Real Estate Investing in Lakewood, Pennsylvania (18439)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18439 (Lakewood, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 53.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• 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 Lakewood, PA (18439)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 18439 Lakewood
ZIP 18439 in Lakewood, PA carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $330K and rents of $1,017/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 18439 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Statewide comparisons place 18439 among PA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Resident income in 18439 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
The right play in 18439 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lakewood:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18439 Compare?
| Metric | 18439 | Lakewood | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $330,300 | $330,300 | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.2% | 5.2% | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,017 | $1,017 | - |
| 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 18439 (Lakewood, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 18439 (Lakewood, PA)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $330,300 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,017 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.7% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
🏠 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 18439
Population: 418
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 18439
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rentals sit vacant long in Lakewood, PA?
Lakewood, PA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
What is the average monthly rent in Lakewood, PA?
Investors in Lakewood, PA typically see rents near $1,017/mo per month against $330K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
What kind of tenants rent in Lakewood, PA?
Tenant demand in Lakewood, PA is solid. The local workforce $1,017/mo rents across most rental classes.
Is Lakewood, PA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
The best-fit strategy in Lakewood, PA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
What kind of market is Lakewood, PA for investors?
Lakewood, PA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $330K and rents near $1,017/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
You know 18439 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18439 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.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 18439 (Lakewood)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 18439 (Lakewood, PA).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.