Real Estate Investing in Saguache, Colorado (81149)

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

Saguache County • Population: 995 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81149 (Saguache, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (34/100)

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: 19.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Saguache, CO (81149)?

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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 $279,311
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,250
% Renters 22.2%

Market Analysis: 81149 Saguache

Investors eyeing 81149 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $279K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 81149 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $279K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Saguache have seen price recovery that 81149 has not matched. Saguache County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

In practical terms, 995 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 Saguache's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 81149. 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 Saguache:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
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 81149

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$96,510/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $220,591 $970 3.2% +7.0% $110,295
3BR $289,529 $1,290 3.2% +9.8% $96,510

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$299K$255K$211K$166K$122K$78KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81149 Compare?

Metric 81149 Saguache Colorado
Home Value $279,311 $279,311 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 3.4% 3.4% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 81149? 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 81149 (Saguache, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $279,311
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 26.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 5.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
19.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81149

Population: 995

💰 Median Household Income
$41,250
This area
$41,250
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.2%
This area
22.2%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.3%
This area
20.3%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.2 years
This area
53.2 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.4%
Other/Mixed 16.6%
Hispanic/Latino 13.3%
Asian 7.0%
👶 Under 18
12.3%
This area
12.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.2%
This area
27.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
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 81149

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.9:1 Avg Class Size
$21,643 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Mountain Valley School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
147 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,643 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 strong are rents in Saguache, CO?

The typical rental in Saguache, CO commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $279K purchase basis.

How strong is the working-renter base in Saguache, CO?

The renter base in Saguache, CO is reasonable for the $873/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

Does Saguache, CO make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Saguache, CO reflects its $279K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within CO.

Is Saguache, CO good for house hacking?

House hacking in Saguache, CO is a challenging. With home values around $279K and rents at $873/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What is the best play in Saguache, CO?

Saguache, CO investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($279K prices, $873/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 81149 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81149 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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