Real Estate Investing in Sutherland Springs, Texas (78161)

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

Wilson County • Population: 602 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78161 (Sutherland Springs, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 32.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 39.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 12.8% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Sutherland Springs, TX (78161)?

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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 $299,503
Avg Monthly Rent $1,152
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,552
% Renters 5.7%

Market Analysis: 78161 Sutherland Springs

ZIP 78161 in Sutherland Springs, TX carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $300K and rents of $1,152/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 78161 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader TX picture, 78161 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

In practical terms, 602 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. substantial returns are possible in 78161, 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 Sutherland Springs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,152/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
88 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.7%
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 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$307K$295K$283K$271K$260K$248KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78161 Compare?

Metric 78161 Sutherland Springs San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Texas
Home Value $299,503 $299,503 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 2.5% 2.5% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,152 $1,152 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 78161? 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 78161 (Sutherland Springs, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $299,503
Monthly Rent $1,152
Price-to-Rent 21.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 5.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 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
32.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78161

Population: 602

💰 Median Household Income
$52,552
This area
$52,552
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.0%
This area
15.0%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.3 years
This area
32.3 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 56.5%
Hispanic/Latino 45.5%
White 43.5%
👶 Under 18
26.2%
This area
26.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.5%
This area
14.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
39.4%
This area
39.4%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Sutherland Springs, TX?

The median home value in Sutherland Springs, TX is roughly $300K. That puts it reasonable relative to the TX statewide average.

Are rents high in Sutherland Springs, TX?

Rents in Sutherland Springs, TX run near $1,152/mo. Compared with median home prices of $300K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are renters plentiful in Sutherland Springs, TX?

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

What is the typical vacancy rate in Sutherland Springs, TX?

Occupancy in Sutherland Springs, TX runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,152/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Are landlord laws favorable in Sutherland Springs, TX?

Rental owners in Sutherland Springs, TX deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 78161 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 78161 ranks in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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