Real Estate Agent, Bar Harbor, Maine on Mount Desert Island

Brandon Howland is a REALTOR with Real Broker, LLC and a lifetime Mainer who grew up Down East. He helps buyers and sellers across Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, from walkable village homes to oceanfront on Frenchman Bay and the quiet villages near Acadia National Park.

Buyer Representation Seller Representation Investment Property Relocation Home Valuation
5
Years Licensed
4
Counties Served
04609
Bar Harbor, Maine
10 min
To Acadia Park
Beautiful gray cedar-shingle coastal home for sale near Bar Harbor, Maine Featured · Bar Harbor View Homes
Brandon Howland, Real Broker LLC real estate agent for Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, Maine
5+
Years Experience
About Brandon Howland

Your Bar Harbor ME Real Estate Broker

I am a local REALTOR serving Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, part of the wider Down East market I cover across Hancock, Washington, Penobscot, and Waldo Counties. I have been licensed and working this market for five years, and I am a lifetime Mainer. I grew up Down East on Beals Island and went through both grammar school and high school there, so I have a deep understanding of the local towns, schools, and the way this coast really trades.

That local knowledge is the heart of what I offer. Mount Desert Island is its own market, shaped by Acadia, a strong seasonal economy, and steady demand from second home and out of state buyers. I stay current on what is happening across the island and the mainland gateway towns, and I have spent most of my career representing sellers while also guiding first time buyers through their first purchase with patience and plain answers.

I am also a licensed appraiser trainee, which sharpens how I read value, condition, and comparable sales. I work within the limits of that role and do not provide formal appraisals, but the perspective helps me flag potential red flags or appraisal issues for clients early, often before an appraiser ever takes a look. My goal is simple: honest counsel, deep local knowledge, and your interests first.

Specialties

  • Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island homes
  • Oceanfront and waterfront property
  • Seller representation and listings
  • First time home buyers
  • Second home and out of state buyers
  • Value and appraisal awareness
Schedule a Consultation

Last updated: June 2026

Brandon Howland, Realtor

Built for Bar Harbor ME Buyers and Sellers

Five years working this coast and a lifetime living Down East. Mount Desert Island rewards local knowledge, knowing which village fits your life, where the year round community is, how the seasonal economy moves prices, and what oceanfront really costs to own. Whether you are buying your first place, selling a family home or cottage, or adding an investment property, you get a straight talking local in your corner.

I help you:

  • Buy a Home on Mount Desert Island
  • Sell Your Property for Top Dollar
  • Invest in Rental and Land Opportunities
Coastal New England style home exterior on Mount Desert Island
Buy
Handsome Maine home with landscaped yard listed for sale near Bar Harbor
Sell
Downtown Bar Harbor storefronts and in-town investment property
Invest
Professionally staged and photographed living room marketed to Bar Harbor buyers
Listing Marketing

Marketing That Reaches Real Buyers

A great Mount Desert Island listing has to reach two audiences at once: year round islanders who know each village, and the steady stream of second home and out of state buyers drawn by Acadia. I price to recent comparable island sales, present your home so it stands out online, and syndicate it across Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Homes.com where today's buyers actually look.

You also get honest guidance on what is worth doing before listing and what is not, so your prep dollars go where they move the needle.

List With Brandon
Photography

Photography That Shows It Right

On Mount Desert Island, light and setting sell. Professional photography captures the things buyers travel for, the water views, the woods, the porch that catches the afternoon sun, and the way a village home sits on its street. Strong images earn more clicks, more showings, and stronger offers.

I coordinate the right photography for each property, from bright interiors to coastline and seasonal detail, so your listing looks its best the moment it goes live.

Get Your Home Seen
Maine home photographed at dusk with warm lit windows
Local Market Expertise

What buyers and sellers ask about Bar Harbor.

First hand answers about Mount Desert Island, the neighborhoods, schools, commute, and the numbers that actually move a deal. Figures below are estimates with sources noted; ask me for current data on any specific town or price band.

What are home prices like in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island?

Bar Harbor is one of Maine's priciest markets. The median sale price runs roughly $650,000 as an estimate, well above the statewide median near $405,000, with in town village homes, wooded inland lots, and oceanfront all trading very differently.

Estimate. Source: Maine Listings / Maine Association of REALTORS and Redfin, early 2026

What are the best neighborhoods on MDI for families?

For year round family life, buyers often look at in town Bar Harbor near Conners Emerson School, the wooded value of Town Hill, and the north end around Hulls Cove and Salisbury Cove. The whole island feeds Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor.

Local knowledge, 2026

How does the seasonal economy shape the market here?

Acadia draws millions of visitors a year, so tourism and seasonal demand drive much of the island. Many homes are second homes or vacation rentals, and Bar Harbor caps rental registrations, so we always confirm a property's rental status and the town's current rules before counting on income.

