Real Estate Investing in Homer, Alaska (99603)

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

Kenai Peninsula Borough • Population: 11,557 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 99603 (Homer, AK)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 27.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Homer, AK (99603)?

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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 $418,154
Avg Monthly Rent $1,913
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,007
% Renters 23.5%

Market Analysis: 99603 Homer

The 99603 ZIP covers a section of Homer that demands careful diligence. Prices near $418K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 99603 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $418K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader AK picture, 99603 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 99603 ZIP's population of 11,557 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 99603, 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: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Homer:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,913/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 99603

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$130,482/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $391,447 $1,960 3.6% +6.1% $130,482
4BR $541,735 $2,370 3.1% +5.9% $135,434

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$436K$384K$332K$280K$228K$176KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,950$1,842$1,735$1,628$1,520$1,413Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 99603 Compare?

Metric 99603 Homer Alaska
Home Value $418,154 $418,154 $378,640
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% 3.6%
Avg Rent $1,913 $1,913 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 99603? 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 99603 (Homer, AK). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $418,154
Monthly Rent $1,913
Price-to-Rent 18.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 8.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 7.0%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (7.0%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
27.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 99603

Population: 11,557

💰 Median Household Income
$73,007
This area
$73,007
State
$64,271
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
30.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-13.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
40.0%
This area
40.0%
State
-3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.5 years
This area
40.5 years
State
2.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.4%
This area
27.4%
State
37.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.8%
Other/Mixed 17.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Asian 2.0%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.6%
This area
8.6%
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 99603

A Avg School Grade
12 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$20,460 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

West Homer Elementary

📚 03 – 06 School
👥
209 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Paul Banks Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
172 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Homer High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Nanwalek School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
81 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Razdolna School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
78 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Homer Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

McNeil Canyon Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
147 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Voznesenka School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
130 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Kachemak Selo School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
29 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
A Very Good

Fireweed Academy

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
109 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Port Graham School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
30 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Homer Flex School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
34 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,460 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Homer, AK?

Typical homes in Homer, AK go for around $418K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Are landlord laws favorable in Homer, AK?

Rental owners in Homer, AK deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is house hacking profitable in Homer, AK?

House hacking works a challenging in Homer, AK. Rents of $1,913/mo against $418K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How strong is Homer, AK for real estate investors?

Homer, AK rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $418K and rents near $1,913/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Are tenants stable in Homer, AK?

Working renters make up the core of the Homer, AK tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 99603 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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