Real Estate Investing in Oakland, Maine (04963)

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

Kennebec County • Population: 7,375 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04963 (Oakland, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 26.0% 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 Oakland, ME (04963)?

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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 $350,045
Avg Monthly Rent $1,278
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,346
% Renters 15.4%

Market Analysis: 04963 Oakland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Oakland's 04963 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $350K pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 04963 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Meanwhile, 04963 offers a low basis, the region around Oakland has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 04963 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

tilts toward 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 Oakland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,278/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Augusta-Waterville, ME Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Augusta-Waterville, ME metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 04963

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$89,516/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $299,524 $1,420 3.4% +12.2% $149,762
3BR $332,615 $1,820 3.9% +10.7% $110,872
4BR $397,084 $2,160 3.9% +10.4% $99,271
5BR $447,578 $89,516

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$368K$318K$268K$218K$169K$119KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04963 Compare?

Metric 04963 Oakland Augusta-Waterville, ME Maine
Home Value $350,045 $350,045 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.5% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,278 $1,278 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04963? 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 04963 (Oakland, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $350,045
Monthly Rent $1,278
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
26.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04963

Population: 7,375

💰 Median Household Income
$70,346
This area
$70,346
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.4%
This area
15.4%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.3%
This area
28.3%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.0 years
This area
46.0 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
26.0%
This area
26.0%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.6%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Asian 1.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 04963

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,943 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Messalonskee High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
716 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,943 Per Student
A Very Good

Messalonskee Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,943 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ralph M Atwood Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,943 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Williams Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
212 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,943 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

3 Nearby 747 Off-Campus Students
B+
Colby College
2,284 students · 7.4 mi
C
Thomas College
1,669 students · 7.9 mi
C
Kennebec Valley Community College
2,381 students · 10.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 747 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Oakland, ME?

Investors in Oakland, ME typically see rents near $1,278/mo per month against $350K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Are tenants stable in Oakland, ME?

The tenant pool in Oakland, ME is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,278/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How does Oakland, ME rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Oakland, ME will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $350K median home values and $1,278/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

What approach is best for Oakland, ME real estate?

Oakland, ME investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($350K prices, $1,278/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is Oakland, ME suited for a house hack?

House hacking works a challenging in Oakland, ME. Rents of $1,278/mo against $350K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 04963 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 04963 ranks in Augusta-Waterville, ME

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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