Real Estate Investing in Bertram, Texas (78608)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78608 (Bertram, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High vacancy: 48.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 44.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• 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 Bertram, TX (78608)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 78608 Bertram
The 78608 ZIP in Bertram, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $575K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
The 78608 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Meanwhile, 78608 offers a low basis, the region around Bertram has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Resident income in 78608 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategy in 78608 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $575K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Bertram:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78608 Compare?
| Metric | 78608 | Bertram | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $574,983 | $498,247 | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.3% | 1.8% | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,089 | $1,337 | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.5% | 2.2% | - |
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 78608 (Bertram, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 78608 (Bertram, TX)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $574,983 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,089 |
| Price-to-Rent | 44.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.3% |
| Cap Rate | 1.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 2.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -3.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -4.3% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | N/A |
🏠 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 (1.5%). 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 78608
Population: 454
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
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 3,931 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do rentals go for in Bertram, TX?
Rental rates in Bertram, TX average $1,089/mo. Tenant demand and $575K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Bertram, TX?
TX ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Bertram generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
What are vacancy rates like in Bertram, TX?
Bertram, TX sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader TX rental market.
What is the tenant pool like in Bertram, TX?
The tenant pool in Bertram, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,089/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
Is Bertram, TX a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Our data puts Bertram, TX at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $575K and rents around $1,089/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
You know 78608 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78608 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 78608 (Bertram)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 78608 (Bertram, TX).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.