How to Sell a House By Owner in Maine

By no longer covering the buyer’s agent commission, sellers can save about 3%. And if you choose to sell your home yourself, you could skip the remaining 3% typically paid to a listing agent, doubling your potential savings.

In addition, a FSBO sale can give you more control over the transaction and provide a sense of extreme satisfaction. But before you jump in, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

Consider the FSBO price and proceeds tradeoff

Selling FSBO in Maine can be rewarding, but it comes with significant hurdles that often knock down any potential savings. For example, while FSBO sellers might initially save on Realtor fees, transaction data shows they typically leave a significant amount of money on the table.

According to the NAR, FSBO homes sold for $360,000 in 2025, considerably lower than the median selling price of agent-assisted homes, which was $425,000. That’s a potential loss of $65,000 in proceeds in an effort to save around $10,800 (3%) in agent commissions.

How to sell a house by owner in Maine

Selling a home by owner in Maine requires you to manage every step of the process, from setting your listing price and marketing to handling all the paperwork. You’ll also need to comply with Maine’s real estate laws, which include completing the required seller disclosure statement and coordinating with title companies to transfer ownership of the property.

Now, let’s take a look at each step of the sell-by-owner game plan.

While you might assume pricing your home is the first step in the Maine FSBO process, it’s usually better to wait until the property is prepared. Upgrades, repairs, and deep cleaning will impact the accuracy of your listing price estimate. These tasks will also play a significant role in the success of your sale — both in speed and proceeds.

1. Prepare your Maine home for sale

To make your property stand out in a sea of listings, you’ll want to prepare it so potential buyers can see its best features. Start with strategic fixes and then tackle obvious cosmetic issues, such as wall nail holes, chipped paint, scuffed floors, and broken or loose fixtures.

Even minor repairs or replacements can boost your home’s overall appeal, such as new light switches and drawer handles. Here are some more home prep tasks to tackle:

• Declutter each space: Go room by room and clear out any unnecessary items so every space feels larger and more organized.
• Depersonalize your home: Remove or store highly personal belongings such as family photos and sports memorabilia to help buyers visualize themselves living in the house.
• Deep clean: Make the home shine by applying a thorough deep cleaning. Make it easier on yourself by hiring a professional cleaning service.
• Make repairs: Fix dripping faucets, broken screens, loose door handles, and squeaky hinges. Replace or repair any broken or unsightly kitchen appliances.
• Boost curb appeal: When a potential buyer sees (and steps into) a home, their first impression will be remembered, whether it’s favorable or unpleasant. Spruce up your lawn, plant colorful flowers, and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. If necessary, paint or replace your front door to create a welcoming entry and a better curb appeal.
• Don’t forget pets and odors: That buyer’s first step into your home also needs to be free of bad smells and jumping or frightening pets.

»Learn more: 22 Steps to Prep Your House for Sale and Sell for More Money

2. Set a Goldilocks listing price

Pricing your home just right is one of the most challenging and crucial steps to get buyers to actually come and look at your Maine home. If you price it too high, your house can sit on the market for months. Too low, and you risk leaving proceeds on the table.

To set a competitive list price in Maine, consider the following tips used by top agents:

• Research comparable home sales: Look at recent home sales of similar nearby houses. Real estate professionals refer to these as comps. Note and compare the prices, conditions, and features. Use these as a guide.
• Study local market conditions: Check whether houses in your area are selling fast or sitting unsold on the market. This can tell you whether home prices are going up, remaining flat, or dropping.
• Request a home value estimate: Use an online tool such as HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get a preliminary idea of what your FSBO home might be worth. This free automated valuation model (AVM) compares local transaction data and sales records of similar properties to give you a ballpark estimate. However, it’s not an official appraisal.
• Get a pre-listing appraisal: As a FSBO seller, you may want to hire a professional appraiser who can give you a pre-listing value estimate. This service can provide peace of mind for you and potential buyers. A home appraisal typically costs about $350-$550.

»Learn more: Price My Home Right: Should I List My House High or Low?

How Much Is Your Maine Home Worth Now?

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3. Get high-quality professional photos

Compelling photographs are vital for showcasing your home on real estate websites, where most buyers will first see your listing. Professional photos and videos create an online, first-look curb appeal that can make your listing stand out. You can’t afford to take shortcuts on this step.

• Employ a professional photographer: Find an experienced real estate photographer who understands the lighting techniques and room angles that can make your entire home look its best. A professional real estate photographer typically costs between $120 and $270 per hour, but can be higher if you also want walkthrough video tours and aerial drone footage.
• Stage for photos: Even basic home staging can make a big difference in how well your photos attract buyers. Remove clutter, open drapes and blinds, and arrange your furniture to highlight each living space.
• Highlight your home’s best features: Focus on first-impression curb appeal images. You’ll also want walk-through photos that take home shoppers from the front lawn and entryway to the primary bedroom and back patio.

