Real Estate Investing in Houlton, Maine (04730)

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

Aroostook County • Population: 10,062 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04730 (Houlton, 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 middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.3% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

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

What’s happening in Houlton, ME (04730)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $166,001
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,017
% Renters 29.0%

Market Analysis: 04730 Houlton

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Houlton's 04730 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $166K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 04730 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $166K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 04730's metrics run below Aroostook County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 04730 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 04730 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $166K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Houlton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/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 04730

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
7.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$41,944/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $120,142 $1,190 7.1% +10.8% $60,071
3BR $155,588 $1,630 7.5% +10.2% $51,863
4BR $176,991 $1,690 6.9% +10.5% $44,248
5BR $209,721 +10.1% $41,944

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$174K$150K$126K$102K$77K$53KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04730 Compare?

Metric 04730 Houlton Maine
Home Value $166,001 $166,001 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 04730? 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 04730 (Houlton, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $166,001
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 12.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 11.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
16.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04730

Population: 10,062

💰 Median Household Income
$51,017
This area
$51,017
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.0%
This area
29.0%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.6%
This area
19.6%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.3 years
This area
43.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.4%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Black/African American 1.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
21.2%
This area
21.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
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 04730

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$16,340 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Hodgdon Middle/High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
209 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,073 Per Student
A Very Good

Mill Pond School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
293 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Houlton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
288 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,474 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Houlton Southside School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
293 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,474 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Houlton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
387 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,474 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Houlton Junior High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
290 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,474 Per Student
C Below Average

Region Two Sch of Applied Tech

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
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

Is Houlton, ME a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Houlton, ME a 3.0/5 investability score. With $166K home prices against $1,071/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What do rentals go for in Houlton, ME?

Average rent in Houlton, ME is approximately $1,071/mo per month. Against $166K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What are home prices like in Houlton, ME?

Median home price in Houlton, ME is near $166K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been even-keeled and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Houlton, ME?

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

How should investors approach Houlton, ME?

Most investors in Houlton, ME run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 04730 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04730 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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