Real Estate Investing in Port Ludlow, Washington (98365)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 5,178 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98365 (Port Ludlow, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (31/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.2% 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 30.3 — 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 (98365)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $660,947
Avg Monthly Rent $1,818
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $93,167
% Renters 9.1%

Market Analysis: 98365 Port Ludlow

ZIP 98365 in Port Ludlow, WA carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $661K and rents of $1,818/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 98365 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $661K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

From a cash-flow lens, 98365 offers a low basis, the region around Port Ludlow has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 98365 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. solid returns are possible in 98365, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 51/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,818/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 98365

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$202,857/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $498,123 $1,720 2.5% +5.9% $498,123
2BR $650,072 $2,020 2.2% +5.9% $325,036
3BR $694,303 $2,810 2.9% +6.3% $231,434
4BR $811,428 $3,390 3.0% +6.3% $202,857

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$744K$642K$540K$437K$335K$232KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98365 Compare?

Metric 98365 Port Ludlow Washington
Home Value $660,947 $608,968 $591,536
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 2.7% 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,818 $1,575 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.0% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98365 (Port Ludlow, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $660,947
Monthly Rent $1,818
Price-to-Rent 30.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 4.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
16.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98365

Population: 5,178

💰 Median Household Income
$93,167
This area
$93,167
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
42.3%
This area
42.3%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
63.4 years
This area
63.4 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.9%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Asian 1.7%
👶 Under 18
12.1%
This area
12.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
46.6%
This area
46.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
43 students · 9.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight is the rental market in Port Ludlow, WA?

Port Ludlow, WA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect predictable absorption at market rents of $1,818/mo.

What are home prices like in Port Ludlow, WA?

The median home value in Port Ludlow, WA is roughly $661K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WA statewide average.

How strong is Port Ludlow, WA for real estate investors?

Port Ludlow, WA scores 2.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $661K and rents near $1,818/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Which real estate strategy fits Port Ludlow, WA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Port Ludlow, WA. The numbers - $661K homes against $1,818/mo rents - support that play.

Are rents high in Port Ludlow, WA?

Port Ludlow, WA rentals go for roughly $1,818/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $661K acquisition costs.

You know 98365 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98365 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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