Real Estate Investing in Waldoboro, Maine (04572)

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

Lincoln County • Population: 5,228 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04572 (Waldoboro, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Waldoboro, ME (04572)?

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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 $344,895
Avg Monthly Rent $1,143
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,278
% Renters 21.7%

Market Analysis: 04572 Waldoboro

This part of Lincoln County is not an easy win. The 04572 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $345K asset, 04572 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 04572 sits on the difficult end of the ME spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 04572 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waldoboro averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 04572, 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 Waldoboro:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,143/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 04572

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+10.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$95,112/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $311,855 $1,270 2.9% +9.1% $155,927
3BR $355,781 $1,750 3.5% +9.3% $118,594
4BR $380,448 $1,760 3.3% +10.1% $95,112

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$362K$317K$271K$225K$180K$134KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04572 Compare?

Metric 04572 Waldoboro Maine
Home Value $344,895 $344,895 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.4% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,143 $1,143 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 04572? 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 04572 (Waldoboro, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $344,895
Monthly Rent $1,143
Price-to-Rent 25.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 7.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
8.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04572

Population: 5,228

💰 Median Household Income
$58,278
This area
$58,278
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.7%
This area
21.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.5%
This area
30.5%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.7 years
This area
53.7 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.6%
This area
8.6%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.5%
Other/Mixed 3.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
👶 Under 18
14.9%
This area
14.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.7%
This area
26.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
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 04572

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
11.1:1 Avg Class Size
$16,955 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Miller School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
350 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,955 Per Student
A Very Good

Medomak Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
276 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,955 Per Student
A Very Good

Medomak Valley High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
560 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,955 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

Where do home prices stand in Waldoboro, ME?

Typical homes in Waldoboro, ME go for around $345K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Where do rents currently stand in Waldoboro, ME?

Rent in Waldoboro, ME is around $1,143/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $345K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Waldoboro, ME?

Rental vacancy in Waldoboro, ME is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How landlord-friendly is Waldoboro, ME?

ME law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Waldoboro inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

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

The best-fit strategy in Waldoboro, ME is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

You know 04572 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04572 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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