Real Estate Investing in Orleans, Nebraska (68966)

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

Harlan • Population: 459 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68966 (Orleans, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Orleans, NE (68966)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $118,662
Avg Monthly Rent $864
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,688
% Renters 16.6%

Market Analysis: 68966 Orleans

ZIP 68966 in Orleans, NE carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $119K and rents of $864/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $119K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 68966 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 68966 and stronger Orleans ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 68966 ZIP's population of 459 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 68966, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Orleans:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.7%)
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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$126K$113K$100K$87K$74K$61KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68966 Compare?

Metric 68966 Orleans Nebraska
Home Value $118,662 $118,662 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 1.6% 1.6% 6.7%
Avg Rent $864 $864 -
Cap Rate 5.7% 5.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 68966? 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 68966 (Orleans, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $118,662
Monthly Rent $864
Price-to-Rent 11.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.7%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.7%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
18.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68966

Population: 459

💰 Median Household Income
$64,688
This area
$64,688
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.6%
This area
16.6%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.3%
This area
0.3%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.0 years
This area
55.0 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.1%
This area
18.1%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.2%
Asian 6.1%
Other/Mixed 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.5%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.7%
This area
30.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is house hacking profitable in Orleans, NE?

House hacking in Orleans, NE is reasonable to execute. Prices around $119K and rents of $864/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Should investors consider Orleans, NE?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Orleans, NE ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $119K and rents of $864/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Where do home prices stand in Orleans, NE?

Orleans, NE home values average about $119K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $864/mo in monthly income.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Orleans, NE?

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

How high is vacancy risk in Orleans, NE?

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

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