Real Estate Investing in Seattle, Washington (98125)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98125 (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.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Seattle, WA (98125)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98125 Seattle
On balance, ZIP 98125 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $811K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Rent of $1,867/mo on a $811K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 98125 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Regionally, 98125 sits on the difficult end of the WA spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Employment concentration in 98125 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 98125, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Seattle:
Property Strategy for 98125
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $324,901 | $2,210 | 4.9% | +1.6% | $324,901 |
| 2BR | $605,462 | $2,580 | 3.1% | +3.0% | $302,731 |
| 3BR | $801,419 | $3,380 | 3.0% | +3.9% | $267,140 |
| 4BR | $995,192 | $3,970 | 2.9% | +4.8% | $248,798 |
| 5BR | $1,113,609 | — | — | +5.0% | $222,722 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98125 Compare?
| Metric | 98125 | Seattle | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $810,550 | $694,046 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.7% | 0.8% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,867 | $2,268 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% | 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 98125 (Seattle, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98125 (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 | $810,550 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,867 |
| Price-to-Rent | 36.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.8% |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 3.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.6% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.3% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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 98125
Population: 43,807
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 98125
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Sacajawea Elementary School
Broadview-Thomson K-8 School
Echo Lake Elementary School
Meridian Park 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 12,229 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What investment strategy works best in Seattle, WA?
In Seattle, WA the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $811K prices and $1,867/mo rents suits that approach.
Is Seattle, WA a friendly market for rental owners?
Seattle, WA falls under WA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Does Seattle, WA make sense for an investment property?
The 2.0/5 investability rating in Seattle, WA reflects its $811K prices and $1,867/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WA.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $811K price point reasonable to enter.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Seattle, WA?
Vacancy in Seattle, WA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,867/mo.
You know 98125 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 98125 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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