Real Estate Investing in Jefferson, Maine (04348)

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

Lincoln County • Population: 3,497 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04348 (Jefferson, 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: 33.0% 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 Jefferson, ME (04348)?

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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 $363,935
Avg Monthly Rent $1,278
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,211
% Renters 14.7%

Market Analysis: 04348 Jefferson

This part of Lincoln County is not an easy win. The 04348 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 04348 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $364K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Jefferson have seen price recovery that 04348 has not matched. Lincoln County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 04348 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 04348, 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 Jefferson:

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 (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,278/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 04348

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$129,527/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $312,691 $1,420 3.3% $156,345
3BR $388,580 $1,960 3.6% +10.6% $129,527

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$388K$333K$278K$222K$167K$112KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04348 Compare?

Metric 04348 Jefferson Maine
Home Value $363,935 $363,935 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,278 $1,278 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 04348? 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 04348 (Jefferson, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 04348 (Jefferson, ME)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $363,935
Monthly Rent $1,278
Price-to-Rent 23.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
33.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04348

Population: 3,497

💰 Median Household Income
$71,211
This area
$71,211
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.7%
This area
14.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.9%
This area
29.9%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.1 years
This area
37.1 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
33.0%
This area
33.0%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.5%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Black/African American 1.4%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
25.5%
This area
25.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
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 04348

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.8:1 Avg Class Size
$17,986 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Jefferson Village School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,000 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Somerville Elementary School

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
20 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,972 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

Is real estate in Jefferson, ME a good investment right now?

Investors tracking Jefferson, ME will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $364K median home values and $1,278/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Jefferson, ME?

Jefferson, ME home values average about $364K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,278/mo in monthly income.

How tight is the rental market in Jefferson, ME?

Vacancy in Jefferson, ME is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,278/mo.

What investment strategy works best in Jefferson, ME?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Jefferson, ME. With home values at $364K and rents near $1,278/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.

What is the typical rental rate in Jefferson, ME?

Rent in Jefferson, ME is around $1,278/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $364K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 04348 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04348 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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