Real Estate Investing in Lummi Island, Washington (98262)

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

Whatcom • Population: 1,020 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98262 (Lummi Island, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (34/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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: 47.1% 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 30.9 — 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 Lummi Island, WA (98262)?

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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 $650,705
Avg Monthly Rent $1,755
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $82,500
% Renters 8.1%

Market Analysis: 98262 Lummi Island

Investors eyeing 98262 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $651K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 98262 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Statewide comparisons place 98262 among WA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 98262 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 Lummi Island's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98262. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Lummi Island:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 49/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,755/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 98262

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$281,594/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $496,705 $1,480 2.1% +5.3% $496,705
2BR $597,274 $1,950 2.4% +6.5% $298,637
3BR $844,782 $2,710 2.3% +6.8% $281,594

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$694K$609K$524K$439K$354K$269KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98262 Compare?

Metric 98262 Lummi Island Washington
Home Value $650,705 $650,705 $591,536
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,755 $1,755 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 98262? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98262 (Lummi Island, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $650,705
Monthly Rent $1,755
Price-to-Rent 30.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 4.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
47.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98262

Population: 1,020

💰 Median Household Income
$82,500
This area
$82,500
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
8.1%
This area
8.1%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
53.9%
This area
53.9%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
62.2 years
This area
62.2 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
47.1%
This area
47.1%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.8%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Asian 4.6%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
👶 Under 18
5.3%
This area
5.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
42.8%
This area
42.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 98262

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.9:1 Avg Class Size
$33,691 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Beach Elem

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
38 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$33,691 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

5 Nearby 3,043 Off-Campus Students
C
Northwest Indian College
696 students · 7.3 mi
C
Bellingham Technical College
1,850 students · 8.6 mi
B
Western Washington University
14,651 students · 8.7 mi
C+
Zorganics Institute of Beauty and Wellness
11 students · 10.2 mi
C+
Whatcom Community College
3,490 students · 10.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,043 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Lummi Island, WA?

The median home value in Lummi Island, WA is roughly $651K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WA statewide average.

What kind of market is Lummi Island, WA for investors?

Investors tracking Lummi Island, WA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $651K median home values and $1,755/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Lummi Island, WA?

Lummi Island, WA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,755/mo rent level.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Lummi Island, WA?

Lummi Island, WA falls under WA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the typical rental rate in Lummi Island, WA?

Investors in Lummi Island, WA typically see rents near $1,755/mo per month against $651K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 98262 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98262 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.

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