Real Estate Investing in Lewistown, Pennsylvania (17044)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 17044 (Lewistown, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 11.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Lewistown, PA (17044)?
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Market Analysis: 17044 Lewistown
Put differently, ZIP 17044 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $174K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Rent of $873/mo on a $174K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 17044 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
On the rental side, 17044 offers a low basis, the region around Lewistown has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
The demographic picture in 17044 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Lewistown averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 17044, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lewistown:
Property Strategy for 17044
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $100,539 | $790 | 5.7% | — | $100,539 |
| 2BR | $132,591 | $970 | 5.3% | +10.7% | $66,296 |
| 3BR | $168,806 | $1,280 | 5.5% | +9.8% | $56,269 |
| 4BR | $201,884 | $1,290 | 4.6% | +9.2% | $50,471 |
| 5BR | $172,707 | — | — | +10.9% | $34,541 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 17044 Compare?
| Metric | 17044 | Lewistown | Lewistown, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $173,704 | $173,704 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.8% | 7.8% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $873 | $873 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | - | - |
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 17044 (Lewistown, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $173,704 |
| Monthly Rent | $873 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.0% |
| Cap Rate | 3.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +9.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.9% ▲ |
🏠 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 (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.
Demographics in 17044
Population: 20,526
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 17044
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a house cost in Lewistown, PA?
In Lewistown, PA the median home value sits at $174K. Against the broader PA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Lewistown, PA?
Lewistown, PA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
What is it like being a landlord in Lewistown, PA?
PA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Lewistown generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
Is house hacking profitable in Lewistown, PA?
House hacking in Lewistown, PA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $174K and rents of $873/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
What is the tenant pool like in Lewistown, PA?
The tenant pool in Lewistown, PA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $873/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
You know 17044 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 17044 ranks in Lewistown, PA
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