Real Estate Investing in Highland, New York (12528)

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

Ulster County • Population: 13,818 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 12528 (Highland, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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: 10.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Highland, NY (12528)?

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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 $439,479
Avg Monthly Rent $1,933
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,754
% Renters 30.3%

Market Analysis: 12528 Highland

Investors eyeing 12528 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $439K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 12528 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $439K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader NY picture, 12528 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 12528 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

New investors are better served looking at Highland's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 12528. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Highland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,933/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
Kingston, NY Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
55 days
Average time to sell
Average
6.2%
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 Kingston, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 12528

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$108,671/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $321,488 $2,240 5.0% +10.0% $160,744
3BR $420,310 $2,770 4.7% +9.5% $140,103
4BR $530,942 $2,970 4.0% +9.9% $132,736
5BR $543,357 +9.6% $108,671

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$459K$403K$347K$292K$236K$180KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,939$1,921$1,902$1,884$1,866$1,848Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 12528 Compare?

Metric 12528 Highland Kingston, NY New York
Home Value $439,479 $492,661 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.2% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,933 $1,961 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 12528? 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 12528 (Highland, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Kingston, NY metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
43%
Days Pending
1/2
55 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $439,479
Monthly Rent $1,933
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
10.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 12528

Population: 13,818

💰 Median Household Income
$84,754
This area
$84,754
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.3%
This area
41.3%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.8 years
This area
43.8 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.7%
This area
10.7%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.3%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Hispanic/Latino 8.1%
Asian 7.1%
Black/African American 4.5%
👶 Under 18
18.1%
This area
18.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
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 12528

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.1:1 Avg Class Size
$29,031 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
621 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$29,031 Per Student
A+ Excellent

HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
360 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$29,031 Per Student
A+ Excellent

HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
525 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$29,031 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

HIGHLAND RESIDENTIAL CENTER

📚 07 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
69 Students
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 2,482 Off-Campus Students
C+
Marist College
6,452 students · 3.6 mi
C
Culinary Institute of America
3,104 students · 4.0 mi
B
State University of New York at New Paltz
7,420 students · 4.2 mi
C
Dutchess Community College
6,387 students · 5.2 mi
B+
Vassar College
2,456 students · 6.2 mi
C
Dutchess BOCES-Practical Nursing Program
85 students · 7.3 mi
C
Ulster County Community College
3,001 students · 10.9 mi
C
Mount Saint Mary College
2,246 students · 14.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,482 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Highland, NY?

Rental rates in Highland, NY average $1,933/mo. Tenant demand and $439K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the average home sale price in Highland, NY?

Typical homes in Highland, NY go for around $439K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Highland, NY?

Highland, NY vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

What does house hacking look like in Highland, NY?

For house hackers, Highland, NY is a challenging. The $1,933/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $439K property.

What approach is best for Highland, NY real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Highland, NY. The numbers - $439K homes against $1,933/mo rents - support that play.

You know 12528 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 12528 ranks in Kingston, NY

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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