Real Estate Investing in St Albans, Maine (04971)

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

Somerset County • Population: 1,703 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04971 (St Albans, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 33.9% 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 St Albans, ME (04971)?

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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 $239,349
Avg Monthly Rent $1,152
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,479
% Renters 15.2%

Market Analysis: 04971 St Albans

The 04971 ZIP covers a section of St Albans that demands careful diligence. Prices near $239K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 04971 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within ME, ZIP 04971 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Somerset County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 04971 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 04971, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 St Albans:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,152/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)

$251K$222K$194K$165K$136K$107KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04971 Compare?

Metric 04971 St Albans Maine
Home Value $239,349 $239,349 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.4% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,152 $1,152 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 04971? 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 04971 (St Albans, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $239,349
Monthly Rent $1,152
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
33.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04971

Population: 1,703

💰 Median Household Income
$59,479
This area
$59,479
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.0 years
This area
44.0 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
33.9%
This area
33.9%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.9%
Other/Mixed 3.1%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
25.1%
This area
25.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.8%
This area
23.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.2%
This area
14.2%
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

What is it like being a landlord in St Albans, ME?

ME ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. St Albans generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What are vacancy rates like in St Albans, ME?

Vacancy in St Albans, ME is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,152/mo.

How do home values compare in St Albans, ME?

In St Albans, ME the median home value sits at $239K. Against the broader ME market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is St Albans, ME a good market for FHA house hackers?

St Albans, ME is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $239K price point reasonable to enter.

Are renters plentiful in St Albans, ME?

Working renters make up the core of the St Albans, ME tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

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