Real Estate Investing in Westwood, California (96137)

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

Plumas County • Population: 2,717 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 96137 (Westwood, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (31/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 67.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.0 — 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 Westwood, CA (96137)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $452,947
Avg Monthly Rent $1,080
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,280
% Renters 22.1%

Market Analysis: 96137 Westwood

The 96137 ZIP covers a section of Westwood that demands careful diligence. Prices near $453K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,080/mo on a $453K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 96137 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 96137's metrics run below Plumas County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 96137 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 96137, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Westwood:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 47/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,080/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Susanville, CA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
4.9%
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 Susanville, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96137

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$152,785/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $240,823 $930 2.8% +3.2% $240,823
2BR $305,569 $1,200 2.8% +5.8% $152,785
3BR $478,016 $1,670 2.5% $159,339
4BR $616,757 $1,830 2.1% $154,189

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$491K$427K$363K$299K$235K$171KJan 2007Oct 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96137 Compare?

Metric 96137 Westwood Susanville, CA California
Home Value $452,947 $452,947 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 1.9% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,080 $1,080 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.9% 1.9% - -
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 96137 (Westwood, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Susanville, CA metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $452,947
Monthly Rent $1,080
Price-to-Rent 35.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 3.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
67.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96137

Population: 2,717

💰 Median Household Income
$59,280
This area
$59,280
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.1%
This area
22.1%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.3 years
This area
57.3 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
67.3%
This area
67.3%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.9%
Other/Mixed 10.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4.5%
👶 Under 18
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.4%
This area
31.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.0%
This area
15.0%
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 96137

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
15.3:1 Avg Class Size
$20,900 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Westwood High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
56 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,900 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Fletcher Walker Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
136 Students
👨‍🏫
19.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,900 Per Student
C Below Average

Westwood State Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
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

What strategy should investors use in Westwood, CA?

In Westwood, CA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $453K prices and $1,080/mo rents suits that approach.

Where do home prices stand in Westwood, CA?

Expect median prices around $453K in Westwood, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Westwood, CA?

Rental vacancy in Westwood, CA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How strong is the working-renter base in Westwood, CA?

Tenant quality in Westwood, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,080/mo.

What is the average monthly rent in Westwood, CA?

Investors in Westwood, CA typically see rents near $1,080/mo per month against $453K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 96137 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96137 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.

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How 96137 ranks in Susanville, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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