Real Estate Investing in Seattle, Washington (98105)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98105 (Seattle, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.5% CAGR).
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 47.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Seattle, WA (98105)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98105 Seattle
ZIP 98105 inside King County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.2M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
For an experienced owner, 98105 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $1.2M reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
ZIP 98105's metrics run below King County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The demographic picture in 98105 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Seattle averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Seattle:
Property Strategy for 98105
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $397,285 | $2,340 | 4.2% | -2.6% | $397,285 |
| 2BR | $768,002 | $2,730 | 2.6% | +1.2% | $384,001 |
| 3BR | $1,085,533 | $3,570 | 2.4% | +2.7% | $361,844 |
| 4BR | $1,558,505 | $4,200 | 1.9% | +3.9% | $389,626 |
| 5BR | $1,597,988 | — | — | +3.3% | $319,598 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98105 Compare?
| Metric | 98105 | Seattle | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,170,916 | $694,046 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.5% | 0.8% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,037 | $2,268 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.4% | 2.3% | - | - |
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 98105 (Seattle, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98105 (Seattle, WA)?
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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
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
Full Service Property Management offers compassionate property management across Metro Seattle, including multi-family management, property marketing, and maintenance 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 | $1,170,916 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,037 |
| Price-to-Rent | 47.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.1% |
| Cap Rate | 1.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 2.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +3.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
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.
Demographics in 98105
Population: 49,229
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 98105
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Lowell Elementary School
Sacajawea Elementary School
Daniel Bagley Elementary School
Green Lake Elementary School
Sand Point 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 12,888 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What monthly rent should investors expect in Seattle, WA?
Expect rents around $2,037/mo per month in Seattle, WA. With home values at $1.2M, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Is WA a landlord-friendly state?
Seattle, WA falls under WA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
How much should I expect to pay for a home in Seattle, WA?
Median home price in Seattle, WA is near $1.2M, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
What is the investability score for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $1.2M and rents near $2,037/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
What approach is best for Seattle, WA real estate?
Most investors in Seattle, WA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
You know 98105 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98105 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 98105 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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