What Is the Cost of Selling a House in Maine?

Published on May 23rd, 2025
10 min read

Alexandra Lee Associate Editor
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Alexandra Lee Associate Editor

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Alexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.

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If you’re like many residents in Maine, your home is probably your most significant financial asset. Selling it is a major decision. You may be considering moving to another state, relocating to the suburbs, or downsizing to a more practical home. Whatever your reason for selling, chances are you’re aiming for a hassle-free experience with the best possible return.

As you plan your next move, understanding the costs associated with selling a home in Maine is critical to avoiding surprises at the closing table. In this guide, we’ve outlined common costs you may face when selling a home in Maine, along with expert insights to further break down what you can expect.

Housing trends in Maine

Similar to the national trend, rising home prices and high interest rates are still a significant factor in Maine, but market is less competitive than it once was.

“In Maine — primarily southern Maine, which is my market — things are definitely leveling out a bit. We’re seeing homes sit on the market a little longer compared to this time last year and even further back. But they’re still selling, it’s just taking a bit more time. Prices remain on the higher end, even though inventory is starting to pick up,” says Bobby Queen, a top-performing real estate agent in Maine.

Here’s a snapshot of the current real estate landscape in Maine:

	As of April 2025
Days on market	22 days
Median home sale price	$376,260
List price vs. sale price	99%
Supply of inventory	+14%
Population growth year over year	+0.38%

Sources: Maine Association of Realtors, Redfin, World Population Review

As a seller in Maine, one notable metric to consider is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing a home to securing a signed purchase agreement. In Maine, the average DOM is currently 22 days.

“There are so many different micro-markets within each local area or ZIP code. Some homes are still going under contract very quickly — within a week or a week and a half — but on average, we’re closer to that 30-day mark,” says Queen.

Start with a home value estimate

A great first step to take when estimating the cost of selling a home in Maine is obtaining a home value estimate. Given the rapid changes in home values and local market trends, now is an excellent time to assess your home’s worth — its value might surprise you.

You can get a quick online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool analyzes recent sales, local market shifts, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a preliminary value range for your property in under two minutes. To get started, simply enter your address.

How much does it cost to sell a house in Maine?

The answer varies. Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in Maine is typically between 6% and 10% of the final selling price.

For instance, if you sell your home for $376,260 — the median home price in Maine — your selling costs could be approximately $22,576 to $37,626.

Whether you pay on the higher or lower end of this estimate largely depends on your choices regarding home preparations, agent commissions, and any seller concessions offered to the buyer. Let’s explore the factors you should consider when calculating the cost of selling a home in Maine.

What are common expenses for sellers in Maine?

Queen notes that the cost of selling a house in Maine can differ significantly based on the state’s evolving market.

“There are definitely several costs involved, and the exact figures will vary depending on the seller’s unique situation and even their location. Generally, sellers can expect to pay real estate commission fees, which typically fall in the 5% to 6% range — but those are absolutely 100% negotiable,” Queen says.

The size, age, and condition of your home can also affect the cost of preparing it for sale. Below, we’ve included some estimated prices to guide you as you plan.

Prepping your house for sale

Preparing your Maine home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the median price, this could amount to around $5,644 to $10,159.

Here’s a breakdown of these expenses:

Pre-sale repairs: $4,500-$5,400, depending on the year your home was built and its previous maintenance.
Staging the home: $1,500-$4,000 (recommended by agents for higher proceeds).
Professional cleaning services: $118-$237, depending on the home’s size.
Interior painting: $966-$3,086.
Landscaping: $1,248-$6,281.
Pre-listing inspection: $250-$500 if desired.

Before taking on major projects, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your Realtor. A seasoned real estate agent in Maine can advise you on what’s worth fixing and what repairs you can skip when selling your home.

Realtor fees in Maine

Agent commissions are one of the biggest expenses when selling a home. In Maine, Realtor fees typically range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you offer to cover the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer required following a landmark court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide.

Based on the median home price of $376,260 in Maine, you can expect to pay between $9,406.50 (2.5%) and $22,576 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.

Although agent commissions may seem steep, working with a skilled professional can significantly boost your final net proceeds. HomeLight transaction data indicates that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average agent.

Later in this post, we’ll break down how agent commissions can affect your total selling costs in our overview example chart.

Try out HomeLight’s Agent Commissions Calculator to estimate Realtor fees in your city. You can also explore HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to connect with a top real estate agent in your Maine market.

Seller concessions

Seller concessions can also increase the overall cost of selling a house in Maine. In addition to direct expenses like home prep and agent fees, you may also face indirect costs during the transaction. These costs may include seller concessions or incentives offered to the buyer.

