Even Maine’s cheapest town has seen housing prices soar
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Mexico was among the least expensive locations to are living in Maine prior to the pandemic, with standard properties valued at $60,000. This calendar year, 4 houses there sold for a lot more than $300,000.
Though the appealing spots in southern Maine like Cape Elizabeth and Portland have viewed the hottest markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, rural communities like Mexico, which is just across the Androscoggin River from the mill city of Rumford, are also seeing residences sell like they hardly ever have right before.
The common property in Mexico was truly worth $59,600, the least expensive for any neighborhood in Maine with 1,000 individuals or additional, as of the most not too long ago out there American Local community Study figures from 2020. Most of the only communities that were being below were plantations and townships of fewer than 100 individuals.
That valuation has risen considering the fact that the pandemic began, as has the median income price of a household on the current market. It was $60,000 in 2018, $65,000 in 2019, $77,000 in 2020 and $93,900 in 2021, according to Redfin documents of marketed homes.
Mason Milligan, a 26-calendar year-aged welder, grew up in Rumford and lived in Maine all his everyday living ahead of purchasing a two-bed room property in Mexico in March. He decided to test for it following staying outbid on a single in Rumford, captivated to a sizable garage and a desire to leave much more rural Andover.
Milligan claimed he was “not solely happy” with the $179,000 price tag for the dwelling, but noted that the industry was large. That was the 2nd priciest of the 6 two-bedrooms marketed in Mexico this year. He was capable to get the property with the assist of a Federal Housing Administration mortgage.
The median income price tag for two-bed room households in Mexico from 2018 to 2020 was $75,000. Over-all, the median income cost so far in 2022 was $159,900, even though that number is however much down below prices in most of Maine.
Back again in January, a four-bedroom with about 100 acres became the most expensive home bought in Mexico in the earlier five decades, according to Redfin info. It went for $599,000 soon after 77 times on the marketplace. It was bought by two people who shown their tackle as a dwelling in Los Angeles.
The town is most recognized in Maine for its unique title, which came from neighborhood sympathy for Mexico’s battle for independence from Spain at the time of the town’s incorporation in 1818.
It has extensive housed workforce of the ND Paper mill in Rumford. When that mill saw drawdowns with changes in the economic climate, Mexico’s population shrunk. After peaking at 5,000 in 1960, it has virtually halved in sizing since then. But the 12 months 2020 was the first time the U.S. Census recorded a inhabitants increase in 60 yrs, with 2,800 dwelling there.
Some of these new citizens are getting households there, which include 24-year-old landscaper Evan Dore, previously of Farmington, New Hampshire, all over 2 1/2 hrs absent. Dore, who purchased a house for $190,000 very last January, had in no way been to Mexico prior to he commenced his research.
He started seeking at moving to Maine thanks to rates spiking around him in New Hampshire. He at first appeared at transferring to southern Maine but discovered that it was also much too pricey for him.
So he looked farther north. He observed the area attractive because of the selection of recreational alternatives, including mountaineering and fishing spots as properly as nearby snowboarding.
“As a first-time homebuyer, I was not tremendous picky and just preferred a pleasant, clear spot to contact home,” Dore mentioned.
Even though it is unclear how extended new residents will stay in Mexico, rural life absent from the busyness of metropolitan areas continues to be interesting to lots of. Since going into his 4-bedroom, Dore has discovered his community quiet, locals pleasant and leisure places fulfilling.
“It is a pleasant alter to not have all the climbing and outside places overcrowded during the summertime,” Dore explained.