Real Estate Investing in Cortland, Nebraska (68331)

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

Gage County • Population: 1,072 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68331 (Cortland, NE)? 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 Cortland, NE (68331)?

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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 $326,765
Avg Monthly Rent $1,251
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $78,500
% Renters 14.5%

Market Analysis: 68331 Cortland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Cortland's 68331 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $327K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,251/mo on a $327K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 68331 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within NE, ZIP 68331 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Gage County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

Meanwhile, 1,072 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.

leans 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.

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 Cortland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,251/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
Beatrice, NE Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.2%
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 Beatrice, NE metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$343K$300K$257K$214K$171K$129KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68331 Compare?

Metric 68331 Cortland Beatrice, NE Nebraska
Home Value $326,765 $326,765 N/A $269,423
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.4% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,251 $1,251 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 68331? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 68331 (Cortland, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Beatrice, NE metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
71%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $326,765
Monthly Rent $1,251
Price-to-Rent 21.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
2.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68331

Population: 1,072

💰 Median Household Income
$78,500
This area
$78,500
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.5%
This area
14.5%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.2%
This area
24.2%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.4 years
This area
42.4 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.9%
Other/Mixed 8.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Cortland, NE?

Occupancy in Cortland, NE runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,251/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How landlord-friendly is Cortland, NE?

NE law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Cortland inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Which investment style suits Cortland, NE?

In Cortland, NE the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $327K prices and $1,251/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Cortland, NE suited for a house hack?

House hacking works a challenging in Cortland, NE. Rents of $1,251/mo against $327K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is Cortland, NE a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Cortland, NE a 3.0/5 investability score. With $327K home prices against $1,251/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

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How 68331 ranks in Beatrice, NE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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