Real Estate Investing in Waterford, California (95386)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Stanislaus County • Population: 10,410 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95386 (Waterford, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (44/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Waterford, CA (95386)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $432,551
Avg Monthly Rent $1,557
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,503
% Renters 42.6%

Market Analysis: 95386 Waterford

Investors eyeing 95386 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $433K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 95386 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 95386 and stronger Waterford ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 95386 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waterford averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 95386 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $433K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Waterford:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,557/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Modesto, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
38 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Modesto, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95386

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$108,042/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $351,555 $1,730 3.5% +6.0% $175,777
3BR $408,519 $2,400 4.2% +6.5% $136,173
4BR $473,011 $2,780 4.2% +6.2% $118,253
5BR $540,208 +6.4% $108,042

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$459K$385K$311K$238K$164K$91KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95386 Compare?

Metric 95386 Waterford Modesto, CA California
Home Value $432,551 $432,551 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,557 $1,557 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95386? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 43% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95386 (Waterford, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Stanislaus County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

summary from their website summary from their website

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Liberty Property Management offers services for Homeowners Associations, residential and commercial property management, and rental assistance in Stanislaus County and surrounding cities. summary from their website

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Valley Oak Property Management provides property management services in Modesto and Stanislaus County, including Ceres, Escalon, and Manteca. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Modesto, CA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
38 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $432,551
Monthly Rent $1,557
Price-to-Rent 23.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 5.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
8.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95386

Population: 10,410

💰 Median Household Income
$63,503
This area
$63,503
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
42.6%
This area
42.6%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.1 years
This area
33.1 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.3%
This area
8.3%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 66.8%
Other/Mixed 27.7%
Hispanic/Latino 23.0%
Asian 3.5%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
27.6%
This area
27.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.2%
This area
9.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
11.5%

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 95386

B Avg School Grade
8 Schools
20.1:1 Avg Class Size
$18,260 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Richard M. Moon Primary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
506 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,800 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Waterford High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
589 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,800 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Waterford Junior

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
19.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,800 Per Student
B Good

Sentinel High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
26 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,800 Per Student
B Good

Roberts Ferry Charter School Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
167 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
C+ Average

Lucille Whitehead Intermediate

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
351 Students
👨‍🏫
26.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,800 Per Student
C+ Average

Connecting Waters Charter

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
768 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,654 Per Student
C+ Average

Roberts Ferry Union Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
24 Students
👨‍🏫
24.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Waterford, CA for real estate investors?

Investors tracking Waterford, CA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $433K median home values and $1,557/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

What kind of tenants rent in Waterford, CA?

The renter base in Waterford, CA is reasonable for the $1,557/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

How much is rent in Waterford, CA?

Rental rates in Waterford, CA average $1,557/mo. Tenant demand and $433K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How should investors approach Waterford, CA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Waterford, CA. With home values at $433K and rents near $1,557/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

How viable is house hacking in Waterford, CA?

Waterford, CA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $433K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 95386 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95386 ranks in Modesto, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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