Real Estate Investing in Brookline, Massachusetts (02445)

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

Norfolk County • Population: 22,568 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 02445 (Brookline, MA)? 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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Brookline, MA (02445)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $1,299,957
Avg Monthly Rent $3,760
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $132,970
% Renters 45.5%

Market Analysis: 02445 Brookline

This part of Norfolk County is not an easy win. The 02445 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $1.3M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02445 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within MA, ZIP 02445 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Norfolk County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 02445 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 02445 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $1.3M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Brookline:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+16.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,760/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02445

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$420,900/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $556,519 $3,330 4.3% +0.1% $556,519
2BR $841,800 $3,960 3.4% +1.4% $420,900
3BR $1,301,209 $4,750 2.6% +2.9% $433,736
4BR $2,102,415 $5,240 1.8% +3.9% $525,604
5BR $3,345,094 +5.7% $669,019

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.4M$1.2M$1.1M$869K$682K$494KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,590$4,119$3,647$3,176$2,705$2,234Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02445 Compare?

Metric 02445 Brookline Massachusetts
Home Value $1,299,957 $1,209,327 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 3.3% 7.0%
Avg Rent $3,760 $3,630 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 02445? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02445 (Brookline, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 02445 (Brookline, MA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,299,957
Monthly Rent $3,760
Price-to-Rent 28.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +16.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02445

Population: 22,568

💰 Median Household Income
$132,970
This area
$132,970
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
45.5%
This area
45.5%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
83.2%
This area
83.2%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.1 years
This area
35.1 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.1%
Asian 14.5%
Other/Mixed 11.7%
Hispanic/Latino 6.0%
Black/African American 3.6%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
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 02445

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$60,665 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

William H Lincoln

📚 K – 08 School
👥
474 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A+ Excellent

John D Runkle

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
483 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A Very Good

The Lynch Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
55 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
46 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
33 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student
A Very Good

Brookline High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,173 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$60,665 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Amigos School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 15 Upton Street, Cambridge
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$53,724 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Brighton High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 25 Warren Street, Brighton
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Burke High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
📍 60 Washington Street, Dorchester
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 36 Winthrop St, Roxbury
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Edison K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 60 Glenmont Road, Brighton
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$47,393 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 1,369 Off-Campus Students
C
Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
199 students · 0.6 mi
C
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc
169 students · 0.9 mi
C+
MCPHS University
6,321 students · 1.8 mi
C+
Emmanuel College
2,059 students · 1.8 mi
C+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
1,986 students · 1.9 mi
C+
Simmons University
5,053 students · 1.9 mi
C
Roxbury Community College
1,631 students · 1.9 mi
C+
Saint John's Seminary
120 students · 1.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,369 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Brookline, MA for investors?

Our data puts Brookline, MA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $1.3M and rents around $3,760/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Brookline, MA?

Rental vacancy in Brookline, MA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What do rentals go for in Brookline, MA?

Rental rates in Brookline, MA average $3,760/mo. Tenant demand and $1.3M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Is Brookline, MA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Brookline, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($1.3M prices, $3,760/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Does house hacking work in Brookline, MA?

House hacking works a tougher in Brookline, MA. Rents of $3,760/mo against $1.3M acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 02445 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02445 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.

Compare Plans

How 02445 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 02445 (Brookline)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 02445 (Brookline, MA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.