Real Estate Investing in Monticello, Arkansas (71655)

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

Drew County • Population: 13,892 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 71655 (Monticello, AR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 15.4% 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 Monticello, AR (71655)?

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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 $164,259
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,767
% Renters 36.5%

Market Analysis: 71655 Monticello

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Monticello's 71655 ZIP reflects signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $164K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 71655 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader AR picture, 71655 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 71655 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Monticello averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

New investors are better served looking at Monticello's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 71655. 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 Monticello:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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 71655

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$63,321/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $189,962 $1,210 4.6% +7.2% $63,321
4BR $282,752 $1,220 3.1% +6.0% $70,688

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$174K$157K$140K$123K$106K$89KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 71655 Compare?

Metric 71655 Monticello Arkansas
Home Value $164,259 $164,259 $216,341
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 2.2% 5.7%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 71655? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 37% 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 71655 (Monticello, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $164,259
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 16.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
15.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 71655

Population: 13,892

💰 Median Household Income
$44,767
This area
$44,767
State
$52,981
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.5%
This area
36.5%
State
24.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-21.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.8%
This area
26.8%
State
-9.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.3 years
This area
37.3 years
State
3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
22.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.0%
Black/African American 27.3%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.6%
This area
14.6%
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 71655

B+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$13,508 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

DREW CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
326 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,545 Per Student
A Very Good

MONTICELLO HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
506 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DREW CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
489 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,545 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DREW CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,545 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MONTICELLO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
338 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MONTICELLO MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B Good

MONTICELLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
C+ Average

MONTICELLO OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$13,485 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 616 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Arkansas at Monticello
2,739 students · 4.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 616 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strict are landlord regulations in Monticello, AR?

Monticello, AR operates under AR law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How much is rent in Monticello, AR?

Rents in Monticello, AR run near $828/mo. Compared with median home prices of $164K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are tenants stable in Monticello, AR?

Working renters make up the core of the Monticello, AR tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Is Monticello, AR a good market for FHA house hackers?

Monticello, AR is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $164K price point reasonable to enter.

What is the average home sale price in Monticello, AR?

Expect median prices around $164K in Monticello, AR. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

You know 71655 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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