Real Estate Investing in Eliot, Maine (03903)

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

York County • Population: 6,978 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03903 (Eliot, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Eliot, ME (03903)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $619,861
Avg Monthly Rent $2,223
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $92,474
% Renters 15.1%

Market Analysis: 03903 Eliot

ZIP 03903 inside York County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $620K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 03903 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $620K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Looking more closely, 03903 offers a low basis, the region around Eliot has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 03903 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 03903 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Eliot:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,223/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
35 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.2%
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 Portland-South Portland, ME metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 03903

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$182,016/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $490,978 $2,470 3.6% +7.5% $245,489
3BR $614,118 $2,960 3.5% +7.7% $204,706
4BR $728,064 $4,140 4.1% +8.0% $182,016

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$652K$572K$492K$411K$331K$251KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03903 Compare?

Metric 03903 Eliot Portland-South Portland, ME Maine
Home Value $619,861 $619,861 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $2,223 $2,223 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 03903? 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 03903 (Eliot, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $619,861
Monthly Rent $2,223
Price-to-Rent 23.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 7.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

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

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
9.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 03903

Population: 6,978

💰 Median Household Income
$92,474
This area
$92,474
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.1%
This area
15.1%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
41.0%
This area
41.0%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.1 years
This area
50.1 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.2%
Other/Mixed 9.9%
Hispanic/Latino 6.0%
Black/African American 1.6%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.2%
This area
25.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
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 03903

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.9:1 Avg Class Size
$18,506 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Marshwood Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
465 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,506 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Eliot Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,506 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

5 Nearby 1,433 Off-Campus Students
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Portsmouth
61 students · 5.2 mi
C
Great Bay Community College
1,440 students · 5.3 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Somersworth
168 students · 7.4 mi
B
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
13,626 students · 7.4 mi
C
York County Community College
1,782 students · 14.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,433 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Eliot, ME?

Eliot, ME home values average about $620K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,223/mo in monthly income.

Does Eliot, ME make sense for an investment property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Eliot, ME ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $620K and rents of $2,223/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Eliot, ME?

Eliot, ME falls under ME landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the average monthly rent in Eliot, ME?

Expect rents around $2,223/mo per month in Eliot, ME. With home values at $620K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Eliot, ME?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Eliot, ME. The rental market absorbs $2,223/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 03903 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 03903 ranks in Portland-South Portland, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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