Real Estate Investing in Wellesley, Massachusetts (02481)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 02481 (Wellesley, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 48.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Wellesley, MA (02481)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 02481 Wellesley
Investors eyeing 02481 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $2.2M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The investment case in 02481 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $2.2M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Regionally, 02481 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
The 02481 ZIP's population of 17,262 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.
The right play in 02481 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Wellesley:
Property Strategy for 02481
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,094,439 | $4,030 | 2.7% | +7.3% | $547,220 |
| 3BR | $1,435,523 | $4,830 | 2.4% | +8.0% | $478,508 |
| 4BR | $2,050,420 | $5,340 | 1.9% | +8.4% | $512,605 |
| 5BR | $2,994,929 | — | — | +7.6% | $598,986 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 02481 Compare?
| Metric | 02481 | Wellesley | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $2,239,949 | $2,046,534 | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.0% | 7.1% | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $3,842 | $4,137 | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.3% | 1.6% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02481 (Wellesley, 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
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
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
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $2,239,949 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,842 |
| Price-to-Rent | 48.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.1% |
| Cap Rate | 1.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.3%). 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.
Demographics in 02481
Population: 17,262
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 02481
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
A E Angier
C C Burr
Zervas
Hunnewell
John D Hardy
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
Investor Insight: With 1,640 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eviction rules reasonable in Wellesley, MA?
For rental operators, Wellesley, MA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Are tenants stable in Wellesley, MA?
Working renters make up the core of the Wellesley, MA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
How do home values compare in Wellesley, MA?
Homes in Wellesley, MA typically sell near $2.2M. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.
Is real estate in Wellesley, MA a good investment right now?
Wellesley, MA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $2.2M and rents near $3,842/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the smart move for investors in Wellesley, MA?
In Wellesley, MA the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $2.2M prices and $3,842/mo rents suits that approach.
You know 02481 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02481 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.
How 02481 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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