Real Estate Investing in Laconia, New Hampshire (03246)

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

Belknap County • Population: 17,006 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03246 (Laconia, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 30.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Laconia, NH (03246)?

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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 $445,982
Avg Monthly Rent $1,924
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,024
% Renters 41.1%

Market Analysis: 03246 Laconia

ZIP 03246 inside Belknap County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $446K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $446K asset, 03246 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader NH picture, 03246 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Looking more closely, 17,006 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 03246, 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 Laconia:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,924/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Laconia, NH Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.4%
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 Laconia, NH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 03246

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+12.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$146,091/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $240,739 $1,400 4.2% +12.9% $240,739
2BR $359,327 $1,770 3.5% +11.9% $179,664
3BR $482,538 $2,180 3.3% +11.2% $160,846
4BR $584,362 $2,630 3.2% +11.1% $146,091
5BR $855,191 +11.6% $171,038

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$470K$406K$342K$279K$215K$151KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,000$1,890$1,780$1,670$1,559$1,449Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03246 Compare?

Metric 03246 Laconia Laconia, NH New Hampshire
Home Value $445,982 $445,982 N/A $496,656
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% N/A 9.6%
Avg Rent $1,924 $1,924 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 03246? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 41% 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 03246 (Laconia, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Laconia, NH metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
50%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $445,982
Monthly Rent $1,924
Price-to-Rent 19.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +15.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
30.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03246

Population: 17,006

💰 Median Household Income
$68,024
This area
$68,024
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
41.1%
This area
41.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.2%
This area
27.2%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.8 years
This area
43.8 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.8%
This area
30.8%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.2%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Black/African American 1.2%
Asian 1.1%
👶 Under 18
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 03246

A+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$21,745 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Laconia High School

📚 09 – 13 High School
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,745 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Laconia Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,745 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Woodland Heights Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,745 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Pleasant Street School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
259 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,745 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Elm Street School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,745 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

2 Nearby 325 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Laconia
82 students · 3.2 mi
C
Lakes Region Community College
695 students · 4.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Laconia, NH?

Laconia, NH rentals go for roughly $1,924/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $446K acquisition costs.

What price range are homes in Laconia, NH?

The median home value in Laconia, NH is roughly $446K. That puts it reasonable relative to the NH statewide average.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Laconia, NH?

Occupancy in Laconia, NH runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,924/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the tenant pool like in Laconia, NH?

The tenant pool in Laconia, NH is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,924/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What kind of market is Laconia, NH for investors?

Investors tracking Laconia, NH will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $446K median home values and $1,924/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

You know 03246 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03246 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 03246 ranks in Laconia, NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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