Contact – Marnie Coleman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Telephone – 207-303-0610 January 29, 2019

Email – ​marnie@maineliferealty.com
Website – www.MaineLifeRealEstate.com

Maine’s Hottest Towns of 2018: Real Estate Matters

Scarborough, ME—January 29, 2019

Ten years after the housing crisis, many experts are predicting that the market has peaked and beginning to
lose steam. Against that backdrop, we once again examine the past year in Maine real estate activity, looking
for which towns saw increased sales, which saw decreased sales, and what sales prices looked like across the
board.

This year’s annual list of the ​Hottest Towns in Maine​ provides a look back at what happened and where in
terms of the real estate market. To find the winners, we gather data from the multiple listing service (operated
by Maine Real Estate Information Services, Inc.) to calculate which Maine municipalities had the largest
increases in the number of home and condo sales in 2018. We then compare these to 2017 numbers.

Once again, this year’s list includes a mix of municipalities from throughout the state but there are several
surprises. ​Read on!

Now, to Maine’s Hottest Towns of 2018…

#10 FALMOUTH
Demonstrating the current market slowdown, Falmouth saw modest growth over the past year, with a total of
238 sales representing a 2.59% increase over last year. The median sales price saw a larger increase,
jumping 8.3% to $522,500. Falmouth is Portland’s closest suburb to the north, boasting consistently
high-ranking schools, ​its own harbor and town landing, indoor and outdoor ice skating facilities, three golf 
courses and a medical center. 

#9 SACO
Back on our list after missing it last year, Saco climbed back with 341 sales (a 3.65% increase over last year)
and a median sale price of $278,500, an 8.58% increase. This community, located 20 miles south of Portland,
represents a more affordable alternative to Maine’s largest city, while still offering proximity to beaches,
entertainment, restaurants and shopping.

#8 SANFORD
The southernmost town on our list this year is Sanford, which is the 6th largest municipality in the state. In
2018, the year of its 250th anniversary, home sales increased modestly, with a total of 336—3.7% more than
the previous year. The median sales price grew to $176,805, or 7.15% over 2017. Sanford citizens are
conservation minded. With active citizens, land trusts and other partners, their conservation plan seeks to
protect natural areas and enhance livability through outdoor experiences and an extensive and scenic trail
system.

#7 YARMOUTH
A newcomer to our list this year, Yarmouth comes in at #7 with 146 sales, a 4.29% increase over last year.
Prices rose very slightly (1.35%) to a median price of $450,000. Located 12 miles north of Portland, Yarmouth
has a rich industrial history surrounding the Royal River and the four waterfalls that supported cotton, paper,
shoes, bricks, and electricity among others. Today, Yarmouth attracts residents because of its coastal location
on Casco Bay and quaint downtown that is home to North Yarmouth Academy, shops and restaurants and,
every July, the popular Yarmouth Clam Festival.

#6 GORHAM
Gorham is best known as the home of the largest campus of the University of Southern Maine. It is a town of
about 16,000 and is home to about 10 smaller villages, such as Dog Corner and Little Falls. It was also the
home of Percival Baxter, Maine’s 53rd governor. Gorham has been on the Hottest Towns list for three years in
a row, with this year’s increase in number of sales at 6.79%--twice the increase experienced last year. The
spike in median price seen in 2016 has cooled, however. It’s holding fairly steady at $299,633, which is only a
1.14% increase over the previous year.

#5 WATERVILLE
Last year’s Hottest Towns winner, Waterville experienced an almost 30% jump in the number of homes sold
from 2016 to 2017. Prior to that it didn’t even make the top 20. Sales and prices continued to climb in 2018,
albeit at a slower rate. A total 176 sales represented a 10.69% increase over last year, and the median price
increased 7.53% to $119,900. Nestled on the banks of the heroic and historic Kennebec River, Waterville is
undergoing a downtown renaissance with new hotels, galleries and restaurants coming in. Home to Colby
College and Thomas College and an international film festival, Waterville is a regional cultural center, led by
Colby College, home to the largest college art museum in America.

#4 BRUNSWICK
Home to Bowdoin College and Senator Angus King, Brunswick is back on our list after missing it last year.
After dropping over 19% between 2016 and 2017, this mid-coast town rebounded with a 12.45% increase in
2018 over the previous year. Its 289 sales also saw a slight increase in median sale price, jumping from
$257,000 to $265,000.

