Is Bar Harbor a jumbo market?

Most single-family purchases in Bar Harbor cross $806,500 at some point, triggering jumbo. Condos and smaller cottages sometimes stay conforming.

Can I do a short-term rental on a primary-residence mortgage?

Primary-residence financing requires you to occupy the home. You can do seasonal short-term rental during periods you're not occupying, but the home must be your primary residence (typically 9+ months per year).

Is USDA available in Ellsworth?

Yes — most of Ellsworth qualifies, as do surrounding mainland towns like Surry, Lamoine, and Hancock.

Hancock County · Maine Mortgage Rates

Hancock County Mortgage Rates — Ellsworth, Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island

Hancock County mixes two very different housing markets. Ellsworth is the regional hub with affordable year-round inventory and broad USDA eligibility. Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Mount Desert, and the rest of MDI are one of Maine's strongest second-home and short-term rental markets, with medians that routinely push jumbo territory. We close both profiles regularly.

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Hancock County market snapshot

County seat: Ellsworth · Median price range: $275,000 – $650,000

Bar Harbor and MDI second-home market; Ellsworth as the regional service hub.

Program emphasis: Jumbo (Bar Harbor/MDI) · USDA (Ellsworth outskirts) · Second-home financing

Mount Desert Island — second homes and STRs

Bar Harbor medians sit around $620K and MDI prices have pressed jumbo since 2022. Second-home jumbos (10-20% down) and investment jumbos (20-25% down) are the usual structures. Acadia National Park STR proximity premium is real; underwriting wants to see actual year-over-year rental history for DSCR programs.

Ellsworth and the mainland

Ellsworth, Surry, Lamoine, Hancock, Sullivan, and most of the mainland qualify for USDA. Year-round inventory in the $275K-$425K band works well for first-time buyers and move-ups.