Real Estate Investing in West Paris, Maine (04289)

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

Oxford County • Population: 1,901 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04289 (West Paris, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 22.8% 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 West Paris, ME (04289)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $275,944
Avg Monthly Rent $1,098
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,338
% Renters 23.2%

Market Analysis: 04289 West Paris

ZIP 04289 in West Paris, ME carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $276K and rents of $1,098/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

On balance, the numbers look inviting — $276K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 04289 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 04289 and stronger West Paris ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 04289 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 04289, 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 West Paris:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,098/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)

$293K$250K$207K$164K$121K$78KJul 2007Jan 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04289 Compare?

Metric 04289 West Paris Maine
Home Value $275,944 $275,944 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.3% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,098 $1,098 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 04289? 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 04289 (West Paris, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $275,944
Monthly Rent $1,098
Price-to-Rent 20.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
22.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04289

Population: 1,901

💰 Median Household Income
$54,338
This area
$54,338
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.7%
This area
19.7%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.9 years
This area
47.9 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.6%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
17.3%
This area
17.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.2%
This area
25.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
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 04289

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,682 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Agnes Gray School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
122 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,682 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which investment style suits West Paris, ME?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in West Paris, ME. With home values at $276K and rents near $1,098/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

Is West Paris, ME a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, West Paris, ME rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How much rent can I charge in West Paris, ME?

Rents in West Paris, ME run near $1,098/mo. Compared with median home prices of $276K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is the tenant base reliable in West Paris, ME?

The renter base in West Paris, ME is reasonable for the $1,098/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

How tight is the rental market in West Paris, ME?

Vacancy risk in West Paris, ME is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

You know 04289 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04289 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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