Local market practice, 2026. Confirm current town rules.

What should I know about water and rural systems?

In town Bar Harbor generally has municipal water and sewer, while the outer villages and rural lots use a private well and septic system. On those we test the well for quantity and quality, including arsenic and bacteria, and inspect the septic. A contingency, your right to renegotiate or walk if a problem turns up, protects you.

Local rural buying practice, 2026

Who is buying on Mount Desert Island?

A mix of second home and retirement buyers, remote workers, and people tied to the island's research and care economy, including The Jackson Laboratory, MDI Biological Laboratory, College of the Atlantic, and MDI Hospital. Bar Harbor's town population is about 5,100, with a large seasonal swing.

Population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020

How competitive is the market right now?

More balanced than the recent peak. Island homes tend to sit longer than the mainland, with median days on market around 80 as an estimate, so a well priced, well presented home sells while an aspirational price waits. Getting pre approved first lets you move on the right listing.

Estimate. Source: Redfin, early 2026
Schools

Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island Schools

Mount Desert Island public schools are part of the Mount Desert Island Regional School System (AOS 91). The island's elementary schools feed a single shared high school in Bar Harbor. Confirm current attendance areas for any specific home before you rely on them.

Grades PreK to 8
  • Bar Harbor's public PreK-8 school
  • Recognized Blue Ribbon school, new Eagle Lake Road campus
  • Feeds into Mount Desert Island High School
Mount Desert Island Regional School System (AOS 91)
Grades 9 to 12
  • Island wide high school, located in Bar Harbor
  • Home of the Trojans, established 1968
  • Athletics, arts, and college preparation
Mount Desert Island Regional School System (AOS 91)
Private college
  • Bar Harbor college focused on human ecology
  • Oceanfront campus on Frenchman Bay
  • A major part of the island's year round community
Higher education, Bar Harbor
Lifestyle

What People Actually Do Around Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park

Right next door, with the Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and miles of carriage roads and trails that draw visitors from around the world.

Cadillac Mountain

The highest point on the eastern seaboard and, in season, among the first places in the country to catch the sunrise. The summit road is a local rite of passage.

Jordan Pond

Crystal water framed by the Bubbles, an easy shoreline loop, and the famous popovers and tea on the lawn at the Jordan Pond House.

Bar Island Trail & Shore Path

Walk the gravel bar to Bar Island at low tide, the feature the town is named for, then stroll the historic Shore Path above Frenchman Bay.

Market Trends

Bar Harbor market

$650K
Median Sale Price
Estimate, as of early 2026
~80
Median Days on Market
Estimate, as of early 2026
~97%
Sale to List Ratio
Estimate, as of early 2026
Limited
Active Inventory
As of early 2026

Mount Desert Island has cooled from the frenzy of 2021 and 2022 into something steadier, and it has always marched to its own beat. Prices here sit well above the mainland because the island has limited buildable land, Acadia next door, and a deep pool of second home and out of state buyers. Homes tend to take longer to sell than in Ellsworth or Bangor, so a well presented home priced to recent comparable island sales tends to find its buyer, while an aspirational price sits and eventually chases the market down.

Because so much of the island trades on view, frontage, and condition, a single high end sale can swing a monthly average, which is why I read your specific village and price band rather than one island wide number. Demand keeps arriving from away, supported by Acadia, the research and care economy, and the island's reputation, which holds values even as the pace normalizes.

2025 vs 2026 Market Snapshot

A simple year over year view for the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island area. These are estimates compiled from public market reports and are best used for direction, not precision.

2025Full Year
Median Sale Price~$625,000
Median Price / Sq Ft~$455
Median Days on Market~95
Sale to List Ratio~96%
Percent Sold Over Asking~9%
2026Year to Date
Median Sale Price~$650,000
Median Price / Sq Ft~$470
Median Days on Market~80
Sale to List Ratio~97%
Percent Sold Over Asking~11%

Estimates compiled from Maine Listings (Maine Association of REALTORS), Redfin, and Zillow data for the Bar Harbor area. Verify current figures before relying on them. Last updated June 2026.

Getting Around

Commute times from Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor sits at the end of Route 3, the road that runs the length of Mount Desert Island and over the bridge to the mainland at Trenton. Acadia is right outside town, the regional airport is a short hop in Trenton, and Bangor and the interstate are about an hour west. Drive times below are off peak estimates.

DestinationDistanceTypical Drive
Acadia National Park (Hulls Cove entrance)Via Route 3~4 mi~10 min
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Trenton (BHB)Via Route 3~9 mi~15 min
Northeast HarborVia Routes 3 / 198~12 mi~20 min
Southwest HarborVia Routes 3 / 102~14 mi~25 min
EllsworthVia Route 3~19 mi~25 min
Bangor & Bangor International Airport (BGR)Via Route 3 / US 1A / I-395~47 mi~60 min
PortlandVia I-95~175 mi~3 hr 15 min

Distances and drive times are off peak estimates and vary with season, weather, and the heavy summer traffic on Mount Desert Island. Source: general highway distances, 2026.

