Maine Property Records

Did you know that there are 4,000 islands off the coast of Maine? Most people are aware that Maine is the place to go for the best lobster. No wonder Maine's lobster yield is 100 million pounds! Freeport, Maine, is the birthplace of the beloved L.L. Bean retailer. Besides being bigger than the other five New England states, Maine is also the first U.S. state to see daylight daily. Maine is a great place to work and live, with mountains, streams, lakes, forests, and Arcadia National Park in your backyard. Maine has a population of 1.385 million residents. Maine also has 746,596 homes, which means millions of property records.

Maine property records are essential to homeowners, the local real estate market, government offices, and courts. They are created by private companies, appraisers, assessors, local government officials, court employees, and even private citizens.

What Are Property Records in Maine?

Maine property records are official documents, reports, and forms that contain essential information about real property and its owners. Many of them overlap in the details, and some perform functions like transferring ownership or providing a license to build.

Property History Search Can Include

When you embark on a property history search, you can find many details about a property you might not expect. Some records are very detailed, and others are lighter. There is a lot of overlap between them.

Some of the things that a property history search may reveal include:

Property Address
Detailed Legal Property Description
Current Owner's Name and Address
Historical Owners
Property Inspections
Appraisals / Property Value
Deeds
Liens
Tax Records
Mortgage Records
Bankruptcies
Foreclosures
Plat Maps
Surveys
Easements / Conveyances
Property Details
Lot Size
Zoning
Boundary Lines

Sources of Property Records in Maine

Things would be easier if all property records were kept together, but they are not; they are spread out among many different government offices, private companies, the courts, and other agencies. For example, if you need to file a new deed in Maine, you will visit the county registry of deeds. The Hancock Maine office explains more on their website.

If you need help with your property taxes, you must contact the local municipal tax division on your territory. The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services Revenue Department oversees all municipal tax officials and determines and approves tax rates in each of the 482 municipalities.

If you plan to build a new house, renovate your old one, or demolish a structure, you first need a building permit. You can get one from the city/town Code Enforcement Office. If you live in Saco, you can find more information on their website.

How are Land Records Different from Property Records?

Maine does not distinguish land records from property records; they view them as the same thing. The state has an official land records website where you can learn more about how to find records from the Registry of Deeds Association.

The Role of the Registry of Deeds

The registry of deeds in each county is an important office responsible for recording and filing all property-related records dating back to 1753 and providing public access to them. This office is tasked with preserving these records and keeping them safe.

How Property Records are Maintained in Maine

Although each county has its own system of maintaining property records in Maine, one common thread among them is how they process them. When a new document comes in, the register stamps it with the date, time, and a unique identifier. That document is then a public record.

Accessing Records at the Registry of Deeds in Maine

Anyone can visit a registry of deeds office during regular business hours to request public property records. However, the office can charge you a small fee per page. To help get you started, here are a few of the county registry of deeds locations:

Registry of Deeds Locations in Maine

For a complete list of all registry of deeds locations, use this list or this map to find the one you need.

Types of Property Records

When researching properties, you will encounter many different types of property records. Each performs a specific function, such as deeds and building permits. You will have to hunt around for each type since they are not stored together in one government location. The most common types of property records you will find in Maine are:

Deeds and Conveyance Records

Deeds are a very common type of property record. They transfer ownership of the property and verify the title. Deeds detail the location and description of the property and are used in every real estate transaction.

All parties must sign deeds, and a notary must witness them. Some of the information contained in deeds includes:

Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
A detailed description of the property.
Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
Notarization and execution are at the bottom, where everyone signs to make it legal.

Much of the language contained in deeds refers to the warranty implied or specified and the conveyance of the land from one or more parties to another.

Property Tax Records

Property taxes in Maine are a considerable funding source that pays for roads, schools, and government services. Local county tax assessors use one of three methods of determining the value of a home to set the tax rate. In Maine, the assessor tries to achieve a fair market value (what it would sell for in the current market) to set taxes fairly. The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services Revenue Department is responsible for each local county tax office.

