Why 2025 Is the Best Time to Buy a Home in Southern Maine | Craig Priestly Real Estate

by Craig Priestly

🧭 Maine Buyers — This Is Your Moment

If you’ve been eyeing a move to Southern Maine — whether it’s Freeport, Brunswick, Yarmouth, Portland, or coastal retreats — the last couple of years have flipped the script. Buyers now enjoy real negotiation power. Homes are staying on the market longer, more listings are coming online, sellers are dropping their price and bidding wars aren’t the norm anymore. This isn’t just a trend — it’s opening real opportunity.

1. Why Now? Inventory Is Rising, Competition Is Cooling

In early 2025, Maine saw a meaningful uptick in active listings: about 14% more homes on the market in March compared to a year earlier .

That extra inventory is significant. More homes equal more choices — and that gives you leverage. Sellers who listed at peak prices in 2023 are now facing a market that demands strategy, not optimism.

In Cumberland and York counties, inventory surged by over 27% year-over-year in March . That’s especially important in sought-after towns like Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Kennebunk, Freeport, and Yarmouth — areas where second-home sellers are listing now, giving buyers more options than in years past.

2. Market Trends = Negotiating Power

With more listings and fewer buyers competing, homes are staying listed longer: days on market have climbed from around 15 in spring 2024 to more than 22 days in spring 2025 .

It’s not just about time — pricing is shifting, too. While home values remain elevated, they’re cooling. In early 2025, Maine’s median sale price dipped slightly in some markets, then stabilized around $400,000 to $410,000 — with Zillow reporting an average value of about $412,200 .

This shift means sellers who overprice see homes linger, then often drop prices — creating negotiating openings. It’s exactly where well-informed buyers can pounce.

3. Mortgage Rates: Stay Alert & Ready

Nationally, 30-year mortgage rates have hovered around 6–7% in 2025 . That’s historically high, but stabilizing — creating predictability.

Here’s why that matters for you:

You can plan confidently on monthly payments.
Sellers notice when you’re pre-approved, and you’re taken more seriously.
Without rate volatility, sellers are more motivated to make a deal work.

As equilibrium sets between rising rates and growing inventory, buyers gain clarity and power — if they’re prepared.

4. Don’t Overpay — Leverage Local Uncertainty

In places like Portland and Cape Elizabeth, pandemic-era second homes are coming to market as owners cash out . What this means for buyers:

Premium homes set pre-pandemic may be due for more realistic pricing.
Upside if you enter a home before it re-enters the vacation-rental cycle or market escalation.
Sellers may bend on price, closing costs, or contingencies — as they feel more motivated to close.

This is a window for strategic entry: buying a home that’s both desirable and priced for today’s market, not 2021.

5. Southern Maine: Your Ideal Canvas

Here’s how the buyer advantage plays out in real Southern Maine towns:

Portland & South Portland

Inventory up in spring 2025, especially with second-home listings .
Median sales hovering near $400K–$410K .
Urban demand remains strong, but not overheated — giving buyers who are ready a real chance.

Freeport, Brunswick & Yarmouth

Suburban and coastal homes gaining visibility as sellers adjust to a balanced market.
Days on market trending around 22–45 days, meaning more space to negotiate .
Great blend of lifestyle amenities and price flexibility.

York & Kennebunkport

Vacation-value inventory expanding, giving seasonal buyers more leverage .

6. Your Buyer Toolkit: Be Prepared & Proactive

Use these steps to seize this market advantage:

📍 Get pre-approved before starting:

A solid mortgage pre-approval signals that you’re ready — and helps you move fast when you find “the one.”

🏘️ Know your priority zones & comps:

Pin down where you want to live — Freeport’s coastal charm, Yarmouth’s schools, Brunswick’s arts scene — and know what similar houses are selling for in the past 30 days.

👁️ Watch new listings and price movements closely:

Early bird gets the deal. New listings mean negotiation room; price drops signal seller urgency.

🤝 Work smart with your agent:

You want someone who can ask tough questions — “Why hasn’t this home sold in 40 days?” — and advise on smart offering strategies. That’s me — Craig Priestly, your Maine expert.

7. Consult an Expert to Amplify Advantage

Southern Maine isn’t like any other place. Each town has its rhythm:

Freeport’s mix of tourism and suburban life.
Brunswick’s waterfront energy and college culture.
Yarmouth’s family-centered charm.
Portland’s creative, growing urban scene.

There’s power in a local agent who knows market shifts, can sense seller motivation, and speaks lender, legal, and inspection language fluently.

8. The Trust Factor — Why Buyers Win With Strategy

When markets shift, clarity and flexibility lead the game. Here’s the win cycle:

Market shifts → buyers have power.
Buyer prep + local intel = confidence.
Sellers see clarity → offers get traction.
Buyers get homes at fair value.
Growth in equity begins immediately.

In Conclusion: Southern Maine’s Moment Is Yours

Right now, buyers have:

More homes to choose from, especially in the coast‑metro corridor.
More time to negotiate — days on market doubled compared to 2024.
More leverage — homes aren’t flying off the market.
Timing advantages — historically strong spring liquidity is settling into spring calm .

So if you’ve been waiting for market conditions to favor buyers — this is it. From Portland to Freeport, Brunswick, Yarmouth, and beyond, homes are available without overpaying.

✅ Your Next Moves

Get pre-approved now — don’t wait until you find the home.
Choose your towns wisely — lifestyle meets opportunity.
Track listings and pricing daily — markets change fast.
Lean on a local expert — someone ready to navigate negotiations with you.

I’m ready when you are. 🏡

Ready to take the next step in your real estate journey? Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I’m here to help! Let’s make your goals a reality. Contact me today at 207.387.5416 or craig@craigpriestlyrealestate.com to get started!