Real Estate Investing in Loup City, Nebraska (68853)

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

Sherman County • Population: 1,309 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68853 (Loup City, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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: 36.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Loup City, NE (68853)?

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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 $173,834
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,000
% Renters 32.0%

Market Analysis: 68853 Loup City

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Loup City's 68853 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $174K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 68853 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $174K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 68853 among NE's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A sturdy renter share of 32% in 68853 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The 68853 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Loup City:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
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: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 68853

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
6.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$43,811/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $117,341 $960 5.9% +8.3% $58,671
3BR $183,673 $1,340 5.3% +9.0% $61,224
4BR $175,243 $1,510 6.2% +8.4% $43,811

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$184K$162K$140K$118K$96K$74KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68853 Compare?

Metric 68853 Loup City Nebraska
Home Value $173,834 $198,125 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 5.6% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 68853? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 68853 (Loup City, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $173,834
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 11.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
36.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68853

Population: 1,309

💰 Median Household Income
$51,000
This area
$51,000
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.4%
This area
20.4%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.3 years
This area
51.3 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
36.7%
This area
36.7%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.6%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
24.2%
This area
24.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.9%
This area
30.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 68853

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$17,208 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

LOUP CITY HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
134 Students
👨‍🏫
8.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,208 Per Student
A Very Good

LOUP CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
206 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,208 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 strong is Loup City, NE for real estate investors?

Loup City, NE rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $174K and rents near $864/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What do landlords charge for rent in Loup City, NE?

Rent in Loup City, NE is around $864/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $174K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Does house hacking make sense in Loup City, NE?

House hacking works a challenging in Loup City, NE. Rents of $864/mo against $174K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How tight is the rental market in Loup City, NE?

Loup City, NE carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $864/mo.

Is housing expensive in Loup City, NE?

Loup City, NE median home values land near $174K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $864/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 68853 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68853 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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