Real Estate Investing in Tupper Lake, New York (12986)

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

Franklin County • Population: 5,304 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 12986 (Tupper Lake, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 35.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

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

What’s happening in Tupper Lake, NY (12986)?

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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 $221,056
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,333
% Renters 28.9%

Market Analysis: 12986 Tupper Lake

ZIP 12986 in Tupper Lake, NY carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $221K and rents of $909/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 12986 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Tupper Lake have seen price recovery that 12986 has not matched. Franklin County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Looking more closely, 5,304 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 right play in 12986 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 Tupper Lake:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $909/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Malone, NY Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.5%
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 Malone, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 12986

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$61,259/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $187,523 $830 3.2% +5.8% $187,523
2BR $183,558 $1,010 4.0% +8.9% $91,779
3BR $203,211 $1,260 4.5% +8.6% $67,737
4BR $245,035 $1,440 4.2% +9.5% $61,259
5BR $609,145 +8.8% $121,829

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$230K$204K$177K$151K$125K$98KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 12986 Compare?

Metric 12986 Tupper Lake Malone, NY New York
Home Value $221,056 $221,056 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $909 $909 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 12986? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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 12986 (Tupper Lake, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Malone, NY metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $221,056
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 20.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
35.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 12986

Population: 5,304

💰 Median Household Income
$60,333
This area
$60,333
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.9%
This area
28.9%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.4 years
This area
47.4 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.2%
This area
35.2%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.3%
Black/African American 2.8%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 12986

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.0:1 Avg Class Size
$27,392 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

L P QUINN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
339 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,392 Per Student
A+ Excellent

TUPPER LAKE MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$27,392 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 is the average monthly rent in Tupper Lake, NY?

The typical rental in Tupper Lake, NY commands about $909/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $221K purchase basis.

How do home values compare in Tupper Lake, NY?

Median home price in Tupper Lake, NY is near $221K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Does Tupper Lake, NY make sense for an investment property?

Yes - Tupper Lake, NY a 3.0/5 investability score. With $221K home prices against $909/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is it like being a landlord in Tupper Lake, NY?

The landlord environment in Tupper Lake, NY is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Are there empty rentals in Tupper Lake, NY?

Tupper Lake, NY carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $909/mo.

You know 12986 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 12986 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 12986 ranks in Malone, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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