12 Sunset Dr · Orono, ME 04473

$312,500

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,000 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 29 Days on market

Built 1958 0.33 ac lot $312/sqft · 55% above area Est $283k · 10% over ↓ 7% since listing

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Why this score? — see what drove the D grade

The composite is a weighted blend of 9 inputs, each scored 0–100. Each bar is that input's sub-score; the figure is the points it added to the 100-point composite (weight × sub-score).

• Cash flow +14.6/30.0
• Schools +7.5/10.0
• DSCR +4.4/10.0
• 1% rule +3.7/10.0
• Livability +3.7/5.0
• ARV discount +2.8/15.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

This thoughtfully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch blends timeless design with modern efficiency, offering refined single-level living complemented by a 2-car attached garage and a full partially finished basement with additional living flexibility and dedicated laundry space. Inside, beautifully refinished hardwood floors flow throughout, enhanced by a fresh, mostly updated interior palette that creates a bright, cohesive feel. Key mechanical upgrades--including a heat pump for year-round comfort, a natural gas furnace, and electrical brought fully to code--provide both reliability and peace of mind. A pre-listing inspection has already been completed, with all recommended items addressed, allowing for a smooth and confident transition to new ownership. The home presents a strong foundation for customization, inviting the next owner to elevate the space to their personal style. Outdoors, a spacious backyard offers room to expand your vision--whether for entertaining, gardening, or simply enjoying the setting--while the front deck will be re-stained as soon as weather allows. Solar panels with an installed inverter are already in place, offering future energy potential for those who choose to activate the system.

Key facts

• Spacious backyard
• Heat pump
• Solar panels

Tags

• REFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS
• HEAT PUMP
• NATURAL GAS FURNACE
• SPACIOUS BACKYARD
• SOLAR PANELS

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $312k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $72 ($859/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $273k (12.7% below list).
• Recommended offer: $273k (12.7% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 73/100 on livability (#49 in ME) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: crime A+, cost of living A+, health & safety A+; Watch: amenities F, commute F, employment F.
• RSU 26 (suburban): math 88% / reading 90% proficiency, ranked #39 of 112 in ME (top 35%) — strong family-tenant draw, lease renewals of 3-5y typical.
• Market conditions: 25 active listings in the ZIP; 2 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; 440 units permitted in Penobscot County in 2024 (40 in 5+ unit buildings).
• At $2,729/mo this rent would consume 53% of the median local household income ($62k/yr) (locally 423% of renters already pay >50% of income on rent) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $9k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Penobscot County population projected at -17% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 29 days — a 2% lower offer ($308k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1958 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $272,888 (12.7% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1958 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
3. Schools are B-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
4. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
5. What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.
6. What's the recent tenant-quality profile in this submarket — average credit score on applications, eviction rate, late-payment / NSF rate, and stable-employment percentage? A property-management company in the area should have these aggregated.
7. How much new for-sale + rental construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply typically softens prices + rents 12–24 months out; constrained supply supports both.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 0.87% ✗
• Cap rate: 6.57%
• Cash-on-cash: 0.98%
• DSCR: 1.04
• GRM: 9.5

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $282,977
• List price: $312,500
• Delta: 10.43%
• Verdict: OVERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 1 sale within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
22 Union St	0.37mi	2/1.0 (-1)	938 (-6%)	10mo	$124,000	$132	59

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -14.7%
• Equity multiple: 0.47×
• Total profit: $-46,085
• Equity at exit: $46,595

10-year hold

• IRR: -6.1%
• Equity multiple: 0.61×
• Total profit: $-34,281
• Equity at exit: $27,019

Cash invested: $87,500 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 41 Moderately Tenant-Leaning
• State Maine: 41 Moderately Tenant-Leaning · D+2
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Portland has rent control referendum (2020); strong habitability; security deposit caps.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 04473

• Home prices YoY: -34.5%
• Active inventory: 25
• Price-to-rent: 9.5×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,729 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,639
• Tax from tax record: −$315 /mo · $3,783/yr
• Insurance: −$130
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$573
• Net cashflow: $72

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,638

Max offer price $312,500

Occupancy floor 92%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $248	-5% $160	+0% $72	+5% $-17	+10% $-105
Rent	-10% $-144	-5% $-36	+0% $72	+5% $179	+10% $287
Rate	-1.0pp $229	-0.5pp $151	base $72	+0.5pp $-9	+1.0pp $-92

UW: 25.0% down · 7.5% · 30yr · 1.5% tax · 5.0% vac · 8.0% maint · 8.0% mgmt

Financing live

Cash to close

• Down payment: $78,125
• Closing costs: $9,375
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 2 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
295 Main St Orono, ME	4.0	2.0	1200	$3,100	$2.58	45d	1	0.19mi
74 Mill St Orono, ME	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	886	$2,650	$2.99	45d	8	1.05mi

Listing history 2 events

1. 2026-05-19
   price $312,500 1231-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1231 chars)