Local Roots

Little Known Bar Harbor History.

Bar Harbor has been a fishing village, a Gilded Age resort, and the gateway to a national park. A little of that history helps explain the town you see today.

1763

First Settlers

European settlement of the Bar Harbor area began in the 1760s, with families arriving to fish, farm, and cut timber on the rugged eastern side of Mount Desert Island.

Source: Bar Harbor, Maine
1796

The Town of Eden

The town was incorporated in 1796 as Eden. It kept that name for more than a century before the resort era and a growing identity prompted a change.

Source: Bar Harbor, Maine
Late 1800s

The Gilded Age Cottages

Artists and rusticators gave way to America's wealthiest families, who built grand summer cottages here. Names like Astor, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, and Rockefeller summered on the island.

Source: Bar Harbor Historical Society
1918

Renamed Bar Harbor

The town of Eden officially became Bar Harbor in 1918, named for the gravel bar that emerges at low tide and lets you walk across to Bar Island.

Source: Bar Harbor, Maine
1916

The Birth of Acadia

Protected as Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916, it became Lafayette National Park in 1919 and was renamed Acadia in 1929, the first national park east of the Mississippi.

Source: National Park Service, Acadia
1947

The Great Fire

The Great Fire of 1947 swept the eastern side of the island, destroying dozens of the grand hotels and cottages and reshaping the Bar Harbor that residents and visitors know today.

Source: Bar Harbor, Maine
Eat & Shop

Where Bar Harbor dines and shops.

For a town its size, Bar Harbor packs a remarkable dining and shopping scene into a few walkable downtown blocks, from lobster on the water to a bookshop that has anchored Main Street for generations. Here is a sampling.

Dining

Jordan Pond House

Tea House
Popovers & American · $$ · Seasonal

The Acadia institution for tea and warm popovers on the lawn, with a postcard view of the Bubbles across Jordan Pond.

Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, ME 04675
Visit website

Side Street Cafe

Comfort Food
Casual American · $$

A local favorite for hearty comfort food, famous lobster mac and cheese, and a relaxed downtown patio in season.

Rodick Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Galyn's

Seafood
Seafood & steaks · $$

A longtime Main Street mainstay serving fresh Maine seafood and steaks, a reliable downtown dinner since the 1980s.

17 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Havana

Fine Dining
Latin-inspired · $$$

Bar Harbor's upscale dinner destination, pairing Latin-inspired plates with a deep wine list in a refined Main Street setting.

318 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Stewman's Lobster Pound

Lobster
Lobster & seafood · $$ · Seasonal

Waterfront lobster and seafood with views over Frenchman Bay, the classic Bar Harbor lobster-in-the-rough experience.

West Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

2 Cats

Breakfast
Breakfast & brunch · $

The beloved breakfast spot on Cottage Street, known for from-scratch biscuits and a line out the door on summer mornings.

130 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Shopping

Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop

Bookstore
Books, gifts & cards · $$

A branch of Maine's oldest bookstore, a downtown Bar Harbor institution for books, Maine titles, gifts, and stationery.

56 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium

Chocolate
Chocolate & ice cream · $

Handmade chocolates and homemade ice cream on Main Street, famous for its one of a kind lobster ice cream.

66 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Cool As A Moose

Apparel & Gifts
Maine apparel & souvenirs · $$

A downtown go to for Maine and Acadia apparel, gifts, and souvenirs, a fixture of the Main Street shopping stroll.

118 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

The Rock & Art Shop

Gifts & Curiosities
Rocks, art & oddities · $$

A delightfully eclectic shop of minerals, fossils, natural curiosities, plants, and local art, beloved by kids and collectors.

23 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Island Artisans

Craft Co-op
Maine-made crafts · $$

A long running craft cooperative showcasing pottery, jewelry, fiber, and other work from Mount Desert Island artisans.

99 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

Bark Harbor

Pet Boutique
Pet supplies & gifts · $$

A downtown pet boutique for treats, toys, and gear, a fun stop for the four legged members of the family.

150 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Visit website

A sampling of well-regarded local spots, not an exclusive list or paid placement. Many island businesses are seasonal, so confirm hours and current details before visiting.

Testimonials

Happy Clients

Trust is everything in real estate, especially in a small market where your agent is also your neighbor. References and verified reviews are available on request, and I am glad to connect you with past clients before you decide to work with me.

Request References
Gary.

Was very professional with everything and was very responsive when it came to questions and concerns, helped with the buying of our new home and selling of our previous home.

Donna.

