Real Estate Investing in Amherst, Nebraska (68812)

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

Buffalo County • Population: 642 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68812 (Amherst, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 40.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Amherst, NE (68812)?

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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 $414,792
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,750
% Renters 22.3%

Market Analysis: 68812 Amherst

ZIP 68812 in Amherst, NE carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $415K and rents of $864/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 68812 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $415K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 68812 among NE's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 68812 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 68812 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Amherst:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $864/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
Kearney, NE 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 Kearney, NE metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$426K$394K$362K$331K$299K$267KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68812 Compare?

Metric 68812 Amherst Kearney, NE Nebraska
Home Value $414,792 $414,792 N/A $269,423
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.6% 1.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 68812? 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 68812 (Amherst, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Kearney, NE metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
55%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $414,792
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 40.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.5%
Cap Rate 1.6%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
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: 1.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.6%). 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
14.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68812

Population: 642

💰 Median Household Income
$70,750
This area
$70,750
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
40.7%
This area
40.7%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.3 years
This area
37.3 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.6%
Other/Mixed 1.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
33.1%
This area
33.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.0%
This area
16.0%
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

🎓 Schools in 68812

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$16,366 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
167 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,366 Per Student
B Good

AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
213 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,366 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Amherst, NE rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Amherst, NE will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $415K median home values and $864/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

What is the median home value in Amherst, NE?

Amherst, NE home values average about $415K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $864/mo in monthly income.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Amherst, NE?

Vacancy risk in Amherst, NE is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

Are landlord laws favorable in Amherst, NE?

For rental operators, Amherst, NE rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What approach is best for Amherst, NE real estate?

Amherst, NE investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($415K prices, $864/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 68812 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68812 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 68812 ranks in Kearney, NE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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