Real Estate Investing in Jay, Maine (04239)

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

Franklin County • Population: 4,644 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04239 (Jay, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 12.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Jay, ME (04239)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $228,243
Avg Monthly Rent $1,035
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,587
% Renters 16.7%

Market Analysis: 04239 Jay

The 04239 ZIP covers a section of Jay that demands careful diligence. Prices near $228K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 04239 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In practical terms, 04239 offers a low basis, the region around Jay has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 04239 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Jay averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 04239, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Jay:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,035/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$239K$209K$178K$147K$117K$86KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04239 Compare?

Metric 04239 Jay Maine
Home Value $228,243 $228,243 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 8.7% 8.7% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,035 $1,035 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 04239? 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 04239 (Jay, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.7%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $228,243
Monthly Rent $1,035
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 12.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
12.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04239

Population: 4,644

💰 Median Household Income
$76,587
This area
$76,587
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.7%
This area
16.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.5%
This area
22.5%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.5 years
This area
40.5 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.4%
This area
12.4%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
Asian 1.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
👶 Under 18
13.4%
This area
13.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
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 04239

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.5:1 Avg Class Size
$18,555 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Spruce Mountain Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,555 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Spruce Mountain Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,555 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Spruce Mountain High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
427 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,555 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

1 Nearby 29 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Maine at Farmington
1,950 students · 9.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Jay, ME?

Median home price in Jay, ME is near $228K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What is the typical renter like in Jay, ME?

Jay, ME offers a measured renter base at the $1,035/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Jay, ME good for house hacking?

House hacking in Jay, ME is a challenging. With home values around $228K and rents at $1,035/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is rental property easy to operate in Jay, ME?

Landlord-friendliness in Jay, ME is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What type of investing works in Jay, ME?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Jay, ME. With home values at $228K and rents near $1,035/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

You know 04239 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04239 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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