Real Estate Investing in Burien, Washington (98166)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98166 (Burien, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
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 37.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Burien, WA (98166)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98166 Burien
ZIP 98166 inside King County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $833K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Rent of $1,869/mo on a $833K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 98166 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Nearby ZIPs in Burien have seen price recovery that 98166 has not matched. King County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Meanwhile, 22,001 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 98166 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Burien:
Property Strategy for 98166
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $362,241 | $1,880 | 3.7% | +1.9% | $362,241 |
| 2BR | $541,767 | $2,190 | 2.9% | +4.4% | $270,884 |
| 3BR | $762,225 | $2,870 | 2.7% | +5.4% | $254,075 |
| 4BR | $976,312 | $3,370 | 2.5% | +6.4% | $244,078 |
| 5BR | $1,098,248 | — | — | +6.8% | $219,650 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98166 Compare?
| Metric | 98166 | Burien | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $832,902 | $707,524 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.9% | 2.5% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,869 | $1,943 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% | 2.2% | - | - |
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 98166 (Burien, 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
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 | $832,902 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,869 |
| Price-to-Rent | 37.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.7% |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +7.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
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 98166
Population: 22,001
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 98166
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
North Hill Elementary
Big Picture School
Highline High School
Puget Sound Skills Center
Satellite High School
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 7,480 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best play in Burien, WA?
For Burien, WA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Is WA a landlord-friendly state?
The landlord environment in Burien, WA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
How strong is Burien, WA for real estate investors?
Burien, WA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $833K and rents near $1,869/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
Can I house hack in Burien, WA?
Burien, WA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $833K price point reasonable to enter.
How tight is the rental market in Burien, WA?
Burien, WA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,869/mo.
You know 98166 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98166 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 98166 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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