How to Sell a House By Owner in Maine

Published on December 31st, 2024
14 min read

Richard Haddad Executive Editor
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Richard Haddad Executive Editor

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Richard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.

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In the wake of inflation, home sellers throughout the Northeast are looking for ways to make every penny count. For some, this includes learning how to sell a house by owner in Maine.

Taking a for-sale-by-owner strategy (known as FSBO) might be a way to save on Realtor fees, but is it the best option for your situation? Many sellers find the process overwhelming as they face pricing, marketing, and paperwork obstacles in a shifting market. In fact, FSBO sales hit a historical low in 2024, with only 6% of sellers choosing the DIY path.

However, for some adventurous sellers, the obstacles are all part of the FSBO challenge. In this post, we break down how to sell a house by owner in Maine, the hurdles you’ll need to clear, and alternatives that could maximize your home sale.

Editor’s note: No matter how you choose to sell your home, if you’d like to consult with a top agent first, HomeLight can connect you to highly-rated professionals in your Maine market. Housing sales data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for 10% or more than average agents.

Why sell a house by owner in Maine?

For some homeowners in Maine, selling by owner offers the appeal of saving money on real estate agent commissions. By bypassing an agent, you can avoid Realtor fees. However, your savings may be less than you think.

How much might you save? A 2024 court settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) helps clarify the answer. Historically, home sellers paid about 6% of the sale price to cover both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent commissions, but the settlement shifted this responsibility. Buyers now handle their own agent commissions.

This means Maine FSBO sellers might save around 3%, about half as much as some sellers expect. However, this can still be an attractive venture if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves.

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.

Pros of selling a house by owner

You could save up to 3% on listing agent fees.
You can take more control of the entire sale process.
You can communicate directly with buyers (or their agents), avoiding delays.

Cons of selling a house by owner

FSBO properties typically sell for less. (More about this below.)
If you don’t already have a buyer lined up, FSBO sales can take much longer.
Managing showings, negotiations, and contracts is difficult and time-consuming.
Without expert support, you might accept a less-than-stellar deal.
Pricing your home right is challenging and can be risky if set improperly.
Marketing your home requires a lot of time and upfront financial investment.
You may face safety risks when showing your property to unvetted buyers.
Legal liabilities can arise if you fail to properly complete the Maine Property Disclosure Form.

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 National Association of Realtors (NAR), FSBO homes sold for a median of $380,000 last year compared to the median selling price of all homes, which was $435,000. That’s a potential loss of $55,000 in proceeds in an effort to save around $11,400 (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.

Will I need an attorney? In Maine, sellers are not required by law to hire an attorney to close a home sale. However, it’s highly recommended, especially in a FSBO transaction. Having professional legal guidance can minimize risks and help you avoid costly missteps. Real estate attorneys in the state typically charge about $287 per hour.

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 repairs 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.

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. This will 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.
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: How to Prepare Your Home for Sale and Attract Buyers

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 value 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 $300-$450.

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

Avoid the biggest seller mistake: In a survey of more than 1,000 top real estate agents across the U.S., nearly 30% said the most common seller pitfall is overpricing the house. You can use this link to check the prices of recently sold homes in your Maine market.

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 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. In Maine, the cost of professional photos typically ranges from $200 to $400 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. HomeLight survey data reveals that a staged house can sell for up to 13% more than an unstaged house.
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 proximity 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 ADUs (auxiliary dwelling units 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.

Avoid fair housing law violations: The words you use in your property description must be properly crafted so that you do not inadvertently violate fair housing laws. Remove any phrases that might be related to race, gender identity, sexuality, nationality, or cultural identity. For example, stay away from phrases that address familial status, such as “perfect for singles” or “located in a family-friendly neighborhood.”

»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). 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: What Is A Flat Fee MLS Listing Service and Will it Hurt My Home Sale?

Some examples of established FSBO platforms include:

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: How to Market Your House for Sale

Don’t want to pay for the MLS? If you decide not to pay for a flat-fee MLS service, you can still create a free listing on Zillow that allows you to post unlimited photos and a video. While this option presents a search results obstacle, it is a no-cost way to get your FSBO listing on Zillow.com and the Zillow-owned Trulia.com. To learn more, see our post: How Do I List My Home on Zillow When Selling FSBO?

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 certain 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. 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 conditionals and terms.

Contingencies: These are clauses in a contract that present offer conditions, such as inspections, appraisals, or the buyer’s ability to secure financing or sell their current home.
Closing costs: In today’s market, many buyers are requesting seller concessions to help with their closing cost expenses. 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.
Respond promptly 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.
Negotiate with the buyer: 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:

Water supply system: Type of system, location, and any major malfunctions.
Heating and A/C system: Type, age, servicing company, and annual fuel consumption.
Septic system: Including the installation of the leach field, servicing, and tank malfunctions.
Other home systems: Such as damaged or malfunctioning electrical panels.
Home appliances: Condition of appliances staying with the house, such as a refrigerator, stove, or washer and dryer.
Presence of hazardous materials: Asbestos, radon, lead-based paint, or mold.
Foundation or structure issues: Cracks, termite damage, or previous structural repairs.
Water or flood damage: Past or present leaks or significant flooding.
Infestations: Current or recent pest infestations, such as mice or rats.
Other disclosures: This can include unpermitted work.

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 any encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, leases, rights of first refusal, life estates, private way, private road/homeowner associations, or restrictive covenants.
Whether the property has any tax exemptions or reductions.

When should you provide disclosures? The disclosure statement must be given to buyers making an official offer, but some Maine FSBO sellers choose to provide a completed disclosure statement before an offer has been presented. This can give prospective buyers more peace of mind and reduce the likelihood of withdrawing from a sale later in the process.

»Learn more: How To Negotiate When Selling a House

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: What to Bring at Closing as a Seller

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
Not providing sufficient marketing
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

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 10 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.

»Learn more: How Do I Get a Comparative Market Analysis and What Does a CMA Cost?

If you’re trying to buy and sell in Maine at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program. This innovative program provides a streamlined, more certain process. Watch this short video to learn more.

Header Image Source: (Curtis Adams / Pexels)

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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.

Richard Haddad

Executive Editor

Richard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.