#3 BIDDEFORD
Not only is Biddeford new to our list this year, but also—with the exception of Auburn—Biddeford is the only
town in the Top 10 to see a significant jump in number of sales as well as median sales price. In 2018,
Biddeford saw 257 homes sell (a 14.22% increase over 2017) at a median price of $253,733 (9.19% more than
the previous year). Biddeford’s downtown is hopping, and apartments, shops, craft breweries and restaurants
inhabit renovated spaces such as the Pepperell Mill. The University of New England, as well as beaches like
Biddeford Pool and Goose Rocks, are consistently appealing.

#2 AUBURN
Coming in at #2, Auburn posted an impressive 14.96% increase in number of sales, as well as a 12.97% gain
in median price over last year. (Its twin city, Lewiston, is notably absent on this year’s list after appearing for
two straight years and making #6 last year.) Auburn, along with Lewiston, has experienced a downtown
renaissance in recent years, precipitated in large part by an increased interest in the Androscoggin River as a
scenic and recreational asset.

#1 STANDISH
Coming in at #4 two years ago only to drop off the list completely last year, Standish surged forward in 2018 to
claim the top spot. This town of 10,000 on the banks of Sebago Lake posted an impressive 17.47% increase in
number of sales (with a total of 195), while holding the median price at $233,633 (just a 1.47% increase over
last year). Standish was settled in 1752 and has become a desirable suburb of Portland. It is located along the
southern shore of Sebago Lake and is home to Saint Joseph’s College.
 2018 # 2017 #
Town Sales Sales % increase 2018 Median Sale Price 2017 Median Sale Price % Change
Standish 195 166 17.47 $233,633 $230,250 1.47
Auburn 315 274 14.96 $158,666 $140,450 12.97
Biddeford 257 225 14.22 $253,733 $232,369 9.19
Brunswick 289 257 12.45 $265,000 $257,000 3.11
Waterville 176 159 10.69 $119,900 $111,500 7.53
Gorham 299 280 6.79 $299,633 $296,250 1.14
Yarmouth 146 140 4.29 $450,000 $444,000 1.35
Sanford 336 324 3.7 $176,805 $165,000 7.15
Saco 341 329 3.65 $278,500 $256,500 8.58
Falmouth 238 232 2.59 $522,500 $482,450 8.3
Wells 389 384 1.3 $303,102 $307,865 -1.55
Kennebunk 246 247 -0.4 $350,750 $320,000 9.61
Augusta 229 231 -0.87 $139,950 $121,900 14.81
Portland 913 924 -1.19 $320,000 $289,950 10.36
Scarborough 404 409 -1.22 $395,000 $375,000 5.33
Bath 162 164 -1.22 $185,250 $180,000 2.92
South
Portland 380 390 -2.56 $280,000 $257,875 8.58
York 315 327 -3.67 $447,500 $395,000 13.29
Kittery 130 135 -3.7 $386,700 $359,633 7.53
Topsham 129 134 -3.73 $244,500 $230,500 6.07
Windham 338 324 -4.32 $264,950 $243,500 8.81
Brewer 128 134 -4.48 $153,950 $145,000 6.17
Freeport 132 126 -4.76 $368,000 $330,000 11.52
Lewiston 311 328 -5.18 $149,450 $139,250 7.32
Westbrook 305 323 -5.57 $243,000 $228,250 6.46
Bangor 355 378 -6.08 $146,500 $136,250 7.52
Hampden 139 149 -6.71 $199,000 $195,000 2.05
Cape
Elizabeth 174 189 -7.94 $489,500 $475,000 3.05
Old Orchard
Beach 248 271 -8.49 $257,750 $242,500 6.29
Gray 145 159 -8.81 $269,000 $249,000 8.03
Bridgton 145 160 -9.38 $205,600 $176,750 16.32
Cumberland 153 170 -10 $396,300 $409,500 -3.22
Waterboro 155 180 -13.89 $229,000 $182,940 25.18

Based in expertise and market analytics, we at Maine Life Real Estate Co. use a proven, repeatable system to
net sellers more money when selling and save buyers thousands of dollars when buying a home.
The true value in what we do comes not from our long-standing professional experience, but in our ability to
create real relationships with our clients and help them find the perfect home that fits their life.

Our ability to navigate the housing market can make your home buying or selling experience truly stress free.
We want to change what you believe a real estate agent can be by earning your trust through personal
collaboration, expert advice and genuine care​.

If you would like more information, please visit www.MaineLifeRealEstate.com, call the office at ​207-303-0610
or email Marnie at ​marnie@maineliferealty.com​.