Real Estate Investing in Lee, New Hampshire (03861)

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

Strafford County • Population: 4,558 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03861 (Lee, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 32.6 — 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 Lee, NH (03861)?

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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 $622,370
Avg Monthly Rent $1,593
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $116,350
% Renters 9.1%

Market Analysis: 03861 Lee

ZIP 03861 inside Strafford County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $622K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The 03861 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 03861's metrics run below Strafford County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 03861 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 03861 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 Lee:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,593/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 03861

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$177,662/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $436,893 $1,770 2.9% +11.1% $218,446
3BR $603,407 $2,190 2.6% +11.0% $201,136
4BR $710,649 $2,480 2.5% +10.9% $177,662

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$659K$566K$472K$379K$286K$192KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03861 Compare?

Metric 03861 Lee New Hampshire
Home Value $622,370 $622,370 $496,656
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 7.8% 9.6%
Avg Rent $1,593 $1,593 -
Cap Rate 2.0% 2.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 03861? 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 03861 (Lee, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 03861 (Lee, NH)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $622,370
Monthly Rent $1,593
Price-to-Rent 32.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.1%
Cap Rate 2.0%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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
9.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03861

Population: 4,558

💰 Median Household Income
$116,350
This area
$116,350
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.5%
This area
55.5%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.1 years
This area
48.1 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.0%
Other/Mixed 11.0%
Asian 8.9%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5%
👶 Under 18
22.6%
This area
22.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 03861

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$30,376 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Mast Way School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,376 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

4 Nearby 869 Off-Campus Students
B
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
13,626 students · 3.9 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Somersworth
168 students · 9.9 mi
C
Great Bay Community College
1,440 students · 11.0 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Portsmouth
61 students · 12.8 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Lee, NH?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Lee, NH ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $622K and rents of $1,593/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Lee, NH?

Expect elevated vacancy in Lee, NH. Rents at $1,593/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is the average home sale price in Lee, NH?

Expect median prices around $622K in Lee, NH. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

What strategy should investors use in Lee, NH?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Lee, NH. With home values at $622K and rents near $1,593/mo, other strategies can work but produce reliable rather than outsized returns.

What is the typical rental rate in Lee, NH?

The typical rental in Lee, NH commands about $1,593/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $622K purchase basis.

You know 03861 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 03861 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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