Real Estate Investing in Mountainair, New Mexico (87036)

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

Torrance County • Population: 2,052 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 87036 (Mountainair, NM)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 29.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Mountainair, NM (87036)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $177,180
Avg Monthly Rent $1,080
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,750
% Renters 9.8%

Market Analysis: 87036 Mountainair

The 87036 ZIP in Mountainair, NM is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $177K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $177K asset, 87036 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Mountainair have seen price recovery that 87036 has not matched. Torrance County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A impressive renter share of 10% in 87036 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 87036 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $177K 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 Mountainair:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,080/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Albuquerque, NM Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
40 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Albuquerque, NM metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$186K$182K$178K$175K$171K$167KDec 2023Apr 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 87036 Compare?

Metric 87036 Mountainair Albuquerque, NM New Mexico
Home Value $177,180 $177,180 N/A $308,799
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,080 $1,080 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.8% 4.8% - -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 87036 (Mountainair, NM). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.8%
Fair

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Albuquerque, NM metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
48%
Days Pending
0/2
40 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $177,180
Monthly Rent $1,080
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.8%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 4.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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
29.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 87036

Population: 2,052

💰 Median Household Income
$53,750
This area
$53,750
State
$55,880
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
21.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-32.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
-18.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.8 years
This area
55.8 years
State
-44.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
29.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 61.6%
Hispanic/Latino 23.9%
Other/Mixed 23.9%
Black/African American 13.2%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
40.2%
This area
40.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
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 87036

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
8.0:1 Avg Class Size
$23,365 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

MOUNTAINAIR ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
95 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,365 Per Student
A Very Good

MOUNTAINAIR HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
59 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,365 Per Student
A Very Good

MOUNTAINAIR JR HIGH

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
37 Students
👨‍🏫
6.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,365 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 monthly rent should investors expect in Mountainair, NM?

Rental rates in Mountainair, NM average $1,080/mo. Tenant demand and $177K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Is the tenant base reliable in Mountainair, NM?

Tenant demand in Mountainair, NM is solid. The local workforce $1,080/mo rents across most rental classes.

How strong is Mountainair, NM for real estate investors?

Mountainair, NM rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $177K and rents near $1,080/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What strategy should investors use in Mountainair, NM?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Mountainair, NM. With home values at $177K and rents near $1,080/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Mountainair, NM?

For house hackers, Mountainair, NM is a challenging. The $1,080/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $177K property.

You know 87036 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 87036 ranks in Albuquerque, NM

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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