Real Estate Investing in Franklin, Massachusetts (02038)

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

Norfolk County • Population: 33,067 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02038 (Franklin, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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 Franklin, MA (02038)?

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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 $714,527
Avg Monthly Rent $2,747
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $138,062
% Renters 20.8%

Market Analysis: 02038 Franklin

On balance, ZIP 02038 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $715K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $715K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02038 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Franklin have seen price recovery that 02038 has not matched. Norfolk County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 02038 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Franklin averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 02038 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Franklin:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,747/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 02038

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$182,483/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $244,588 $2,160 6.4% +7.5% $244,588
2BR $489,912 $2,560 3.8% +7.4% $244,956
3BR $636,983 $3,080 3.5% +7.0% $212,328
4BR $878,796 $3,390 2.8% +7.6% $219,699
5BR $912,417 +7.6% $182,483

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$749K$659K$570K$480K$391K$301KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,823$2,639$2,456$2,272$2,088$1,905Jun 2021Jan 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02038 Compare?

Metric 02038 Franklin Massachusetts
Home Value $714,527 $714,527 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.2% 5.2% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,747 $2,747 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 02038? 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 02038 (Franklin, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Norfolk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Old Colony Property Services is a condominium and HOA property management company serving the Old Colony area of Southeastern Massachusetts, including Canton, Easton, Brockton, and Bridgewater. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Bellevue Property Management is a home rental and property management company servicing Boston Metrowest, including Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, and Holliston. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

The Triad Group is a real estate and development company specializing in taking development projects from vision to reality across the United States and globally. 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
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $714,527
Monthly Rent $2,747
Price-to-Rent 21.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
3.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02038

Population: 33,067

💰 Median Household Income
$138,062
This area
$138,062
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.8%
This area
20.8%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.6%
This area
55.6%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.2%
Asian 5.7%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 1.5%
👶 Under 18
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.5%
This area
13.5%
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 02038

A+ Avg School Grade
12 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$23,154 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Annie Sullivan Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Horace Mann

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
387 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Jefferson Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
333 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Remington Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
351 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
964 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$28,234 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Helen Keller Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
558 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

J F Kennedy Memorial

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Oak Street Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
386 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Parmenter

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
291 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
152 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
A Very Good

Franklin High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,569 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,091 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
888 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,704 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 64 Off-Campus Students
C
Dean College
1,151 students · 0.7 mi
C+
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School
64 students · 0.8 mi
C
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln
703 students · 10.8 mi
D
Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District
40 students · 11.8 mi
D
FINE Mortuary College
176 students · 13.0 mi
C+
Bryant University
3,592 students · 13.2 mi
C
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island
487 students · 14.2 mi
C+
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
1,778 students · 14.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Franklin, MA?

Vacancy risk in Franklin, MA is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Franklin, MA?

Franklin, MA draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $2,747/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What strategy should investors use in Franklin, MA?

For Franklin, MA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Is rental property easy to operate in Franklin, MA?

Franklin, MA falls under MA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What do landlords charge for rent in Franklin, MA?

Rental rates in Franklin, MA average $2,747/mo. Tenant demand and $715K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

You know 02038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 02038 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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