Real Estate Investing in Owls Head, Maine (04854)

Knox County • Population: 1,375 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 04854 (Owls Head, 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: 40.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Owls Head, ME (04854)?

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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 $506,536
Avg Monthly Rent $1,557
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $80,244
% Renters 21.4%

Market Analysis: 04854 Owls Head

In practical terms, ZIP 04854 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $507K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 04854 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $507K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 04854's metrics run below Knox County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

From an investor standpoint, 1,375 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 04854 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Owls Head:

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 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,557/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)

$555K$490K$424K$359K$294K$229KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

📊 How Does 04854 Compare?

Metric 04854 Owls Head Maine
Home Value $506,536 $506,536 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,557 $1,557 -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 04854? 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 04854 (Owls Head, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $506,536
Monthly Rent $1,557
Price-to-Rent 27.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
40.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04854

Population: 1,375

💰 Median Household Income
$80,244
This area
$80,244
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.6%
This area
33.6%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.8 years
This area
51.8 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
40.2%
This area
40.2%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.2%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
Black/African American 0.8%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.2%
This area
31.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
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

🎓 Schools in 04854

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.3:1 Avg Class Size
$23,992 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Ash Point Community School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
166 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,992 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
C
Maine Media College
24 students · 10.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tenant pool like in Owls Head, ME?

The tenant pool in Owls Head, ME is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,557/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Does Owls Head, ME make sense for an investment property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Owls Head, ME reflects its $507K prices and $1,557/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within ME.

How should investors approach Owls Head, ME?

In Owls Head, ME the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $507K prices and $1,557/mo rents suits that approach.

What does house hacking look like in Owls Head, ME?

For house hackers, Owls Head, ME is a challenging. The $1,557/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $507K property.

What is the average home sale price in Owls Head, ME?

Typical homes in Owls Head, ME go for around $507K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

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