Real Estate Investing in Portland, Maine (04108)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 04108 (Portland, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 56.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 34.9 — 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 Portland, ME (04108)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 04108 Portland
Turning to rents, ZIP 04108 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $746K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 04108 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within ME, ZIP 04108 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Cumberland County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
A resilient renter share of 15% in 04108 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
seems to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portland:
Property Strategy for 04108
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $591,383 | $1,980 | 2.4% | +9.0% | $295,691 |
| 3BR | $748,293 | $2,410 | 2.3% | +9.5% | $249,431 |
| 4BR | $904,828 | $2,620 | 2.1% | +9.7% | $226,207 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 04108 Compare?
| Metric | 04108 | Portland | Portland-South Portland, ME | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $745,716 | $210,345 | N/A | $401,109 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.8% | 5.5% | N/A | 8.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,782 | $2,283 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% | 2.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04108 (Portland, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 04108 (Portland, ME)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $745,716 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,782 |
| Price-to-Rent | 34.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.9% |
| Cap Rate | 1.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 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 |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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.
Demographics in 04108
Population: 788
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 04108
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Long Island Elementary School
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
Investor Insight: With 2,551 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What strategy should investors use in Portland, ME?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Portland, ME best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $746K price point.
What is the typical rental rate in Portland, ME?
Investors in Portland, ME typically see rents near $1,782/mo per month against $746K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Is vacancy a concern in Portland, ME?
Rental vacancy in Portland, ME is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
Is ME a landlord-friendly state?
The landlord environment in Portland, ME is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
Are renters plentiful in Portland, ME?
Working renters make up the core of the Portland, ME tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
You know 04108 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04108 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.
How 04108 ranks in Portland-South Portland, ME
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 04108 (Portland)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 04108 (Portland, ME).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.
