Real Estate Investing in Skowhegan, Maine (04976)

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

Somerset County • Population: 10,117 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04976 (Skowhegan, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Skowhegan, ME (04976)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $238,048
Avg Monthly Rent $1,089
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $53,453
% Renters 31.3%

Market Analysis: 04976 Skowhegan

Investors eyeing 04976 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $238K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 04976 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $238K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 04976 and stronger Skowhegan ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 04976 ZIP's population of 10,117 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 04976 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Skowhegan:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,089/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 04976

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+13.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$59,147/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $158,569 $1,040 4.7% +12.4% $158,569
2BR $197,692 $1,210 4.4% +13.5% $98,846
3BR $242,731 $1,610 4.8% +12.6% $80,910
4BR $277,598 $1,730 4.5% +11.9% $69,400
5BR $295,735 +12.2% $59,147

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$254K$220K$185K$151K$117K$83KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04976 Compare?

Metric 04976 Skowhegan Maine
Home Value $238,048 $238,048 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 9.0% 9.0% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,089 $1,089 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 04976? 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 04976 (Skowhegan, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+9.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $238,048
Monthly Rent $1,089
Price-to-Rent 18.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 12.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
10.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04976

Population: 10,117

💰 Median Household Income
$53,453
This area
$53,453
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.3%
This area
31.3%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.1%
This area
23.1%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.8 years
This area
45.8 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.3%
Other/Mixed 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.7%
This area
25.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
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 04976

A Avg School Grade
9 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$18,454 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Skowhegan Area Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,604 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Bloomfield Elementary School

📚 01 – 03 Elementary
👥
274 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$20,604 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Skowhegan Area High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
702 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,604 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Margaret Chase Smith Sch - Skowhegan

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
173 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,604 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
130 Students
👨‍🏫
8.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,604 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Dimensions Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
168 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,154 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Overman Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
169 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,154 Per Student
B Good

Somerset Career & Technical Center

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$20,604 Per Student
B Good

Creative Childrens Academy

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary Charter
👥
44 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,154 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

1 Nearby 747 Off-Campus Students
C
Kennebec Valley Community College
2,381 students · 14.4 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vacancy a concern in Skowhegan, ME?

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

How much is rent in Skowhegan, ME?

Rents in Skowhegan, ME run near $1,089/mo. Compared with median home prices of $238K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is Skowhegan, ME landlord-friendly?

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

Can I live-in-and-rent in Skowhegan, ME?

House hacking in Skowhegan, ME is a challenging. With home values around $238K and rents at $1,089/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Skowhegan, ME?

Skowhegan, ME investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($238K prices, $1,089/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 04976 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04976 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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