Real Estate Investing in Old Forge, New York (13420)

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

Herkimer County • Population: 890 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 13420 (Old Forge, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 80.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 45.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Old Forge, NY (13420)?

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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 $530,726
Avg Monthly Rent $963
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $104,659
% Renters 11.3%

Market Analysis: 13420 Old Forge

ZIP 13420 in Old Forge, NY carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $531K and rents of $963/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 13420 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $531K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Old Forge have seen price recovery that 13420 has not matched. Herkimer County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 13420 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 13420 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $531K 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 Old Forge:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $963/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
Utica-Rome, NY Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
41 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.0%
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 Utica-Rome, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 13420

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$170,030/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $340,060 $1,070 2.3% +10.3% $170,030
3BR $525,114 $1,280 1.8% +9.8% $175,038
4BR $798,485 $1,490 1.3% +10.4% $199,621
5BR $1,222,861 +9.6% $244,572

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$555K$485K$416K$347K$277K$208KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 13420 Compare?

Metric 13420 Old Forge Utica-Rome, NY New York
Home Value $530,726 $487,952 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.8% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $963 $963 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.4% 1.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 13420? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 13420 (Old Forge, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $530,726
Monthly Rent $963
Price-to-Rent 45.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.2%
Cap Rate 1.4%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
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: 1.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.4%). 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
80.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 13420

Population: 890

💰 Median Household Income
$104,659
This area
$104,659
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.4%
This area
47.4%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.1 years
This area
57.1 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
80.6%
This area
80.6%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.0%
Black/African American 2.2%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
👶 Under 18
4.2%
This area
4.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
34.6%
This area
34.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 13420

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
8.3:1 Avg Class Size
$36,227 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

TOWN OF WEBB SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
233 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$36,227 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

Is Old Forge, NY a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Yes - Old Forge, NY a 3.0/5 investability score. With $531K home prices against $963/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Which investment style suits Old Forge, NY?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Old Forge, NY. The numbers - $531K homes against $963/mo rents - support that play.

How deep is the rental pool in Old Forge, NY?

The renter base in Old Forge, NY is reasonable for the $963/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

Can I house hack in Old Forge, NY?

House hacking works a challenging in Old Forge, NY. Rents of $963/mo against $531K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Old Forge, NY?

Vacancy in Old Forge, NY is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $963/mo.

You know 13420 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 13420 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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How 13420 ranks in Utica-Rome, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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