Real Estate Investing in Starks, Louisiana (70661)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 70661 (Starks, LA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 30.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Declining values: -7.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- 1-year downturn: Values declined 4.8% in the last year.
- Elevated poverty: 37.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Starks, LA (70661)?
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Market Analysis: 70661 Starks
The 70661 ZIP covers a section of Starks that demands careful diligence. Prices near $121K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Rent of $927/mo on a $121K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 70661 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
In practical terms, 70661 offers a low basis, the region around Starks has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
A notable renter share of 22% in 70661 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
New investors are better served looking at Starks's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 70661. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Starks:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 70661 Compare?
| Metric | 70661 | Starks | Lake Charles, LA | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $120,530 | $120,530 | N/A | $207,909 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.7% |
| Avg Rent | $927 | $927 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 70661 (Starks, LA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $120,530 |
| Monthly Rent | $927 |
| Price-to-Rent | 10.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 9.2% |
| Cap Rate | 6.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | N/A |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -4.8% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -7.3% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -7.7% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
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.
Demographics in 70661
Population: 1,712
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 70661
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Can I house hack in Starks, LA?
House hacking in Starks, LA is a challenging. With home values around $121K and rents at $927/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
Are landlord laws favorable in Starks, LA?
Starks, LA falls under LA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Are homes affordable in Starks, LA?
Expect median prices around $121K in Starks, LA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.
What is the typical rental rate in Starks, LA?
Rent in Starks, LA is around $927/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $121K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
How strong is Starks, LA for real estate investors?
Our data puts Starks, LA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $121K and rents around $927/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
You know 70661 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 70661 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.
How 70661 ranks in Lake Charles, LA
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