Real Estate Investing in Rock Island, Washington (98850)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98850 (Rock Island, 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.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.6 — 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 Rock Island, WA (98850)?
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Market Analysis: 98850 Rock Island
ZIP 98850 in Rock Island, WA carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $451K and rents of $1,269/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 98850 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
The gap between 98850 and stronger Rock Island ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Demographically, 98850 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.
Strategically, 98850 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Rock Island:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98850 Compare?
| Metric | 98850 | Rock Island | Wenatchee, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $450,643 | $450,643 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.4% | 4.4% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,269 | $1,269 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - | - |
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 98850 (Rock Island, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $450,643 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,269 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.8% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.2%). 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.
Demographics in 98850
Population: 1,825
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 98850
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 1,302 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approach is best for Rock Island, WA real estate?
Rock Island, WA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($451K prices, $1,269/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
What is the typical renter like in Rock Island, WA?
The renter base in Rock Island, WA is reasonable for the $1,269/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.
How high is vacancy risk in Rock Island, WA?
Vacancy in Rock Island, WA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,269/mo.
What does house hacking look like in Rock Island, WA?
House hacking in Rock Island, WA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $451K and rents of $1,269/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
How much is rent in Rock Island, WA?
Average rent in Rock Island, WA is approximately $1,269/mo per month. Against $451K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
You know 98850 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 98850 ranks in Wenatchee, WA
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