Real Estate Investing in Chelsea, Vermont (05038)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 05038 (Chelsea, VT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 26.8% 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 Chelsea, VT (05038)?
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Market Analysis: 05038 Chelsea
ZIP 05038 inside Orange County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $308K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $308K asset, 05038 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within VT, ZIP 05038 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Orange County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.
The demographic picture in 05038 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Chelsea averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Strategically, 05038 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Chelsea:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 05038 Compare?
| Metric | 05038 | Chelsea | Lebanon, NH-VT | Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $307,776 | $307,776 | N/A | $387,631 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.5% | 4.5% | N/A | 6.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,278 | $1,278 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 05038 (Chelsea, VT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $307,776 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,278 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.0% |
| Cap Rate | 3.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
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.
Demographics in 05038
Population: 1,301
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 05038
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea, VT a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Chelsea, VT clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $308K and average rents around $1,278/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.
Do rentals sit vacant long in Chelsea, VT?
Vacancy risk in Chelsea, VT is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.
What is the tenant pool like in Chelsea, VT?
The renter base in Chelsea, VT is reasonable for the $1,278/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.
Which real estate strategy fits Chelsea, VT?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Chelsea, VT. With home values at $308K and rents near $1,278/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.
How much is rent in Chelsea, VT?
Rent in Chelsea, VT is around $1,278/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $308K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
You know 05038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 05038 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.
How 05038 ranks in Lebanon, NH-VT
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