Maine home sales rebound in December, Sagadahoc prices dip

Maine's housing market finished 2025 with a clear rebound in December as closings climbed and inventory continued to expand, a shift that carries mixed implications for Sagadahoc County homeowners and buyers.

Statewide, 1,324 closings were recorded in December 2025, an 11.8% increase from 1,184 closings in December 2024. The Maine Association of Realtors reported that the statewide median sales price in December was $385,000, down roughly 3.7% from $400,000 a year earlier. Despite the month-over-month dip, the full calendar year ended with total home sales up 4.8% year over year and the median sales price up 3.8% for 2025.

Industry analysts pointed to two main drivers of the December rebound: a sustained increase in available listings and a November slowdown tied to the national government shutdown. Listings growth has continued for 28 consecutive months, easing the inventory shortages that had pushed many coastal markets into sellers' territory earlier in the recovery. The added supply helped match buyers to homes in December and bolstered closings heading into year end.

Locally, Sagadahoc County diverged slightly from the statewide median trend. For the calendar year 2025, Sagadahoc's median home price fell by about 2.2%. That decline moderates pressure on affordability for some buyers in Bath, Topsham and surrounding towns, but it also alters the calculus for sellers and municipal budgets that rely on property valuations.

For prospective buyers in Sagadahoc, growing inventory means more choice and potentially more negotiating leverage than in the past two years. For sellers, the county's slight price retreat underscores the importance of realistic pricing and marketing, particularly for homes that have been on the market longer. Municipal officials and assessors should watch how year-end sale prices feed into tax assessments for 2026, since continued price softness could temper revenue projections tied to property values.

From a broader market perspective, the December rebound and year-end gains show resilience: sales increased overall in 2025 even as monthly price readings fluctuated. The combination of rising inventory and still-positive annual price growth suggests the market may be shifting toward a more balanced posture after a prolonged seller advantage.

What comes next for Sagadahoc depends on whether inventory growth slows, mortgage rates move meaningfully, and economic signals remain steady. For now, buyers in the midcoast have more options and sellers face stiffer competition, a dynamic that will shape listings and local tax conversations as 2026 unfolds.