A concession occurs when a seller agrees to use part of their sale proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The total of these costs will depend on your specific circumstances and local market conditions.

“Seller concessions are becoming more and more prevalent in the changing market. Some of the most common ones we’re seeing are going toward actual closing costs or buying down the interest rate — buying down a point, so to speak,” says Queen.

While sellers aren’t obligated to make concessions, choosing to do so can help attract more buyers, set your home apart from competitors, and even facilitate closing a deal. Here are some examples of seller concessions that might increase the cost of selling your house in Maine:

Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage.
Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 ($1,200-$1,400 for more comprehensive plans).
Repair credit: Seller credits vary and can reduce your net proceeds.

Closing costs and additional fees

Excluding agent commissions, your closing costs and additional fees will likely range from 2% to 4% of your home’s selling price. Using Maine’s median home price of $376,260, this would fall between $7,525 and $15,050.

So, what closing costs do sellers incur in Maine? Here are examples of line items you’ll find on your final settlement statement:

Escrow fee
Title insurance premiums
Title search fees
Tax liens or other judgments
Homeowner’s association dues
Reconveyance fee and recording fees
Prorated property taxes
Mortgage loan payoff amount (U.S. average: approximately $250,000)
Real estate transfer tax

Maine’s transfer tax: Not all states charge a real estate transfer tax, but in Maine, the transfer tax is levied at a rate of $2.20 for every $500 of sale value. The buyer and seller are each responsible for paying one-half of this tax.

“In Maine, the transfer tax is split 50/50 between the buyer and the seller. The way it’s calculated is $2.20 for every $500 of the sale price. For example, on a $430,000 home, the total transfer tax would come to about $1,900, meaning each party pays around $950. That’s a significant cost, so it’s definitely something sellers should be aware of from the start,” Queen says.

At-a-glance home selling cost example for Maine

This at-a-glance analysis is based on the median home price of $376,260 in Maine. For simplicity, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures can serve as a helpful planning tool as you prepare to sell your home.

Selling expense	Example costs*	% of home sale price
Prepping your home for sale	$7,525	2%
Realtor fees (commissions)	$11,288	3% (listing agent only)
Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees	$11,288	3%
Transfer tax	$828	0.22%
Total selling cost example	$30,929	8.22%

*General estimates based on Maine’s median home price of $376,260

If you choose to pay the buyer’s agent fee: Add an estimated 2.5%, or $9,406.50.

How much profit will you make? To gain a clearer understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers all the selling costs discussed in this post, including your mortgage payoff amount.

Relocation expenses

One often-overlooked expense is the cost of relocating. Your moving costs will depend on your next destination and whether you decide to hire professional movers. Here’s a general breakdown of moving costs after selling your home:

Typical cost to move: $883-$2,568
Typical cost to move out of state: $3,000-$9,500

How can I reduce my seller costs in Maine?

There are several ways to reduce potential selling costs in Maine — some more impactful than others. Here are some strategies you can leverage to save money:

Make repairs yourself when possible.
Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent.
Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage.
List your home for sale by owner (FSBO).
Avoid offering seller concessions or buyer incentives.
If you agree to cover closing costs or provide a repair credit, consider raising your home’s purchase price.
Resist the temptation to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs when selling.
Sell your house off-market.
Time your home sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Work with a top-performing agent with a proven sale-to-list ratio.

While a discount agent or broker may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the necessary experience to successfully close the sale, potentially costing you more in the long run.

“Break it down line by line. What are you actually getting with those discount brokerages? What does their marketing plan look like? Are they doing open houses, or is that not included?” Queen says. “Same goes for marketing — what kind of exposure are they offering? And then, what kind of negotiating are they doing on your behalf? Or is it just a simple MLS listing with no full representation?”

Helpful tools for your next home purchase

As you prepare to buy your next home, consider exploring these HomeLight tools and our modern Buy Before You Sell program:

Partner and plan with a top Maine agent

A smart first step when estimating the cost of selling a house in Maine is to get an accurate home value estimate.

From there, you can build a strategy to boost your bottom line. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform connects you with top-rated real estate agents in your local Maine market who can help you sell for above asking price.

In general, the cost to sell a house in Maine is 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.

“One of the other things I’d advise is to always interview more than one agent. You have options, and it’s important to keep your goals focused and stay true to them,” advises Queen. “Make the best decision you can based on which Realtor relationships seem like a good fit — or perhaps, not a good fit. Trust your gut instinct when deciding who will provide you with the absolute best representation.”

HomeLight’s Agent Match can connect you with high-performing agents in your Maine market who can help you get the best possible outcome from your home sale.

Header Image Source: (ramunas / DepositPhotos)

At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.

Alexandra Lee

Associate Editor

Alexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.