Real Estate Investing in Western Grove, Arkansas (72685)

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

Newton County • Population: 1,349 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 72685 (Western Grove, AR)? 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: 17.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 4.8% 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 Western Grove, AR (72685)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $203,846
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,563
% Renters 19.3%

Market Analysis: 72685 Western Grove

ZIP 72685 in Western Grove, AR carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $204K and rents of $792/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 72685 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Turning to rents, 72685 offers a low basis, the region around Western Grove has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

From an investor standpoint, 1,349 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 72685, 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 Western Grove:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Harrison, AR Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.1%
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 Harrison, AR metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$229K$202K$174K$147K$120K$93KDec 2015Apr 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 72685 Compare?

Metric 72685 Western Grove Harrison, AR Arkansas
Home Value $203,846 $203,846 N/A $216,341
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $792 $792 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 72685? 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 72685 (Western Grove, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Harrison, AR metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $203,846
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 21.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -4.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
17.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 72685

Population: 1,349

💰 Median Household Income
$52,563
This area
$52,563
State
$52,981
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
24.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-21.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.0%
This area
10.0%
State
-9.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.7 years
This area
47.7 years
State
3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
22.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.4%
Other/Mixed 2.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
36.3%
This area
36.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
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 72685

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
9.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,911 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

OZARK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
236 Students
👨‍🏫
3.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,911 Per Student
B Good

WESTERN GROVE ELEMENTARY

📚 K – 06 School
👥
132 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,911 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 878 Off-Campus Students
C
North Arkansas College
1,930 students · 12.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 878 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Western Grove, AR?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Western Grove, AR reflects its $204K prices and $792/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within AR.

How much does a house cost in Western Grove, AR?

Homes in Western Grove, AR typically sell near $204K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

What type of investing works in Western Grove, AR?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Western Grove, AR best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $204K price point.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Western Grove, AR?

Western Grove, AR carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $792/mo.

Is Western Grove, AR good for landlords?

For rental operators, Western Grove, AR rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

You know 72685 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 72685 ranks in Harrison, AR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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