Real Estate Investing in Fort Jennings, Ohio (45844)

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

Putnam County • Population: 2,905 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 45844 (Fort Jennings, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (77/100)

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
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Fort Jennings, OH (45844)?

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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 $302,736
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,250
% Renters 10.1%

Market Analysis: 45844 Fort Jennings

The 45844 ZIP covers a section of Fort Jennings that demands careful diligence. Prices near $303K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $303K asset, 45844 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Fort Jennings have seen price recovery that 45844 has not matched. Putnam County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

From an investor standpoint, 2,905 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.

Strategically, 45844 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Fort Jennings:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 45844

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$76,407/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $221,313 $970 3.2% +8.3% $110,657
3BR $294,870 $1,170 2.9% +9.2% $98,290
4BR $305,626 $1,290 3.0% +8.2% $76,407

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$317K$276K$235K$194K$153K$112KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 45844 Compare?

Metric 45844 Fort Jennings Ohio
Home Value $302,736 $302,736 $237,530
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% 7.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 45844? 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 45844 (Fort Jennings, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $302,736
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 28.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 45844

Population: 2,905

💰 Median Household Income
$83,250
This area
$83,250
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.5%
This area
20.5%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.1 years
This area
40.1 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.3%
Other/Mixed 1.2%
Asian 0.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.2%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.6%
This area
22.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
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 45844

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$14,036 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Fort Jennings Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
164 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,036 Per Student
B Good

Fort Jennings High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,036 Per Student

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

Ottoville High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 650 W Third St, Ottoville
👥
212 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,894 Per Student
C+ Average

Ottoville Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
📍 650 W Third St, Ottoville
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,894 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

2 Nearby
C
Ohio State Beauty Academy
96 students · 12.5 mi
C
University of Northwestern Ohio
2,606 students · 12.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Fort Jennings, OH?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Fort Jennings, OH reflects its $303K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within OH.

How much rent can I charge in Fort Jennings, OH?

Rents in Fort Jennings, OH run near $873/mo. Compared with median home prices of $303K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are there empty rentals in Fort Jennings, OH?

Vacancy in Fort Jennings, OH is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $873/mo.

How should investors approach Fort Jennings, OH?

In Fort Jennings, OH the healthy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $303K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong is the working-renter base in Fort Jennings, OH?

Tenant demand in Fort Jennings, OH is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 45844 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 45844 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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