Real Estate Investing in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania (18618)

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

Luzerne County • Population: 3,583 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 18618 (Harveys Lake, PA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 26.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Harveys Lake, PA (18618)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $273,158
Avg Monthly Rent $1,584
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,944
% Renters 16.6%

Market Analysis: 18618 Harveys Lake

Investors eyeing 18618 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $273K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 18618 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Regionally, 18618 sits on the difficult end of the PA spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 18618 ZIP's population of 3,583 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 18618 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 Harveys Lake:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,584/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
39 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.8%
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$285K$251K$216K$182K$148K$113KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 18618 Compare?

Metric 18618 Harveys Lake Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Pennsylvania
Home Value $273,158 $273,158 N/A $278,018
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 4.7% N/A 6.3%
Avg Rent $1,584 $1,584 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 18618? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 18618 (Harveys Lake, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $273,158
Monthly Rent $1,584
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 9.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
26.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 18618

Population: 3,583

💰 Median Household Income
$70,944
This area
$70,944
State
$73,647
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.6%
This area
16.6%
State
23.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-7.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.6%
This area
37.6%
State
12.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.4 years
This area
47.4 years
State
25.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
26.2%
This area
26.2%
State
14.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.7%
This area
28.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
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 18618

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.3:1 Avg Class Size
$21,514 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lake-Noxen El Sch

📚 K – 06 School
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,514 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

7 Nearby 2,602 Off-Campus Students
C
Misericordia University
2,107 students · 3.9 mi
D
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
353 students · 5.1 mi
C
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort
159 students · 10.2 mi
C
Wilkes University
5,198 students · 11.8 mi
C
King's College
1,932 students · 11.9 mi
C
Luzerne County Community College
4,315 students · 12.9 mi
D
Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing
102 students · 14.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,602 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Harveys Lake, PA?

Expect median prices around $273K in Harveys Lake, PA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

Is vacancy a concern in Harveys Lake, PA?

Rental vacancy in Harveys Lake, PA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Harveys Lake, PA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Harveys Lake, PA. The rental market absorbs $1,584/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Harveys Lake, PA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Harveys Lake, PA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($273K prices, $1,584/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What do rentals go for in Harveys Lake, PA?

Rental rates in Harveys Lake, PA average $1,584/mo. Tenant demand and $273K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

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How 18618 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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