Real Estate Investing in South Hero, Vermont (05486)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 05486 (South Hero, 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: 42.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.1 — 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 South Hero, VT (05486)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 05486 South Hero
ZIP 05486 inside Grand Isle County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $635K — 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 $635K asset, 05486 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
In the broader VT picture, 05486 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
Put differently, 1,536 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.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 05486, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in South Hero:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 05486 Compare?
| Metric | 05486 | South Hero | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $635,351 | $635,351 | N/A | $387,631 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.1% | 2.1% | N/A | 6.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,818 | $1,818 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 05486 (South Hero, VT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 05486 (South Hero, VT)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $635,351 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,818 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.5% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.2%). 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 05486
Population: 1,536
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 05486
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
Investor Insight: With 866 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What real estate strategy is ideal for South Hero, VT?
For South Hero, VT, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
How qualified is the tenant pool in South Hero, VT?
The tenant pool in South Hero, VT is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,818/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
Should investors worry about vacancy in South Hero, VT?
Vacancy in South Hero, VT is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,818/mo.
Is South Hero, VT good for house hacking?
The house hack math a challenging in South Hero, VT. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,818/mo rents and $635K home values.
What kind of market is South Hero, VT for investors?
Investors tracking South Hero, VT will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $635K median home values and $1,818/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.
You know 05486 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 05486 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 05486 ranks in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 05486 (South Hero)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 05486 (South Hero, VT).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.