Real Estate Investing in Chatham, Massachusetts (02659)

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

Barnstable County • Population: 1,090 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02659 (Chatham, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 57.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 44.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Chatham, MA (02659)?

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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 $1,008,832
Avg Monthly Rent $1,908
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,969
% Renters 11.4%

Market Analysis: 02659 Chatham

The 02659 ZIP in Chatham, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.0M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $1,908/mo on a $1.0M basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 02659 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader MA picture, 02659 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 02659 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 02659, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Chatham:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,908/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Barnstable Town, MA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
48 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.5%
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 Barnstable Town, MA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 02659

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+10.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$313,629/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $693,542 $2,120 2.2% +9.4% $346,771
3BR $1,004,373 $2,600 1.9% +9.3% $334,791
4BR $1,254,514 $2,980 1.7% +10.6% $313,629

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.1M$921K$784K$647K$510K$373KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02659 Compare?

Metric 02659 Chatham Barnstable Town, MA Massachusetts
Home Value $1,008,832 $1,476,976 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 7.8% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $1,908 $2,076 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.5% 1.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 02659? 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 02659 (Chatham, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Barnstable Town, MA metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
61%
Days Pending
1/2
48 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,008,832
Monthly Rent $1,908
Price-to-Rent 44.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.3%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
57.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02659

Population: 1,090

💰 Median Household Income
$72,969
This area
$72,969
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.4%
This area
11.4%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
58.5%
This area
58.5%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.8 years
This area
59.8 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
57.0%
This area
57.0%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.5%
Black/African American 1.5%
👶 Under 18
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.7%
This area
31.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 02659

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Cape Cod Region Vocational Technical

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 351 Pleasant Lake Avenue, Harwich
👥
663 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$85,217 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Harwich Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 263 South Street, Harwich
👥
464 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$28,270 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Monomoy Regional High School

📚 08 – 12 High School
📍 75 Oak Street, Harwich
👥
719 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,270 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Monomoy Regional Middle School

📚 05 – 07 School
📍 425 Crowell Road, Chatham
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,270 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
📍 195 Route 137, East Harwich
👥
251 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,180 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Chatham, MA?

Average rent in Chatham, MA is approximately $1,908/mo per month. Against $1.0M home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How expensive is real estate in Chatham, MA?

Chatham, MA median home values land near $1.0M. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,908/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Chatham in MA worth investing in?

Yes - Chatham, MA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $1.0M home prices against $1,908/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How landlord-friendly is Chatham, MA?

Rental owners in Chatham, MA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Chatham, MA?

Chatham, MA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MA rental market.

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How 02659 ranks in Barnstable Town, MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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