Real Estate Investing in Alstead, New Hampshire (03602)

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

Cheshire County • Population: 2,415 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03602 (Alstead, 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: 24.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Alstead, NH (03602)?

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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 $368,403
Avg Monthly Rent $1,530
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,696
% Renters 25.2%

Market Analysis: 03602 Alstead

This part of Cheshire County is not an easy win. The 03602 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 03602 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $368K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 03602 sits on the difficult end of the NH spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 03602 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 03602, 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 Alstead:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,530/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Keene, NH Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
40 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
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 Keene, NH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 03602

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+12.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$113,663/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $319,996 $1,700 3.8% +11.5% $159,998
3BR $382,610 $2,240 4.2% +11.2% $127,537
4BR $454,651 $2,320 3.7% +12.7% $113,663

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$390K$336K$282K$228K$175K$121KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03602 Compare?

Metric 03602 Alstead Keene, NH New Hampshire
Home Value $368,403 $368,403 N/A $496,656
5-Year CAGR 8.0% 8.0% N/A 9.6%
Avg Rent $1,530 $1,530 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 03602? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 03602 (Alstead, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.0%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Keene, NH metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
37%
Days Pending
0/2
40 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $368,403
Monthly Rent $1,530
Price-to-Rent 20.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
24.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03602

Population: 2,415

💰 Median Household Income
$56,696
This area
$56,696
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.2%
This area
28.2%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.1 years
This area
51.1 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
24.9%
This area
24.9%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.5%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
16.7%
This area
16.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.3%
This area
25.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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 03602

A Avg School Grade
6 Schools
10.1:1 Avg Class Size
$23,600 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Fall Mountain Regional High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
486 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,600 Per Student
A Very Good

Alstead Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
67 Students
👨‍🏫
6.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,600 Per Student
A Very Good

Vilas Elementary School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
94 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,600 Per Student
A Very Good

Sarah Porter School

📚 01 – 04 Elementary
👥
23 Students
👨‍🏫
8.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,600 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,600 Per Student
B Good

LEAF Charter School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
67 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
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

4 Nearby 8 Off-Campus Students
C
Keene Beauty Academy
93 students · 13.0 mi
D
Antioch University-New England
967 students · 14.3 mi
C
Landmark College
650 students · 14.4 mi
C+
Keene State College
2,846 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NH a landlord-friendly state?

NH ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Alstead generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What strategy should investors use in Alstead, NH?

Most investors in Alstead, NH run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How do home values compare in Alstead, NH?

Median home price in Alstead, NH is near $368K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How does Alstead, NH rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Alstead, NH will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $368K median home values and $1,530/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Alstead, NH?

Rents in Alstead, NH run near $1,530/mo. Compared with median home prices of $368K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

You know 03602 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03602 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 03602 ranks in Keene, NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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