Real Estate Investing in Westhampton Beach, New York (11978)

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

Suffolk County • Population: 4,376 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 11978 (Westhampton Beach, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 60.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 59.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Westhampton Beach, NY (11978)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,655,284
Avg Monthly Rent $2,310
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $120,909
% Renters 18.0%

Market Analysis: 11978 Westhampton Beach

This part of Suffolk County is not an easy win. The 11978 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 11978 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.7M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 11978 and stronger Westhampton Beach ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 11978 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 11978 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Westhampton Beach:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,310/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 11978

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$403,428/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $545,344 $2,340 3.1% $545,344
2BR $964,675 $2,700 2.0% +10.9% $482,338
3BR $1,210,284 $3,500 2.1% +9.1% $403,428
4BR $2,162,530 $3,700 1.2% +10.4% $540,632
5BR $4,248,847 +10.3% $849,769

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.8M$1.5M$1.3M$1.1M$905K$694KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,626$3,280$2,933$2,587$2,241$1,894Oct 2025Feb 2026May 2026

📊 How Does 11978 Compare?

Metric 11978 Westhampton Beach New York
Home Value $1,655,284 $1,655,284 $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.0% 6.6%
Avg Rent $2,310 $2,310 -
Cap Rate 1.1% 1.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 11978? 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 11978 (Westhampton Beach, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Suffolk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

CXA Management provides property management services. summary from their website

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Eminent Properties Ltd is a property management company. 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
1.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,655,284
Monthly Rent $2,310
Price-to-Rent 59.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 1.7%
Cap Rate 1.1%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.1%). 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
60.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 11978

Population: 4,376

💰 Median Household Income
$120,909
This area
$120,909
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
57.9%
This area
57.9%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.6 years
This area
45.6 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
60.6%
This area
60.6%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.3%
Other/Mixed 13.5%
Hispanic/Latino 7.8%
Black/African American 4.3%
Asian 1.8%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
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 11978

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.0:1 Avg Class Size
$33,691 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

WESTHAMPTON BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
332 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$33,691 Per Student
A+ Excellent

WESTHAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
405 Students
👨‍🏫
7.9:1 Class Size
💰
$33,691 Per Student
A+ Excellent

WESTHAMPTON BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
991 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$33,691 Per Student

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

QUOGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 10 EDGEWOOD RD, QUOGUE
👥
84 Students
👨‍🏫
6.0:1 Class Size
💰
$84,436 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

1 Nearby 1 Off-Campus Students
C+
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
9 students · 7.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Westhampton Beach, NY?

Expect rents around $2,310/mo per month in Westhampton Beach, NY. With home values at $1.7M, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Is vacancy a concern in Westhampton Beach, NY?

Rental vacancy in Westhampton Beach, NY is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the investability score for Westhampton Beach, NY?

Westhampton Beach, NY posts an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $1.7M and average rents around $2,310/mo. That combination puts it in the significant tier for investor interest.

How deep is the rental pool in Westhampton Beach, NY?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Westhampton Beach, NY. The rental market absorbs $2,310/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Westhampton Beach, NY a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Westhampton Beach, NY rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

You know 11978 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 11978 ranks in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

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