»Learn more: How to Take Real Estate Photos and Sell Faster for More Money

4. Create a detailed listing

You’ll want to create a property description that goes beyond basic or generic information. The listing needs to capture buyers’ attention with specific details that highlight the features buyers are looking for, like new or upgraded appliances, desirable renovations, or walkability to local venues and amenities.

• Use descriptive words: Paint a picture for buyers through phrases like “calm, tree-lined street,” “large, fenced yard,” “highly-rated school district,” and “inviting covered deck with a breathtaking view.”
• Focus on the coveted features: Highlight details such as an updated kitchen, spacious media room, home office, or an outdoor kitchen.
• Keep your audience in mind: Maine homebuyers appreciate features such as energy-efficient windows and fireplaces.
• Call attention to a flex room or ADU: In Maine, flex rooms, a space designed to be versatile, and auxiliary dwelling units (ADU), like a mother-in-law house, are powerful selling points. Highlight these if you have them.
• Include essential information: Specify the year the house was built, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage, and any significant upgrades or renovations.

»Learn more: 7 Steps to Writing Creative Real Estate Listing Descriptions

5. List your FSBO home on the MLS

The multiple listing service (MLS) is a real estate industry platform for getting your property in front of potential homebuyers. While only licensed real estate agents can post home listings directly to the MLS, FSBO sellers in Maine can access it by paying a flat-fee MLS service.

• Find a flat-fee MLS service provider: There are flat-fee MLS companies in Maine that charge a one-time fee to get your listing on the MLS. This will typically cost between $300 for a basic listing and up to several thousand dollars for a listing that includes additional services, such as negotiation and paperwork support. These companies post your listing on high-traffic real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
• Understand what you’re paying for: Carefully read the agreement before making a commitment. Some flat-fee service providers offer upgraded options, like unlimited listing updates, open house announcements, yard signs and flyers, and even agent support with negotiations. However, these often require additional fees.
• Provide clear and accurate details: Ensure that all property information in the MLS is correct and complies with MLS rules. Confirm key details like the listing price, square footage, and local amenities to avoid any issues when buyers respond. The MLS listing details should match buyer expectations when they arrive at your home.

»Learn more: How to Sell Your FSBO Home with a Flat Fee MLS Listing Company

Some examples of established flat fee MLS platforms in Maine include:

• FSBO.com
• mlsmyhome.com
• ISoldMyHouse.com
• HomeZu
• Houzeo

6. Market your FSBO home

To attract qualified homebuyers, you need to actively market your Maine property. In addition to the industry MLS, consider these common marketing strategies:

• Post your home on social media: For more reach, share your property listing and photos on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and local community groups.
• Hire a virtual tour service: Today’s buyers want to explore homes online before they schedule an in-person showing. A virtual tour uses a 3D virtual floor plan or rendering of the home, allowing online users to navigate the property with their mouse or trackpad.
• Create a walkthrough video tour: A video tour presents a walk-through experience that typically takes home shoppers from the front yard and entryway through the house and then to the property’s outdoor spaces.
• Post a for-sale sign: A well-placed, professional-looking “For Sale” sign with your contact information can help attract local buyers. These signs can be purchased locally or online through sites like Vistaprint and even Staples.
• Distribute flyers or postcards: Contact a printing company to create flyers and postcards that you can post throughout the community. Again, many online companies like 48HourPrint and PrintPlace offer easy-to-use templates and affordable rates for flyers.

»Learn more: 9 Creative Ways to Market a House for Sale

7. Schedule and manage home showings

When interested buyers contact you, you’ll need to schedule home showings. This means you’ll need to prepare your Maine property for each visit. You’ll want to keep your house clean, decluttered, and free of personal items like family photographs. This helps potential buyers to envision themselves living in the home.

• Use scheduling tools: Online tools like Calendly and Microsoft Bookings can help you coordinate home show tours, assign time slots, and avoid accidentally double-booking appointments.
• Prepare for each buyer visit: Before a prospective buyer arrives, tidy up, open window drapes and blinds for natural light, and make sure that each space feels welcoming and clutter-free. Also, eliminate bad odors, especially in the bathrooms and kitchen.
• Prioritize your own safety: Be wise about letting strangers into your home. Vet your buyers in advance and create a sign-in sheet for tours and verify identification. Schedule home showings when someone else can be with you in the house at all times.

»Learn more: How Many Showings Does It Take to Sell a House on Average?

8. Evaluate offers, negotiate, and make disclosures

When purchase offers come in, review each one carefully. Look at an offer’s value beyond the purchase price. Consider what might impact your selling objectives, such as contingencies, appraisal results, post-inspection demands, closing timelines, and financing conditions and terms.

