Real Estate Investing in Alma, Arkansas (72921)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 72921 (Alma, AR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 12.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Alma, AR (72921)?
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Market Analysis: 72921 Alma
ZIP 72921 inside Crawford County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $254K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 72921 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Regionally, 72921 sits on the difficult end of the AR spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Demographically, 72921 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.
seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Alma:
Property Strategy for 72921
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $241,929 | $1,300 | 3.9% | +8.3% | $80,643 |
| 4BR | $326,738 | $1,570 | 3.5% | +8.2% | $81,685 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 72921 Compare?
| Metric | 72921 | Alma | Fort Smith, AR-OK | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $254,365 | $254,365 | N/A | $216,341 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.2% | 6.2% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,150 | $1,150 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% | 3.5% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 72921 (Alma, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $254,365 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,150 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.4% |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.5%). 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 72921
Population: 12,827
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 72921
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 897 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which investment style suits Alma, AR?
Alma, AR investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($254K prices, $1,150/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
How strong is tenant demand in Alma, AR?
The renter base in Alma, AR is reasonable for the $1,150/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.
Is Alma in AR worth investing in?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Alma, AR ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $254K and rents of $1,150/mo drive the underlying numbers.
How strict are landlord regulations in Alma, AR?
AR ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Alma generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
What do landlords charge for rent in Alma, AR?
Rental rates in Alma, AR average $1,150/mo. Tenant demand and $254K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
You know 72921 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 72921 ranks in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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