Real Estate Investing in Fife, Washington (98424)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98424 (Fife, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Fife, WA (98424)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98424 Fife
ZIP 98424 in Fife, WA carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $559K and rents of $1,962/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 98424 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within WA, ZIP 98424 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pierce County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.
Demographically, 98424 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 Fife's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98424. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Fife:
Property Strategy for 98424
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $419,893 | $2,090 | 3.6% | +5.7% | $209,946 |
| 3BR | $540,868 | $2,900 | 3.9% | +5.7% | $180,289 |
| 4BR | $605,624 | $3,290 | 3.9% | +6.2% | $151,406 |
| 5BR | $650,638 | — | — | +5.4% | $130,128 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98424 Compare?
| Metric | 98424 | Fife | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $558,680 | $558,680 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.4% | 2.4% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,962 | $1,962 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% | 2.7% | - | - |
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 98424 (Fife, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Pierce County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Harborside Property Management LLC offers commercial and residential property manager services in Tacoma & Gig Harbor, including single-family and multi-family homes. summary from their website
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
HOA Community Solutions provides management services for homeowner associations. 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 | $558,680 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,962 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +4.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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 98424
Population: 11,871
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 98424
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Discovery Primary School
Meeker Elementary
Waller Road Elementary
Karshner Elementary
Maplewood Elementary
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 2,975 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home sale price in Fife, WA?
Fife, WA median home values land near $559K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,962/mo-per-month rentals.
Is rental property easy to operate in Fife, WA?
WA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Fife inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
What does house hacking look like in Fife, WA?
House hacking works a challenging in Fife, WA. Rents of $1,962/mo against $559K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
How strong is Fife, WA for real estate investors?
Investors tracking Fife, WA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $559K median home values and $1,962/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.
How qualified is the tenant pool in Fife, WA?
Fife, WA draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,962/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
You know 98424 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98424 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 98424 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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