🍎

Harvard

50 min to Boston
"Rural escape—apple orchards and conservation land far from crowds"
Median Price
$875,000
$420/sqft
School Rating
8.4/10
Great
Appreciation
3.9%
per year
Commute
50 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Harvard typically may qualify for high-balance conforming loans, though jumbo financing might be needed depending on exact property price.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

The Vibe

True rural New England—apple orchards, conservation land, authentic small-town character, and families seeking the anti-suburb

What It's Really Like

Harvard is as rural as you get while staying in Greater Boston—apple orchards, conservation land, real farms, and the kind of quiet that city people dream about.

Best For

  • Nature lovers and rural lifestyle seekers
  • Remote workers not commuting
  • Privacy and land seekers
  • Farm-to-table enthusiasts

Avoid If

  • You commute to Boston (50+ min)
  • You need amenities or walkability
  • You want diverse communities

🌟Highlights

🍎Working apple orchards and farms
🌲Extensive conservation land
🏫Good schools (8.4/10) in rural setting
🦌Authentic rural New England lifestyle

Insider Tips

  • 💡Fruitlands Museum is cultural gem
  • 💡Nashoba Valley is apple orchard central
  • 💡Remote workers love it—commuters hate it

Demographics

Population
6,500
Median Age
45
Median Income
$152,000

Religious Community

Places of Worship
3
Churches
3
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 17332 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1975
50 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
31.9%
⚠️ Higher insurance risk
Post-2000 Construction
23.5%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,200
Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1975. Insurance premiums estimated at $2,200/year. Some older homes may require system updates (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$437,500$875,000$1,750,000

Leave blank to use town median (1975)

Annual Premium
$2,150
$179/month
vs. State Average
+7%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$64,500

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.2% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $539 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $16,170 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
35 units
2010-2019
8.8%
210 units
2000-2009
13.3%
320 units
1990-1999
15.8%
380 units
1980-1989
17.5%
420 units
1970-1979
18.8%
450 units
1960-1969
15.8%
380 units
1950-1959
11.7%
280 units
1940-1949
6.7%
160 units
Pre-1940
31.9%
765 units
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