Real Estate Investing in Upland, Nebraska (68981)

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

Franklin County • Population: 172 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68981 (Upland, 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 23.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• 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 Upland, NE (68981)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $238,658
Avg Monthly Rent $945
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,750
% Renters 16.7%

Market Analysis: 68981 Upland

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 68981 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $239K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $239K asset, 68981 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 68981 sits on the difficult end of the NE spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 68981 ZIP's population of 172 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

appears to 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 Upland:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $945/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)

$249K$220K$191K$161K$132K$103KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68981 Compare?

Metric 68981 Upland Nebraska
Home Value $238,658 $238,658 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 8.5% 8.5% 6.7%
Avg Rent $945 $945 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 68981? 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 68981 (Upland, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $238,658
Monthly Rent $945
Price-to-Rent 21.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 11.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +11.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
23.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68981

Population: 172

💰 Median Household Income
$58,750
This area
$58,750
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.4%
This area
11.4%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.9 years
This area
39.9 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.9%
This area
23.9%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.7%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
👶 Under 18
17.3%
This area
17.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.4%
This area
21.4%
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

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Upland, NE?

Expect elevated vacancy in Upland, NE. Rents at $945/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What kind of tenants rent in Upland, NE?

Upland, NE offers a predictable renter base at the $945/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Where do rents currently stand in Upland, NE?

The typical rental in Upland, NE commands about $945/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $239K purchase basis.

Is Upland, NE a good market for FHA house hackers?

Upland, NE is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $239K price point reasonable to enter.

How does Upland, NE rate as a rental market?

Upland, NE rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $239K and rents near $945/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

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