Real Estate Investing in Franklin, Nebraska (68939)

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

Franklin County • Population: 1,094 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68939 (Franklin, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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

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

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: 19.6% 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 Franklin, NE (68939)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $142,649
Avg Monthly Rent $1,089
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,576
% Renters 17.3%

Market Analysis: 68939 Franklin

Investors eyeing 68939 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $143K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 68939 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In practical terms, 68939 offers a low basis, the region around Franklin has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 68939 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Franklin averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

New investors are better served looking at Franklin's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 68939. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Franklin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,089/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 68939

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$44,873/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $89,745 $1,210 9.7% +9.7% $44,873
3BR $157,533 $1,510 6.9% +9.8% $52,511

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$155K$136K$117K$98K$79K$60KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68939 Compare?

Metric 68939 Franklin Nebraska
Home Value $142,649 $142,649 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,089 $1,089 -
Cap Rate 6.0% 6.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 68939? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 68939 (Franklin, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $142,649
Monthly Rent $1,089
Price-to-Rent 10.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.2%
Cap Rate 6.0%
5-Year IRR 12.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
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: 6.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (6.0%). 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
19.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68939

Population: 1,094

💰 Median Household Income
$48,576
This area
$48,576
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.1%
This area
17.1%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.4 years
This area
49.4 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.6%
This area
19.6%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.7%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.6%
This area
29.6%
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 68939

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$23,036 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
86 Students
👨‍🏫
5.6:1 Class Size
💰
$23,036 Per Student
A Very Good

FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
157 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,036 Per Student
B Good

FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
55 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,036 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 much should I expect to pay for a home in Franklin, NE?

The median home value in Franklin, NE is roughly $143K. That puts it reasonable relative to the NE statewide average.

Is rental property easy to operate in Franklin, NE?

Franklin, NE falls under NE landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How strong is tenant demand in Franklin, NE?

Tenant demand in Franklin, NE is solid. The local workforce $1,089/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is the typical rental rate in Franklin, NE?

Rents in Franklin, NE run near $1,089/mo. Compared with median home prices of $143K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Does house hacking make sense in Franklin, NE?

The house hack math a challenging in Franklin, NE. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,089/mo rents and $143K home values.

You know 68939 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68939 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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