If you’re thinking about moving to Scarborough, one of the first questions is simple: what kind of home can you actually find here? The answer is more varied than many buyers expect. Scarborough still leans heavily toward detached homes, but newer condos, mixed-use development, and coastal properties give you several very different paths depending on your budget, lifestyle, and maintenance goals. Let’s dive in.
Scarborough housing at a glance
Scarborough remains a town where single-family ownership shapes the market. U.S. Census data shows an owner-occupied housing rate of 77.4%, and about 79% of housing units are in single-unit structures. That helps explain why detached homes still feel like the default option in many parts of town.
At the same time, Scarborough is not a one-note market. The town has more than 11,000 housing units, and newer condo inventory has broadened the choices available to buyers. Zillow’s typical home value in Scarborough was $691,375 as of May 31, 2026, which gives you a sense of the price level buyers are working with today.
Why Scarborough offers different housing types
A big reason Scarborough has a mix of older neighborhoods and newer housing is how the town has planned growth. Most development projects go through Site Plan Review or Subdivision Review, which shapes how and where new homes are added. In practice, that means newer housing tends to show up in specific growth areas rather than evenly across town.
The clearest example is The Downs. This 577-acre mixed-use community was identified for future growth years ago and is expected to include about 1,500 homes at buildout, while preserving more than 200 acres of green space. If you want newer construction or a more planned community feel, this area matters.
Single-family homes in Scarborough
For many buyers, Scarborough means a detached home with more privacy, more storage, and more control over the property. Current listings show a wide price range, from about $375,000 on the lower end to luxury homes approaching $9 million. Many visible listings sit roughly between $600,000 and $1.25 million.
That range is one reason Scarborough appeals to several kinds of buyers. You may find established homes on roads like Broadturn, Spurwink, Payne, Running Hill, and Laurel Ridge, along with newer or updated properties in other parts of town. The details can vary a lot from one pocket of Scarborough to another, so comparing home age, lot size, and condition becomes especially important.
What ownership looks like
With a single-family home, you control the property, but you also take on the upkeep. That includes routine maintenance and repairs tied to the structure, systems, grounds, and exterior features. In day-to-day terms, you should expect responsibility for items like roofs, siding, driveways, drainage, lawns, and snow removal.
For some buyers, that tradeoff is worth it for the space and independence. For others, especially if you want less exterior work, that responsibility can feel like a big commitment. It helps to be honest about how much time, budget, and energy you want to put into maintenance.
Older homes need a closer look
Some of Scarborough’s established coastal areas go back a long way. The town describes Higgins Beach as a residential neighborhood dating to the late 1800s, and Ferry Beach and Pine Point are also long-established beach areas. That does not mean older homes are a problem, but it does mean buyers should pay close attention to condition.
When you tour older properties, it is smart to look closely at the exterior envelope, drainage, and mechanical systems. Age alone does not tell the whole story, since many homes have been improved over time. Still, understanding what has been updated and what may need work can help you avoid surprises.
Condos in Scarborough
Condos have become a much bigger part of the Scarborough conversation. Today’s condo listings range from about $220,000 to nearly $2.5 million, with many visible options roughly between $399,000 and $795,000. That is a wide spread, and it tells you something important: Scarborough condos are not just one thing.
You can find smaller units, newer construction, and high-end coastal options depending on where you look. For buyers who want lower day-to-day maintenance or a different price point than detached homes, condos create flexibility that did not define Scarborough in the same way years ago.
What condo living can offer
A condo can make sense if you want a simpler ownership experience. In Maine, the condominium association is responsible for maintenance, repair, and replacement of the common elements, while each owner is responsible for their own unit. That often means less yard work and less exterior upkeep on your plate.
In exchange, you will usually have monthly dues and association rules. You will also want to review the association’s budget, reserves, and governance documents carefully. A condo can be a great fit, but the details of the association matter just as much as the unit itself.
Newer condo options at The Downs
If you are looking for newer condo product, The Downs stands out. Cross Street Condos at The Downs includes 96 urban condos with 12 floor plans. Amenities there include EV charging, elevators, work pods, a communal room, and a rooftop lounge.
That kind of setup can appeal to buyers who want newer systems, shared amenities, and a more low-maintenance format. It is also a good example of how Scarborough’s housing choices are evolving. You are not limited to only traditional suburban home styles here.
Coastal Scarborough homes
Scarborough’s coastal areas are a major draw for many buyers. Higgins Beach, Ferry Beach, Pine Point Beach, and the area around Scarborough Beach State Park all shape how people think about living near the water. If beach access and a coastal setting are high on your list, these areas naturally stand out.
