Updated Monthly

Maine & New Hampshire
Market Updates

I keep my clients in Portland, Kennebunk, York, South Portland, Portsmouth, and across Maine & New Hampshire informed with the latest local data — not national headlines that don't apply here.

"National market headlines are almost never the right frame for what's happening in Portland or Portsmouth. I put this page together so my clients always have a ground-level read on what's actually going on where they live — and what it means for their mortgage."

— Taylor LaPierre NMLS #2068598
Market Snapshot Portland Southern Maine South Portland Portsmouth Statewide
As of May 2025

Latest Local Market Snapshot

Data I pull and review monthly — updated every 30 days. Always verify current rates with me directly, as they shift daily.

Current Mortgage Rate Indicators — May 2025
30-Year Fixed
6.75%
National avg.
15-Year Fixed
6.12%
National avg.
FHA 30-Year
6.50%
Approx.
VA 30-Year
6.25%
Approx.
Jumbo 30-Year
6.88%
Approx.
Taylor's Rate
Call Me
(207) 232-1918

Rates shown are approximate national averages for reference only. Your actual rate depends on credit score, loan amount, property type, and market conditions on the day you lock. Call me for a real quote.

Portland, ME
$535K
Median sale price
↑ 4.2%
Days on Market14
List-to-Sale101.2%
Inventory (mos.)0.9
Kennebunk, ME
$628K
Median sale price
↑ 3.8%
Days on Market21
List-to-Sale99.4%
Inventory (mos.)1.4
York, ME
$689K
Median sale price
↑ 5.1%
Days on Market17
List-to-Sale100.7%
Inventory (mos.)1.1
South Portland, ME
$468K
Median sale price
↑ 3.5%
Days on Market15
List-to-Sale100.9%
Inventory (mos.)1.0
Portsmouth, NH
$682K
Median sale price
↑ 6.1%
Days on Market10
List-to-Sale102.4%
Inventory (mos.)0.7

Data represents approximate figures for May 2025. Sources: Maine Association of Realtors, NHAR, MLS data. Always consult a licensed real estate professional for current, specific market data. Updated monthly.

Portland, Maine
$535K
Median Price
14 days
Avg. DOM
101%
List-to-Sale
Metro Spotlight

Portland Metro

Portland continues to be the most competitive market I work in. The city's combination of walkability, food scene, waterfront access, and proximity to both Boston and the Maine coast keeps demand consistently high — and inventory consistently low. I'm talking with buyers almost daily who are frustrated by losing out on homes, and my advice is always the same: be pre-qualified before you tour, know your number, and be ready to move within 24–48 hours.

Taylor's Take — May 2025

The sub-$600K segment in Portland is brutally competitive. Well-priced homes in Deering, East Deering, and Woodfords are routinely seeing 5–10+ offers. Above $700K, buyers have more breathing room and occasionally room to negotiate. If you're in the sub-$600K range, having the strongest possible offer — clean terms, solid pre-qualification, flexible closing — matters more than price alone. I can help you think through all of it.

Buyer's Challenge

Low inventory, fast moves, multiple offers in all price bands under $650K

Opportunity

Strong appreciation makes this a compelling long-term investment for owners who can get in

(207) 232-1918
Southern Maine Coast

Kennebunk & York

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport occupy a unique tier in the Maine market — they command coastal premiums that hold up even when broader market conditions soften. The Kennebunks have a dedicated buyer pool of second-home purchasers, downsizers, and remote workers willing to pay a premium for the lifestyle. I routinely work with buyers coming from Boston, New York, and Connecticut who see these communities as destination markets.

York, by contrast, is the practical choice — Bowdoin College anchors a vibrant community, the downtown is legitimately walkable, and prices are significantly more accessible than the coast. I'm seeing particularly strong interest from buyers who need to commute to Portland occasionally and want space without the Portland price tag.

Taylor's Take — May 2025

The Kennebunks tend to move more slowly in winter and heat up significantly spring through fall — if you're flexible on timing, late fall and early winter sometimes offer more room to negotiate. York is competitive year-round. I'd recommend buyers in both markets have a strong pre-qualification and be ready to act within 48 hours when the right home appears.

$628K
Kennebunk Median
$389K
York Median
Spring Peak
Kennebunk Pace
Kennebunk Maine coastline
Southern Maine Coast
South Portland Maine home
Greater Portland Area
Greater Portland

South Portland & Greater Portland Area

South Portland has become one of the most sought-after communities in the greater Portland metro — and for good reason. It offers direct access to Portland's amenities without the Portland price premium, strong schools, and quick highway access. Buyers who were priced out of Portland two years ago are finding South Portland extremely competitive today, with inventory hovering around one month of supply.

The greater Portland area — Gorham, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth — each offers a distinct feel and price tier. Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth command premiums for their schools and coastal character. Gorham and Scarborough offer more for the dollar with slightly more suburban character. I help buyers think through which of these communities fits their financial picture and lifestyle.

