Real Estate Investing in Bothell, Washington (98021)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98021 (Bothell, WA)? 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.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Bothell, WA (98021)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98021 Bothell
Investors eyeing 98021 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $1.1M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The 98021 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Within WA, ZIP 98021 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Snohomish County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 98021 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
The right play in 98021 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Bothell:
Property Strategy for 98021
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $346,171 | $2,600 | 5.4% | +3.4% | $346,171 |
| 2BR | $560,855 | $3,030 | 3.9% | +6.9% | $280,427 |
| 3BR | $891,399 | $3,960 | 3.2% | +8.7% | $297,133 |
| 4BR | $1,259,359 | $4,660 | 2.7% | +10.3% | $314,840 |
| 5BR | $1,522,837 | — | — | +10.2% | $304,567 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98021 Compare?
| Metric | 98021 | Bothell | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,097,245 | $1,026,156 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 4.2% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $3,370 | $2,778 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% | 2.1% | - | - |
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 98021 (Bothell, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98021 (Bothell, WA)?
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Property managers serving Snohomish County
Manage rentals here? List your business →inTrust Property Management offers HOA Management Services in King & Snohomish Counties. summary from their website
Haven Property Management is a full-service residential management company based in Federal Way, WA, covering the Greater Puget Sound area. summary from their website
Navigate Community Management provides community management services. 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 | $1,097,245 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,370 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.7% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.8% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +19.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +9.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.1% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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 98021
Population: 35,445
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 98021
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 10,683 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investability score for Bothell, WA?
Yes - Bothell, WA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $1.1M home prices against $3,370/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Is Bothell, WA good for landlords?
For rental operators, Bothell, WA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Is Bothell, WA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
Bothell, WA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($1.1M prices, $3,370/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Bothell, WA?
Occupancy in Bothell, WA runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $3,370/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
Is Bothell, WA a good market for FHA house hackers?
Bothell, WA is a a tougher market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $1.1M price point reasonable to enter.
You know 98021 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98021 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 98021 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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