Real Estate Investing in Meredith, New Hampshire (03253)

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

Belknap County • Population: 6,677 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03253 (Meredith, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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: 38.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.9 — 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 Meredith, NH (03253)?

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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 $699,510
Avg Monthly Rent $1,719
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,490
% Renters 22.8%

Market Analysis: 03253 Meredith

The 03253 ZIP covers a section of Meredith that demands careful diligence. Prices near $700K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 03253 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader NH picture, 03253 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 03253 ZIP's population of 6,677 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 03253, 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 Meredith:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,719/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
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 03253

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+13.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$237,586/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $426,210 $1,510 2.6% +11.2% $426,210
2BR $533,116 $1,910 2.6% +12.0% $266,558
3BR $712,759 $2,350 2.4% +11.6% $237,586
4BR $966,731 $2,840 2.1% +12.1% $241,683
5BR $1,861,164 +13.8% $372,233

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$735K$632K$529K$427K$324K$221KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03253 Compare?

Metric 03253 Meredith Laconia, NH New Hampshire
Home Value $699,510 $699,510 N/A $496,656
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% N/A 9.6%
Avg Rent $1,719 $1,719 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.9% 1.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 03253? 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 →
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 03253 (Meredith, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.2%
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 $699,510
Monthly Rent $1,719
Price-to-Rent 33.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.0%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
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: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
38.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03253

Population: 6,677

💰 Median Household Income
$65,490
This area
$65,490
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.0%
This area
44.0%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.3 years
This area
55.3 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
38.1%
This area
38.1%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.4%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
Asian 1.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.3%
This area
31.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
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 03253

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.5:1 Avg Class Size
$31,642 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Inter-Lakes Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
421 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$31,642 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Inter-Lakes High School

📚 09 – 13 High School
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$31,642 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Inter-Lakes Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
148 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$31,642 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

3 Nearby 325 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Laconia
82 students · 7.4 mi
C
Lakes Region Community College
695 students · 8.8 mi
C
Plymouth State University
3,839 students · 13.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Meredith, NH?

Meredith, NH home values average about $700K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,719/mo in monthly income.

How does Meredith, NH rate as a rental market?

Meredith, NH rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $700K and rents near $1,719/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How deep is the rental pool in Meredith, NH?

The tenant pool in Meredith, NH is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,719/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What do landlords charge for rent in Meredith, NH?

Expect rents around $1,719/mo per month in Meredith, NH. With home values at $700K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What does house hacking look like in Meredith, NH?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Meredith, NH reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 03253 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03253 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 03253 ranks in Laconia, NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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