When is the Best Time to Sell a Home in Maine?

This is a question I often get from home-sellers who want to maximize their profits. Maine continues to be a hotspot, and with inventory remaining fairly low, there’s no real bad time to get your home on the market.

However, spring is typically the best time to list. Why spring? Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining (well, that depends), and the snow has melted, revealing that you actually have a yard. Mainers are also out and about, feeling good, and statistically-speaking, that’s when most active buyers are usually looking. Homes will often sell faster and for more money during this time.

While you might be tempted to throw your house on the market in the summer when the state is flooded with tourists, it’s important to remember that a lot of these vacationers are here for the lobster rolls and lighthouses, and not necessarily scrolling Zillow or going to open house tours. However, serious buyers who do show up are likely ready to make a move, and are using the summer sun and long days to explore homes and neighborhoods. There are also buyers out there who don’t have the option to wait to buy a home.

Since I’ve been a realtor, I've felt like fall is also a good time of the year to put a home on the market. People are back to their regular lives, and there’s always been something about touring homes in the fall (pumpkin-spiced vibes, a fire crackling in the fireplace, the scent of apple pie in the air…you get the point). Buyers also love seeing homes in the fall, because they can picture themselves settling in before the winter. Plus, your yard looks awesome with all those red and orange leaves (let’s be honest, it's free curb appeal).

Selling your home during a Maine winter is a bit comparable to summer in the sense that there may not be as many active buyers looking, but those who are are usually serious buyers. If you’re still living in your home and need to get the kids all suited up to leave for 30-45 minutes, you don’t want to go through the hassle for casual window shoppers. Most of the time, that’s not what Mainers are doing in the winter. If you do decide to list in the winter months, make sure to keep your walkways clear.

In the end, the best time to sell your Maine home really depends on your needs and schedule. I do recommend avoiding listing during or just before any nor’easters. No one wants to tour a house with snow up to the windowsills. It’s also probably a good idea to try and stay clear from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, as most people are focused on the holidays. If you're thinking of selling your home or just have a question, I am always here to help.