Real Estate Investing in Cortez, Colorado (81327)

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

Montezuma County • Population: 527 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81327 (Cortez, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 33.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.2% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.3 — 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 Cortez, CO (81327)?

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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 $458,303
Avg Monthly Rent $1,053
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $85,250
% Renters 2.6%

Market Analysis: 81327 Cortez

ZIP 81327 inside Montezuma County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $458K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 81327 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $458K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 81327 and stronger Cortez ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 81327 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Cortez:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,053/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$479K$430K$382K$333K$284K$236KFeb 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81327 Compare?

Metric 81327 Cortez Colorado
Home Value $458,303 $402,781 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,053 $1,399 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 81327? 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 81327 (Cortez, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $458,303
Monthly Rent $1,053
Price-to-Rent 36.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.8%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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
33.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81327

Population: 527

💰 Median Household Income
$85,250
This area
$85,250
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.6 years
This area
52.6 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
33.6%
This area
33.6%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
👶 Under 18
15.2%
This area
15.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.9%
This area
23.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

Are there empty rentals in Cortez, CO?

Vacancy in Cortez, CO is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,053/mo.

Is Cortez in CO worth investing in?

Investors tracking Cortez, CO will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $458K median home values and $1,053/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What is the average home sale price in Cortez, CO?

Expect median prices around $458K in Cortez, CO. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

Are landlord laws favorable in Cortez, CO?

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

How qualified is the tenant pool in Cortez, CO?

The tenant pool in Cortez, CO is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,053/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

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