Real Estate Investing in Moss Beach, California (94038)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94038 (Moss Beach, CA)? 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.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 43.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Moss Beach, CA (94038)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94038 Moss Beach
ZIP 94038 in Moss Beach, CA carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $1.5M and rents of $2,853/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.5M asset, 94038 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
In the broader CA picture, 94038 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
A significant renter share of 7% in 94038 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 94038, 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 Moss Beach:
Property Strategy for 94038
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,162,062 | $3,170 | 2.0% | +3.3% | $581,031 |
| 3BR | $1,402,033 | $4,050 | 2.1% | +4.7% | $467,344 |
| 4BR | $1,604,770 | $4,200 | 1.9% | +5.4% | $401,193 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94038 Compare?
| Metric | 94038 | Moss Beach | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,480,366 | $1,496,265 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.0% | 3.1% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,853 | $3,267 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.5% | 1.7% | - | - |
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 94038 (Moss Beach, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 94038 (Moss Beach, CA)?
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Property managers serving San Mateo County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Bayside Property Management is a Peninsula Property Management Company serving San Mateo County. summary from their website
Boardwalk Investments Property Management specializes in property management and leasing in San Francisco and the Northern Peninsula. summary from their website
Five Star Property Management is a leader in single-family, condominium, and multi-family apartment rentals property management in San Mateo and Northern California. 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 | $1,480,366 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,853 |
| Price-to-Rent | 43.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.3% |
| Cap Rate | 1.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
🏠 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 (1.5%). 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.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 94038
Population: 3,016
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 94038
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Farallone View Elementary
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 3,549 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is real estate in Moss Beach, CA a good investment right now?
Yes - Moss Beach, CA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $1.5M home prices against $2,853/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Is Moss Beach, CA landlord-friendly?
Moss Beach, CA operates under CA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
What are rental rates like in Moss Beach, CA?
Expect rents around $2,853/mo per month in Moss Beach, CA. With home values at $1.5M, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Moss Beach, CA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Moss Beach, CA. Rents at $2,853/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
What is the typical renter like in Moss Beach, CA?
The tenant pool in Moss Beach, CA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,853/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
You know 94038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94038 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 94038 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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