Real Estate Investing in Houghton, New York (14744)

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

Allegany County • Population: 2,186 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 14744 (Houghton, 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 (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: 20.2% 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 Houghton, NY (14744)?

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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 $211,588
Avg Monthly Rent $1,062
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,318
% Renters 28.3%

Market Analysis: 14744 Houghton

The 14744 ZIP in Houghton, NY is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $212K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 14744 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within NY, ZIP 14744 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Allegany County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

A substantial renter share of 28% in 14744 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 14744 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $212K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Houghton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,062/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)

$220K$197K$174K$151K$128K$105KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 14744 Compare?

Metric 14744 Houghton New York
Home Value $211,588 $211,588 $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,062 $1,062 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 14744? 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 14744 (Houghton, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $211,588
Monthly Rent $1,062
Price-to-Rent 16.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
20.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 14744

Population: 2,186

💰 Median Household Income
$84,318
This area
$84,318
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.3%
This area
28.3%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
59.1%
This area
59.1%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
21.6 years
This area
21.6 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.2%
This area
20.2%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.4%
Black/African American 3.5%
Other/Mixed 1.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C+
Houghton University
1,014 students · 3.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houghton, NY better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

For Houghton, NY, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Is rental property easy to operate in Houghton, NY?

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

How high is vacancy risk in Houghton, NY?

Houghton, NY carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,062/mo.

Does house hacking work in Houghton, NY?

House hacking works a challenging in Houghton, NY. Rents of $1,062/mo against $212K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What do rentals go for in Houghton, NY?

Rental rates in Houghton, NY average $1,062/mo. Tenant demand and $212K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

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