Real Estate Investing in Vinalhaven, Maine (04863)

Knox County • Population: 1,063 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 04863 (Vinalhaven, 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: 59.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Vinalhaven, ME (04863)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $452,114
Avg Monthly Rent $1,314
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,269
% Renters 14.4%

Market Analysis: 04863 Vinalhaven

This part of Knox County is not an easy win. The 04863 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 04863 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Within ME, ZIP 04863 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Knox County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

The 04863 ZIP's population of 1,063 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 04863, 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: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

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

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.2× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,314/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)

$504K$440K$377K$314K$251K$188KMay 2013Nov 2019May 2026

📊 How Does 04863 Compare?

Metric 04863 Vinalhaven Maine
Home Value $452,114 $452,114 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 4.1% 4.1% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,314 $1,314 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 04863? 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 04863 (Vinalhaven, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $452,114
Monthly Rent $1,314
Price-to-Rent 28.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 6.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). 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
59.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04863

Population: 1,063

💰 Median Household Income
$73,269
This area
$73,269
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.2%
This area
48.2%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
64.3 years
This area
64.3 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
59.3%
This area
59.3%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.3%
Other/Mixed 1.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
9.9%
This area
9.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
48.3%
This area
48.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
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 04863

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
7.0:1 Avg Class Size
$26,042 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Vinalhaven School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
150 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,042 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 · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vinalhaven, ME a smart market for rental property?

Vinalhaven, ME posts an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $452K and average rents around $1,314/mo. That combination puts it in the impressive tier for investor interest.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Vinalhaven, ME?

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

What is the average monthly rent in Vinalhaven, ME?

Investors in Vinalhaven, ME typically see rents near $1,314/mo per month against $452K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Are landlord laws favorable in Vinalhaven, ME?

For rental operators, Vinalhaven, ME rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How high is vacancy risk in Vinalhaven, ME?

Vacancy in Vinalhaven, ME is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,314/mo.

See what 04863 really looks like for investors

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