Real Estate Investing in Mabelvale, Arkansas (72103)

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

Saline County • Population: 14,160 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 72103 (Mabelvale, AR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Mabelvale, AR (72103)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $187,701
Avg Monthly Rent $1,448
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,198
% Renters 19.9%

Market Analysis: 72103 Mabelvale

The 72103 ZIP in Mabelvale, AR is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $188K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The 72103 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 the broader AR picture, 72103 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 72103 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 72103 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $188K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Mabelvale:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,448/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
73 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 72103

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$55,272/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $185,137 $1,570 6.1% +7.0% $61,712
4BR $221,089 $1,860 6.1% +5.2% $55,272

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$196K$177K$158K$139K$120K$101KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 72103 Compare?

Metric 72103 Mabelvale Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Arkansas
Home Value $187,701 $187,701 N/A $216,341
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,448 $1,448 N/A -
Cap Rate 6.0% 6.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 72103? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 72103 (Mabelvale, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.0%
Good
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $187,701
Monthly Rent $1,448
Price-to-Rent 10.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.3%
Cap Rate 6.0%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 6.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
7.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 72103

Population: 14,160

💰 Median Household Income
$60,198
This area
$60,198
State
$52,981
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
24.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-21.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.6%
This area
18.6%
State
-9.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.9 years
This area
38.9 years
State
3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.9%
This area
7.9%
State
22.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 65.6%
Black/African American 20.3%
Other/Mixed 14.0%
Hispanic/Latino 11.4%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
27.4%
This area
27.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.7%
This area
10.7%
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 72103

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,987 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

MABELVALE MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
565 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,987 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CHICOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
842 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,987 Per Student
B Good

MABELVALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
487 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,987 Per Student
B Good

LITTLE ROCK SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
2,163 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,987 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

8 Nearby 1,664 Off-Campus Students
D
Arkansas Beauty School-Little Rock
111 students · 6.0 mi
C+
Washington Barber College Inc
51 students · 7.4 mi
C
Baptist Health College Little Rock
512 students · 8.5 mi
B
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
8,158 students · 9.4 mi
D
GoodFellas Barber College
34 students · 9.8 mi
C
Arkansas Baptist College
373 students · 11.2 mi
C
Velvatex College of Beauty Culture
12 students · 11.3 mi
C
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
3,275 students · 11.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,664 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mabelvale, AR a friendly market for rental owners?

The landlord environment in Mabelvale, AR is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Is real estate in Mabelvale, AR a good investment right now?

Mabelvale, AR reports an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $188K and average rents around $1,448/mo. That combination puts it in the durable tier for investor interest.

How strong is tenant demand in Mabelvale, AR?

Tenant demand in Mabelvale, AR is solid. The local workforce $1,448/mo rents across most rental classes.

What type of investing works in Mabelvale, AR?

For Mabelvale, AR, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Are homes affordable in Mabelvale, AR?

In Mabelvale, AR the median home value sits at $188K. Against the broader AR market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 72103 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 72103 ranks in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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