Real Estate Investing in Bristol, Maine (04554)

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

Lincoln County • Population: 562 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04554 (Bristol, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 63.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 43.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• 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 Bristol, ME (04554)?

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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 $659,226
Avg Monthly Rent $1,260
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $85,000
% Renters 19.8%

Market Analysis: 04554 Bristol

ZIP 04554 in Bristol, ME carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $659K and rents of $1,260/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 04554 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

On balance, 04554 offers a low basis, the region around Bristol has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 04554 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 04554 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Bristol:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,260/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)

$691K$599K$507K$415K$324K$232KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04554 Compare?

Metric 04554 Bristol Maine
Home Value $659,226 $592,347 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 4.8% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,260 $1,260 -
Cap Rate 1.5% 1.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 04554? 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 04554 (Bristol, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $659,226
Monthly Rent $1,260
Price-to-Rent 43.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.3%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
63.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04554

Population: 562

💰 Median Household Income
$85,000
This area
$85,000
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.8%
This area
19.8%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.0%
This area
47.0%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
66.3 years
This area
66.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
63.6%
This area
63.6%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.4%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
👶 Under 18
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
57.5%
This area
57.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 04554

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Bristol Consolidated School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 2153 Bristol Rd, Pemaquid
👥
187 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,600 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

How much does a house cost in Bristol, ME?

Homes in Bristol, ME typically sell near $659K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

What type of investing works in Bristol, ME?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Bristol, ME. With home values at $659K and rents near $1,260/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

Is Bristol, ME good for landlords?

Bristol, ME falls under ME landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

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

Yes - Bristol, ME a 3.0/5 investability score. With $659K home prices against $1,260/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is house hacking profitable in Bristol, ME?

House hacking works a challenging in Bristol, ME. Rents of $1,260/mo against $659K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 04554 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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