Real Estate Investing in Monte Vista, Colorado (81144)

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

Rio Grande County • Population: 6,677 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81144 (Monte Vista, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • 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 Monte Vista, CO (81144)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $274,854
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,274
% Renters 29.3%

Market Analysis: 81144 Monte Vista

This part of Rio Grande County is not an easy win. The 81144 ZIP shows softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 81144 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 81144 and stronger Monte Vista ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

On the rental side, 6,677 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

New investors are better served looking at Monte Vista's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 81144. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Monte Vista:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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 81144

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$87,122/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $155,012 $970 4.5% +9.7% $155,012
2BR $189,568 $1,090 4.1% +10.4% $94,784
3BR $265,980 $1,310 3.5% +9.5% $88,660
4BR $348,489 $1,710 3.5% +9.6% $87,122

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$289K$250K$211K$171K$132K$93KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81144 Compare?

Metric 81144 Monte Vista Colorado
Home Value $274,854 $274,854 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 4.9%
Avg Rent $981 $981 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 81144? 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 81144 (Monte Vista, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $274,854
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 23.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81144

Population: 6,677

💰 Median Household Income
$61,274
This area
$61,274
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.3%
This area
29.3%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.4 years
This area
39.4 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.7%
This area
10.7%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.7%
Other/Mixed 27.9%
Hispanic/Latino 25.3%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
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 81144

B Avg School Grade
9 Schools
15.9:1 Avg Class Size
$13,896 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Sargent Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,579 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Bill Metz Elementary School

📚 02 – 05 Elementary
👥
264 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sargent Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
83 Students
👨‍🏫
8.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,579 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Monte Vista Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
202 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Monte Vista Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sargent Junior High School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,579 Per Student
C+ Average

Marsh Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
182 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
C+ Average

Monte Vista On-Line Academy

📚 04 – 12 High School
👥
56 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Byron Syring Delta Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
35.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,055 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

What is the median home value in Monte Vista, CO?

Expect median prices around $275K in Monte Vista, CO. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

How strict are landlord regulations in Monte Vista, CO?

Monte Vista, CO operates under CO law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How should investors approach Monte Vista, CO?

In Monte Vista, CO the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $275K prices and $981/mo rents suits that approach.

Is house hacking profitable in Monte Vista, CO?

House hacking in Monte Vista, CO is reasonable to execute. Prices around $275K and rents of $981/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What kind of tenants rent in Monte Vista, CO?

Monte Vista, CO offers a steady renter base at the $981/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 81144 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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