Real Estate Investing in Lakewood, New Jersey (08701)

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

Ocean County • Population: 136,784 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08701 (Lakewood, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Lakewood, NJ (08701)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $588,170
Avg Monthly Rent $2,137
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,949
% Renters 48.4%

Market Analysis: 08701 Lakewood

This part of Ocean County is not an easy win. The 08701 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Rent of $2,137/mo on a $588K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 08701 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

The gap between 08701 and stronger Lakewood ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 08701 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

leans 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 Lakewood:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,137/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 08701

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+15.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$126,200/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $152,765 $1,650 7.8% +15.3% $152,765
2BR $252,401 $2,030 5.8% +12.3% $126,200
3BR $634,604 $2,650 3.0% +15.2% $211,535
4BR $775,110 $2,940 2.7% +15.0% $193,777
5BR $1,058,670 +13.4% $211,734

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$621K$526K$431K$336K$240K$145KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,486$2,376$2,266$2,157$2,047$1,937Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08701 Compare?

Metric 08701 Lakewood New Jersey
Home Value $588,170 $588,170 $559,826
5-Year CAGR 11.8% 11.8% 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,137 $2,137 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 08701? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 48% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 08701 (Lakewood, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Ocean County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Horizon Real Estate and Property Management, Inc. provides homeowner association management services to Manchester, NJ area communities, including condo management. summary from their website

HOASmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Renaissance Professional Property Management serves Long Beach Island, NJ. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+11.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $588,170
Monthly Rent $2,137
Price-to-Rent 22.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 14.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +11.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲

🏠 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
7.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+11.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08701

Population: 136,784

💰 Median Household Income
$58,949
This area
$58,949
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
48.4%
This area
48.4%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.5%
This area
32.5%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
18.4 years
This area
18.4 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.4%
This area
7.4%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.3%
Other/Mixed 8.6%
Hispanic/Latino 7.7%
Black/African American 2.4%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
49.4%
This area
49.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.2%
This area
10.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.1%
This area
21.1%
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 08701

A+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
8.6:1 Avg Class Size
$55,672 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Clifton Ave Grade School

📚 02 – 06 School
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ella G Clarke Elementary School

📚 03 – 06 School
👥
353 Students
👨‍🏫
8.5:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lakewood Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
582 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Oak Street Elem School

📚 02 – 06 School
👥
656 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Piner Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
378 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lakewood Early Childhood Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
236 Students
👨‍🏫
5.1:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ocean Academy Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
499 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,335 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Spruce Street Elementary School

📚 Grade 01 Elementary
👥
249 Students
👨‍🏫
6.3:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 Per Student
A Very Good

Lakewood High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,330 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$59,839 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
B
Seminary Bnos Chaim
177 students · 0.7 mi
C
Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah
72 students · 0.7 mi
B
Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel
132 students · 1.1 mi
B
Yeshiva Chemdas Hatorah
79 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Beth Medrash Govoha
8,824 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed
125 students · 1.7 mi
C
Yeshiva Bais Aharon
13 students · 1.7 mi
B
Yeshiva Gedola Tiferes Yaakov Yitzchok
69 students · 1.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight is the rental market in Lakewood, NJ?

Lakewood, NJ vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is NJ a landlord-friendly state?

For rental operators, Lakewood, NJ rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the average home sale price in Lakewood, NJ?

Median home price in Lakewood, NJ is near $588K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Does house hacking make sense in Lakewood, NJ?

The house hack math a challenging in Lakewood, NJ. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,137/mo rents and $588K home values.

Is the tenant base reliable in Lakewood, NJ?

Lakewood, NJ draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $2,137/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 08701 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 08701 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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How 08701 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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