Real Estate Investing in Portage, Maine (04768)

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

Aroostook • Population: 376 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04768 (Portage, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 60.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.2% in the last year.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Portage, ME (04768)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $198,384
Avg Monthly Rent $1,440
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,393
% Renters 9.9%

Market Analysis: 04768 Portage

Investors eyeing 04768 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $198K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 04768 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $198K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 04768 among ME's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 04768 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

New investors are better served looking at Portage's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 04768. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Portage:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 45/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,440/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$215K$210K$204K$198K$193K$187KNov 2023Mar 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04768 Compare?

Metric 04768 Portage Maine
Home Value $198,384 $198,384 $401,109
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,440 $1,440 -
Cap Rate 5.7% 5.7% -

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04768 (Portage, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
5.7%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $198,384
Monthly Rent $1,440
Price-to-Rent 11.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.7%
5-Year IRR 2.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 5.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.7%). 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
60.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04768

Population: 376

💰 Median Household Income
$53,393
This area
$53,393
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.0%
This area
19.0%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
63.8 years
This area
63.8 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
60.0%
This area
60.0%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.0%
Other/Mixed 1.3%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
10.3%
This area
10.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
46.6%
This area
46.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Portage, ME?

For house hackers, Portage, ME is a challenging. The $1,440/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $198K property.

How strong is tenant demand in Portage, ME?

Portage, ME draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $1,440/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is Portage, ME a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Portage, ME rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How strong are rents in Portage, ME?

Investors in Portage, ME typically see rents near $1,440/mo per month against $198K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How strong is Portage, ME for real estate investors?

Portage, ME scores 2.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $198K and rents near $1,440/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

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