Maine continued its streak as a hot destination for New England homebuyers in June, with the state posting a 10.5% increase in sales.
The number of single-family homes sold in the Pine Tree State rose to 1,441 in June, the Maine Association of Realtors said in a July 23 report. The median sales price increased by 4.94% to $425,000, the group said, and sales and prices are increasing because there still aren't enough homes for everyone who wants one.
"High buyer demand and low-but-improving for-sale inventory levels continue to drive Maine’s home sales and pricing," Jeff Harris, the group's president, said in a statement. "This dynamic of strong buyer demand and trending increases in the number of homes on the market has resulted in higher sales volume for most counties across Maine."
Waldo County experienced the highest increase in home sales: 30% between April and June 2024 and that same period in 2025, according to the state group, which draws its data from the Multiple Listing Service. Lincoln and Somerset counties were tied for second highest at roughly 20% for both.
Washington County led the state in median price increases, growing 27.5% in that springtime frame. Lincoln County, at 23.7%, and Aroostook County, at 17%, also experienced noteworthy jumps.
Cumberland County, home to Portland, has the highest median home price, $600,000 as of June, the association said.
State grapples with population increase
Maine is known for its vacation properties, including many high-end ones, but its lower-priced primary homes are a big draw. The state's population grew from 1.36 million in 2020 to 1.4 million in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, a pace five years faster than officials had predicted.
Like its northern New England counterpart Vermont, Maine is grappling with a housing shortage brought on by a population increase and stalled construction. One estimate found that Maine needs 84,000 new homes by 2030 to meet the demand. The state also has one of the nation's highest home vacancy rates because of the number of vacation properties.
The number of homes for sale is increasing, Harris said, but "the added inventory has resulted in buyers and sellers taking more time to negotiate pricing and offer terms."
"June’s for-sale inventory of 5,047 was 14 percent above May's, resulting in June sales numbers that were 17 percent higher than last month," said Harris, an agent in Farmington with Harris Real Estate. "Maine hasn’t experienced a statewide for-sale inventory over 5,000 since October of 2020."
