Real Estate Investing in Bath, Maine (04530)

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

Sagadahoc County • Population: 11,564 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04530 (Bath, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

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: 13.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Bath, ME (04530)?

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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 $420,959
Avg Monthly Rent $1,870
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,587
% Renters 33.9%

Market Analysis: 04530 Bath

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 04530 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $421K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 04530 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $421K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 04530 and stronger Bath ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 04530 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Bath averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

seems to 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 Bath:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,870/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
35 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.2%
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 Portland-South Portland, ME metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 04530

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+11.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$126,185/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $371,649 $1,180 2.3% +10.7% $371,649
2BR $336,656 $1,470 3.1% +10.5% $168,328
3BR $394,175 $2,040 3.7% +10.0% $131,392
4BR $504,741 $2,470 3.5% +10.7% $126,185
5BR $669,049 +11.4% $133,810

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$444K$382K$319K$257K$195K$132KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,947$1,921$1,895$1,869$1,843$1,817Mar 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04530 Compare?

Metric 04530 Bath Portland-South Portland, ME Maine
Home Value $420,959 $420,959 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 7.2% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,870 $1,870 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04530? 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 04530 (Bath, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $420,959
Monthly Rent $1,870
Price-to-Rent 18.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 10.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
13.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04530

Population: 11,564

💰 Median Household Income
$69,587
This area
$69,587
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.9%
This area
33.9%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.2%
This area
3.2%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
39.3%
This area
39.3%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.1 years
This area
45.1 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.5%
This area
13.5%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.2%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Asian 1.0%
Black/African American 0.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
👶 Under 18
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.4%
This area
23.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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 04530

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
10.5:1 Avg Class Size
$25,885 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Bath Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,773 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dike-Newell School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
240 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,773 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Morse High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
629 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,773 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Fisher-Mitchell School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
190 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,773 Per Student
A Very Good

West Bath School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
97 Students
👨‍🏫
6.9:1 Class Size
💰
$41,446 Per Student
B Good

Bath Regional Career & Technical

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$22,773 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

1 Nearby
B+
Bowdoin College
1,850 students · 6.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bath in ME worth investing in?

Investors tracking Bath, ME will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $421K median home values and $1,870/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

What do rentals go for in Bath, ME?

Average rent in Bath, ME is approximately $1,870/mo per month. Against $421K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Bath, ME?

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

Which investment style suits Bath, ME?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Bath, ME best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $421K price point.

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

Expect median prices around $421K in Bath, ME. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

You know 04530 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04530 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 04530 ranks in Portland-South Portland, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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