Real Estate Investing in Fort Garland, Colorado (81133)

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

Costilla County • Population: 1,056 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81133 (Fort Garland, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 35.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 35.8% 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 Fort Garland, CO (81133)?

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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 $248,297
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,146
% Renters 21.1%

Market Analysis: 81133 Fort Garland

The 81133 ZIP in Fort Garland, CO is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $248K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 81133 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $248K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within CO, ZIP 81133 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Costilla County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 81133 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 81133 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $248K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Fort Garland:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 81133

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$102,311/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $186,287 $740 2.9% $186,287
2BR $249,097 $970 2.8% $124,549
3BR $306,933 $1,350 3.2% +7.7% $102,311

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$270K$242K$214K$186K$158K$130KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81133 Compare?

Metric 81133 Fort Garland Colorado
Home Value $248,297 $248,297 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 2.5% 2.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 81133? 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 81133 (Fort Garland, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $248,297
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 23.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 5.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 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
35.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81133

Population: 1,056

💰 Median Household Income
$41,146
This area
$41,146
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.5%
This area
31.5%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.6 years
This area
48.6 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.3%
This area
35.3%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.0%
Other/Mixed 18.4%
Hispanic/Latino 16.1%
Black/African American 0.5%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.8%
This area
25.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
35.8%
This area
35.8%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are vacancy rates like in Fort Garland, CO?

Vacancy in Fort Garland, CO is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $873/mo.

How should investors approach Fort Garland, CO?

In Fort Garland, CO the impressive play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $248K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Fort Garland, CO a good place for real estate investing?

Fort Garland, CO sits at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $248K and average rents around $873/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

How expensive is real estate in Fort Garland, CO?

The median home value in Fort Garland, CO is roughly $248K. That puts it reasonable relative to the CO statewide average.

What do landlords charge for rent in Fort Garland, CO?

Expect rents around $873/mo per month in Fort Garland, CO. With home values at $248K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 81133 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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