Real Estate Investing in Refugio, Texas (78377)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78377 (Refugio, 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: 32.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Declining values: -2.2% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.7% in the last year.
- Elevated poverty: 28.6% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Refugio, TX (78377)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 78377 Refugio
ZIP 78377 inside Refugio County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $132K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 78377 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $132K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
ZIP 78377's metrics run below Refugio County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Resident income in 78377 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
leans 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 Refugio:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78377 Compare?
| Metric | 78377 | Refugio | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $131,699 | $131,936 | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $873 | $932 | - |
| Cap Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | - |
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 78377 (Refugio, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 78377 (Refugio, TX)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $131,699 |
| Monthly Rent | $873 |
| Price-to-Rent | 12.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 8.0% |
| Cap Rate | 5.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 3.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -3.7% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -2.0% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -2.2% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
🏠 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 (5.2%). 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 78377
Population: 3,376
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 78377
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home sale price in Refugio, TX?
Median home price in Refugio, TX is near $132K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
How much do tenants pay in Refugio, TX?
Average rent in Refugio, TX is approximately $873/mo per month. Against $132K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
Which real estate strategy fits Refugio, TX?
In Refugio, TX the impressive play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $132K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.
Is Refugio in TX worth investing in?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Refugio, TX reflects its $132K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within TX.
What is the tenant pool like in Refugio, TX?
Tenant quality in Refugio, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $873/mo.
You know 78377 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78377 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.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 78377 (Refugio)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 78377 (Refugio, TX).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.