Maine Closing Costs: What to Expect in 2026
A plain-English guide to Maine closing costs for buyers and refinancers — typical ranges, who pays what, and how to reduce them.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are the one-time fees you pay to finalize a mortgage and transfer property in Maine. They typically run 2–5% of the loan amount for a purchase and 2–4% for a refinance.
Who pays what in Maine
In Maine, buyers and sellers split certain fees by custom and by what the purchase-and-sale contract specifies. Buyers usually cover appraisal, lender fees, title insurance (owner's and lender's), and prepaid escrows. Sellers traditionally cover the real estate commission and transfer tax split.
Typical closing cost line items
Origination fee, appraisal ($500–$700), credit report ($75–$125), flood cert, title insurance (varies by loan amount), recording fees, state transfer tax (currently $2.20 per $500 of value, split), prepaid homeowners insurance, and property tax escrow.
How to reduce closing costs
Ask about lender credits in exchange for a slightly higher rate, shop title insurance where allowed, negotiate seller concessions (up to 3% on most conventional purchases), and bundle homebuyer education for MaineHousing buyers to unlock the Advantage grant.
Next steps
Request a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of applying. Compare it line-by-line with any other quotes. We'll walk through each fee with you so nothing is a surprise at closing.