Real Estate Investing in Jonestown, Pennsylvania (17038)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 17038 (Jonestown, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Jonestown, PA (17038)?
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Market Analysis: 17038 Jonestown
ZIP 17038 inside Lebanon County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $331K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Rent of $1,035/mo on a $331K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 17038 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Nearby ZIPs in Jonestown have seen price recovery that 17038 has not matched. Lebanon County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Who lives in 17038 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The 17038 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Jonestown:
Property Strategy for 17038
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $301,724 | $1,460 | 3.5% | +8.2% | $100,575 |
| 4BR | $365,487 | $1,600 | 3.2% | +8.3% | $91,372 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 17038 Compare?
| Metric | 17038 | Jonestown | Lebanon, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $331,171 | $331,171 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.8% | 6.8% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,035 | $1,035 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% | 2.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 17038 (Jonestown, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $331,171 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,035 |
| Price-to-Rent | 26.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.8% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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.
Demographics in 17038
Population: 8,245
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent in Jonestown, PA?
Rental rates in Jonestown, PA average $1,035/mo. Tenant demand and $331K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
How expensive is real estate in Jonestown, PA?
In Jonestown, PA the median home value sits at $331K. Against the broader PA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Jonestown, PA?
Jonestown, PA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,035/mo.
Is PA a landlord-friendly state?
PA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Jonestown generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
What is the investability score for Jonestown, PA?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Jonestown, PA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $331K and rents of $1,035/mo drive the underlying numbers.
You know 17038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 17038 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.
How 17038 ranks in Lebanon, PA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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