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,000/mo on homes averaging $80,985 — 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.

A healthy rental market with 44% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 45804 (Lima, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
9.6%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Lima, OH metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
58%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $80,985
Monthly Rent $1,000
Price-to-Rent 6.8:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 14.8%
Cap Rate 9.6%
5-Year IRR 11.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 9.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (9.6%) 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
15.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 45804

Population: 14,197

💰 Median Household Income
$41,536
This area
$41,536
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
44.4%
This area
44.4%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.9 years
This area
39.9 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.3%
Black/African American 20.1%
Other/Mixed 8.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.5%
👶 Under 18
25.9%
This area
25.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.3%
This area
20.3%
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 45804

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$19,889 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good
👥
166 Students
👨‍🏫
7.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,889 Per Student
A Very Good

Freedom Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,889 Per Student
A Very Good

Liberty Arts Magnet K-8

📚 K – 08 School
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,889 Per Student
A Very Good

Unity Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
197 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,889 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 1,790 Off-Campus Students
C
James A. Rhodes State College
3,968 students · 2.7 mi
D
Ohio State University-Lima Campus
740 students · 2.8 mi
C+
Apollo Career Center
527 students · 4.5 mi
C
University of Northwestern Ohio
2,606 students · 5.6 mi
C
Ohio State Beauty Academy
96 students · 5.9 mi
C+
Ohio Northern University
3,042 students · 13.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,790 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Lima, OH?

Expect rents around $1,000/mo per month in Lima, OH. With home values at $81K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Does BRRRR pencil out in Lima, OH?

BRRRR viability in Lima, OH is a strong. Disciplined acquisition and rehab can hit the 75% LTV refinance target at market comps.

What type of investing works in Lima, OH?

Most investors in Lima, OH run a value-add and BRRRR deals strategy. It aligns with the 5.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Can you find 1% rule deals in Lima, OH?

Lima, OH delivers a 1.23% rent-to-price ratio on average. Investors targeting the 1% rule will find solid opportunities.

Does house hacking make sense in Lima, OH?

The an attractive house-hack environment in Lima, OH reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 45804 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 45804 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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How 45804 ranks in Lima, OH

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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