Maine Mortgage and Refinance Rates

Current mortgage rates in Maine

As of Thursday, November 21, 2024, current mortgage interest rates in Maine are 7.16% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.58% for a 15-year fixed mortgage.

Rates have come down since peaking in Oct. 2023, but still remain above 7 percent. Coupled with higher home prices, homebuyers are feeling an affordability crunch in Maine.

Refinance rates in Maine

While today’s mortgage refinance rates are significantly higher than they have been in recent years, you might still want to explore cash-out refinancing, which allows you to pull from the equity in your home. If you’re renovating your home, consolidating higher interest debt or expecting another major expense coming up, tapping your home equity could be an option for you.

Maine mortgage rate trends

Recent mortgage rate highs in 2023 have dipped in 2024, but are still high compared to recent years. The Fed has signaled interest rate cuts for 2024, however, these are predicated on decreasing inflation, which remains to be seen.

National mortgage rates by loan type

Mortgage statistics for Maine

Known for its jagged coastlines and fabulous seafood, Maine is the northeasternmost state in the U.S. The state’s population is poised to grow slightly, up 1.7 percent, by 2030. If you want to make Maine your main home, here are key statistics about the housing market there:

• Median home value (as of Feb. 2024): $377,025 (Zillow)
• Median days to pending (as of Jan. 2024): 25 (Zillow)
• Homes with price drops (as of Jan. 2024): 16.8% (Redfin)
• Homeownership rate (as of Dec. 2022): 74.1% (Census Bureau)
• Loan funding rate in 2022: 61% (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act)
• Average mortgage loan size in 2022: $300,990 (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act)

Mortgage options in Maine

There’s a variety of mortgage options available to homebuyers in Maine. Here are some of the most common:

• Maine conventional mortgages: To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 620 and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 45 percent. If you make a down payment of less than 20 percent, you’ll need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, as well.
• Maine FHA loans: If your credit history disqualifies you from a conventional mortgage, you might be able to obtain a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). If you have a down payment of at least 3.5 percent, you could qualify for this type of loan with a credit score as low as 580.
• Maine VA loans: If you’re a veteran or active-duty member of the military, you might qualify for a mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA loan doesn’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance, but you do need to pay a funding fee, which ranges from 1.25 percent to 3.30 percent.

First-time homebuyer programs in Maine

MaineHousing, the state’s housing finance authority, offers a variety of programs that can help you get an affordable mortgage with a low or no down payment. Here’s a closer look:

• First Home Loan Program: If you’re a first-time homebuyer or haven’t owned a home in the past three years, you might qualify for a low-interest, fixed-rate mortgage through Maine Housing. These mortgages have low- or no-down-payment options. Household income limits apply (although most Maine residents don’t exceed them), and a minimum credit score of 640 is required.
• First Generation Program: If you and your parents or legal guardians have never owned a home, you may be eligible for a low-interest fixed-rate mortgage, down payment and closing cost assistance.
• Salute ME and Salute Home Again: MaineHousing offers a rate discount of 0.5 percent for retired and active-duty military personnel on the 30-year First Home loan.

How to find the best mortgage rate in Maine for you

• Step 1: Strengthen your credit score - Before you start looking for a lender and applying for a loan, review your credit history and take steps to improve your score, such as paying down existing debt.
• Step 2: Determine your budget - Have a good understanding of how much house you can afford before you go shopping.
• Step 3: Know your mortgage options - There are a few different types of mortgages.
• Step 4: Compare rates and terms from several lenders - Rate-shop with at least three different lenders to get the best deal on rates, fees and terms.
• Step 5: Get preapproved for a mortgage - Getting a mortgage preapproval is the only way to get accurate loan pricing for your specific situation. Plus, it will show sellers you’re serious when you make an offer.

Learn more about how to get a mortgage.

Additional Maine mortgage resources

• Maine first-time homebuyer resources: Get more help becoming a homeowner.
• Maine loan limits by county: Learn the conforming loan limit for your city or town.
• Best homeowners insurance in Maine for 2024:  Read our guide to find the right insurance rate and coverage for your home.
  Maine mortgage lenders: Learn what kind of mortgage offer you can get from these Oregon mortgage lenders.

Meet our Bankrate experts

Written by: Andrew Dehan, Writer, Home Lending

I’ve covered mortgages, real estate and personal finance since 2020. At Bankrate, I’m focused on all of the factors that affect mortgage rates and home equity. I enjoy distilling data and expert advice into takeaways borrowers can use. Prior to Bankrate, I wrote and edited for Rocket Mortgage/Quicken Loans. My work has been published by Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Crain’s Business and more.

Read more from Andrew Dehan

Edited by: Laurie Dupnock, Editor, Home Lending

I’ve spent five years in writing and editing roles, and I now focus on mortgage, mortgage relief, homebuying and mortgage refinancing topics. I’m most interested in providing resources for aspiring first-time homeowners to help demystify the homebuying process. In 2021, I earned a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing. I have an MA in English. 

Read more from Laurie Dupnock