Real Estate Investing in Yakima, Washington (98901)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98901 (Yakima, 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 27.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Yakima, WA (98901)?
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Market Analysis: 98901 Yakima
The 98901 ZIP in Yakima, WA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $342K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $342K asset, 98901 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Regionally, 98901 sits on the difficult end of the WA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Who lives in 98901 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
New investors are better served looking at Yakima's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98901. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Yakima:
Property Strategy for 98901
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $174,855 | $960 | 4.0% | +7.7% | $174,855 |
| 2BR | $225,493 | $1,260 | 4.0% | +6.9% | $112,747 |
| 3BR | $370,186 | $1,750 | 3.4% | +5.8% | $123,395 |
| 4BR | $448,048 | $2,000 | 3.2% | +6.0% | $112,012 |
| 5BR | $462,214 | — | — | +5.9% | $92,443 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98901 Compare?
| Metric | 98901 | Yakima | Yakima, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $342,133 | $247,945 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.0% | 3.0% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,025 | $1,459 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% | 3.1% | - | - |
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 98901 (Yakima, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $342,133 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,025 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.6% |
| Cap Rate | 2.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -25.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
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.
Demographics in 98901
Population: 32,080
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 98901
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 1,916 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should investors approach Yakima, WA?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Yakima, WA. With home values at $342K and rents near $1,025/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.
Where do rents currently stand in Yakima, WA?
Rent in Yakima, WA is around $1,025/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $342K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Are eviction rules reasonable in Yakima, WA?
Yakima, WA operates under WA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect stable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
How strong is the working-renter base in Yakima, WA?
Tenant quality in Yakima, WA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report stable occupancy at market rents of $1,025/mo.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Yakima, WA?
Expect elevated vacancy in Yakima, WA. Rents at $1,025/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
You know 98901 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 98901 ranks in Yakima, WA
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