Real Estate Investing in Nathrop, Colorado (81236)

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

Chaffee County • Population: 1,290 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81236 (Nathrop, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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: 36.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 44.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Nathrop, CO (81236)?

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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 $706,008
Avg Monthly Rent $1,323
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $91,082
% Renters 11.9%

Market Analysis: 81236 Nathrop

The 81236 ZIP covers a section of Nathrop that demands careful diligence. Prices near $706K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 81236 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 81236's metrics run below Chaffee County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 81236 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 81236, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Nathrop:

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 7.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,323/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 81236

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
1.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$274,960/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $427,423 $1,120 1.9% $427,423
2BR $608,539 $1,470 1.7% +7.1% $304,270
3BR $824,881 $2,040 1.8% +8.7% $274,960

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$742K$637K$531K$425K$319K$213KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81236 Compare?

Metric 81236 Nathrop Colorado
Home Value $706,008 $706,008 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,323 $1,323 -
Cap Rate 1.5% 1.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 81236? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81236 (Nathrop, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $706,008
Monthly Rent $1,323
Price-to-Rent 44.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.3%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
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: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
36.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81236

Population: 1,290

💰 Median Household Income
$91,082
This area
$91,082
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.9%
This area
11.9%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
59.3%
This area
59.3%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.8 years
This area
50.8 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
36.6%
This area
36.6%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.0%
Hispanic/Latino 5.0%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
👶 Under 18
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
38.4%
This area
38.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
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 is the average home sale price in Nathrop, CO?

Typical homes in Nathrop, CO go for around $706K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

How much is rent in Nathrop, CO?

Rents in Nathrop, CO run near $1,323/mo. Compared with median home prices of $706K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Nathrop, CO?

The renter base in Nathrop, CO is reasonable for the $1,323/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

What is the best play in Nathrop, CO?

Nathrop, CO investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($706K prices, $1,323/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Are landlord laws favorable in Nathrop, CO?

Rental owners in Nathrop, CO deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 81236 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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