Market Time Machine

Set the dial back to 2024.

Two years ago, homes in Maine sold in days and bidding wars were normal. Flip between then and now to see how much has changed, and what it means if you're buying today.

When
Where
—30-year rate
—Homes for sale
—Days to go under contract
—Sold over asking

Then and now

The same month, two years apart

We compare the same month in both years, so the season is the same on both sides. The 2024 rate is that month's average of Freddie Mac's weekly survey; today's rate is this week's.

Retrieving records…

Month by month

More homes to choose from, at higher rates

Bars are homes for sale each month. The line is the 30-year mortgage rate, ending at this week's rate.

Which way it leans

The market is tipping toward buyers

Months of supply is how long the homes for sale would last at the current pace of sales. Under 4 months favors sellers, 4 to 6 is balanced, and over 6 favors buyers.

If you're buying now

What a buyer can do in this market

    Rate buydowns

    Rates are higher. You can still pay less.

    A buydown is money paid up front to lower your mortgage rate. Today that money often comes from the seller as a credit at closing, because sellers have more competition than they did in 2024.

    Temporary

    2-1 buydown

    Your rate is 2 points lower in year one and 1 point lower in year two, then settles at the note rate. Good if you expect rates to fall and plan to refinance.

    Temporary

    1-0 buydown

    One point lower for the first year only. It costs less, so it fits a smaller seller credit.

    Permanent

    Discount points

    You pay points (1 point = 1% of the loan) for a lower rate for the life of the loan. Best if you plan to keep the loan for years.

    Filled in with this week's 30-year average.
    Lenders price points differently; 0.25% per point is a common rule of thumb. Your lender's quote is what counts.

    Compare Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA, with every buydown, in the full Buydown Calculator →

    Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance and any HOA fee are extra. These are estimates, not a loan offer. Loan programs cap how much a seller can contribute: conventional loans allow 3% of the price with less than 10% down, 6% with 10 to 25% down, and 9% with more than 25% down; FHA allows 6% and VA 4% toward concessions. A lender will confirm what applies to you.

    Want the numbers for a town you're watching?

    We'll pull the same then-and-now numbers for any Maine town, and help you work out a buydown and offer that fits.

    Talk with our team