Real Estate Investing in Shelton, Nebraska (68876)

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

Buffalo County • Population: 1,887 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68876 (Shelton, 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.

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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 $248,689
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,050
% Renters 21.6%

Market Analysis: 68876 Shelton

On the rental side, ZIP 68876 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $249K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $249K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 68876 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Shelton have seen price recovery that 68876 has not matched. Buffalo County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 68876 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

trends toward 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 Shelton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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)

$260K$227K$193K$160K$127K$93KJul 2010Jul 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68876 Compare?

Metric 68876 Shelton Kearney, NE Nebraska
Home Value $248,689 $248,689 N/A $269,423
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $918 $918 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 68876? 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 68876 (Shelton, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
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 $248,689
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 22.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
6.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68876

Population: 1,887

💰 Median Household Income
$75,050
This area
$75,050
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.3 years
This area
34.3 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 82.8%
Other/Mixed 17.1%
Hispanic/Latino 16.5%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
30.3%
This area
30.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.6%
This area
13.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
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 68876

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,695 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

SHELTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
171 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,695 Per Student
A Very Good

SHELTON HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
110 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,695 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

What is the best play in Shelton, NE?

Shelton, NE investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($249K prices, $918/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is Shelton, NE a friendly market for rental owners?

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

What is the investability score for Shelton, NE?

Yes - Shelton, NE a 3.0/5 investability score. With $249K home prices against $918/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Can I house hack in Shelton, NE?

Shelton, NE offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $918/mo rent level.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Shelton, NE?

Shelton, NE vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 68876 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 68876 ranks in Kearney, NE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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