Real Estate Investing in Kirkland, Washington (98033)

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

King County • Population: 40,662 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98033 (Kirkland, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (37/100)

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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 46.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Kirkland, WA (98033)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,590,957
Avg Monthly Rent $2,837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $163,786
% Renters 36.6%

Market Analysis: 98033 Kirkland

The 98033 ZIP covers a section of Kirkland that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.6M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 98033 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Kirkland have seen price recovery that 98033 has not matched. King County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 98033 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.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Kirkland:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,837/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98033

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$460,128/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $556,758 $2,800 3.6% +2.6% $556,758
2BR $920,257 $3,260 2.6% +3.9% $460,128
3BR $1,521,554 $4,270 2.0% +8.5% $507,185
4BR $2,075,270 $5,010 1.7% +9.2% $518,817
5BR $2,611,596 +8.2% $522,319

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.9M$1.6M$1.3M$952K$650K$348KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,026$2,778$2,530$2,282$2,033$1,785Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98033 Compare?

Metric 98033 Kirkland Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $1,590,957 $1,315,524 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 4.4% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $2,837 $2,676 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.4% 1.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98033? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 37% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98033 (Kirkland, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving King County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Alki Property Management LLC specializes in apartment rentals. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Brink Property Management offers residential property management and vacant home management services in Bellevue, providing marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Full Service Property Management offers compassionate property management across Metro Seattle, including multi-family management, property marketing, and maintenance services. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,590,957
Monthly Rent $2,837
Price-to-Rent 46.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.1%
Cap Rate 1.4%
5-Year IRR 5.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.4%). 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.

Vacancy
6.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98033

Population: 40,662

💰 Median Household Income
$163,786
This area
$163,786
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.6%
This area
36.6%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
73.1%
This area
73.1%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.6 years
This area
38.6 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.2%
Asian 17.2%
Other/Mixed 10.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Black/African American 1.5%
👶 Under 18
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
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 98033

B+ Avg School Grade
13 Schools
17.1:1 Avg Class Size
$19,952 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Alexander Graham Bell Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
520 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
A Very Good

Benjamin Franklin Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
464 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
A Very Good

Lakeview Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
527 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
A Very Good

Mark Twain Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
594 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Kirkland Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
666 Students
👨‍🏫
20.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Peter Kirk Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
592 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Rose Hill Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
555 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Emerson High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
64 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B Good

Emerson K-12

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B Good

International Community School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
B Good

Community School

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
70 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
C+ Average

Lake Washington High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,037 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 Per Student
C+ Average

Northstar Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
89 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,952 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 13,818 Off-Campus Students
C
Northwest University
999 students · 1.3 mi
D
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
1,343 students · 1.3 mi
C
DigiPen Institute of Technology
1,100 students · 2.1 mi
C
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
3,357 students · 2.3 mi
C
Bastyr University
760 students · 4.6 mi
B+
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
55,620 students · 5.4 mi
B
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
5,809 students · 5.8 mi
C
Cascadia College
2,013 students · 5.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 13,818 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Kirkland, WA?

Median home price in Kirkland, WA is near $1.6M, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Kirkland, WA?

Kirkland, WA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

What kind of tenants rent in Kirkland, WA?

Tenant quality in Kirkland, WA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $2,837/mo.

Is WA a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Kirkland, WA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How does Kirkland, WA stack up for property investment?

Yes - Kirkland, WA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $1.6M home prices against $2,837/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

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How 98033 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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