$219,738Average Value$172Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
A growing rural community surrounded by lakes and forests
The small rural town of Dexter is centered around Lake Wassookeag. What used to be a hub of activity and commerce for neighboring towns has focused inward in recent years. It's becoming a community-oriented area with organizations geared toward creating events and improving the parks. Surrounding the town hall and library, raised-ranch houses and New Englander-style homes are just a short walk or drive from trails and parks, as well as a public boat ramp allowing boaters to enjoy the lake. “The town brings people from everywhere, and since the town is in basically the center of Maine, there is lots of outdoor recreation available, from hiking to moose watching and kayaking,” says Mark Stephens, a resident for over 18 years who co-owns the Brewster Inn with his wife, Tina. “It’s a nice place to be, we really like being here.”
Dexter is a rural town with so much to offer in the heart of Maine.
Welcome to Dexter, a town full of beauty and opportunity for you and yours.
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Fun on Lake Wassookeag and local trails
The Dexter Public Beach and Recreation area is one of the more prominent parks in town and is home to a public boat ramp and sports fields. Tina Stephens, the other owner of The Brewster Inn, says the Dexter Development Association has worked hard to get the beach area back in great shape with the help of local volunteers. The DDA has also added a dock using donations to allow kids to go out on and have also started offering free swim lessons in conjunction with the YMCA out of Dover-Foxcroft. "There have been visitors coming from other communities to swim in the lake again and older local residents said it reminded them of their youth when the lake was the most popular place to be in the summer," Stephens says. Many also frequent the Dexter Community playground, which has an updated playset and a baseball diamond. The Newport/Dover-Foxcroft Rail Trail is a 27-mile trail that is used for summertime and wintertime activities, from four-wheelers to cross-country skiers, as well as hikers year-round. The trail is part of the Interconnected Trail System, which is under the Maine Snowmobile Association and has mapped out over 14,000 miles of trails all over Maine. This has also led to the creation of the North County Riding Club, which uses these trails for dirt bikes and four-wheelers. Dexter Municipal Golf Course, a popular 9-hole course amid Maine’s rolling hills, offers a walk through a more manicured form of nature. Fishermen can also stop by the nearby Echo Lake to catch brook trout and smallmouth bass.
Take a dip into Lake Wasookeag and cool off with family and friends in Dexter.
Seeing RTVs traveling along the Newport/Dover-Foxcroft Rail Trail in Dexter is a common sight.
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Older New Englander and ranch homes
Housing in Dexter reflects home styles found in Central Maine, with the town primarily consisting of New Englander and raised-ranch houses built in the early 1900s and even as far back as the late 1800s. The homes often sit on shaded lots underneath mature American beech and black cherry trees, with neighbors and friends a short walk away. Houses can range between $40,000 and $360,000. “Prices in the neighborhood are pretty affordable but have been rising a lot in the last three years,” Stephens says, “and lots of people have been moving into our part of Maine from all over the U.S.” In Dexter, prices have gone up 35% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
There's a fair share of homes in Dexter that have detached garages offering great storage space.
You will find certain streets in Dexter have homes that are of the same style.
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The Red Hot Dog Festival
The largest event in Dexter each year is the Red Hot Dog Festival in August. Named after the iconic Maine hot dog style with a bright red casing, the event is a big day for the community, as the main street is closed and filled with food and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and a stage featuring live music. The event also has a red hot dog eating contest, which is sponsored by the Brewster Inn. About 5,000 to 7,000 people attend each year, Stephens says, adding, “Last year, we had a really good Ozzy Osbourne cover band.”
Classic Maine dining and a growing downtown
One of the more popular eateries in Dexter is Lakeshore Restaurant, which sits along the water. Here, patrons can stop in after a day at the nearby park and enjoy classic diner fare, seafood or a scoop of ice cream from the serving windows. Closer to downtown, Our "Famb"ily Restaurant is another spot specializing in breakfast and lunch that’s known for its eggs Benedict and a variety of omelets. The downtown area has also grown a lot in the last few years, with Maine Sole, a recent addition to the area that provides classic handmade shoes and is one of the 13 well-performing shoe manufacturers in Maine. Groceries can be found at the local Hannaford downtown.
Families love to dine in and indulge in conversation at the Lakeshore Restaurant in Dexter.
Our "Famb"ily Restaurant is a local favorite in Dexter for breakfast and lunch.
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Vocational options at Dexter public schools
Students can begin their education at Ridge View Community School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade school that receives a C-minus rating on Niche. They can then finish at the C-rated Dexter Regional High School, known for its girl's basketball team, which just won the Class C basketball state crown in March of 2024. Students can also attend the unrated Tri County Tech Center, where vocational programs include welding, culinary arts and early childhood education.
