Real Estate Investing in Stonington, Maine (04681)

Hancock County • Population: 906 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 04681 (Stonington, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (46/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 49.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.6% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Stonington, ME (04681)?

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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 $480,214
Avg Monthly Rent $1,197
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,417
% Renters 25.7%

Market Analysis: 04681 Stonington

ZIP 04681 in Stonington, ME carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $480K and rents of $1,197/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $480K asset, 04681 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within ME, ZIP 04681 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Hancock County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

Resident income in 04681 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 04681 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: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Stonington:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,197/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)

$497K$449K$400K$352K$304K$256KFeb 2019Oct 2022May 2026

📊 How Does 04681 Compare?

Metric 04681 Stonington Maine
Home Value $480,214 $480,214 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,197 $1,197 -
Cap Rate 1.9% 1.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 04681? 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 04681 (Stonington, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $480,214
Monthly Rent $1,197
Price-to-Rent 33.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.0%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
49.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04681

Population: 906

💰 Median Household Income
$65,417
This area
$65,417
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.7%
This area
25.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.6%
This area
26.6%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.0 years
This area
56.0 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
49.0%
This area
49.0%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.9%
Black/African American 0.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
Other/Mixed 0.4%
👶 Under 18
11.6%
This area
11.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.6%
This area
30.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Stonington, ME?

Stonington, ME sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader ME rental market.

Is the tenant base reliable in Stonington, ME?

Tenant quality in Stonington, ME ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,197/mo.

Is rental property easy to operate in Stonington, ME?

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

What type of investing works in Stonington, ME?

In Stonington, ME the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $480K prices and $1,197/mo rents suits that approach.

Is housing expensive in Stonington, ME?

Typical homes in Stonington, ME go for around $480K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% reliable price movement.

See what 04681 really looks like for investors

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