Real Estate Investing in Lakewood, Colorado (80232)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 80232 (Lakewood, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Lakewood, CO (80232)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 80232 Lakewood
ZIP 80232 in Lakewood, CO carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $526K and rents of $1,572/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 80232 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within CO, ZIP 80232 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Jefferson County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.
A solid renter share of 30% in 80232 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 80232 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lakewood:
Property Strategy for 80232
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $203,308 | $1,630 | 5.8% | +3.9% | $203,308 |
| 2BR | $371,007 | $1,940 | 3.8% | +3.8% | $185,504 |
| 3BR | $515,966 | $2,540 | 3.5% | +4.7% | $171,989 |
| 4BR | $562,853 | $2,830 | 3.6% | +4.6% | $140,713 |
| 5BR | $582,431 | — | — | +4.6% | $116,486 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 80232 Compare?
| Metric | 80232 | Lakewood | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $526,316 | $557,095 | N/A | $535,778 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.6% | 1.8% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,572 | $1,785 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% | 2.6% | - | - |
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 80232 (Lakewood, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Jefferson County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Aim High Property Management handles the full rental cycle for residential properties, including finding qualified tenants, protecting home condition, collecting rent, and reporting to owners. summary from their website
Association & Community Management provides professional management solutions for Homeowners Associations for over 60 years, focusing on personal service and integrity. summary from their website
Colorado Luxe Living offers real estate and property management services for the Front Range. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $526,316 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,572 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.6% |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 3.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -12.9% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -3.5% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -0.3% ▼ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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 80232
Population: 22,398
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 80232
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Bear Valley International School
College View Elementary School
Rocky Mountain Prep Federal
Rocky Mountain Prep Ruby Hill
Rocky Mountain Prep Westwood
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 3,218 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is tenant demand in Lakewood, CO?
Lakewood, CO draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,572/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Does Lakewood, CO favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in Lakewood, CO deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
What is the average home sale price in Lakewood, CO?
Expect median prices around $526K in Lakewood, CO. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Lakewood, CO?
Lakewood, CO is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $526K price point reasonable to enter.
What is the smart move for investors in Lakewood, CO?
Most investors in Lakewood, CO run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
You know 80232 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 80232 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 80232 ranks in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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