Real Estate Investing in Luzerne, Pennsylvania (18709)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 18709 (Luzerne, 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 vacancy: 15.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Lower household income: $39,183 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Luzerne, PA (18709)?
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Market Analysis: 18709 Luzerne
ZIP 18709 in Luzerne, PA carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $183K and rents of $927/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 18709 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Within PA, ZIP 18709 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Luzerne County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 18709 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
New investors are better served looking at Luzerne's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 18709. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Luzerne:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 18709 Compare?
| Metric | 18709 | Luzerne | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $182,957 | $182,957 | N/A | $278,018 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.9% | 7.9% | N/A | 6.3% |
| Avg Rent | $927 | $927 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% | 4.0% | - | - |
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 18709 (Luzerne, PA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $182,957 |
| Monthly Rent | $927 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.1% |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +9.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 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 (4.0%). 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 18709
Population: 2,959
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 18709
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Chester Street El Sch
Dana El Ctr
Third Avenue El Sch
State El Ctr
Wyoming Valley West MS
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
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 Luzerne, PA?
Luzerne, PA median home values land near $183K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $927/mo-per-month rentals.
Is Luzerne, PA good for landlords?
Rental owners in Luzerne, PA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
How deep is the rental pool in Luzerne, PA?
Luzerne, PA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $927/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
How tight is the rental market in Luzerne, PA?
Vacancy in Luzerne, PA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $927/mo.
What type of investing works in Luzerne, PA?
In Luzerne, PA the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $183K prices and $927/mo rents suits that approach.
You know 18709 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 18709 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 18709 ranks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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