• Contingencies: These are clauses in a contract that present offer conditions, such as inspections and appraisals, or the buyer’s ability to secure financing or sell their current home (home sale contingency).
• Closing costs: In today’s market, many buyers are requesting seller concessions to help with their closing costs. For example, a buyer might ask you to pay their buyer’s real estate agent commissions.
• Net proceeds from the sale: Use an online calculator or consult a financial advisor to get a clear picture of how much you will take home after the sale closes.
• Prompt response to viable offers: If a purchase offer looks promising, respond quickly to show the buyer (or their agent) that you are serious about closing the sale. Being prompt can send a powerful message and keep negotiations moving at a favorable pace.
• Buyer negotiations: You’ll need to be prepared for back-and-forth negotiations with your buyer. An experienced buyer’s agent will typically present a counteroffer to any demands you make. Decide in advance what your bottom line price is, but be open to compromise on everything from closing costs to repairs.

Required seller disclosures in Maine

Maine home sellers are legally required to disclose known defects that could significantly affect the property’s value or the health and safety of a home’s occupants. This is done through a Property Disclosure Statement, which includes providing information about:

Sellers must also disclose:

• Roads on or abutting the property, including road maintenance and access
• Potential flood risks to the home and property
• Whether the property is subject to shoreland zoning restrictions

»Learn more: Real Estate Counter Offers 101: When in Doubt, Consult This Seller’s FAQ Sheet

9. Close the sale of your Maine home

The final step in your FSBO journey is referred to as “the closing.” This is a scheduled day and meeting that involves completing the legal and financial paperwork needed to close the sale and transfer ownership of the property. Before this day comes, you’ll want to be certain all sale requirements are met.

• Hire an attorney: While not required by state law, hiring a real estate attorney will provide you with greater protection and peace of mind. Your attorney will handle essential tasks like reviewing the purchase contract and title transfer.
• Work with a title company: The title company or the buyer’s attorney will perform a title search to confirm there are no liens or claims against your Maine property. Your sale typically cannot be closed unless there is a clean title on the house and land.
• Sign and get paid: At this point, you’ll sign the final purchase agreement and title transfer forms, and receive payment from the buyer. You’ll also be responsible for transfer taxes. The title company or your attorney will usually guide you through these final actions.

When all is complete, you will turn over your keys to the home. Congratulations, you have closed the sale.

»Learn  more: Comprehensive Closing Checklist for Home Sellers

FSBO pitfalls to avoid in Maine

While selling your Maine home yourself can save money on real estate agent commissions, there are some costly pitfalls that FSBO sellers often make. Here are some common sell-by-owner missteps to avoid:

• Not using the MLS to market the home
• Over- or under-pricing your home
• Letting your home sit on the market
• Neglecting marketing strategy
• Being overly fixated on one detail of a purchase offer
• Failing to declutter or depersonalize the home
• Ignoring safety precautions during home showings
• Deciding not to hire a real estate attorney

»Learn more: Why Isn’t Your Home Selling? 12 Common Reasons to Consider

Sell Your Maine House Fast With an All-Cash Offer

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Step 1: Request Offer

Alternatives to selling FSBO in Maine

The sell-by-owner process can be overwhelming. Perhaps you’re looking to make the most proceeds possible. Or maybe you want to eliminate the stress of selling while you’re planning a move. Or, perhaps you just need a fast sale so you can start a new chapter of life. For these situations, consider the following two alternative selling options:

• Work with a top Maine real estate agent: Agents provide valuable local market knowledge, pricing skills, and expert negotiation strategies that can help you secure a higher price and more proceeds. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with top-performing agents in your city.
• Sell for cash with HomeLight’s Simple Sale: If you need a fast and smooth sale, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform gives you access to the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the country. Enter a few details about your Maine home, and you’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours. With Simple Sale, you can close in as little as 7 days.

»Learn more: Sell Your House for Cash: For Some, the Convenience Can’t Be Beat

Ready to sell your Maine home?

While selling by owner in Maine can be rewarding, you must be fully prepared for the work involved. If you’re unsure about taking the FSBO route or just want to explore your options, HomeLight can introduce you to Maine’s top-rated agents. These professionals know your market and have proven sale-to-list ratios.

Most agents are happy to provide a free, no-commitment consultation. Many will even offer to create a comparative market analysis (CMA) home pricing report at no cost. Connect with a trusted agent today.

Editor’s note: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. Look into the real estate regulations for your area to properly navigate selling a home without a realtor. If you’ve explored the FSBO process and decide it’s not the right fit, we can connect you with top-rated agents for a stress-free, top-dollar sale.

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