Maine has become one of the most desirable places to live in recent years, and interest in moving to the state continues to grow, especially from out-of-state buyers.
U.S. News and World Reports recently ranked Maine eighth in a list of 10 states with the highest domestic migration interest based on internet searches in the first half of 2025. The report credits Maine’s rugged coastal beauty and affordability compared with other states in the Northeast.
Despite high demand and relatively low inventory driving up Maine housing prices, people are still moving across the state. Nearly 4,300 homes in Maine changed hands from May 1 to July 31, the Maine Association of Realtors reported earlier this month.
But, not everyone is ready to be a homeowner.
We asked a few Maine real estate agents what tips them off that a client isn’t in a good position to buy.
Here’s what they said.
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They have unstable income, high debt or poor credit.
Buying a home comes with monthly mortgage payments, utility bills, property taxes, upkeep costs and other regular expenses.
If someone doesn’t have a stable income to ensure those bills are paid, the financial stress can overshadow the excitement of owning a home or even jeopardize their ownership status, said John Eccles, CEO of Portland-based Dragonfly Properties.
Similarly, having high debt or poor credit can limit a person’s financing options and lead to high interest rates, meaning they’ll likely pay more for their home over the length of their mortgage, said Sam Prindle, a broker for Tim Dunham Realty in Topsham.
For people in those situations, Prindle said it’s best to focus on paying off debt and boosting their credit score before diving into the housing market, as it will likely save them money in the long run.
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They have no emergency savings.
Even when a property is inspected before closing, homeownership comes with unexpected expenses, Eccles said. These emergency costs could come from replacing a broken furnace or repairing a leaking roof.
If someone doesn’t have emergency savings to cover those costs, it can make homeownership stressful or lead to damage to their property.
If buying a home would deplete a person’s savings, including any financial cushion to cover emergencies, it’s likely not a good idea, Prindle said. In those cases, a prospective buyer should either wait and build up their emergency fund, or look for a home they can afford.
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They don’t anticipate staying in the area.
If a person is uncertain about where they might want or need to live in a few months or years, renting is likely the smartest option for them, as it gives them more flexibility to move, Eccles said.
Prindle generally recommends buyers live in their homes at least five years before moving. This means buying isn’t a good option for someone in the military, for example, or a person who wants to move elsewhere in the near future.
In some cases, if a homeowner’s needs change after closing, Eccles said they might have the option to rent out the property, which would also provide another form of income.
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They expect a job change soon.
Someone anticipating a job or career change soon that might interrupt their flow of income for a few months or force them to move away shouldn’t buy a home, Eccles said. This is more likely in certain careers, such as travel nursing.
Similarly, Prindle said someone in the homebuying process shouldn’t leave their job, especially if they don’t have another job lined up in the same area.
He recalled a former client who announced that he had quit his job and bought a new truck when he arrived to close on a property.
“That closing did not happen,” Prindle said. “I think a lot of time people get caught up in the excitement and don’t realize the repercussions that maybe even a small decision can have.”
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They have unrealistic expectations.
While shopping for a home is exciting and buyers should have a clear idea what their “must-haves” are, Eccles said buyers need to maintain reasonable expectations during their search.
“Some buyers expect their first home to check every box on their dream list,” Eccles said. “If they’re not open to compromise — or willing to start smaller and build equity first — they may end up frustrated with the process.”
