Real Estate Investing in Valentine, Nebraska (69201)

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

Cherry County • Population: 4,034 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 69201 (Valentine, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 26.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 4.1% in the last year.

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

What’s happening in Valentine, NE (69201)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $230,231
Avg Monthly Rent $954
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,265
% Renters 45.2%

Market Analysis: 69201 Valentine

ZIP 69201 inside Cherry County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $230K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The 69201 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In practical terms, 69201 offers a low basis, the region around Valentine has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Demographically, 69201 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 69201, 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 Valentine:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $954/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 69201

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$59,601/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $151,325 $1,060 5.0% +7.1% $75,663
3BR $233,204 $1,290 4.0% +6.6% $77,735
4BR $247,233 $1,440 4.2% +6.2% $61,808
5BR $298,003 $59,601

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$251K$225K$200K$174K$148K$122KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 69201 Compare?

Metric 69201 Valentine Nebraska
Home Value $230,231 $230,231 $269,423
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 4.7% 6.7%
Avg Rent $954 $954 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 69201? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 45% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 69201 (Valentine, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $230,231
Monthly Rent $954
Price-to-Rent 20.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -4.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
26.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 69201

Population: 4,034

💰 Median Household Income
$59,265
This area
$59,265
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
45.2%
This area
45.2%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.3%
This area
0.3%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
26.9%
This area
26.9%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.2%
Other/Mixed 22.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Asian 1.8%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
25.0%
This area
25.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
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 69201

A Avg School Grade
6 Schools
9.7:1 Avg Class Size
$18,704 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

VALENTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,501 Per Student
A Very Good

VALENTINE HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
152 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,501 Per Student
A Very Good

VALENTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
154 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,501 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Klein Elementary - 08

📚 K – 08 School
👥
6 Students
👨‍🏫
6.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,110 Per Student
B+ Above Average

SIMEON SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
5.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,501 Per Student
B Good

Littleburg Elementary - 12

📚 K – 08 School
👥
17 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,110 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

Does Valentine, NE make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Valentine, NE reflects its $230K prices and $954/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NE.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Valentine, NE?

Tenant demand in Valentine, NE is solid. The local workforce $954/mo rents across most rental classes.

What are vacancy rates like in Valentine, NE?

Vacancy in Valentine, NE is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $954/mo.

Does house hacking make sense in Valentine, NE?

House hacking works a challenging in Valentine, NE. Rents of $954/mo against $230K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the smart move for investors in Valentine, NE?

Most investors in Valentine, NE run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 69201 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 69201 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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