Real Estate Investing in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania (16421)

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

Erie County • Population: 2,251 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 16421 (Harborcreek, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Harborcreek, PA (16421)?

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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 $261,911
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,926
% Renters 37.9%

Market Analysis: 16421 Harborcreek

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Harborcreek's 16421 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $262K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 16421 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader PA picture, 16421 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 16421 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Harborcreek averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 16421 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 Harborcreek:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/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
Erie, PA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
19 days
Average time to sell
Fast
10.0%
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 Erie, PA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 16421

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$72,387/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $179,412 $1,140 4.6% +7.5% $89,706
3BR $249,911 $1,410 4.1% +7.3% $83,304
4BR $289,547 $1,580 3.9% +7.9% $72,387

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$273K$241K$208K$175K$143K$110KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 16421 Compare?

Metric 16421 Harborcreek Erie, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $261,911 $261,911 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,026 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 16421? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 16421 (Harborcreek, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Erie, PA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
41%
Days Pending
0/2
19 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $261,911
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 21.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
2.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 16421

Population: 2,251

💰 Median Household Income
$72,926
This area
$72,926
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
37.9%
This area
37.9%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.9%
This area
29.9%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.5 years
This area
49.5 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.6%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Black/African American 0.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.8%
This area
25.8%
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 16421

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$19,542 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Harbor Creek Junior HS

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
343 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,542 Per Student
A Very Good

Harbor Creek Senior HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
682 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,542 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

6 Nearby 212 Off-Campus Students
C+
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College
3,323 students · 4.3 mi
C
Mercyhurst University
2,668 students · 7.5 mi
C+
Gannon University
4,548 students · 8.3 mi
D
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
303 students · 10.2 mi
C+
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
4,117 students · 10.7 mi
C+
Erie Institute of Technology Inc
183 students · 10.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tenant pool like in Harborcreek, PA?

The tenant pool in Harborcreek, PA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,026/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Harborcreek, PA?

Occupancy in Harborcreek, PA runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,026/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is house hacking profitable in Harborcreek, PA?

House hacking in Harborcreek, PA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $262K and rents of $1,026/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Where do rents currently stand in Harborcreek, PA?

Investors in Harborcreek, PA typically see rents near $1,026/mo per month against $262K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is it like being a landlord in Harborcreek, PA?

PA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Harborcreek inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

You know 16421 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 16421 ranks in Erie, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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