Real Estate Investing in Gilford, New Hampshire (03249)

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

Belknap County • Population: 7,785 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03249 (Gilford, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 40.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.7 — 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 Gilford, NH (03249)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $557,034
Avg Monthly Rent $1,737
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $112,522
% Renters 9.7%

Market Analysis: 03249 Gilford

Turning to rents, ZIP 03249 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $557K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 03249 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 03249 and stronger Gilford ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 03249 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.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 03249 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 Gilford:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,737/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 03249

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$189,807/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $219,846 $1,530 5.0% +12.4% $219,846
2BR $432,882 $1,930 3.2% +12.5% $216,441
3BR $587,066 $2,380 2.9% +12.0% $195,689
4BR $759,229 $2,870 2.7% +11.9% $189,807
5BR $1,110,515 +11.2% $222,103

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$586K$502K$419K$335K$251K$168KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03249 Compare?

Metric 03249 Gilford Laconia, NH New Hampshire
Home Value $557,034 $557,034 N/A $496,656
5-Year CAGR 8.3% 8.3% N/A 9.6%
Avg Rent $1,737 $1,737 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 03249? 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 03249 (Gilford, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.3%
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 $557,034
Monthly Rent $1,737
Price-to-Rent 26.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
40.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03249

Population: 7,785

💰 Median Household Income
$112,522
This area
$112,522
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.7%
This area
9.7%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.1%
This area
43.1%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.8 years
This area
46.8 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
40.6%
This area
40.6%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.4%
Other/Mixed 4.3%
Asian 4.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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 03249

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.5:1 Avg Class Size
$22,003 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Gilford Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,003 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gilford High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
491 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,003 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gilford Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
294 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,003 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 · 4.7 mi
C
Lakes Region Community College
695 students · 5.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Gilford, NH for investors?

Investors tracking Gilford, NH will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $557K median home values and $1,737/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

What is the typical rental rate in Gilford, NH?

Investors in Gilford, NH typically see rents near $1,737/mo per month against $557K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Gilford, NH?

Occupancy in Gilford, NH runs predictable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,737/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Are renters plentiful in Gilford, NH?

Working renters make up the core of the Gilford, NH tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Which investment style suits Gilford, NH?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Gilford, NH. With home values at $557K and rents near $1,737/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

You know 03249 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03249 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 03249 ranks in Laconia, NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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