This is the main entrance to Ridge View Community School.
Dexter Regional High School sits next to Lake Wasookeag.
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State routes and quiet streets
Dexter offers a number of options to commuters. State routes 23, 94 and 7 all run through town, streamlining trips to nearby hotspots like Newport and Dover-Foxcroft. “It’s a healthy mix of walking and driving. Some people will walk to places that they think are walkable, but a car or mode of transportation is necessary,” Tina Stephens says. Bangor International Airport is 31 miles to the southeast, and the Northern Light Mayo Hospital is 13 miles to the north.
Dexter connects to multiple state routes making traveling by car easy.
Quiet streets encompass Dexter, making for the perfect place to raise a family.
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Written By
Braxton Puentes
Photography Contributed By
Kyle Cook
Video By
Ruo Zheng
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Dexter, ME sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Dexter, ME over the last 12 months is $202,450, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
3 Bedroom 2 bath home located on dead end street. First floor laundry and mudroom. Property is in need of some TLC. Will not go FHA, VA , USDA or first time home owner. Properrty is being sold as is. This is a bank foreclosure. There is no owner financing.
Nestled on a private lot with its own water and sewer, this charming retreat is ideal for effortless weekend getaways or simple year-round living. Inside, you'll discover a freshly finished cozy knotty-pine interior that exudes warmth and character, complemented by a brand new direct vent Rinnai propane furnace for optimal comfort throughout the seasons. The open layout encourages creativity,
Welcome to this charming and well-maintained home in Ripley! Offering 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, this inviting property combines comfort, functionality, and great outdoor living spaces. The main level features a kitchen with new appliances in Sept 2025, dining room, cozy living room with a propane fireplace, and a bright sunroom/mudroom perfect for relaxing year-round. A large first-floor
Charming 2-3-bedroom, 1-bath home with the option for one-floor living, but also has a finished attic offering flexible additional space. The third bedroom was converted into a laundry room. Situated on a .26-acre lot, this property has been refreshed over the past few years with updated kitchen, newer appliances, updated flooring, and fresh paint throughout, giving it a clean and move-in ready
This beautifully maintained 1930 home, with a foundation dating back to 1810, perfectly combines historic charm and modern updates. Rich in character and history, the home features recently refinished hardwood floors that bring warmth and elegance throughout, freshly painted interiors, and an updated kitchen designed for today's convenience as well as many other updates. Major improvements
Make this lot your own and enjoy the serene lifestyle it offers! Benefit from shared access to Lake Wassookeag located near tennis and shuffleboard courts, all part of the Camp Dexter Association. Access trails for snowmobiling and ATV adventures are located down the road at the park and ride, across from the snowmobile clubhouse on the Number Ten Rd, or on Water Street. A little slice of heaven
Tammy MacPhersonKeller Williams Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty
This lovely cared for multi-generational home offers incredible versatility and charm with two efficiency apartments, perfect for extended family, guests or potential rental income. The main home features three bedrooms, two baths, a cozy fireplace, a classic slate kitchen sink, farmhouse style cabinetry and a welcoming front porch ideal for relaxing. The oversized attached 3 car garage is
Classic 1904 New Englander - Completely Remodeled with Lake Views . Step into timeless charm with modern updates in this home offering three full floors of living space and views of Lake Wassookeag.This spacious home features 5-6 bedrooms and two full bathrooms, providing flexibility for growing families, guests, or home office space. 2 bedroom on the main floor adds convenience and
Elaine PelletierBetter Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group
This absolute must-see 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home boasts lots of space for a big family, entertaining, and overnight visitors, perfectly balancing luxury and accessibility. Inside, enjoy a large but cozy open-concept living area centered around a charming fireplace, all refreshed with new flooring. The chef's kitchen is equipped with a modern gas range and new stainless steel appliances, ceiling
Opportunity awaits at 125 Arno Road in Dexter! Set on a generous 10-acre parcel, this property offers the perfect blend of privacy, space, and potential for those looking to create something truly their own. Tucked away in a peaceful rural setting, the land provides ample room for recreation, gardening, homesteading, or even future development. The property currently features a 3-bedroom older
1978 1 bedroom mobile open concept living area located on it's own lot with a 1 car garage. FHA propane is only 6 years old, metal roof 3 years old. Has a gravel pad. Home does need some TLC or remove and put yours on the lot. Located in town close to all shopping. Close to Greenville for all your outdoor activities.
3 Bedroom / 1.5 Bathroom Home – 2-Bay Garage, Large Yard – $1,800/monthSpacious and comfortable 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home available now! This property offers the perfect combination of indoor living space and outdoor features, ideal for anyone looking for room to spread out.Inside, you'll find a functional layout with three well-sized bedrooms, a full bathroom plus a convenient
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