What is the rental yield in University Heights, Seattle, Washington?

University Heights, Seattle, Washington has a gross yield of 1.9%. Prices are about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington, while the market is essentially flat over the past year at -0.1%. The Red Flag score is 40.

How have prices changed in University Heights, Seattle, Washington over the past year?

University Heights, Seattle, Washington is down 0.1% over the past year. Prices are still about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington, with a 1.9% gross yield and a Red Flag score of 40.

How does University Heights compare with Seattle and Washington on price?

University Heights, Seattle, Washington is about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington. That relative premium sits alongside a 1.9% gross yield, a 0.1% decline over the past year, and a Red Flag score of 40.

What do walkability and education look like in University Heights, Seattle, Washington?

University Heights, Seattle, Washington has walkability of 98 and education in the 85th percentile. Those scores sit alongside a 1.9% gross yield, prices about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington, and a Red Flag score of 40.

Neighborhood

University Heights

Seattle, Washington US

University Heights, Seattle, Washington has an investment profile characterized by a 1.9% gross yield, prices about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington, and a 0.1% decline over the past year. Walkability is 98 and education is in the 85th percentile, while the Red Flag score of 40 indicates a comparatively lower overall risk profile. The walkability and education scores are strengths; the very low yield is the main caution.

AI Summary•Updated May 2026

Area

0.38 mi²

ZIP Code

98105

County

King County

State

Washington

Redfin — median sale & volumeZillow ZORI — asking rentFEMA National Risk Index v1.20OpenStreetMap — POIFBI UCR — state crimeEPA — radon zonesEPA FRS / BTS — hazard screeningUS Census ACS / TIGER 2024

Verified Price · Median Sale

$1,244,630

YoY-0.1%

Gross Rental Yield

1.9%

Listed rent · ZORI annualized

Red Flag Index

Low

40 / 100

Walkability Score

Walker's Paradise

OpenStreetMap POI density · national percentile

Education Score

85 / 100

Excellent · better than 85% of U.S. districts

Pre-pandemic SEDA (2018/19) · district proxy

AI Score

Fair

DistrictScore attractiveness · national model

University Heights Property Prices & Rental Yield

Verified Redfin sale data and Zillow ZORI asking rent for University Heights, Seattle.

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Market Economics Snapshot

May 2026

Metric	Value	YoY
Median Sale Price	$1,244,630	-0.1%
Price / Sq Ft (Verified)	$597/sqft	-5.3%
Asking Rent (Median)	$2,015/mo	-8.0%
Gross Rental Yield	1.9%	—
Liquidity Score	34 / 100	Moderate
Homes Sold (Period)	112	+5.7%

Is University Heights Safe? Natural-Hazard Risk

FEMA National Risk Index composite across eight hazards, plus inherited Washington crime context.

Red Flag Breakdown

40 / 100

Low Risk

Composite is weighted by expected impact — frequent low-damage hazards (hail, wind) weigh less than flood or wildfire.

Earthquake100Very High

Wildfire40Moderate

Heat40Moderate

Flood20Low

Tornado20Low

Strong Wind20Low

Hail20Low

Hurricanen/an/a

7/8 hazards scored · FEMA NRI v1.20

Crime (state-level): Washington averaged 27.9 crimes and 3.3 violent per 1,000 residents (-13.0% YoY) in 2024(FBI UCR). Compare the state to the country, not states as a ranking — full Safety & Crime data lives on the state page.

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Tract-level hazard heatmap & parcel detail with Pro

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See all eight FEMA hazard scores — free with a DistrictScore account.

What Stands Out AI Insight

Highly walkable neighborhood — score 98/100

Low natural-hazard risk — 40/100 composite

Active transaction volume — 112 homes sold last period

Dense amenities — 110 dining & 9 grocery options nearby

Earthquake risk is Very High (100/100)

Insights are generated from University Heights's live DistrictScore metrics.

University Heights Environment & Safety

Satellite PM2.5 air-quality history, FBI UCR crime trend (Washington-level, the finest official aggregation), EPA radon potential and point-source hazard screening.

Washington Crime Trend

FBI UCR

20132024

All crimes / 1k

Violent / 1k

Year	Crimes / 1k	Violent / 1k	YoY
2024	27.9	3.3	-13.0%
2023	32.5	3.6	-12.5%
2022	37.5	3.8	+11.9%
2021	33.7	3.4	+12.1%
2020	30.3	2.9	+0.9%
2019	30.3	3.0	—

Reported at the state level — the finest official US crime aggregation; University Heights inherits the Washington figures.

Radon Potential

EPA

Zone 3

Zone 3 — Lowest potential · University Heights

EPA radon zones estimate indoor radon potential county-wide (Zone 1 highest, Zone 3 lowest). Testing is recommended in all zones.

