Clearwater
Investment Analysis

Clearwater, FL
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

Share:
41
Investment Score
Strong Buy
Cap Rate (Est.)
2.9%
Gross Yield
4.9%
P/R Ratio
14.9x
YoY Growth
-7.6%
Median Home Price
$382,250
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,562/mo
Median Income
$73,178
Population
116,868

Investment Breakdown

55
Value Score
0
Growth Score
66
Safety Score
40
Afford Score

Clearwater has a price-to-rent ratio of 14.9x, which indicates buying is significantly better than renting.

The estimated cap rate of 2.9% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of -7.6% suggests a cooling market.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,562
Annual Gross $18,744

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$478
Insurance (~0.5%) -$159
Maintenance (~1%) -$319
Est. Net Cash Flow $606/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Clearwater Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$333K2027$384Kโ–ฒ 15.5%2028$396Kโ–ฒ 19.0%20232024Now
$415K$315K
Current
$382K
2026
Projected
$384K
โ†‘ 15.5% by 2027
Projected
$396K
โ†‘ 19.0% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+5.0%
Confidence:Low
Rยฒ:0.30
โ–ผ

Our Clearwater housing market forecast for 2026-2028 suggests a period of stabilization and modest growth following recent corrections. The current median home price of $332,543 reflects a -6.4% YoY adjustment, which helps realign values with fundamentals after a five-year run-up of 29.6%. With a Price-to-Rent ratio of 16.2x sitting below the national average, the market offers relatively better value for buyers compared to renting, supporting the "NEUTRAL" verdict. For those asking "will Clearwater home prices drop" further, the data suggests a floor is forming; the 50-day average on market indicates sellers must price competitively, but deep discounts are unlikely given the area's enduring appeal. Local economic drivers, including steady tourism and a growing healthcare sector, provide a stable employment backdrop that should support housing demand.

Looking ahead to Clearwater real estate Clearwater 2027, the path will likely be shaped by affordability constraints and lifestyle migration. The A- risk grade signals a stable investment environment, but rising insurance costs and property taxes could pressure some homeowners, tempering price acceleration. The market temperature score of 60/100 indicates a balanced environment, not a hot seller's market nor a deep buyer's market. We anticipate price growth will revert closer to the long-term 5-year CAGR of 5.2% annually, rather than the volatile swings seen recently. While the coastal location remains a powerful draw, inventory levels and broader economic conditions will be key factors. Overall, the forecast points to a healthy, more sustainable market cycle where Clearwater's fundamentals support gradual appreciation without the froth of the past few years.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
3.0%
5yr CAGR
+5%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.2%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +3.5%

Healthcare

74
Score
Good

Risk Factors

Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 95.5%
Months Supply 8.4
Price Drops 35%
Gone in 2 Wks 24%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Average

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Clearwater.

Total ROI
-104%
on $76,450 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$79,578
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,465
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y180kY283kY386kY490kY594k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$79,578
Final Equity
$94,370

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Clearwater

Property

Purchase Price$382,250
Monthly Rent$1,562
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$1,275
Monthly Cash Flow
-$15,297/ year
-20.0%
Cash-on-Cash
2.1%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,562
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,933
โˆ’ Property Tax$382
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$319
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$78
= Net Cash Flow-$1,275

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$76,450
Loan Amount
$305,800
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,837
Gross Yield
4.9%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026