Real Estate Investing in South Thomaston, Maine (04858)

Knox County • Population: 1,400 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 04858 (South Thomaston, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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: 32.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in South Thomaston, ME (04858)?

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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 $479,966
Avg Monthly Rent $1,791
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $80,658
% Renters 11.1%

Market Analysis: 04858 South Thomaston

The 04858 ZIP in South Thomaston, ME is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $480K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The 04858 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in South Thomaston have seen price recovery that 04858 has not matched. Knox County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 04858 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 04858 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $480K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 South Thomaston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,791/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 04858

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$157,106/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $403,950 $1,990 3.5% +9.6% $201,975
3BR $482,128 $2,510 3.7% +10.2% $160,709
4BR $628,426 $2,720 3.1% +9.8% $157,106

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$501K$440K$379K$318K$257K$195KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

📊 How Does 04858 Compare?

Metric 04858 South Thomaston Maine
Home Value $479,966 $479,966 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.5% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,791 $1,791 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 04858? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04858 (South Thomaston, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 04858 (South Thomaston, ME)?

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

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $479,966
Monthly Rent $1,791
Price-to-Rent 22.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 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: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) 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
32.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04858

Population: 1,400

💰 Median Household Income
$80,658
This area
$80,658
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.4%
This area
43.4%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.8 years
This area
48.8 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.3%
This area
32.3%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.0%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
👶 Under 18
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.9%
This area
30.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
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 04858

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Ash Point Community School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 54 Ash Point Drive, Owls Head
👥
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 · 10.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in South Thomaston, ME?

South Thomaston, ME investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($480K prices, $1,791/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Should investors worry about vacancy in South Thomaston, ME?

Vacancy in South Thomaston, ME is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,791/mo.

Where do rents currently stand in South Thomaston, ME?

Investors in South Thomaston, ME typically see rents near $1,791/mo per month against $480K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How landlord-friendly is South Thomaston, ME?

The landlord environment in South Thomaston, ME is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How expensive is real estate in South Thomaston, ME?

The median home value in South Thomaston, ME is roughly $480K. That puts it reasonable relative to the ME statewide average.

See what 04858 really looks like for investors

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