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Single Family ResidenceResidential
$954,130$356 / ft²
TopHap EstimateOur estimate of what this home would sell for today, based on nearby sales, the home's size and features, and local price trends. It is a starting point, not an appraisal.· confidence 97How well the pricing models agreed with each other on this home. Higher means the estimate rests on stronger, more consistent data.· as of Jul 14, 2026
Last sold for $1 on May 3, 2011

159 FOREST ST

MELROSE, MA 02176
3
Beds
2
Baths
2,680 ft²
Living AreaTotal finished area of the structures, from county records. Some counties include shared space like hallways or a building gym, so it may not match a listing.
0.46 ac
Lot SizeThe size of the land the home sits on, from county records.
1901
Year BuiltThe year the home was originally built, according to county records.
2
StoriesHow many floors the home has above ground.
7
RoomsThe total room count in county records. Counties differ on which rooms they count, so compare it loosely.

Valuation

$954K
$921K low$987K high
Last SaleThe most recent sale price and date from the recorded deed. Transfers between family members or companies may not reflect market value.$1 · May 3, 2011
Est. Owner EquityRoughly how much of the home's value the owner would keep after paying off known loans. It is our estimate minus the loans still owed.$67,130
Est. Lendable EquityThe part of the owner's equity a lender would typically let them borrow against — about 80% of their equity.$53,704
Loan-to-ValueHow much is still owed on the home compared to what it is worth. 80% means loans equal 80% of our estimate, so it shifts when the estimate does.90%
1st MortgageA loan still believed to be open on this home, in the order lenders get repaid. The first position is paid back before the second.$652,000
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA · R · recorded Sep 9, 2021
2nd MortgageA loan still believed to be open on this home, in the order lenders get repaid. The first position is paid back before the second.$235,000
MERRIMACK VALLEY FCU

Tax & Assessment

Property TaxThe property tax billed for this tax year. It usually pays for schools, roads, and local services.$7,861 (2025)
Assessed ValueThe value the county assigns to this home to calculate property tax. It is often lower than what the home would sell for.$794,000 (2025)
Assessed LandThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the land itself, not the buildings.$467,700
Assessed ImprovementsThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the buildings and other structures on the land.$326,300
Previous AssessedThe county's assessed value from the year before, useful for seeing how the assessment changed.$756,700

Climate Risk

Projected Flood DepthHow deep a serious flood is expected to get here at some point in the next 30 years. Shown in inches.33 in
30-Year Flood ChanceThe chance of at least one serious flood here in the next 30 years, not in any single year.30%
FEMA Flood ZoneFEMA's flood zone for this address. Zones starting with A or V are high risk, and lenders usually require flood insurance there.minimal

Scores 0–100; higher = greater projected risk.

Property Facts

Property TypeThe broad category the county puts this property in, such as residential or commercial.Single Family Residence
CountyMiddlesex
Lot (acres)The size of the land the home sits on, from county records.0.47
ConstructionThe main material the home's frame and walls are built from.Frame (Unspecified)
RoofThe main material covering the roof, such as asphalt shingle or tile.Asphalt
HeatingThe type of heating system in the home.Hot Water
FireplaceWhether the home has a fireplace, and what kind.Yes
PoolWhether the property has a pool, and what kind, such as in-ground.No

Transaction History(4)

Sales and refinances filed with the county for this home. Not every transfer is a normal sale, so check the type before comparing prices.

Assigned SchoolsThe public schools this address is zoned for. Boundaries change, so confirm with the district before you count on it.

E
Hoover Elementary SchoolA-
Elementary · Grades KG–5 · 0.3 mi
H
Melrose High SchoolA+
High · Grades 9–12 · 1.4 mi
M
Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle SchoolB
Middle · Grades 6–8 · 1.4 mi

District: Melrose School District

Neighborhood · ZIP 02176These are comparison scores, not percentages. 100 equals the national average, so 150 means about 50% above average.

CrimeLocal crime compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. It reflects things like population density, income, and how crime gets reported.84
Air pollutionOverall air pollution compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Lower is cleaner.105
EarthquakeEarthquake risk and likely building damage compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Scores can run far above 100.85

Index scale: 100 = US average (tick). Lower is better.

