Real Estate Investing in Lewis, New York (12950)

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

Essex County • Population: 701 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 12950 (Lewis, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 21.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• 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 Lewis, NY (12950)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $207,384
Avg Monthly Rent $1,323
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,438
% Renters 21.1%

Market Analysis: 12950 Lewis

ZIP 12950 inside Essex County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $207K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 12950 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $207K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 12950 and stronger Lewis ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

From an investor standpoint, 701 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 12950 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Lewis:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,323/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$216K$191K$165K$140K$114K$89KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 12950 Compare?

Metric 12950 Lewis New York
Home Value $207,384 $207,384 $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,323 $1,323 -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 12950? 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 12950 (Lewis, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $207,384
Monthly Rent $1,323
Price-to-Rent 13.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 11.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
21.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 12950

Population: 701

💰 Median Household Income
$75,438
This area
$75,438
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.5%
This area
18.5%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.9 years
This area
44.9 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.5%
This area
21.5%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.8%
Other/Mixed 4.3%
Black/African American 3.9%
👶 Under 18
16.3%
This area
16.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.1%
This area
14.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
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

What is the average home sale price in Lewis, NY?

Lewis, NY median home values land near $207K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,323/mo-per-month rentals.

What is the typical renter like in Lewis, NY?

The renter base in Lewis, NY is reasonable for the $1,323/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

What is the smart move for investors in Lewis, NY?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Lewis, NY. With home values at $207K and rents near $1,323/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Lewis, NY?

Lewis, NY offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,323/mo rent level.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Lewis, NY?

Occupancy in Lewis, NY runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,323/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

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