The average effective property tax rate in Maine is 1.09%. That means the average homeowner pays about $2,756 per year.

Property tax records include the following:

Name of the Property Owner - The document will show the owner's name, liable for the taxes. It may also include contact information.
Amount Due - The document will show the taxes due, including the due dates.
Land Value - The document shows the value of the land as determined by an assessor.
Exemptions - The document will outline any exemptions applying to the tax calculations and the exact amount.
Tax Rate - The record may show the applicable tax rate and its use in the final calculations.

How Often is Property Tax in Maine Assessed?

The Maine Revenue Service must certify to the Secretary of State the full equalized value of personal and real property annually under Maine laws. Local assessors are in charge of property valuation and, thus, tax valuations. Local assessors have specialized property assessment methods to determine the taxes owed for the year. However, they must follow state guidelines. The following is the standard method of property assessment in Maine:

Inspections - The assessors may start by consulting a physical inspection of the property to verify data and assess the property's condition. Inspectors may take measurements, notes, and photographs to support their assessments.
Valuation - Valuation is determining the value of the property. Assessors have the option of using three approaches to determine the value of the property. The first is the market approach, where the assessor rates similar recently sold properties in the area against the property to determine its worth. The second method is the cost approach which requires the assessor to determine the property's replacement cost minus the depreciation appropriate to the existing property. Third is the income approach, where the assessor calculates the property's value based on the income it generates or could generate.
Calculation - The assessor applies the assessment rate set by the local government to find the taxable value. With this value, the assessor then calculates the owed property taxes.
Notice - Property owners then receive an assessment notice which provides the property's assessed value, assessment rate, tax rate, and the total taxes owed.
Appeals - If the property owner believes the value to be unfair or inaccurate, they may appeal to the local assessment board.

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are other pieces of information you will come across. These frequently accompany deeds. Easements are rights of way that allow someone other than the owner to access the property for some reason or another. An example might be a utility company with power lines on private land. The company can enter the land to maintain its power lines without asking first. Any new owner must abide by this same arrangement.

Covenants are strict rules about how the land can be used. These are most often used in gated communities and condo developments. An example might be a no-dog rule to keep the neighborhood quiet.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. Surveys show the boundaries and map coordinates of a single property. Plats, however, also show the boundaries of all the neighboring properties.

Surveys include the following information:

Property Description - Survey documents allow property owners to gain a legal description of their property. The record will include it, plus other identifying features.
Monuments - The record may show the physical markers on or near the property's boundary corners of significant points.
Boundary Lines - The survey will include the property's boundary lines with details such as lengths, directions, and angles.
Easements and Encroachments - Records may show the easements and encroachments on the property, which can help solve boundary disputes.
Other Property Information - The documents may show information about adjacent properties, such as property lines and shared boundaries.

Historical Property Records

When property records grow to an unmanageable size, states like Maine often move them to archives to make room for new ones. The Maine State Archives houses old land records dating back to 1891.

Building Permits and Regulations in Maine

Building permits are handled at the municipal level. Maine has 482 municipalities. You must visit the one where the property resides to obtain a building permit. You can apply through the town's Code Enforcement Office. Some allow you to apply online through their website.

How Can I Search for Property Records?

Property records are very handy in many different situations. They allow you to obtain vast amounts of information and make better decisions quickly. A property history search can reveal many hidden secrets. Thankfully, when searching, you have options.

Online Property Record Search

First, start with a basic online property records search by entering the property address into a Google search bar and reviewing the results. You will probably see many realty-related items, but perhaps they are not what you seek.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can visit any of the state registries of deeds locations during regular business hours to ask for records. You will pay a small fee per page if you need certified copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

There are also dozens of property record indexes online with realty companies and other private organizations. Some of these are fine, but many are not regularly updated. Be careful when relying on this information.

