Real Estate Investing in San Rafael, California (94901)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94901 (San Rafael, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 40.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in San Rafael, CA (94901)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94901 San Rafael
The 94901 ZIP in San Rafael, CA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.4M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
For an experienced owner, 94901 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $1.4M reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Put differently, 94901 offers a low basis, the region around San Rafael has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Demographically, 94901 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 94901 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in San Rafael:
Property Strategy for 94901
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $620,192 | $2,580 | 3.0% | -3.1% | $620,192 |
| 2BR | $844,688 | $3,120 | 2.7% | +1.6% | $422,344 |
| 3BR | $1,301,959 | $3,990 | 2.2% | +3.7% | $433,986 |
| 4BR | $1,806,579 | $4,130 | 1.6% | +5.2% | $451,645 |
| 5BR | $2,432,356 | — | — | +5.3% | $486,471 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94901 Compare?
| Metric | 94901 | San Rafael | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,413,487 | $1,340,484 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.3% | 1.6% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,884 | $3,076 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.6% | 1.8% | - | - |
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 94901 (San Rafael, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 94901 (San Rafael, CA)?
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Property managers serving Marin County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Foundation Homes Property Management provides performance-built property management for luxury homes in Marin County and beyond. summary from their website
Marshall & Co. Property Management offers owner and resident services, including lease-only options, for residential and commercial rentals. summary from their website
PRANDI Property Management is Marin County's only Certified Residential Management Company, focusing on quality tenants and homes. 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 | $1,413,487 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,884 |
| Price-to-Rent | 40.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.5% |
| Cap Rate | 1.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 2.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.5% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.6%). 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 94901
Population: 41,095
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 94901
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 5,111 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can owner-occupants cash flow in San Rafael, CA?
The house hack math a tougher in San Rafael, CA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,884/mo rents and $1.4M home values.
What approach is best for San Rafael, CA real estate?
For San Rafael, CA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Is rental property easy to operate in San Rafael, CA?
CA law tenant-protective for landlords, and San Rafael inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
Is San Rafael, CA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
San Rafael, CA scores 2.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $1.4M and rents near $2,884/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Is housing expensive in San Rafael, CA?
Typical homes in San Rafael, CA go for around $1.4M. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.
You know 94901 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94901 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 94901 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
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