Real Estate Investing in Mountlake Terrace, Washington (98043)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98043 (Mountlake Terrace, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
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 26.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Mountlake Terrace, WA (98043)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98043 Mountlake Terrace
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Mountlake Terrace's 98043 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $679K pricing implies.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 98043 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Nearby ZIPs in Mountlake Terrace have seen price recovery that 98043 has not matched. Snohomish County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Demographically, 98043 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.
New investors are better served looking at Mountlake Terrace's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98043. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Mountlake Terrace:
Property Strategy for 98043
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $284,887 | $2,060 | 5.2% | +5.3% | $284,887 |
| 2BR | $502,831 | $2,400 | 3.4% | +6.8% | $251,416 |
| 3BR | $682,015 | $3,140 | 3.3% | +6.9% | $227,338 |
| 4BR | $807,837 | $3,690 | 3.3% | +7.1% | $201,959 |
| 5BR | $893,475 | — | — | +7.3% | $178,695 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98043 Compare?
| Metric | 98043 | Mountlake Terrace | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $678,693 | $678,693 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.3% | 3.3% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,109 | $2,109 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% | 2.4% | - | - |
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 98043 (Mountlake Terrace, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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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 | $678,693 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,109 |
| Price-to-Rent | 26.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.7% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +3.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
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 98043
Population: 21,417
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 98043
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Cedar Valley Community School
College Place Elementary
Hazelwood Elementary
Briarcrest Elementary
Brier Elementary
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 11,217 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tenants pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA?
Rent in Mountlake Terrace, WA is around $2,109/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $679K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
What are home prices like in Mountlake Terrace, WA?
The median home value in Mountlake Terrace, WA is roughly $679K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WA statewide average.
What is the investability score for Mountlake Terrace, WA?
Yes - Mountlake Terrace, WA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $679K home prices against $2,109/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
How tight is the rental market in Mountlake Terrace, WA?
Mountlake Terrace, WA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $2,109/mo.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Mountlake Terrace, WA?
For house hackers, Mountlake Terrace, WA is a challenging. The $2,109/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $679K property.
You know 98043 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98043 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 98043 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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