Real Estate Investing in Makawao, Hawaii (96768)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 96768 (Makawao, HI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Makawao, HI (96768)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 96768 Makawao
ZIP 96768 in Makawao, HI carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $1.1M and rents of $4,039/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 96768 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
In the broader HI picture, 96768 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
The demographic picture in 96768 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Makawao averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
New investors are better served looking at Makawao's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 96768. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Makawao:
Property Strategy for 96768
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,001,521 | $1,980 | 1.4% | +7.7% | $1,001,521 |
| 2BR | $988,246 | $2,600 | 1.9% | +7.1% | $494,123 |
| 3BR | $1,063,764 | $3,370 | 2.3% | +7.5% | $354,588 |
| 4BR | $1,319,623 | $4,200 | 2.3% | +8.8% | $329,906 |
| 5BR | $1,414,524 | — | — | +9.0% | $282,905 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 96768 Compare?
| Metric | 96768 | Makawao | Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,110,641 | $1,110,641 | N/A | $824,731 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.3% | 5.3% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $4,039 | $4,039 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% | 2.8% | - | - |
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 96768 (Makawao, HI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,110,641 |
| Monthly Rent | $4,039 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
🏠 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 (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.
Demographics in 96768
Population: 18,782
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 96768
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 944 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eviction rules reasonable in Makawao, HI?
HI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Makawao generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
How strong is Makawao, HI for real estate investors?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Makawao, HI ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $1.1M and rents of $4,039/mo drive the underlying numbers.
How do experienced investors play Makawao, HI?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Makawao, HI best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $1.1M price point.
Does house hacking make sense in Makawao, HI?
Makawao, HI offers a tougher house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $4,039/mo rent level.
What are home prices like in Makawao, HI?
Makawao, HI home values average about $1.1M. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $4,039/mo in monthly income.
You know 96768 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96768 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 96768 ranks in Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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