Environmental Hazards

EPA / BTS

Industrial odor1 nearbyHigh

Aviation noise46 dBVery Low

Point-source screening near University Heights: EPA Superfund National Priorities List & Facility Registry (2026), BTS aviation noise (2020, 24-hour average level). Superfund shows distance to the nearest listed site; odor shows detected sources within the screening radius. Only detected sources are listed; the bar shows severity vs. all U.S. neighborhoods.

Walkability & Amenities in University Heights

Amenity density and pedestrian access from OpenStreetMap points of interest.

Walkability & Amenities

OpenStreetMap POI

98

Walker's Paradise

Walkability Score

9

Grocery

110

Dining

7

Schools

1

Universities

3

Hospitals

0

Pharmacies

9

Parks

3

Rail Transit

1

Coworking

POI counts are amenities within University Heights's boundary plus a 400 m walk buffer. Rail transit excludes bus stops.

University Heights vs Seattle vs Washington

How University Heights benchmarks against its city and state medians.

Benchmark vs City & State

In University Heights, the median sale price sits about 3% above the median for Seattle neighborhoods and about 70% above the statewide median. Gross rental yield is 1.9%, against 2.8% for Seattle neighborhoods and 4.0% statewide. Over the past 12 months, prices were broadly flat. Transaction liquidity sits in line with the median for Seattle neighborhoods and above the statewide median.

Area	Median / Sq Ft	Gross Yield	Liquidity
University Heights	$597/sqft	1.9%	34
Seattle	$578/sqft	2.8%	34
Washington	$352/sqft	4.0%	32

Unlock the University Heights benchmark

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Buying Property in the US as a Foreigner

Federal & Washington tax facts for non-resident buyers, plus the latest local market news.

Buying as a Foreigner

US Tax & Ownership

Applies to everyone7

Capital Gains (Federal)

Long-term capital gains taxed federally at 0/15/20%, plus a 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax on higher incomes (2026).

Property Tax

Property tax: ~0.74% average effective rate (statewide average; set and collected locally).

State Income Tax

No state income tax — rental income is not taxed at the state level.

State Capital Gains

No general income tax; the 7% capital gains tax exempts real estate.

Transfer Tax

Real estate transfer tax: REET graduated 1.1-3% (mansion-style).

Assessment Cap

No Proposition 13-style assessment cap; property is reassessed at market value.

Mansion Tax / Rent Control

Statewide rent control caps rent increases (HB 1217; 9.683% max for 2026); transfer tax is mansion-style.

US citizens & tax residents6

Primary-Home Exclusion

Selling your main home: exclude up to $250k of gain (single) / $500k (married) if you owned and lived there 2 of the last 5 years.

1031 Like-Kind Exchange

A 1031 like-kind exchange defers capital gains tax on investment property; 45 days to identify, 180 to close. Real estate only.

Depreciation Recapture

Residential rentals depreciate over 27.5 years; on sale, recaptured depreciation is taxed up to 25% (Section 1250).

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Mortgage interest is deductible on up to $750k of home debt. The SALT cap rose to $40,000 for 2025-2029 (reverts to $10k in 2030).

Opportunity Zones

Opportunity Zones are now permanent (2025): reinvested capital gains get deferral plus a basis step-up, and are tax-free after 10 years.

Rental Income (Resident)

Rental income is reported on Schedule E; passive-loss rules (Section 469) limit deducting rental losses against other income.

Foreign buyers (non-residents)5

FIRPTA (Foreign Sellers)

FIRPTA: the buyer withholds 15% of the gross sale price when a nonresident sells US property. It is an advance deposit, not the final tax.

Non-Resident Capital Gains

Nonresident sellers pay US capital gains tax (generally 15-20%) on the net gain via Form 1040-NR; FIRPTA withholding is credited.

Non-Resident Rental Tax

Nonresident rental income is taxed at 30% of gross by default, or on net income at graduated rates via a Section 871(d) election (W-8ECI).

Estate Tax (Non-Resident)

Nonresidents get only a $60,000 US estate-tax exemption (vs $13.99M for residents); US property above it is taxed up to 40%. Treaties may help.

ITIN Requirement

Nonresidents without an SSN need an ITIN (Form W-7) to file US tax returns, claim FIRPTA refunds, and report rental income.

Talk to a US real-estate tax advisor

FIRPTA, ITIN & Washington property-tax guidance for foreign buyers

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Guaranteed Rate • Jun 18, 2026

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University Heights Real Estate FAQ

University Heights, Seattle, Washington has a 1.9% gross yield and prices about 3% above Seattle and 70% above Washington. The 0.1% move over the past year and the Red Flag score of 40 suggest a relatively stable profile, though the yield is low.

Neighborhoods near University Heights

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