Real Estate Investing in Topsham, Vermont (05040)

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

Orange County • Population: 568 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 05040 (Topsham, VT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Topsham, VT (05040)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $309,303
Avg Monthly Rent $1,269
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $92,386
% Renters 12.6%

Market Analysis: 05040 Topsham

This part of Orange County is not an easy win. The 05040 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $309K asset, 05040 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 05040 among VT's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Stepping back, 568 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Topsham:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,269/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
Lebanon, NH-VT Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
52 days
Average time to sell
Average
6.9%
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 Lebanon, NH-VT metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$324K$314K$304K$293K$283K$273KNov 2023Mar 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 05040 Compare?

Metric 05040 Topsham Lebanon, NH-VT Vermont
Home Value $309,303 $277,567 N/A $387,631
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,269 $1,239 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.5% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 05040 (Topsham, VT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $309,303
Monthly Rent $1,269
Price-to-Rent 20.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 13.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 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
9.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 05040

Population: 568

💰 Median Household Income
$92,386
This area
$92,386
State
$75,625
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
19.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
2.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.0 years
This area
47.0 years
State
11.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
26.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Black/African American 6.1%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.6%
This area
35.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 05040

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.1:1 Avg Class Size
$24,552 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Waits River Valley Union School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$24,552 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the renter demographic in Topsham, VT?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Topsham, VT. The rental market absorbs $1,269/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Topsham in VT worth investing in?

The 2.0/5 investability rating in Topsham, VT reflects its $309K prices and $1,269/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within VT.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Topsham, VT?

The median home value in Topsham, VT is roughly $309K. That puts it reasonable relative to the VT statewide average.

How strict are landlord regulations in Topsham, VT?

VT ranks as a balanced state for landlord-tenant law. Topsham generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Does house hacking work in Topsham, VT?

House hacking in Topsham, VT is a challenging. With home values around $309K and rents at $1,269/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 05040 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 05040 ranks in Lebanon, NH-VT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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