Real Estate Investing in Waller, Washington (98443)

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

Pierce County • Population: 5,787 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98443 (Waller, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.0 — 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 Waller, WA (98443)?

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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 $574,482
Avg Monthly Rent $1,710
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $110,313
% Renters 17.2%

Market Analysis: 98443 Waller

The 98443 ZIP in Waller, WA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $574K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 98443 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $574K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Waller have seen price recovery that 98443 has not matched. Pierce County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 98443 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 98443, 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 Waller:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,710/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 98443

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+5.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$155,519/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $480,134 $1,900 2.8% +4.4% $240,067
3BR $551,853 $2,630 3.4% +5.4% $183,951
4BR $622,076 $2,990 3.5% +5.4% $155,519

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$614K$526K$438K$350K$262K$174KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98443 Compare?

Metric 98443 Waller Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $574,482 $574,482 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 2.7% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,710 $1,710 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98443? 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 98443 (Waller, 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

CommercialSingle-familySmall multifamily
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
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

HOA Community Solutions provides management services for homeowner associations. 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
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $574,482
Monthly Rent $1,710
Price-to-Rent 28.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 5.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
3.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98443

Population: 5,787

💰 Median Household Income
$110,313
This area
$110,313
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.7%
This area
20.7%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.0 years
This area
45.0 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.7%
Other/Mixed 17.0%
Hispanic/Latino 8.0%
Asian 5.9%
Black/African American 1.4%
👶 Under 18
21.6%
This area
21.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.7%
This area
18.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 98443

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$18,479 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Waller Road Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
295 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,479 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Lyon Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 101 E 46th St, Tacoma
👥
344 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,190 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Roosevelt Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3550 E Roosevelt Ave, Tacoma
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,190 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Meeker Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 409 5th St SW, Puyallup
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,479 Per Student
A Very Good

Blix Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1302 E 38th St, Tacoma
👥
422 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,190 Per Student
A Very Good

Boze Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1140 E 65th St, Tacoma
👥
443 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,190 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

8 Nearby 4,093 Off-Campus Students
D
UEI College-Tacoma
557 students · 1.8 mi
B
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
4,777 students · 4.0 mi
D
Northwest College of Art & Design
150 students · 4.4 mi
C
Bates Technical College
3,817 students · 4.6 mi
C
Summit Salon Academy
148 students · 4.7 mi
C+
BJ's Beauty & Barber College
26 students · 5.0 mi
C+
Pacific Lutheran University
2,737 students · 5.1 mi
C
Clover Park Technical College
3,040 students · 6.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,093 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Waller in WA worth investing in?

Waller, WA comes in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $574K and average rents around $1,710/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

Are renters plentiful in Waller, WA?

Tenant quality in Waller, WA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $1,710/mo.

Are rents high in Waller, WA?

Rent in Waller, WA is around $1,710/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $574K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Waller, WA?

Waller, WA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WA rental market.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Waller, WA?

House hacking in Waller, WA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $574K and rents of $1,710/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

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How 98443 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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