Real Estate Investing in Gardiner, Maine (04345)

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

Kennebec County • Population: 12,363 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04345 (Gardiner, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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

📈 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: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Gardiner, ME (04345)?

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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 $321,721
Avg Monthly Rent $1,523
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,194
% Renters 23.3%

Market Analysis: 04345 Gardiner

The 04345 ZIP in Gardiner, ME is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $322K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 04345 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader ME picture, 04345 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A solid renter share of 23% in 04345 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The 04345 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Gardiner:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,523/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Augusta-Waterville, ME Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.5%
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 Augusta-Waterville, ME metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 04345

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$91,229/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $263,965 $1,420 3.9% +11.4% $131,983
3BR $316,722 $1,820 4.1% +10.9% $105,574
4BR $364,915 $2,170 4.3% +10.6% $91,229

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$340K$293K$245K$198K$151K$103KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,568$1,516$1,463$1,411$1,359$1,307Jun 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04345 Compare?

Metric 04345 Gardiner Augusta-Waterville, ME Maine
Home Value $321,721 $321,721 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,523 $1,523 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04345? 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 04345 (Gardiner, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $321,721
Monthly Rent $1,523
Price-to-Rent 17.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04345

Population: 12,363

💰 Median Household Income
$70,194
This area
$70,194
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.5%
This area
26.5%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.9 years
This area
43.9 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.1%
Other/Mixed 6.9%
Hispanic/Latino 5.6%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
18.1%
This area
18.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
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 04345

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.0:1 Avg Class Size
$16,146 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Gardiner Area High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
582 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 Per Student
A Very Good

Gardiner Regional Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Helen Thompson School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Laura E Richards School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
228 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
199 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 Per Student

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

River View Community School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 821 River Road, South Gardiner
👥
187 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,146 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

2 Nearby 2,027 Off-Campus Students
C
Capilo School of Hair Design
133 students · 8.3 mi
C+
University of Maine at Augusta
4,323 students · 9.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,027 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Gardiner, ME?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Gardiner, ME ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $322K and rents of $1,523/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Gardiner, ME?

For Gardiner, ME, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

What kind of tenants rent in Gardiner, ME?

Gardiner, ME offers a stable renter base at the $1,523/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Gardiner, ME a good market for FHA house hackers?

Gardiner, ME offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,523/mo rent level.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Gardiner, ME?

Expect elevated vacancy in Gardiner, ME. Rents at $1,523/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 04345 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 04345 ranks in Augusta-Waterville, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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