Maine mortgage and refinance rates for May 2026

As of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, current mortgage interest rates in Maine are 6.75% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.06% for a 15-year fixed mortgage.

Mortgage rates in Maine — and across the country — remain elevated as we move through 2025. While prospective buyers and refinancers saw some relief early in the year, inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions are keeping rates from dropping down below the 5% mark many are eagerly waiting for. The rising cost of real estate in Maine, coupled with higher interest rates, is making homeownership less affordable for many homebuyers in the state.

Even in an elevated rate environment, if you bought your home when rates were closer to 8%, you could still potentially save with a refinance. A Bankrate analysis found that about 2.7 million with a 30-year fixed mortgage could lower their payments by refinancing as of the analysis date (April 2026). 

There are a variety of mortgage options available to homebuyers in Maine. Here are some of the most common:

• Maine conventional mortgages: To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 620 and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 45%. If you make a down payment of less than 20%, you’ll need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, as well.
• Maine FHA loans: If your credit history disqualifies you from a conventional mortgage, you might be able to obtain a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). If you have a credit score of at least 580, you could make a down payment 3.5%. FHA loan rates are typically lower than conventional mortgage rates.
• Maine VA loans: If you’re a veteran or active-duty member of the military, you might qualify for a mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA loan doesn’t typically require a down payment or mortgage insurance, but you do need to pay a funding fee, which ranges from 1.25-3.30%. VA loan rates are often lower compared to other types of home loans.

MaineHousing, the state’s housing authority, offers a variety of programs that can help you get an affordable mortgage with a low or no down payment. Here’s a closer look:

• First Home Loan Program: If you’re a first-time homebuyer or haven’t owned a home in the past three years, you might qualify for a low-interest, fixed-rate mortgage through Maine Housing. These mortgages have low- or no-down-payment options. Household income limits apply (although most Maine residents don’t exceed them), and a minimum credit score of 640 is required.
• First Generation Program: If you and your parents or legal guardians have never owned a home, you may be eligible for a low-interest fixed-rate mortgage, down payment and closing cost assistance.
• Salute ME and Salute Home Again: MaineHousing offers a rate discount of 0.5% for retired and active-duty military personnel on the 30-year First Home loan for active-duty and retired military personnel, as well as veterans.