Brandon is a great agent to work with. He did a great job for us when buying our property. It turned out to be a challenging situation, and he handled it all very professionally.

Celinacummings98.

Brandon was always willing to answer any questions we had. If there was something more complicated he would explain it in terms that were more understandable.

Communities I Serve

Featured Mount Desert Island neighborhoods.

From downtown Bar Harbor to the quiet side of the island, here are some of the communities I work most. Price ranges below are approximate and shift with the market, condition, view, and frontage. Reach out for current listings in any of them.

In Town

Downtown Bar Harbor Village

Approx. $550K to $2M+

WalkableHistoricTown Utilities

Classic island homes within walking distance of Main Street, the Shore Path, and the town pier. Town water and sewer, year round services, and the easy choice for buyers who want the village at their doorstep.

View Homes
Oceanfront

West Street & Eden Street Historic District

Approx. $1M to $5M+

Gilded AgeFrenchman BayPremium

The historic cottage corridor along the water, with grand homes, inns, and oceanfront parcels overlooking Frenchman Bay. This is the island's most prestigious and highest priced address.

View Homes
North End

Hulls Cove & Salisbury Cove

Approx. $450K to $1.2M

QuietWoodedNear COA

The wooded north end of Bar Harbor near the Hulls Cove park entrance, College of the Atlantic, and The Jackson Laboratory. A quieter, often more attainable foothold close to town.

View Homes
Inland MDI

Town Hill

Approx. $400K to $850K

ValueWoodedAcadia Access

Inland Bar Harbor toward the head of the island, where larger wooded lots and some of the area's better value sit a short drive from both town and the bridge to the mainland.

View Homes
Exclusive

Northeast & Seal Harbor (Mount Desert)

Approx. $700K to $5M+

Yacht HarborGilded AgePremium

The town of Mount Desert's storied harbors, long a summer retreat for old wealth. Northeast Harbor's marina and Seal Harbor's quiet beach anchor some of the island's most exclusive property.

View Homes
Quiet Side

Southwest Harbor & Tremont

Approx. $450K to $1.5M

Working HarborBass HarborAuthentic

The island's quiet side, with working lobster harbors, the Bass Harbor Head Light, and a more local, year round feel. Popular with buyers who want the coast without the downtown bustle.

View Homes
Acadia Landmarks Nearby

Iconic Acadia spots

Living on Mount Desert Island means Acadia National Park is your backyard. Two of the most loved spots sit within the Bar Harbor 04609 area, both a short drive from the village.

Hiking

Beehive Trail

Beehive Trl, Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Cliff ClimbIron RungsOcean Views

A short, steep ledge-and-ladder climb above Sand Beach with sweeping Atlantic views. Go early to beat the line. One of Acadia's most memorable hikes for those comfortable with heights.

View on Map
Summit

Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Highest East Coast PeakSunriseFrenchman Bay

The highest point on the U.S. East Coast, famous for sunrise over Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. The summit road requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation through Recreation.gov.

View on Map
The Client Experience

What it is like to work with me.

I keep it straightforward. You get a local who answers the phone, tells you the truth about a property even when it costs me a sale, and treats your money like my own. No pressure, no jargon, just clear guidance from someone who has lived this coast his whole life.

Whether you are buying your first home, selling a cottage that has been in the family, or buying from out of state, I move at your pace and make sure you understand every step before you take it.

Start a Conversation
Local

A lifetime Mainer who grew up Down East and knows Mount Desert Island's villages, harbors, and back roads from the inside, not from a relocation guide.

Promise · 01
Honest

Straight counsel about price, condition, and value, even when the truth is not what you hoped to hear. Your interests come first.

Promise · 02
Knowledge

An appraiser trainee's eye for value and red flags, so you understand what an island home is really worth before you commit.

Promise · 03
Ready When You Are

Let's find your place on Mount Desert Island.

Whether you are buying, selling, or just trying to understand the Bar Harbor market, a quick conversation with Brandon Howland is the easiest first step. No pressure, just honest local advice.

Get In Touch With Brandon
FAQ

Common Questions About Buying & Selling on Bar Harbor ME

Contact

Let's Talk About Your Move

Call, text, or email anytime, or send a note through the form and I will get right back to you. There is no obligation, just an honest conversation about what you are trying to do on Mount Desert Island.

Brokerage Office
Real Broker, LLC
58 Main Street Unit 2, Oakland, ME 04963
Serving Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island
Hours
Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Evenings & Sundays by appointment

Free Mount Desert Island Buyer Guide

A practical 14 page walk through of buying in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island, from financing to wells, septic, and shoreland zoning to closing.

  • Step by step buying process
  • FHA, VA, USDA & MaineHousing financing
  • Wells, septic & oceanfront tips
  • Island & market overview
  • Buyer checklist & next steps