   This thoughtfully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch blends timeless design with modern efficiency, offering refined single-level living complemented by a 2-car attached garage and a full partially finished basement with additional living flexibility and dedicated laundry space. Inside, beautifully refinished hardwood floors flow throughout, enhanced by a fresh, mostly updated interior palette that creates a bright, cohesive feel. Key mechanical upgrades--including a heat pump for year-round comfort, a natural gas furnace, and electrical brought fully to code--provide both reliability and peace of mind. A pre-listing inspection has already been completed, with all recommended items addressed, allowing for a smooth and confident transition to new ownership. The home presents a strong foundation for customization, inviting the next owner to elevate the space to their personal style. Outdoors, a spacious backyard offers room to expand your vision--whether for entertaining, gardening, or simply enjoying the setting--while the front deck will be re-stained as soon as weather allows. Solar panels with an installed inverter are already in place, offering future energy potential for those who choose to activate the system.

2. 2026-04-23
   listed $335,000 Active 1231-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1231 chars)

   This thoughtfully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch blends timeless design with modern efficiency, offering refined single-level living complemented by a 2-car attached garage and a full partially finished basement with additional living flexibility and dedicated laundry space. Inside, beautifully refinished hardwood floors flow throughout, enhanced by a fresh, mostly updated interior palette that creates a bright, cohesive feel. Key mechanical upgrades--including a heat pump for year-round comfort, a natural gas furnace, and electrical brought fully to code--provide both reliability and peace of mind. A pre-listing inspection has already been completed, with all recommended items addressed, allowing for a smooth and confident transition to new ownership. The home presents a strong foundation for customization, inviting the next owner to elevate the space to their personal style. Outdoors, a spacious backyard offers room to expand your vision--whether for entertaining, gardening, or simply enjoying the setting--while the front deck will be re-stained as soon as weather allows. Solar panels with an installed inverter are already in place, offering future energy potential for those who choose to activate the system.

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast ME · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $3,783 · $315/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $4,016 · $335/mo
• Expected delta: +$234/yr (+$19/mo · 6.2%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 2/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥91°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 1/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 0 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $32,747
• − Mortgage interest: −$17,505
• − Property taxes: −$3,783
• − Insurance: −$1,562
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,620
• − Management: −$2,620
• − Depreciation: −$9,091
• Taxable loss: −$4,434
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,064
• After-tax cash flow: $1,923/yr

For passive investors: Depreciation is non-cash, so a rental often shows a tax loss while cash-flowing — sheltering income. Rental losses are passive: they offset passive income freely, and up to $25,000/yr can offset ordinary (W-2) income if you actively participate and your MAGI is under $100k (phasing out to $0 by $150k); unused losses carry forward. On sale, claimed depreciation is recaptured at up to 25%, and gains may owe capital-gains tax (a 1031 exchange can defer both). Figures are a year-1 estimate at your 24.0% rate — not tax advice; consult a CPA.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: RSU 26
• NCES district ID: 2314778
• Math proficiency: 88% ▲ 33.00%
• Reading proficiency: 90% ▲ 21.00%
• Median HH income: $44,087
• Composite: 74.55/100
• National rank: #156
• State rank: #39 of 112 in ME

Livability — Orono

• Score: 73/100
• State rank: #49
• US rank: #5067

Category grades

Amenities F Commute F Cost of living A+ Crime A+ Employment F Housing C+ Health & safety A+ User ratings A+

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Orono, ME
• County: Penobscot County · 81,539 people
• City population: 8,371
• Metro: Bangor, ME
• Population (ZIP): 8,371
• Household income: $61,528
• Rent vs Own: 53.4% rent · 46.6% own
• Severe rent burden: 423.0

Population outlook (Penobscot County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 149,928 people
• By 2030: 146,386 · -2.4%
• By 2040: 135,952 · -9.3%
• By 2050: 123,864 · -17.4%
• By 2075: 97,825 · -34.8%
• By 2100: 77,196 · -48.5%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (89%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 89% Two or more races 6% Asian 3% Hispanic / Latino 3% Black 1%
• Common ancestry: Lithuanian 7% Slovak 4% Romanian 3%
• Foreign-born: 7% · Canada, China, Vietnam
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Other Indo-European 2% French/Haitian/Cajun 1% Spanish 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Penobscot

• 2024 margin: R (+10.9) · D 43.6% · R 54.5% · Other 1.9%
• 2008→2024 swing: -15.9pp toward R · 2008: 5.0pp · 2024: -10.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+10.9 2020: R+8.3 2016: R+10.9 2012: D+2.9 2008: D+5.0

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -116.22%
• Current HPI: 220.35
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: Bangor, ME
• State GDP YoY: —
• F500 in state: 0

Price history

-6.7% since first listed

2 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-19 Price Changed $312,500 MREIS
• 2026-04-23 Listed $335,000 MREIS

Property tax history

+1.6%/yr

Latest (2025): $3,783 · +1.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.