REDBO · For sale by owner

Selling your home without an agent inPortland, Maine

What the steps look like, what commonly comes up at closing, and the homes already on REDBO in Portland, Maine. REDBO does not practice law.

Homes on REDBO in Portland, Maine

1 home on REDBO

Resources for Portland, Maine

Seller disclosure

Lead paint

Timeline

  • Article 16, § 16.5.10(B)

    Applies in Portland city

    The public-meeting sign for Board review must be posted at least 10 days before the workshop or hearing and removed no more than three days afterward.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.13(A)

    Applies in Portland city

    A Portland historic-preservation approval generally expires if authorized work has not begun and a building permit for it has not issued within three years of the initial approval date.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

Other local and state resources

  • Article 16, § 16.3.6(A)

    Applies in Portland city

    Portland subjects buildings, structures, objects, and sites within a historic-designation boundary to Article 16 after designation.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.1

    Applies in Portland city

    For property within a Portland historic-designation boundary, Article 16 requires historic-preservation approval before covered new construction, additions, exterior or site alterations, signage, or relocation, and makes that approval a prerequisite to a permit authorizing the work.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.1(A)

    Applies in Portland city

    Article 16 exempts ordinary upkeep or repair that does not change design, material, or outer appearance, including the listed repainting and in-kind-replacement examples.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.1(M)

    Applies in Portland city

    Article 16 lists interior work of any kind as exempt from historic-preservation approval under § 16.5.1.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.10(A)

    Applies in Portland city

    An applicant whose historic-preservation application requires Board review is responsible for posting a public-meeting notice sign on the development property.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

  • Article 16, § 16.5.2(A)

    Applies in Portland city

    Portland routes historic-preservation applications to administrative or Historic Preservation Board review according to Table 16-A.

    Source: City of Portland · Retrieved 2026-07-22

    Verify at the source · Report an error

Selling without an agent: the steps, in order

  1. Price the home

    Look at recent nearby sales and homes currently for sale, then choose a price you can explain.

  2. Prepare and photograph it

    Clean, repair the obvious, and take bright, honest photos of every room.

  3. Publish your listing

    Put the home in front of buyers with a full description and photos. On REDBO you publish it yourself; on an MLS package, the partner broker places it on your local MLS.

  4. Handle showings and questions

    Answer buyer inquiries and set up showings on times that suit you.

  5. Review offers

    Compare price, financing, deposit and timing, and negotiate the terms you want.

  6. Sign the purchase agreement

    Put the agreed terms in writing. Ask a local attorney or title company to review before you sign.

  7. Inspection, appraisal and financing

    The buyer completes their checks while you respond to repair and paperwork requests.

  8. Close

    A title company, escrow company or attorney, depending on where you live, records the transfer and pays you.

How long each step takes depends on the home, the price and the buyer’s financing. REDBO does not publish a typical number of days for this area because it has not sourced one.

What commonly comes up at closing

Costs that commonly come up when a sale closes:

  • Title search, title insurance and escrow or attorney fees
  • Recording fees for the new deed
  • Transfer or documentary taxes, where a state or locality charges them
  • Property taxes and other charges divided between buyer and seller on the closing date
  • Any buyer-agent compensation you agree to offer
  • Payoff of your existing mortgage, if you have one

Amounts and rules differ by state and locality. Ask a title company or attorney for an itemized estimate before you set your price.

State and local rules

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