December Market Report

If October brought a surprising spike in market heat, November certainly brought the winter chill to the Maine housing market. As we shift from the robust selling activity of early autumn and move toward the holidays, our latest figures for Cumberland County and York County show a definitive deceleration in pace and a significant increase in Months of Inventory (MOI).

Last month, we noted a sharp return to aggressive seller market conditions. November’s data, however, suggests that market balance is slowly but surely creeping back into the equation, offering a much needed breath for prospective buyers across Southern Maine.

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s quickly revisit our key metric, as it’s the major story this month:

• Months of Inventory (MOI): This measures how long it would take to sell all currently listed homes if no new listings came on the market.

• The Thresholds: Less than 4 months signals a seller’s market; 4 to 6 months is balanced; and more than 6 months favors buyers.

While both counties still firmly reside in seller-market territory, the trend is undeniable. York County’s MOI has now reached 3.0 months, a substantial leap and the closest we’ve seen to market balance in quite some time.

After October's metrics showed aggressive demand, November saw a measurable cooling. While still a tight market, the pace has slowed, giving both buyers and sellers new dynamics to consider.

The Takeaway: The volume of homes sold has flattened, ticking down slightly year-over-year. More importantly, the Months of Inventory climbed sharply to 2.2 months, a 25.2% increase from last year, and up from 1.9 months in October. The median price is still appreciating robustly at +6.8%, but the jump in Median Days on Market to 16 days indicates that buyers are taking longer to commit, and competition is becoming less intense than the previous month.

York County is showing a more dramatic shift toward stabilization. The county’s metrics reflect a strong buyer hesitancy or a sharp tightening of credit and budget constraints as the year wraps up.

The Takeaway: This is where the story truly changes. Sold Listings dropped by 21.2% year-over-year, a significant drop! Months of Inventory spiked to 3.0 months, up a staggering 54.8% from November 2024. Furthermore, the Median Sales Price continued its downward adjustment, falling 1.5% year-over-year. York County remains a seller’s market for now, but these trends clearly indicate that buyers are gaining a bit of leverage.

For Sellers:

The market is no longer as hot as it was earlier in the year. Pricing accuracy is now more critical than ever. In Cumberland County, homes are taking a week longer to sell than last year. In York County, the drop in sales volume and the sustained median price decline suggests that overpriced homes may sit a bit, leading to eventual price reductions. While you still hold the advantage, you must be prepared to meet the market where it is, which is demanding highly competitive pricing and pristine presentation.

For Buyers:

The cooling trend is your best friend right now. The sharp rise in Months of Inventory and the slowing pace mean that you have a bit more time to view properties and conduct due diligence. This is especially true in York County, where you may find greater negotiating room, particularly for properties that have been on the market for 10-14 days. 

Thinking of Buying or Selling in Maine?

We're seeing the dynamics shift. Understanding your local market is essential as we head into the new year.

Reach out today for a personalized market analysis or to discuss how these latest Southern Maine real estate trends affect your 2026 goals.