Real Estate Investing in Sumner, Maine (04292)

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

Oxford County • Population: 996 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04292 (Sumner, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 32.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Sumner, ME (04292)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $242,005
Avg Monthly Rent $1,260
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,750
% Renters 3.8%

Market Analysis: 04292 Sumner

Meanwhile, ZIP 04292 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $242K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $242K asset, 04292 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader ME picture, 04292 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Resident income in 04292 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 04292 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 Sumner:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,260/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)

$261K$221K$180K$140K$99K$58KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04292 Compare?

Metric 04292 Sumner Maine
Home Value $242,005 $242,005 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 8.8% 8.8% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,260 $1,260 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 04292? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04292 (Sumner, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $242,005
Monthly Rent $1,260
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 12.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +10.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
32.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04292

Population: 996

💰 Median Household Income
$48,750
This area
$48,750
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.7 years
This area
47.7 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.3%
This area
32.3%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.6%
Other/Mixed 1.4%
👶 Under 18
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
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 04292

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.3:1 Avg Class Size
$23,038 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hartford-Sumner Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
289 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,038 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

What kind of market is Sumner, ME for investors?

Our data puts Sumner, ME at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $242K and rents around $1,260/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Sumner, ME?

Occupancy in Sumner, ME runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,260/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Are rents high in Sumner, ME?

Rents in Sumner, ME run near $1,260/mo. Compared with median home prices of $242K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What investment strategy works best in Sumner, ME?

In Sumner, ME the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $242K prices and $1,260/mo rents suits that approach.

How deep is the rental pool in Sumner, ME?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Sumner, ME. The rental market absorbs $1,260/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 04292 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04292 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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