Real Estate Investing in Port Ludlow, Washington (98325)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 1,654 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98325 (Port Ludlow, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (26/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 23.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 34.9 — 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 Port Ludlow, WA (98325)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $556,989
Avg Monthly Rent $1,332
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $47,390
% Renters 13.4%

Market Analysis: 98325 Port Ludlow

ZIP 98325 in Port Ludlow, WA carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $557K and rents of $1,332/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $557K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 98325 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 98325 among WA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 98325 ZIP's population of 1,654 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 98325 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Port Ludlow:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 11.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,332/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 98325

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$195,914/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $509,455 $1,480 2.1% +8.7% $254,727
3BR $587,742 $2,060 2.5% +7.7% $195,914

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$587K$501K$415K$329K$243K$157KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98325 Compare?

Metric 98325 Port Ludlow Washington
Home Value $556,989 $608,968 $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 2.7% 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,332 $1,575 -
Cap Rate 1.9% 2.0% -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98325 (Port Ludlow, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $556,989
Monthly Rent $1,332
Price-to-Rent 34.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 5.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
23.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98325

Population: 1,654

💰 Median Household Income
$47,390
This area
$47,390
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.4%
This area
13.4%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
40.6%
This area
40.6%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.9 years
This area
57.9 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.0%
Other/Mixed 8.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.5%
Black/African American 0.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
6.0%
This area
6.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.1%
This area
30.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.2%
This area
24.2%
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 98325

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
17.7:1 Avg Class Size
$21,020 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Chimacum Elementary School

📚 02 – 06 School
👥
243 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,020 Per Student
A Very Good

Chimacum Junior/Senior High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
276 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,020 Per Student
C+ Average

Open Doors Reengagement Program

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$21,020 Per Student
C+ Average

PI Program

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
41 Students
👨‍🏫
21.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,020 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

1 Nearby
C
Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
43 students · 5.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical renter like in Port Ludlow, WA?

Port Ludlow, WA offers a predictable renter base at the $1,332/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is real estate in Port Ludlow, WA a good investment right now?

Port Ludlow, WA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $557K and rents near $1,332/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What are home prices like in Port Ludlow, WA?

The median home value in Port Ludlow, WA is roughly $557K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WA statewide average.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Port Ludlow, WA?

Port Ludlow, WA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Port Ludlow, WA?

For house hackers, Port Ludlow, WA is a challenging. The $1,332/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $557K property.

You know 98325 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98325 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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