Real Estate Investing in Harper, Texas (78631)

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

Gillespie County • Population: 3,357 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78631 (Harper, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (35/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 30.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Harper, TX (78631)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $416,202
Avg Monthly Rent $1,440
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,875
% Renters 18.5%

Market Analysis: 78631 Harper

ZIP 78631 in Harper, TX carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $416K and rents of $1,440/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 78631 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 78631's metrics run below Gillespie County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 78631 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 78631 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Harper:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 47/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.2× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,440/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Fredericksburg, TX Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
2.9%
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 Fredericksburg, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$458K$397K$337K$277K$216K$156KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78631 Compare?

Metric 78631 Harper Fredericksburg, TX Texas
Home Value $416,202 $416,202 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 1.9% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,440 $1,440 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78631 (Harper, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Fredericksburg, TX metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $416,202
Monthly Rent $1,440
Price-to-Rent 24.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 4.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
30.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78631

Population: 3,357

💰 Median Household Income
$66,875
This area
$66,875
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.5%
This area
18.5%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.7%
This area
23.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.5 years
This area
46.5 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.8%
Other/Mixed 10.2%
Hispanic/Latino 9.4%
👶 Under 18
25.7%
This area
25.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.5%
This area
23.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
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

🎓 Schools in 78631

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,134 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

HARPER H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HARPER MIDDLE

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HARPER EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
244 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,134 Per Student
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

How much does a house cost in Harper, TX?

The median home value in Harper, TX is roughly $416K. That puts it reasonable relative to the TX statewide average.

Is rental property easy to operate in Harper, TX?

TX ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Harper generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Are tenants stable in Harper, TX?

The tenant pool in Harper, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,440/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Which investment style suits Harper, TX?

Most investors in Harper, TX run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How does Harper, TX stack up for property investment?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Harper, TX ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $416K and rents of $1,440/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 78631 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78631 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.

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