Real Estate Investing in Wardsboro, Vermont (05355)

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

Windham County • Population: 868 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 05355 (Wardsboro, VT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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: 62.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Wardsboro, VT (05355)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $375,315
Avg Monthly Rent $1,449
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $82,778
% Renters 3.2%

Market Analysis: 05355 Wardsboro

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Wardsboro's 05355 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $375K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $375K asset, 05355 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 05355's metrics run below Windham 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 05355 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. substantial returns are possible in 05355, 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 Wardsboro:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,449/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$396K$353K$311K$269K$227K$185KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 05355 Compare?

Metric 05355 Wardsboro Vermont
Home Value $375,315 $375,315 $387,631
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.3% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,449 $1,449 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 05355? 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 05355 (Wardsboro, VT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $375,315
Monthly Rent $1,449
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
62.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 05355

Population: 868

💰 Median Household Income
$82,778
This area
$82,778
State
$75,625
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
19.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
38.4%
This area
38.4%
State
2.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.9 years
This area
54.9 years
State
11.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
62.0%
This area
62.0%
State
26.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
16.6%
This area
16.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.2%
This area
28.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
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 05355

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.5:1 Avg Class Size
$31,437 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Wardsboro Central School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
46 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$31,437 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

Are homes affordable in Wardsboro, VT?

Homes in Wardsboro, VT typically sell near $375K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

How tight is the rental market in Wardsboro, VT?

Occupancy in Wardsboro, VT runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,449/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the investability score for Wardsboro, VT?

Wardsboro, VT scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $375K and rents near $1,449/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

How strict are landlord regulations in Wardsboro, VT?

VT law balanced for landlords, and Wardsboro inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the typical renter like in Wardsboro, VT?

The tenant pool in Wardsboro, VT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,449/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 05355 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 05355 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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