Real Estate Investing in Hopewell, New Jersey (08525)

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

Mercer County • Population: 4,567 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 08525 (Hopewell, NJ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.5 — 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 Hopewell, NJ (08525)?

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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 $679,886
Avg Monthly Rent $2,061
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $150,278
% Renters 16.4%

Market Analysis: 08525 Hopewell

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Hopewell's 08525 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $680K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 08525 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $680K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 08525 and stronger Hopewell ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 08525 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 08525 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $680K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Hopewell:

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 (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,061/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
Trenton-Princeton, NJ Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
41 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.9%
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 08525

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$203,741/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $618,495 $2,750 3.2% +7.4% $206,165
4BR $814,964 $3,120 2.8% +8.5% $203,741

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$710K$641K$571K$502K$433K$364KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 08525 Compare?

Metric 08525 Hopewell Trenton-Princeton, NJ New Jersey
Home Value $679,886 $679,886 N/A $559,826
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% N/A 8.4%
Avg Rent $2,061 $2,061 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 08525? 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 08525 (Hopewell, NJ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $679,886
Monthly Rent $2,061
Price-to-Rent 27.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 08525

Population: 4,567

💰 Median Household Income
$150,278
This area
$150,278
State
$113,906
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
28.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-9.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
63.4%
This area
63.4%
State
25.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.2 years
This area
47.2 years
State
22.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
9.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.0%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4%
Asian 2.0%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.9%
This area
15.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
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 08525

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
9.8:1 Avg Class Size
$31,857 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hopewell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
410 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$31,857 Per Student
C Below Average

DOVES RCH

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

8 Nearby 1,359 Off-Campus Students
C
Princeton Theological Seminary
287 students · 7.0 mi
A
Princeton University
8,922 students · 7.2 mi
C+
Rider University
4,083 students · 8.5 mi
B+
The College of New Jersey
7,652 students · 8.8 mi
C
Innovate Salon Academy
153 students · 9.1 mi
F
Fortis Institute-Lawrenceville
305 students · 9.9 mi
C
Mercer County Community College
6,219 students · 12.0 mi
C
Thomas Edison State University
7,587 students · 12.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,359 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hopewell, NJ a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Hopewell, NJ a 3.0/5 investability score. With $680K home prices against $2,061/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What do rentals go for in Hopewell, NJ?

Rental rates in Hopewell, NJ average $2,061/mo. Tenant demand and $680K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How expensive is real estate in Hopewell, NJ?

Median home price in Hopewell, NJ is near $680K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been even-keeled and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How viable is house hacking in Hopewell, NJ?

House hacking in Hopewell, NJ is a challenging. With home values around $680K and rents at $2,061/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What are vacancy rates like in Hopewell, NJ?

Vacancy in Hopewell, NJ is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,061/mo.

You know 08525 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 08525 ranks in Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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