Real Estate Investing in Houston, Texas (77026)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 77026 (Houston, TX)? 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: 15.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Declining values: -0.5% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated poverty: 26.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Lower household income: $33,452 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
What’s happening in Houston, TX (77026)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 77026 Houston
Investors eyeing 77026 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $145K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $145K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 77026 is substantial and deserves full respect.
ZIP 77026's metrics run below Harris County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The 77026 ZIP's population of 20,536 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.
New investors are better served looking at Houston's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 77026. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Houston:
Property Strategy for 77026
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $102,816 | $880 | 6.2% | -0.1% | $102,816 |
| 2BR | $118,406 | $1,050 | 6.4% | +1.6% | $59,203 |
| 3BR | $152,734 | $1,410 | 6.6% | +1.4% | $50,911 |
| 4BR | $170,685 | $1,760 | 7.4% | +1.4% | $42,671 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 77026 Compare?
| Metric | 77026 | Houston | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $144,633 | $318,356 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | 2.6% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,405 | $1,555 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | - | - |
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 77026 (Houston, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 77026 (Houston, TX)?
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Property managers serving Harris County
Manage rentals here? List your business →SBB Community Management provides Texas HOA management services, including financial management, property maintenance, and technology solutions, serving Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston since 1974. summary from their website
KPM Property Management offers end-to-end solutions including pre-acquisition due diligence, on-site property management, and development of townhomes in the Houston area. summary from their website
SBB Community Management provides Texas HOA management services for homeowners associations, condominium associations, and master-planned communities across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $144,633 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,405 |
| Price-to-Rent | 8.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 11.7% |
| Cap Rate | 7.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -4.0% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -0.5% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -0.4% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.6%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 77026
Population: 20,536
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 77026
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
ELIOT EL
MARTINEZ R EL
MCREYNOLDS MIDDLE
PUGH EL
WHEATLEY H S
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 33,841 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston, TX a smart market for rental property?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Houston, TX ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $145K and rents of $1,405/mo drive the underlying numbers.
Are landlord laws favorable in Houston, TX?
Houston, TX operates under TX law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
Which real estate strategy fits Houston, TX?
The best-fit strategy in Houston, TX is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
How high is vacancy risk in Houston, TX?
Houston, TX carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,405/mo.
Is Houston, TX good for house hacking?
House hacking in Houston, TX is a challenging. With home values around $145K and rents at $1,405/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
You know 77026 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 77026 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 77026 ranks in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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