Real Estate Investing in Readfield, Maine (04355)

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

Kennebec County • Population: 2,628 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04355 (Readfield, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 23.7% 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 Readfield, ME (04355)?

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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 $354,293
Avg Monthly Rent $1,323
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $96,563
% Renters 12.7%

Market Analysis: 04355 Readfield

ZIP 04355 in Readfield, ME carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $354K and rents of $1,323/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 04355 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $354K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader ME picture, 04355 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A durable renter share of 13% in 04355 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 04355, 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 Readfield:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,323/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 04355

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$115,887/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $330,753 $1,470 3.2% +11.3% $165,376
3BR $385,169 $1,890 3.5% +10.4% $128,390
4BR $463,548 $2,240 3.5% $115,887

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$374K$322K$271K$219K$167K$116KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04355 Compare?

Metric 04355 Readfield Augusta-Waterville, ME Maine
Home Value $354,293 $354,293 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,323 $1,323 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04355? 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 04355 (Readfield, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $354,293
Monthly Rent $1,323
Price-to-Rent 22.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
23.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04355

Population: 2,628

💰 Median Household Income
$96,563
This area
$96,563
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.7%
This area
12.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.9%
This area
48.9%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.0 years
This area
45.0 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.7%
This area
23.7%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.0%
Other/Mixed 1.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
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 04355

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.2:1 Avg Class Size
$18,836 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Maranacook Community High Sch

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
370 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,836 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Maranacook Community Middle Sch

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,836 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Readfield Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,836 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+
University of Maine at Augusta
4,323 students · 8.1 mi
C
Capilo School of Hair Design
133 students · 9.6 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Readfield, ME rate as a rental market?

Readfield, ME rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $354K and rents near $1,323/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Is Readfield, ME better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

Readfield, ME investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($354K prices, $1,323/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What do landlords charge for rent in Readfield, ME?

Expect rents around $1,323/mo per month in Readfield, ME. With home values at $354K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How viable is house hacking in Readfield, ME?

House hacking in Readfield, ME is a challenging. With home values around $354K and rents at $1,323/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Readfield, ME?

Readfield, ME vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 04355 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04355 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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How 04355 ranks in Augusta-Waterville, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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