Real Estate Investing in Dover, New Hampshire (03820)

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

Strafford County • Population: 33,150 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03820 (Dover, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Dover, NH (03820)?

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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 $548,174
Avg Monthly Rent $2,273
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $90,868
% Renters 48.0%

Market Analysis: 03820 Dover

This part of Strafford County is not an easy win. The 03820 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $548K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 03820 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 03820 among NH's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 03820 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 03820 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $548K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Dover:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,273/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 03820

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+12.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$151,121/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $202,885 $1,620 5.7% +12.7% $202,885
2BR $394,058 $2,120 3.9% +10.1% $197,029
3BR $557,723 $2,600 3.4% +9.8% $185,908
4BR $678,266 $2,840 3.0% +10.2% $169,567
5BR $755,604 +10.3% $151,121

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$585K$502K$419K$336K$253K$170KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,349$2,175$2,002$1,828$1,654$1,480Jan 2021Oct 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03820 Compare?

Metric 03820 Dover New Hampshire
Home Value $548,174 $548,174 $496,656
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 9.6%
Avg Rent $2,273 $2,273 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 03820? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 48% 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 03820 (Dover, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $548,174
Monthly Rent $2,273
Price-to-Rent 20.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 10.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 7.0%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (7.0%) 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
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03820

Population: 33,150

💰 Median Household Income
$90,868
This area
$90,868
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
48.0%
This area
48.0%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.7%
This area
50.7%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.2 years
This area
37.2 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.1%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Asian 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 1.3%
👶 Under 18
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
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 03820

A Avg School Grade
6 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$18,848 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent
👥
413 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,848 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Garrison School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
364 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,848 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Woodman Park School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,848 Per Student
A Very Good

Dover Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
972 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,848 Per Student
A Very Good

Dover Senior High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,418 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,848 Per Student
B Good

Seacoast Charter School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
288 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 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 869 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire Beauty School-Somersworth
168 students · 2.8 mi
B
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
13,626 students · 4.4 mi
C
Great Bay Community College
1,440 students · 9.2 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Portsmouth
61 students · 10.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 869 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Dover, NH?

Expect rents around $2,273/mo per month in Dover, NH. With home values at $548K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Is Dover, NH better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Dover, NH investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($548K prices, $2,273/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is Dover, NH a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Dover, NH reflects its $548K prices and $2,273/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NH.

Are there empty rentals in Dover, NH?

Vacancy in Dover, NH is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,273/mo.

Where do home prices stand in Dover, NH?

Dover, NH home values average about $548K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,273/mo in monthly income.

You know 03820 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03820 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 03820 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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