Homes occupiedThe share of homes here that someone lives in. The rest sit empty, including vacation and for-sale homes.97%
Bachelor's or higherThe share of adults 25 and older whose highest degree is a bachelor's degree.34%
Poverty rateThe share of people whose household income falls below the federal poverty line, which varies by family size.4.0%
UnemploymentThe share of men 16 and older who are out of work and actively looking. Only men are counted in this figure.1.2%
PopulationHow many people live in this area.29,986
DensityPeople per square mile. Higher numbers mean a more crowded, urban area.6,427 / mi²
Median incomeThe middle household income here — half of households earn more, half earn less.$127,610
Average incomeThe average household income. It runs higher than the median when a few high earners pull it up.$148,943
Average tempThe average temperature here across a full year.50°F
Annual precipHow much rain and melted snow falls here in a typical year.48 in
SunshineThe share of daylight hours that get direct sun in a typical year, counting cloud cover.58%

Ownership

OccupancyWhether the owner appears to live here or somewhere else. It is inferred from the mailing address on record.Owner occupied
Company ownedWhether the owner is a company or trust rather than a person.No

Data by ATTOM. Valuations are automated estimates, not appraisals. Photos from Google Street View and may not depict the current property state.

How this home compares

159 Forest St measured against every home in its neighborhood, its ZIP code and its county, using county assessor records refreshed nightly. A home can stand out in one of those areas and look ordinary in another, because each one holds a different mix of homes.

  • Worth more than 66% of homes in Middlesex County
  • Costs less per square foot than 95% of homes in East Side
  • Bigger than 83% of homes in Melrose 02176
  • Has a bigger lot than 97% of homes in East Side
  • Older than 84% of homes in Middlesex County

What homes are worth in Melrose 02176

Each bar is how many homes fall in that price range. The marker is this home.

This home
$336K$1.6M

This home is worth more than 63% of homes in Melrose 02176.

How it measures up in Melrose 02176

The dot is this home. The mark in the middle is the typical home in Melrose 02176.

Estimated value$954,130
CheaperTypical $881,337Pricier

Pricier than 63% of homes nearby

Price per ft²$356
CheaperTypical $489Pricier

Pricier than 5% of homes nearby

Living area2,680 ft²
SmallerTypical 1,886 ft²Bigger

Bigger than 83% of homes nearby

Lot size0.46 ac
SmallerTypical 0.16 acBigger

Bigger than 97% of homes nearby

Year built1901
OlderTypical 1926Newer

Newer than 34% of homes nearby

How 159 Forest St ranks against every home in each area.
MeasureThis homeEast SideMelrose 02176Middlesex County
Estimated valuepricier than$954,13051% of homes63% of homes66% of homes
Price per ft²pricier than$3565% of homes5% of homes20% of homes
Living areabigger than2,680 ft²78% of homes83% of homes79% of homes
Lot sizebigger than0.46 ac97% of homes97% of homes62% of homes
Year builtnewer than190128% of homes34% of homes16% of homes

About 159 Forest St

How much is 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA worth?

The TopHap Estimate for 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA is $954,130 as of Jul 14, 2026. The likely range is $921,132 to $987,128. The estimate is modelled from recorded sales, assessments and the property's own characteristics — it is not an appraisal.

When did 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA last sell?

159 Forest St, Melrose, MA last sold on May 3, 2011 for $1, according to the county's recorded deed. TopHap holds 3 recorded sales for this parcel.

How big is 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA?

159 Forest St, Melrose, MA has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,680 square feet of living space and a 0.47-acre lot.

When was 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA built?

159 Forest St, Melrose, MA was built in 1901, making it 125 years old. The building has 2 stories.

What schools serve 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA?

159 Forest St, Melrose, MA is assigned to Hoover Elementary School (elementary), rated A-; Melrose High School (high), rated A+; Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (middle), rated B. All sit in Melrose School District. Attendance boundaries change — confirm with the district before relying on an assignment.

How does 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA compare to other homes in Melrose 02176?

Among the 8,581 homes in Melrose 02176, it is worth more than 63% of them ($954,130 against a typical $881,337), its price per square foot is higher than 5% of them ($356 against a typical $489), it is bigger than 83% of them (2,680 ft² against a typical 1,886 ft²), its lot is bigger than 97% of them (0.46 ac against a typical 0.16 ac) and it is newer than 34% of them (1901 against a typical 1926). Measured against all of Middlesex County, it is worth more than 66% of homes there. These shares are recounted nightly from the full county assessor record for each area, not from active listings.

What are the property taxes on 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA?

The 2025 property tax bill for 159 Forest St, Melrose, MA was $7,861. The county assessed it at $794,000.

Closest homes

More homes in Melrose 02176

Assigned schools

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