Utilizing Commercial Services

Using a professional property records service like PropertyChecker, you can find everything you need in one place and access millions of nationwide property records within minutes.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The best way to search for property records is by the address. Type the full address (with city, state, and zip) into a search bar and see what comes up.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can search using the owner's name, but since many names are similar, you might have to wade through dozens of incorrect results.

Understanding Property Ownership in Maine

Owning property in the great state of Maine is a wonderful thing. However, if you want to keep the home, you must pay your mortgage, interest, and taxes on time. You must also maintain it well to retain its value. Any time you buy property in Maine, your name and address will appear in public property records.

Identifying Property Owners

If you want to find out who owns a specific property in Maine, you can easily do so by contacting the register of deeds in the county where the property is and asking for a copy of the most recent deed. That will tell you who owns it and when they bought it.

Chain of Title

The chain of title is a public list of all the owners of a particular property. The list is documented through deeds. Only registered and recorded deeds are legal. There cannot be a break in the chain of title.

Ownership History and Transfers

Most often, property is bought and sold as it transfers ownership. However, sometimes, a person will gift property in life or after death through a will. Other times, they might sign over the deed to their house to pay off a debt.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Maine

Another essential piece of information regarding real property is its legal description. Each property has one, and it includes map coordinates and a written description that details nearby natural landmarks.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land and map out coordinates, so each piece of real property has its own distinct location. They are used frequently before new development, underground utilities are installed, and boundary disputes are installed.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes erupt when neighbors fight over where property boundaries lie. These can end up in court, where a judge must decide the outcome. The courts rely on the expert testimony of professional surveyors to determine the proper boundaries.

Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in Maine

Encumbrances like liens can negatively impact property if there are too many, leading to foreclosure and the loss of the home. Liens appear in public property records and can lower the home's value and even damage the financial reputation of the owner. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are completely within your control. You choose to use your house as collateral for a loan, and the lender puts a lien on the property to protect themselves. If you default on the loan, they can foreclose and sell the property to get paid back.

Mortgage Liens

Mortgage and home equity liens are liens placed on the house in return for lending you money. The lien will remain on the property until the loan is paid off.

The standard information in a mortgage record includes:

Mortgage Terms - The record may contain terms of the mortgage, such as how long it will be in effect, payment frequencies, and minimum contributions.
Loan Details - The document should outline details of the loan, including the initial borrowed amount, the interest rate, and the total repayable amount.
Penalties - The record may outline the penalties for late or skipped payments. Some records also show penalties for prepayments if applicable.
Names of Those Involved - The document should identify the parties involved plus their duties. There may be information on their rights as well.

Involuntary Liens

You do not have any control over involuntary liens; they are imposed against your will if you do not pay a debt you owe. These types almost always lead to foreclosure and loss of the home.

Mechanic's Liens

Contractors, laborers, landscapers, and material suppliers can use a mechanic's lien to get paid if they perform work on your property and then you refuse to pay them. They must sue you in court to enforce the lien.

Tax Liens

Local tax officials use tax liens when you don't pay your annual property taxes. They first impose the lien, and if you still don't pay, they foreclose and sell your home at auction well below fair market value.

Judgment Liens

Creditors can use judgment liens to get paid a debt you owe them. They must sue you in court, and if they win, they can foreclose and sell your home to get what is due.

The Process of Property Liens in Maine

Placing a lien on a property in Maine differs depending on the type of lien. Here is an overview of the process of placing a judgment lien on a property:

The first process is obtaining the judgment. The lender must file a lawsuit against the debtor, present the case, and obtain the judgment in their favor. The court's ruling confirms the owed debt.
Next, the lender should docket the judgment with the appropriate office. Docketing creates a public record by officially recording the judgment with the court clerk.
The next step is similar: the lender records the judgment with the registry of deeds office at the county level, thus creating a lien and a public record of it. It notifies potential buyers and other relevant parties of the claim on the property.
The lender may renew the lien for an additional 20 years before the initial period expires.

Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Maine

Property records come into play most often during real estate sales. Before the sale, the buyer, realtor, appraiser, and title company use property records to research and find information. Other records, like a new deed and appraisal, will be created during the sale, replacing older ones.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property, you should do all you can to learn as much as possible about it. Property records can help you learn a lot and avoid serious headaches down the road.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property in Maine, you must disclose everything you know about the property, including any material defects like problems with the plumbing, foundation, or roof.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you apply for a mortgage to buy the property, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. It protects you and them against anyone coming along after the sale claiming they own the property. Your title company or attorney will perform a property title search to avoid these kinds of issues.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Maine

When a house is in foreclosure, it appears in public property records. These houses usually sell for less than fair market value and can be complicated sales. There is more paperwork involved, and all the liens must be cleared before the sale can close. Regular buyers will shy away from these homes.

Pre-Foreclosures in Maine

Pre-foreclosure homes mean that they haven't yet been sold at auction. Savvy investors look for these types of deals to buy them cheaply and sell them for a profit. It's a good deal for the owner who gets out of debt without showing a foreclosure on their credit report.

When was the House Built?

If you want to find out when the house was built, contact the local county registry of deeds office and ask for the first building permit for that property. That will tell you when it was built and who first owned it.

Property Records and Property Values

Property values are among the most critical pieces of information about a property. They can help you make an informed decision about buying or selling. These values appear in appraisals, mortgages, insurance binders, and property tax assessments. The median house price in Maine is $403,919.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are tools used to determine the value of real property. Tax assessors use assessments to value the property for tax purposes. Although this value is used to set tax rates, it does not always match the fair market value.

Appraisers use state-approved calculations to determine a property's value for a mortgage or estate planning. Sometimes, the courts hire appraisers to value real property.

Factors that Determine Property Values in Maine

Places like York County and Ogunquit have higher property values, which the following factors may explain:

Waterfront Access - Maine has an abundant coastline plus numerous lakes, ponds, and rivers. So, properties with waterfront locations, such as lakefront cabins and riverfront properties, may command higher property values due to scenic views and the potential for water-related recreational activities.
Tourism Potential - Maine has a tourism industry that thrives due to attractions such as Acadia National Park. Proximity to such locations may tilt property values to the higher side due to the potential for rental income from vacation homes and hotels.
Historical Significance - Maine has a rich history commemorated by landmarks, homes, and buildings. Properties with historical significance may value higher as homebuyers are attracted to the unique and well-preserved architectural features.
Proximity to Outdoor Recreation - Maine has diverse recreational activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, and snowboarding. Proximity to these activities may increase property values.

Privacy and Property Records

Privacy is on everyone's mind these days, but it's important to remember that your information is out there in public records, whether you like it or not. Anyone can review public property records.

Accessing Public Property Records

The public can visit any of the Maine registery of deeds locations or search online and find public property records. Your information will appear in them if you own property.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public to prevent any government office from having too much power over the people. They are also public in maintaining the proper chain of title, showing every owner going back to the first.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records. But you can contact the agencies that hold them and ask them to remove anything beyond your name and address. You don't want your phone or email out there.

Maintaining and Amending Property Records

It's crucial to keep your property records updated regularly. It's up to you to update them if something changes. The office that holds them will not be notified automatically or update them without your consent.

Correcting Errors on Property Records

Sometimes, property records have errors in them. If this occurs, bring documentation proving the error to the register of deeds location in the county where the property is and ask them to fix it.

Amending Property Records for Legal Changes

You will also have to update property records when someone dies. Thankfully, it's easy to do. Bring the death certificate and a copy of the will to the register of deeds office where the property is located and ask them to update them. They will draft a new deed, which must be notarized and witnessed.

How to Change the Name on Property Records in Maine

If you get married or divorced, you will want to change the name on your property records. To do so, bring your divorce decree or marriage certificate to the register of deeds and ask them to update the records.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Property Using Property Records?

Before buying property in Maine, you should consider many things. A quick property history search will give you a lot of information, making it easier to decide. Use PropertyChecker as your one-stop-shop source for property records and check out the value, taxes, insurance, liens, foreclosures, and more!

Maine County Property Records