Real Estate Investing in Lake Placid, New York (12946)

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

Essex County • Population: 4,805 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 12946 (Lake Placid, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (27/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 42.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.8 — 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 Lake Placid, NY (12946)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $359,467
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,023
% Renters 30.1%

Market Analysis: 12946 Lake Placid

The 12946 ZIP covers a section of Lake Placid that demands careful diligence. Prices near $359K 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 12946 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

The gap between 12946 and stronger Lake Placid ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 12946 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 12946, 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 Lake Placid:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 45/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,161/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 12946

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
15.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
1BR
$44,629/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $44,629 $980 15.8% +0.3% $44,629
3BR $518,628 $1,580 2.2% +9.5% $172,876
4BR $842,171 $1,790 1.5% +9.9% $210,543
5BR $1,398,195 +9.7% $279,639

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$504K$441K$378K$314K$251K$188KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 12946 Compare?

Metric 12946 Lake Placid New York
Home Value $359,467 $359,467 $505,608
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 12946 (Lake Placid, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
-1.1%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $359,467
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 25.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 1.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR -7.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.1% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
42.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 12946

Population: 4,805

💰 Median Household Income
$76,023
This area
$76,023
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.1%
This area
30.1%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.3%
This area
0.3%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
42.5%
This area
42.5%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.8 years
This area
43.8 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
42.6%
This area
42.6%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 0.8%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
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 12946

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
8.0:1 Avg Class Size
$36,233 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

LAKE PLACID JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
7.2:1 Class Size
💰
$36,233 Per Student
A+ Excellent

LAKE PLACID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$36,233 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 736 Off-Campus Students
C
North Country Community College
1,615 students · 8.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 736 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Placid, NY stack up for property investment?

The 2.0/5 investability rating in Lake Placid, NY reflects its $359K prices and $1,161/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NY.

What kind of tenants rent in Lake Placid, NY?

The renter base in Lake Placid, NY is reasonable for the $1,161/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

What do rentals go for in Lake Placid, NY?

Rents in Lake Placid, NY run near $1,161/mo. Compared with median home prices of $359K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Are homes affordable in Lake Placid, NY?

Expect median prices around $359K in Lake Placid, NY. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Lake Placid, NY?

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

You know 12946 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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