Buyers of Maine real estate have entered the spring market in force, leading to double-digit sales gains during the month of March.

Maine Listings reported a 12.63 percent increase in single-family existing home sales compared to one year ago.

In Lincoln County, sales were up 20 percent from one year ago. The statewide median sales price (MSP) dipped 4.71 percent to $162,000. In Lincoln County, the MSP dropped 14.79 percent ($210,000 in March 2013 to $178,948 in March 2014). 

The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

According to the National Association of Realtors, single-family existing home sales are down 7.3 percent across the country. The national MSP rose 7.4 percent to $198,200 last month. Regionally, sales in the Northeast dipped 4.8 percent. The regional MSP increased 3.2 percent to $244,700.

Angelia Levesque, president of the Maine Association of Realtors, said the spring weather has ushered in “an increase in sales for many markets throughout the state. New homes are listed daily, and this is one of the best times of the year to sell a home.”

Levesque, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group in Bangor, mentioned that sellers should take note of the Maine Open House Weekend, coming up May 3 and 4.

“It’s a great time to spruce up your home, paint the front door, rake the yard and plant a few flowers — buyers are out looking, and you’ll want your home to shine.”

Visit www.mainelistings.com to view open house listings and more.