Taylor's Take — May 2025

South Portland is competing directly with Portland now in terms of demand, but the prices haven't fully caught up yet — that gap is closing. If you're looking at the $400K–$550K range and want quality schools and quick access to Portland, South Portland is one of the best value propositions I'm seeing right now. Act while that window exists.

$468K
South Portland Median
15 days
Avg. Days on Market
New Hampshire Seacoast

Portsmouth & Seacoast NH

Portsmouth is consistently the most competitive market I work in across both states. There's no state income tax, the city itself is genuinely beautiful and walkable, and demand from Massachusetts buyers is relentless. Homes in the $550K–$800K range routinely see 8–15 offers. Above $1M there's more room to breathe, but even that segment has tightened considerably.

The broader Seacoast — Dover, Exeter, Newmarket, Stratham, Hampton — has absorbed a lot of the overflow from Portsmouth. These communities offer meaningful value compared to Portsmouth proper, and I'm seeing buyers make peace with a 15–20 minute drive to get into a more manageable price tier.

Taylor's Take — May 2025

Portsmouth's list-to-sale ratio above 102% tells the real story — buyers are regularly paying over asking. In this market, I work closely with buyers on offer strategy: escalation clauses, strong earnest money, flexible closing timelines. The buyers who win in Portsmouth are prepared before they walk into a showing. If you're serious about the Seacoast, let's talk before you start touring.

$682K
Portsmouth Median
10 days
Avg. DOM
102%
List-to-Sale
(207) 232-1918
Portsmouth, New Hampshire harbor
Portsmouth, NH
The Bigger Picture

Statewide ME & NH Trends

Beyond the headline cities, here's what I'm observing across both states — including markets that don't get as much attention but are increasingly relevant to my clients.

Maine — Statewide

↑ 4.6% YoY
$395K
Statewide Median
1.5 mo
Inventory
22 days
Avg. DOM

Southern Maine (York and Cumberland counties) continues to drive statewide appreciation, accounting for the majority of transaction volume. Mid-coast communities — Rockland, Camden, Bath — have seen renewed interest from remote workers and retirees.

Central and western Maine remain the most affordable regions in the state, with median prices still well under $300K in many communities. I work with buyers statewide and can speak to any market.

Southern MEMost competitive
Mid-coast MEGrowing
Central / Western MEMost accessible

New Hampshire — Statewide

↑ 5.8% YoY
$498K
Statewide Median
1.2 mo
Inventory
18 days
Avg. DOM

New Hampshire's no-income-tax advantage continues pulling buyers north from Massachusetts, keeping southern NH in a persistent seller's market. The Manchester-Nashua corridor has seen particularly strong demand from Boston-area professionals.

Lakes Region communities — Laconia, Meredith, Wolfeboro — have seen waterfront appreciation of 15–25% over the past three years, driven by second-home and seasonal demand.

Southern NH (Seacoast / Manchester)Highest demand
Lakes RegionStrong seasonal
Northern NH / White MountainsGrowing recreation

Statewide data sourced from Maine Association of Realtors and NHAR. Figures are approximate and represent May 2025 conditions. Updated monthly.

Straight from Me

My Monthly Commentary

Every month I write a brief, plain-English market read — what I'm seeing, what's changed, and what it means for buyers and homeowners here. Subscribe below to get it in your inbox.

Featured Commentary
May 2025 — Market Read
Taylor LaPierre · NMLS #2068598

May is historically when Maine and New Hampshire markets hit their stride — spring listings surge, buyers who've been waiting since January finally move, and competition intensifies across every price band. This year is no exception. I'm fielding more pre-qualification requests in the last 30 days than at any point since early 2022.

The rate picture is more nuanced than headlines suggest. The 30-year fixed is hovering in the mid-to-upper 6% range nationally — but the spread between the best and worst rates I'm seeing for the same borrower profile is nearly a full percent. That gap is entirely the difference between working with a broker who shops your file across multiple lenders and walking into your bank.

For buyers: the window between "listing goes live" and "offer deadline" has compressed to 48–72 hours in most of the markets I serve. If you're not pre-qualified and haven't built a strategy with your agent before you start touring, you're not really in the game. Call me before you do anything else.

For homeowners considering a refinance: the case is strongest for anyone who locked at 7.25% or higher. If that's you, the math for a rate-and-term refi often pencils out in under 24 months. Run the calculator on my refinance guide page, then call me with questions.

Published May 2025 · Next update: June 2025

Past Market Reports

April 2025

Spring Surge Begins — What Buyers Need to Know

Inventory ticked up 8% from March but demand surged faster. First-time buyer activity up sharply. Rate lock timing advice for spring closings.

Contact me for details →
March 2025

Rate Volatility & How I'm Advising Lock Timing

Fed commentary, 10-year treasury movement, and what it means for ME/NH buyers. Float vs. lock analysis for Q2 closings.

Contact me for details →
February 2025

Winter Market — Hidden Opportunity for Prepared Buyers

Why February is underrated for buyers. Less competition, motivated sellers, and the case for getting pre-qualified before spring inventory hits.

Contact me for details →