Real Estate Investing in Lakeville, Pennsylvania (18438)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18438 (Lakeville, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 57.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.5 — 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 Lakeville, PA (18438)?
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Market Analysis: 18438 Lakeville
This part of Wayne County is not an easy win. The 18438 ZIP comes in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 18438 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 18438 and stronger Lakeville ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
The 18438 ZIP's population of 1,474 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 18438 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lakeville:
Property Strategy for 18438
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $308,153 | $1,340 | 3.1% | +9.5% | $154,077 |
| 3BR | $405,939 | $1,780 | 3.2% | +9.6% | $135,313 |
| 4BR | $553,221 | $2,220 | 2.9% | +9.3% | $138,305 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18438 Compare?
| Metric | 18438 | Lakeville | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $456,035 | $456,035 | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.4% | 5.4% | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,206 | $1,206 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% | 2.1% | - |
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 18438 (Lakeville, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $456,035 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,206 |
| Price-to-Rent | 31.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.1%). 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.
Demographics in 18438
Population: 1,474
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is housing expensive in Lakeville, PA?
Median home price in Lakeville, PA is near $456K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
How should investors approach Lakeville, PA?
For Lakeville, PA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
What is it like being a landlord in Lakeville, PA?
For rental operators, Lakeville, PA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Is Lakeville, PA good for house hacking?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Lakeville, PA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
How much is rent in Lakeville, PA?
Expect rents around $1,206/mo per month in Lakeville, PA. With home values at $456K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
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