Real Estate Investing in Granite Falls, Washington (98252)

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

Snohomish County • Population: 10,487 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98252 (Granite Falls, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Granite Falls, WA (98252)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $585,490
Avg Monthly Rent $1,944
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $91,266
% Renters 19.9%

Market Analysis: 98252 Granite Falls

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Granite Falls's 98252 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $585K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,944/mo on a $585K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 98252 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

On the rental side, 98252 offers a low basis, the region around Granite Falls has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 98252 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Granite Falls averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 98252 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Granite Falls:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,944/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 98252

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$146,493/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $328,170 $1,850 4.1% +7.1% $328,170
2BR $461,474 $2,160 3.4% +7.1% $230,737
3BR $558,155 $2,850 3.7% +7.3% $186,052
4BR $684,047 $3,320 3.5% +7.2% $171,012
5BR $732,467 +7.2% $146,493

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$628K$529K$429K$330K$231K$131KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98252 Compare?

Metric 98252 Granite Falls Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $585,490 $585,490 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,944 $1,944 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98252? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98252 (Granite Falls, 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

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Navigate Community Management provides community management services. summary from their website

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

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $585,490
Monthly Rent $1,944
Price-to-Rent 25.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
12.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98252

Population: 10,487

💰 Median Household Income
$91,266
This area
$91,266
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.6%
This area
22.6%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.5 years
This area
40.5 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.9%
This area
12.9%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.9%
Other/Mixed 10.9%
Hispanic/Latino 5.1%
Asian 2.0%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.1%
This area
12.1%
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 98252

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
19.3:1 Avg Class Size
$17,816 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Monte Cristo Elementary

📚 03 – 06 School
👥
482 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,816 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Granite Falls High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
555 Students
👨‍🏫
19.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,816 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Granite Falls Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
462 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,816 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mountain Way Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
579 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,816 Per Student
B Good

Crossroads High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
212 Students
👨‍🏫
21.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,816 Per Student
C+ Average

Granite Falls Open Doors

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
52 Students
💰
$17,816 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Granite Falls, WA?

The best-fit strategy in Granite Falls, WA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

What is the median home value in Granite Falls, WA?

Typical homes in Granite Falls, WA go for around $585K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

How high is vacancy risk in Granite Falls, WA?

Granite Falls, WA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $1,944/mo.

How strong is tenant demand in Granite Falls, WA?

Granite Falls, WA draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,944/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What is the average monthly rent in Granite Falls, WA?

Expect rents around $1,944/mo per month in Granite Falls, WA. With home values at $585K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

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How 98252 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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