Real Estate Investing in Kalama, Washington (98625)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98625 (Kalama, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.0 — 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 Kalama, WA (98625)?
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Market Analysis: 98625 Kalama
The 98625 ZIP in Kalama, WA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $548K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 98625 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Within WA, ZIP 98625 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Cowlitz County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
Demographically, 98625 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.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 98625, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Kalama:
Property Strategy for 98625
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $423,152 | $1,540 | 2.6% | +5.5% | $211,576 |
| 3BR | $542,220 | $2,120 | 2.8% | +6.3% | $180,740 |
| 4BR | $613,875 | $2,560 | 3.0% | +6.4% | $153,469 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98625 Compare?
| Metric | 98625 | Kalama | Longview, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $548,119 | $548,119 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.8% | 2.8% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,386 | $1,386 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% | 2.0% | - | - |
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 98625 (Kalama, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $548,119 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,386 |
| Price-to-Rent | 33.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.0% |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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 98625
Population: 7,020
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 98625
Schools in This ZIP Code
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tight is the rental market in Kalama, WA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Kalama, WA. Rents at $1,386/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
What is the median home value in Kalama, WA?
In Kalama, WA the median home value sits at $548K. Against the broader WA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Is Kalama, WA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Yes - Kalama, WA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $548K home prices against $1,386/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Is rental property easy to operate in Kalama, WA?
Rental owners in Kalama, WA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
How much do tenants pay in Kalama, WA?
Rents in Kalama, WA run near $1,386/mo. Compared with median home prices of $548K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
You know 98625 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 98625 ranks in Longview, WA
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