Real Estate Investing in Lamar, Colorado (81052)

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

Prowers County • Population: 9,010 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81052 (Lamar, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.0% 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 Lamar, CO (81052)?

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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 $182,304
Avg Monthly Rent $900
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,887
% Renters 29.3%

Market Analysis: 81052 Lamar

This part of Prowers County is not an easy win. The 81052 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 81052 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $182K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Lamar have seen price recovery that 81052 has not matched. Prowers County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 81052 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 81052 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 Lamar:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $900/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 81052

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$71,119/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $150,919 $1,000 4.8% +11.1% $75,460
3BR $213,358 $1,280 4.3% +9.1% $71,119

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$200K$172K$145K$117K$90K$62KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81052 Compare?

Metric 81052 Lamar Colorado
Home Value $182,304 $182,304 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $900 $900 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 81052? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81052 (Lamar, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $182,304
Monthly Rent $900
Price-to-Rent 16.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
18.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81052

Population: 9,010

💰 Median Household Income
$49,887
This area
$49,887
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.3%
This area
29.3%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.5 years
This area
34.5 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.5%
Other/Mixed 23.1%
Hispanic/Latino 18.0%
Black/African American 1.7%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
26.8%
This area
26.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.2%
This area
12.2%
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 81052

C+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
16.5:1 Avg Class Size
$10,081 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Lamar Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 Per Student
B Good

Parkview Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 Per Student
B Good

Washington Elementary School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 Per Student
B Good

Lamar High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 Per Student
C+ Average

Alta Vista Charter School

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
135 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Melvin Hendrickson Development Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
108 Students
👨‍🏫
27.8:1 Class Size
💰
$10,081 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 139 Off-Campus Students
C
Lamar Community College
711 students · 9.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Lamar, CO?

In Lamar, CO the median home value sits at $182K. Against the broader CO market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Are tenants stable in Lamar, CO?

Lamar, CO draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $900/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How viable is house hacking in Lamar, CO?

House hacking in Lamar, CO is a challenging. With home values around $182K and rents at $900/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is Lamar, CO a friendly market for rental owners?

Lamar, CO falls under CO landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How tight is the rental market in Lamar, CO?

Vacancy risk in Lamar, CO is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

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