Real Estate Investing in Fishertown, Pennsylvania (15539)

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

Bedford County • Population: 303 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 15539 (Fishertown, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (23/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 31.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 31.7% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• 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 Fishertown, PA (15539)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $200,178
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 12.1%

Market Analysis: 15539 Fishertown

The 15539 ZIP covers a section of Fishertown that demands careful diligence. Prices near $200K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 15539 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 15539's metrics run below Bedford County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 15539 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Fishertown averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Fishertown:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$207K$197K$188K$179K$170K$161KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 15539 Compare?

Metric 15539 Fishertown Pennsylvania
Home Value $200,178 $200,178 $278,018
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 4.2% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 15539 (Fishertown, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.2%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $200,178
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 15.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
31.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 15539

Population: 303

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
31.7%
This area
31.7%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.1 years
This area
57.1 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
31.8%
This area
31.8%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.0%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
👶 Under 18
28.2%
This area
28.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.8%
This area
15.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 15539

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$17,420 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Chestnut Ridge MS

📚 03 – 07 School
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,420 Per Student

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Chestnut Ridge Central El Sch

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 2534 Quaker Valley Road, New Paris
👥
321 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,420 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Chestnut Ridge SHS

📚 08 – 12 High School
📍 2588 Quaker Valley Road, New Paris
👥
503 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,420 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 typical rental rate in Fishertown, PA?

Investors in Fishertown, PA typically see rents near $1,071/mo per month against $200K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How tight is the rental market in Fishertown, PA?

Fishertown, PA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,071/mo.

What kind of market is Fishertown, PA for investors?

Investors tracking Fishertown, PA will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $200K median home values and $1,071/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

How viable is house hacking in Fishertown, PA?

The house hack math a challenging in Fishertown, PA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,071/mo rents and $200K home values.

Does Fishertown, PA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Fishertown, PA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 15539 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 15539 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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