Real Estate Investing in Etna, Maine (04434)

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

Penobscot County • Population: 1,245 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04434 (Etna, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 19.5% 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 Etna, ME (04434)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $276,646
Avg Monthly Rent $1,503
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,250
% Renters 6.0%

Market Analysis: 04434 Etna

On balance, ZIP 04434 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $277K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 04434 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $277K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader ME picture, 04434 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 04434 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.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Etna:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,503/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
Bangor, ME Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
51 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
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 Bangor, ME metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$291K$266K$240K$214K$188K$162KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04434 Compare?

Metric 04434 Etna Bangor, ME Maine
Home Value $276,646 $276,646 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 4.1% 4.1% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,503 $1,503 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.2% 4.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04434? 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 04434 (Etna, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.1%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Bangor, ME metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
63%
Days Pending
1/2
51 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $276,646
Monthly Rent $1,503
Price-to-Rent 15.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.5%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
19.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04434

Population: 1,245

💰 Median Household Income
$71,250
This area
$71,250
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
6.0%
This area
6.0%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.7 years
This area
41.7 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.5%
This area
19.5%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.5%
Other/Mixed 1.5%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.3%
This area
18.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
19.5%
This area
19.5%
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 04434

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.1:1 Avg Class Size
$17,420 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Etna-Dixmont School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
180 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,420 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 is the average home sale price in Etna, ME?

Expect median prices around $277K in Etna, ME. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

How strong is the working-renter base in Etna, ME?

Tenant demand in Etna, ME is solid. The local workforce $1,503/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is rental property easy to operate in Etna, ME?

The landlord environment in Etna, ME is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Which investment style suits Etna, ME?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Etna, ME. With home values at $277K and rents near $1,503/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

Does house hacking work in Etna, ME?

House hacking in Etna, ME is reasonable to execute. Prices around $277K and rents of $1,503/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 04434 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 04434 ranks in Bangor, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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