Real Estate Investing in Laurel, Delaware (19956)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 19956 (Laurel, DE)? 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.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Elevated poverty: 20.0% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Laurel, DE (19956)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 19956 Laurel
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Laurel's 19956 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $322K pricing implies.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $322K asset, 19956 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within DE, ZIP 19956 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Sussex County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
A durable renter share of 35% in 19956 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 19956, 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 Laurel:
Property Strategy for 19956
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $242,940 | $1,260 | 3.7% | +7.4% | $121,470 |
| 3BR | $324,699 | $1,590 | 3.5% | +8.5% | $108,233 |
| 4BR | $364,019 | $1,980 | 3.9% | +8.5% | $91,005 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 19956 Compare?
| Metric | 19956 | Laurel | Salisbury, MD-DE | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $321,914 | $321,914 | N/A | $397,840 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.5% | 4.5% | N/A | 6.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,134 | $1,134 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% | 2.8% | - | - |
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 19956 (Laurel, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 19956 (Laurel, DE)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $321,914 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,134 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.1% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.8%). 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 19956
Population: 16,274
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 19956
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
Investor Insight: With 658 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vacancy a concern in Laurel, DE?
Vacancy in Laurel, DE is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,134/mo.
Are renters plentiful in Laurel, DE?
Tenant demand in Laurel, DE is solid. The local workforce $1,134/mo rents across most rental classes.
What is it like being a landlord in Laurel, DE?
Laurel, DE operates under DE law, which is balanced overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
What investment strategy works best in Laurel, DE?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Laurel, DE. The numbers - $322K homes against $1,134/mo rents - support that play.
What is the typical home price in Laurel, DE?
Laurel, DE median home values land near $322K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,134/mo-per-month rentals.
You know 19956 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19956 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 19956 ranks in Salisbury, MD-DE
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 19956 (Laurel)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 19956 (Laurel, DE).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.