But coastal ownership comes with tradeoffs you should understand early. Scarborough notes that town beach passes cover Higgins Beach, Ferry Beach, and Pine Point, but not Scarborough Beach State Park. The town also has beach rules covering dunes, smoking, grills, alcohol, camping, and motor vehicles, so it helps to know the local rules that affect day-to-day use.
Flood maps and insurance matter
For coastal buyers, flood risk is one of the biggest practical issues. Scarborough says its updated FEMA flood maps became effective on June 20, 2024. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas may need flood insurance if the mortgage is federally backed, and they can also be subject to floodplain standards for additions, remodels, new structures, and septic system replacements.
The town also notes that VE zones are coastal flood areas exposed to wave run-up and storm surge. That means a home’s location on a map can affect not just insurance, but also future project flexibility. Before you buy, it is worth understanding exactly how a property sits within the current flood mapping.
Long-term coastal due diligence
Flooding is not the only issue to think about near the coast. Maine’s coastal hazard resources also point to erosion as an ongoing concern along much of the Maine coast. In some beach areas, erosion can average a foot or more annually.
For you as a buyer, the practical takeaway is straightforward. Coastal living can offer access, scenery, and a unique setting, but it also calls for more due diligence around elevation, drainage, exterior materials, insurance, and long-term shoreline conditions. A beautiful setting should always be matched by a careful review of the property itself.
Comparing Scarborough neighborhoods by housing style
Scarborough is helpful to think about in broad housing patterns rather than rigid neighborhood labels. Some areas lean toward established detached homes, some toward beach-area properties, and some toward newer mixed-use or condo development. That mix is part of what makes the town appealing to different kinds of buyers.
Here is a simple way to frame the options:
| Housing pattern | What you may find | Key tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Established single-family areas | Detached homes, varied lot sizes, older and updated housing stock | More owner maintenance |
| Newer growth areas | New construction, planned development, condos and mixed-use housing | Less traditional neighborhood feel for some buyers |
| Coastal areas | Beach access, views, older homes, unique locations | Flood, erosion, and insurance considerations |
| Condo communities | Lower exterior maintenance, shared amenities, range of price points | HOA dues and association rules |
How Scarborough compares nearby
If you are also weighing other Southern Maine towns, Scarborough sits in an interesting middle ground. Redfin’s current market snapshot lists Scarborough homes for sale at $629,500, compared with $550,000 in South Portland, $677,499 in Portland, $919,500 in Falmouth, and $1,177,500 in Cape Elizabeth. That places Scarborough above South Portland, below some of the highest-priced coastal towns, and close enough to Portland to stay in the conversation for many buyers.
What makes Scarborough stand out is the range inside one town. You can compare condos, newer development, established detached homes, and coastal properties without leaving the local market. If you want options rather than a single housing story, Scarborough gives you more to work with than many buyers expect.
How to choose the right Scarborough fit
The best housing option for you usually comes down to three questions: How much maintenance do you want, what setting matters most, and what price range is realistic for your search? A detached home may give you more space and control, but it also brings more upkeep. A condo may simplify exterior maintenance, but it asks you to get comfortable with dues and association governance.
If the coast is your goal, build extra time into your decision process. You may need to review flood maps, insurance implications, and property condition more carefully than you would in an inland location. If newer construction is your priority, growth areas like The Downs may deserve a close look.
Scarborough is not a market where one answer fits everyone. The upside is that you can often match your housing choice more closely to the life you actually want to live.
If you want help sorting through Scarborough neighborhoods, comparing condos versus single-family homes, or understanding the practical tradeoffs in each area, Michael Mahoney can help you move forward with clear, steady guidance.
FAQs
What types of homes are most common in Scarborough, Maine?
- Scarborough is still mostly a single-family home market, with about 79% of housing units in single-unit structures and a 77.4% owner-occupied housing rate.
Are condos common in Scarborough, Maine?
- Condos are a growing part of the Scarborough market, with current listings ranging from about $220,000 to nearly $2.5 million and many visible options between roughly $399,000 and $795,000.
What should buyers know about condo ownership in Scarborough, Maine?
- In Maine condos, the association maintains common elements while the unit owner is responsible for the unit, so buyers should review dues, budgets, reserves, and association rules carefully.
What should buyers know about coastal homes in Scarborough, Maine?
- Coastal homes in Scarborough can offer beach access and unique settings, but buyers should pay close attention to flood maps, possible insurance requirements, erosion risk, drainage, and future building restrictions.
Where is newer housing development in Scarborough, Maine?
- One of the clearest areas for newer housing is The Downs, a 577-acre mixed-use community planned for about 1,500 homes at buildout.
Is Scarborough, Maine more expensive than nearby towns?
- Current market snapshots place Scarborough above South Portland in price, below higher-priced coastal towns like Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth, and in a similar overall range to Portland depending on the segment of the market.
