Real Estate Investing in Washburn, Maine (04786)

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

Aroostook County • Population: 1,686 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04786 (Washburn, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

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

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

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 12.5% 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 Washburn, ME (04786)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $150,235
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,300
% Renters 24.5%

Market Analysis: 04786 Washburn

ZIP 04786 inside Aroostook County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $150K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $150K asset, 04786 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 04786'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.

On balance, 1,686 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

appears 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 Washburn:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$158K$139K$120K$101K$82K$64KJan 2015Oct 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04786 Compare?

Metric 04786 Washburn Maine
Home Value $150,235 $150,235 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 8.4% 8.4% 8.6%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 04786? 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 04786 (Washburn, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $150,235
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 14.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 13.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
12.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04786

Population: 1,686

💰 Median Household Income
$46,300
This area
$46,300
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.5%
This area
24.5%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.6%
This area
21.6%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.3 years
This area
51.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.6%
Other/Mixed 4.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
👶 Under 18
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.9%
This area
26.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
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 04786

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
9.8:1 Avg Class Size
$20,145 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Washburn District Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
176 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,145 Per Student
A Very Good

Washburn District High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
83 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,145 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

2 Nearby 551 Off-Campus Students
C
Northern Maine Community College
772 students · 9.6 mi
C
University of Maine at Presque Isle
2,187 students · 11.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 551 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What approach is best for Washburn, ME real estate?

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

What is it like being a landlord in Washburn, ME?

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

What is the typical vacancy rate in Washburn, ME?

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

How viable is house hacking in Washburn, ME?

The house hack math a challenging in Washburn, ME. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $891/mo rents and $150K home values.

Should investors consider Washburn, ME?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Washburn, ME reflects its $150K prices and $891/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within ME.

You know 04786 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04786 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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