Real Estate Investing in Royal, Nebraska (68773)

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

Antelope County • Population: 283 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68773 (Royal, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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 vacancy: 24.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Royal, NE (68773)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $214,080
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,611
% Renters 23.8%

Market Analysis: 68773 Royal

ZIP 68773 in Royal, NE carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $214K and rents of $864/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $864/mo on a $214K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 68773 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Meanwhile, 68773 offers a low basis, the region around Royal has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

A healthy renter share of 24% in 68773 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 68773, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Royal:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$233K$219K$205K$191K$177K$163KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68773 Compare?

Metric 68773 Royal Nebraska
Home Value $214,080 $214,080 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 68773? 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 68773 (Royal, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $214,080
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 20.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
24.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68773

Population: 283

💰 Median Household Income
$43,611
This area
$43,611
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.8%
This area
23.8%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
63.6 years
This area
63.6 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.5%
This area
24.5%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
6.8%
This area
6.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

What is the average home sale price in Royal, NE?

Typical homes in Royal, NE go for around $214K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

How strong is the working-renter base in Royal, NE?

The renter base in Royal, NE is reasonable for the $864/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

Is Royal, NE better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Royal, NE investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($214K prices, $864/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What does house hacking look like in Royal, NE?

For house hackers, Royal, NE is a challenging. The $864/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $214K property.

How landlord-friendly is Royal, NE?

The landlord environment in Royal, NE is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 68773 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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