Real Estate Investing in Holden, Massachusetts (01520)

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

Worcester County • Population: 16,864 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01520 (Holden, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Holden, MA (01520)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $569,752
Avg Monthly Rent $2,819
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $141,508
% Renters 14.1%

Market Analysis: 01520 Holden

Investors eyeing 01520 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $570K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 01520 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within MA, ZIP 01520 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Worcester County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 01520 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Holden averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 01520 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

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

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,819/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Worcester, MA-CT Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.3%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Worcester, MA-CT metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 01520

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$156,090/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $332,801 $1,900 4.1% +7.8% $332,801
2BR $424,809 $2,450 4.2% +7.7% $212,404
3BR $511,000 $3,040 4.3% +7.5% $170,333
4BR $700,842 $3,370 3.5% +8.3% $175,211
5BR $780,452 +8.1% $156,090

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$602K$512K$422K$332K$242K$151KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,986$2,928$2,870$2,812$2,753$2,695Feb 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01520 Compare?

Metric 01520 Holden Worcester, MA-CT Massachusetts
Home Value $569,752 $556,610 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.6% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,819 $2,341 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 01520? 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 01520 (Holden, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Worcester County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Ruane Property Management LLC offers commercial and residential property management services. summary from their website

Commercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

AP Services MA offers services to build, manage, and maintain properties. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $569,752
Monthly Rent $2,819
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
0.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01520

Population: 16,864

💰 Median Household Income
$141,508
This area
$141,508
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
60.1%
This area
60.1%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.5 years
This area
41.5 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.4%
Other/Mixed 7.8%
Hispanic/Latino 5.0%
Black/African American 2.6%
Asian 2.2%
👶 Under 18
26.5%
This area
26.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.4%
This area
16.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
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 01520

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$19,035 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Mountview Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
751 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 Per Student
A Very Good

Davis Hill Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
475 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 Per Student
A Very Good

Dawson

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
488 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 Per Student
A Very Good

Leroy E.Mayo

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
479 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Wachusett Regional High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,861 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,709 Off-Campus Students
C+
Assumption University
2,046 students · 3.2 mi
C
Quinsigamond Community College
6,930 students · 3.3 mi
C
Anna Maria College
1,332 students · 3.5 mi
C
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester
171 students · 4.2 mi
C+
Worcester State University
5,611 students · 4.8 mi
B
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
7,353 students · 4.8 mi
C
Rob Roy Academy-Worcester
121 students · 5.5 mi
C
Bancroft School of Massage Therapy
51 students · 6.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,709 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holden, MA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Holden, MA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $570K median home values and $2,819/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

How high is vacancy risk in Holden, MA?

Holden, MA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $2,819/mo.

How much rent can I charge in Holden, MA?

Holden, MA rentals go for roughly $2,819/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $570K acquisition costs.

What approach is best for Holden, MA real estate?

The best-fit strategy in Holden, MA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How strong is tenant demand in Holden, MA?

Holden, MA draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $2,819/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 01520 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01520 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 01520 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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