Real Estate Investing in Ballston Spa, New York (12020)

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

Saratoga County • Population: 34,140 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 12020 (Ballston Spa, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Ballston Spa, NY (12020)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $442,277
Avg Monthly Rent $2,034
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,653
% Renters 29.0%

Market Analysis: 12020 Ballston Spa

ZIP 12020 in Ballston Spa, NY carries a resilient set of headwinds. Home values near $442K and rents of $2,034/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 12020 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Within NY, ZIP 12020 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Saratoga County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 12020 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 12020, 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 Ballston Spa:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,034/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
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
24 days
Average time to sell
Fast
9.8%
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 12020

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$114,631/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $305,078 $2,110 5.0% +7.4% $152,539
3BR $402,673 $2,530 4.5% +7.1% $134,224
4BR $521,593 $2,790 3.9% +7.7% $130,398
5BR $573,157 +7.7% $114,631

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$460K$410K$359K$309K$259K$209KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,068$1,970$1,871$1,773$1,675$1,576Jan 2023Oct 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 12020 Compare?

Metric 12020 Ballston Spa Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY New York
Home Value $442,277 $442,277 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $2,034 $2,034 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 12020? 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 12020 (Ballston Spa, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $442,277
Monthly Rent $2,034
Price-to-Rent 18.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
9.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 12020

Population: 34,140

💰 Median Household Income
$100,653
This area
$100,653
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.0%
This area
29.0%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.9%
This area
41.9%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.3 years
This area
42.3 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.3%
This area
9.3%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.6%
Other/Mixed 4.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Asian 2.3%
Black/African American 1.8%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
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 12020

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
10.9:1 Avg Class Size
$25,963 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

GORDON CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 Per Student
A+ Excellent

MALTA AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 Per Student
A+ Excellent

MILTON TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 Per Student
A+ Excellent

WOOD ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
494 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 Per Student
A+ Excellent

BALLSTON SPA MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
897 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 Per Student
A+ Excellent

BALLSTON SPA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,288 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,963 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

6 Nearby 7,617 Off-Campus Students
C
Empire State University
9,545 students · 7.0 mi
B+
Skidmore College
2,776 students · 7.9 mi
B
Union College
2,082 students · 13.0 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Schenectady
93 students · 13.5 mi
C
Schenectady County Community College
3,884 students · 13.5 mi
D
Belanger School of Nursing
132 students · 13.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,617 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Ballston Spa, NY?

Average rent in Ballston Spa, NY is approximately $2,034/mo per month. Against $442K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are tenants stable in Ballston Spa, NY?

Ballston Spa, NY draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $2,034/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is Ballston Spa, NY a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Ballston Spa, NY will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $442K median home values and $2,034/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

What does house hacking look like in Ballston Spa, NY?

For house hackers, Ballston Spa, NY is a challenging. The $2,034/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $442K property.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Ballston Spa, NY?

Expect elevated vacancy in Ballston Spa, NY. Rents at $2,034/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 12020 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 12020 ranks in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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