Finding Your Property
Navigating Maine's unique real estate market requires patience and local knowledge. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
The Reality of Rural Properties
Buying a home in Maine is rarely as simple as an inspection and a closing date. If you're buying outside a major town center, you need to understand well water yields, septic system designs, right-of-way easements, and internet access realities.
Buying Raw Land
Building from scratch is rewarding but challenging. You must account for the cost of clearing, drilling a well, installing septic, and running power from the road (which can cost thousands per pole).
Search Maine Land Listings →Historic Farmhouses
They possess unmatched character, but often come with fieldstone foundations, outdated wiring, and poor insulation. Budget for significant weatherization updates.
Old House Web Resource →Financing Options Worth Knowing
Most buyers moving to Maine from high-cost metros have been renters — not because they couldn't afford a home, but because the down payment in Boston or New York was out of reach. Maine changes that math, and three federal programs make it change even faster. Because most of rural Maine qualifies as USDA-designated territory, buyers who have never heard of these programs often discover they can purchase a home with little or nothing down.
Zero Down. Most of Maine Qualifies.
The USDA Guaranteed Loan Program requires no down payment for buyers purchasing in USDA-designated rural areas — and the USDA map includes the vast majority of Maine, including many towns within commuting distance of Portland and Bangor. Income limits apply (roughly 115% of the area median), and the property must be your primary residence. Mortgage insurance costs less than FHA. For buyers moving from expensive cities with savings but no down payment cushion, this is often the most useful program available.
Check USDA eligibility for Maine properties →No Down Payment. No PMI. For Those Who Served.
VA-backed loans require no down payment, carry no private mortgage insurance, and consistently offer among the lowest interest rates available to any buyer. Eligibility extends to veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. There is no income limit and no geographic restriction — the VA loan works statewide, from Portland condos to Aroostook farmland. Maine's veteran population is among the highest per capita in the country, and the combination of the VA loan benefit with Maine's low prices is one of the most powerful wealth-building opportunities available to qualifying buyers.
VA loan eligibility and how to use your benefit →3% Down. No Appraisal. Foreclosed Properties.
HomePath is Fannie Mae's program for selling its inventory of foreclosed homes — and in a state with aging housing stock and some economically stressed communities, Maine has a consistent supply of HomePath-listed properties. The program requires only 3% down, charges no PMI, and waives the appraisal requirement, which can be significant in rural areas where comparable sales are sparse and appraisals can derail conventional loans. First-time buyers who complete a homebuyer education course may qualify for closing cost assistance. For buyers willing to take on a fixer-upper, HomePath combined with Maine's low land values can produce remarkable outcomes.
Search HomePath listings in Maine →A note on stacking programs: In some cases, these can be combined with Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) first-home programs, which offer down payment and closing cost assistance on top of federal loan guarantees. A Maine-based lender familiar with rural properties is worth finding before you begin your search — not after. The realtors we introduce you to below can recommend lenders who know these programs.
Washington County, Maine
Homes for Sale in Washington County
Washington County is Maine's last frontier — 2,500 square miles of wild coastline, blueberry barrens, and working fishing villages, with some of the lowest property prices in the entire Northeast. Machias, Eastport, Lubec, Jonesport, Calais, and Milbridge are all here.
ZillowAll Washington County Homes
Browse every active listing in Washington County — from working-waterfront cottages to inland farmhouses.
Browse Listings →
LandWatchLand & Raw Acreage
Wooded lots, blueberry barrens, and large parcels. Washington County has some of the lowest land prices in New England.
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ZillowWaterfront Properties
Ocean-front, cove-side, and tidal river properties along the Bold Coast — often at a fraction of Midcoast prices.
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ZillowHomes Under $150K
Move-in-ready homes and fixer-uppers under $150K are realistic in Washington County — inventory is real and active.
Browse Listings →
LandWatchFarms & Homesteads
Working farms, pastureland with outbuildings, and homestead-ready properties with room to grow your own food.
Browse Listings →
Realtor.comEastport & Lubec Listings
The Bold Coast's most talked-about towns. Eastport is America's easternmost city. Lubec borders Canada. Both are seeing renewed interest.
Browse Listings →Looking for something specific in Washington County? Our realtor partner knows every town from Cutler to Calais. Fill out the form below for a personal introduction.
Get Introduced →Connect with a Maine Realtor
We maintain a vetted list of real estate agents who specialize in rural properties, farms, and homesteads. They know what to look for and what to avoid. Fill out the form below, and we'll introduce you to someone in your target area.