Real Estate Investing in Harvard, Nebraska (68944)

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

Clay County • Population: 1,230 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68944 (Harvard, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (83/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Harvard, NE (68944)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $137,817
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,056
% Renters 22.8%

Market Analysis: 68944 Harvard

The 68944 ZIP covers a section of Harvard that demands careful diligence. Prices near $138K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 68944 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $138K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 68944 among NE's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 68944 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 68944 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Harvard:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
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 area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
🏠

Property Strategy for 68944

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$51,918/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $103,836 $960 6.7% +10.3% $51,918
3BR $158,160 $1,160 5.3% +9.9% $52,720

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$146K$128K$110K$92K$74K$56KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68944 Compare?

Metric 68944 Harvard Nebraska
Home Value $137,817 $137,817 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 8.4% 8.4% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 68944? 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 68944 (Harvard, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $137,817
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 13.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 13.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68944

Population: 1,230

💰 Median Household Income
$73,056
This area
$73,056
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.0 years
This area
38.0 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.6%
Other/Mixed 17.8%
Hispanic/Latino 17.0%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
26.5%
This area
26.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
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 68944

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
8.2:1 Avg Class Size
$23,472 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

HARVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
103 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,472 Per Student
A Very Good

HARVARD HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
60 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,472 Per Student
A Very Good

HARVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
45 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,472 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

Are homes affordable in Harvard, NE?

Harvard, NE median home values land near $138K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $864/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Harvard, NE good for landlords?

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

How qualified is the tenant pool in Harvard, NE?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Harvard, NE. The rental market absorbs $864/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Does house hacking work in Harvard, NE?

House hacking works a challenging in Harvard, NE. Rents of $864/mo against $138K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How does Harvard, NE stack up for property investment?

Harvard, NE records an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $138K and average rents around $864/mo. That combination puts it in the healthy tier for investor interest.

You know 68944 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68944 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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