Real Estate Investing in Hondo, Texas (78861)

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

Medina County • Population: 13,715 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78861 (Hondo, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Hondo, TX (78861)?

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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 $267,029
Avg Monthly Rent $1,152
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,216
% Renters 24.7%

Market Analysis: 78861 Hondo

ZIP 78861 inside Medina County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $267K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $267K asset, 78861 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within TX, ZIP 78861 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Medina County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 78861 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Hondo averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

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.

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 Hondo:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.7%)
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: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
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
🏠

Property Strategy for 78861

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$99,977/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $213,536 $1,280 4.3% +6.3% $106,768
3BR $300,086 $1,690 4.1% +5.9% $100,029
4BR $399,910 $1,690 3.0% +6.4% $99,977

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$295K$259K$222K$185K$148K$112KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78861 Compare?

Metric 78861 Hondo San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Texas
Home Value $267,029 $267,029 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 1.7% 1.7% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,152 $1,152 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
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 78861 (Hondo, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $267,029
Monthly Rent $1,152
Price-to-Rent 19.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 5.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
10.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78861

Population: 13,715

💰 Median Household Income
$60,216
This area
$60,216
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.7%
This area
24.7%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.7%
This area
10.7%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.8%
Other/Mixed 26.7%
Hispanic/Latino 23.3%
Black/African American 5.4%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.1%
This area
16.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.0%
This area
15.0%
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 78861

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$12,333 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

HONDO H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
518 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,333 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MCDOWELL MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,333 Per Student
B+ Above Average

NEWELL E WOOLLS INT

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
388 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,333 Per Student
B Good

MEYER EL

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,333 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 expensive is real estate in Hondo, TX?

Expect median prices around $267K in Hondo, TX. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

What do landlords charge for rent in Hondo, TX?

Average rent in Hondo, TX is approximately $1,152/mo per month. Against $267K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Hondo, TX?

Vacancy in Hondo, TX is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,152/mo.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Hondo, TX?

Landlord-friendliness in Hondo, TX is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How deep is the rental pool in Hondo, TX?

Hondo, TX offers a consistent renter base at the $1,152/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 78861 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 78861 ranks in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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