Maine Real Estate Talk: March 2008

Well folks, as a parent, I'm always trying to give my kids advice on things I've learned throughout the years.  But my children are now teenagers, and when I start offering advice their eyes glaze over and I can almost see their hearing turn off.  But every now and then I see something that makes me say huh..they were listening after all. Now sometimes it's accompanied by me turning beet red and exclaiming "I don't know where he picked that up from!" But every once in a while I see proof that they've been listening to the good stuff too.  For example....

My son has been working on a project at school that is designed to get him ready for the real world. They had to research and pick a college, decide on a career, and, determine a budget based on the salary they'd receive.  My son was shocked by the fact that he'd have to pay for groceries, a car, insurance, housing, etc.  Yeah...reality is hard to face sometimes.  But I had to laugh when I looked over his project. For housing, he'd chosen to buy an apartment building. His explanation was that he could live in one unit and let the income from the remaining units pay the mortgage. Then later he could move out and keep that as an investment property! 13 years old and looking for investment property?  That's my boy!!!

For the record, his teacher did not allow him to do that....he was forced to find a single family home to buy.  Heaven forbid we teach our children to invest...lol

Are you planning to buy a home in Phippsburg, Maine?  Maybe you're looking for a year-round home...something close to our gorgeous beaches yet convenient to Bath and Portland. Or perhaps you'd like a summer home...a place to come back to year after year. Everything you're looking for can be found in a new community in Phippsburg......Popham Woods.

Popham Woods is a planned residential condominium community located less than 2 miles from magnificent Popham Beach. The homes will consist of single family and duplex condominiums, all carefully sited to enhance the local environment. Nestled on over 183 acres, this community was carefully designed by an experienced team of land use consultants, landscape architects, and civil engineers.  The homes will be clustered in five neighborhoods, using the natural features of the land to enhance privacy.  Approximately 130 acres have been preserved for wildlife habitat, bird watching, and trail hiking. Phippsburg is loaded with hiking trails, and the Popham Woods trails connect to the network of trails that stretch through Phippsburg. From Popham Woods it is possible to hike to gorgeous spots that overlook Seguin Lighthouse to the north and travel the Morse River Marshes south to Popham Beach!

Popham Woods is being developed in 5 phases, with Phase 1 going in as we speak.  You can currently customize  five New England style model homes designed for comfort, quality, and low maintenance. The community will consist of 69 units when complete. The condominium homeowners' association will maintain the roads, driveways, walkways, trails, and other common areas and facilities. Phase 4 allows space for a community building, 2 tennis courts, and a small playground!

And did I mention the Popham Beach Club?  For an additional fee, you can the join the Beach Club, which is located right on Popham Beach! Enjoy a game room, kitchen facilities, locker room/shower, and, of course, access to Popham Beach. What more could you want?

If you are interested in receiving information about the Popham Woods community, contact The Hershey Home Team! 

If you'd like to search the Maine MLS, contact the Hershey Home Team!

It's hard to believe, but Easter is almost here and it's time for the annual Phippsburg Easter Egg

Hunt!  Sponsored by the Phippsburg Recreation Committee, this years festivities will take place  

March 29th from 10am-12pm. From 10-11, children of all ages can choose a variety of snacks to

eat and Easter crafts to create...everything from decorating an Easter bonnet, to painting Bunny

pictures, to decorating cupcakes! And at noon...the great hunt commences! If the weather cooperates, the hunt

will take place on the playground and activity field behind the school. The children are divided into 3 age

groups.....infant-3yrs, 4-6 years, and 7-12 years. This ensures that all the children find lots of goodies! 

After the great hunt, the children can reassemble in the gym and see if they've won a prize!  Prizes can be won by having your name drawn or finding a special prize egg!   Don't forget to bring your Easter Basket!

We NEED volunteers for this event!  So if you're willing to donate your time, contact The Hershey Home Team! 

All parents are familiar with the dreaded "I'm Bored" refrain that children everywhere have perfected. Delivered at a certain pitch and repeated enough times, it can drive any parent crazy. But if you live in Phippsburg, Maine....you are always ready for the onslaught. Simply whip out your Phippsburg Recreation Committee Newsletter at the first sign of boredom and save the day! You and your family can choose from a multitude of activities!

If there's one thing I love about Phippsburg, it's the opportunities it provides for it's residents to have fun!  Not just from the variety of fishing spots, beaches, etc., but from actual organized activities provided for people of all ages.  We are definitely a close-knit community and enjoy getting together after the work is done.  To help provide activities for our residents, the Recreation Committee was created. The Phippsburg Recreation Committee is composed of 5 appointed members and a slew of volunteers...myself included!  We offer everything from youth sport clinics, to comedy club trips, to ice cream socials! Here are a few of the upcoming events....

 Do you like to bowl? Join us 1 Saturday a month at Spare Time in Brunswick for Phippsburg Day and bowl for free!

 Is Roller Skating more your speed? Phippsburg residents skate for free 1 Saturday a month at Roller World in Topsham

Like to Dance? Once a month, a dance is held at Phippsburg Elementary for 4th,5th, and 6th Graders.

Like hockey? Join us for a Portland Pirates Game! Tickets are $10 each and transportation is provided! The bus leaves at 5:30 so don't be late!

Want to catch a movie?  "Free Family Movie Night" at the elementary school will be showing "Flushed Away" on May 2nd. Bring your pillows, blanket, or favorite chair! Admission is free....popcorn and soda are only $1.00!

Learn Tae Kwon Do from our Police Chief every Wednesday from 3-5!

Learn to Swim for only $20! The 5 week program provides transportation to the YMCA, supervision during the  swim lesson, and transportation back to the elementary school.

Trim down for bathing suit season in the 6 week Body Sculpt class!

Learn to make a quilt in our "Quilt In A Day" Class!  Ok..for me it was more like "Quilt In a Week"..but it is possible to make a full quilt in a day!

Like Basketball? Come with us to the Harlem Globetrotters Magic As Ever Tour! Tickets are only $15 and the bus leaves at 5:30!

This is only a small portion of activities provided by the Phippsburg Recreation Committee for the citizens of Phippsburg.....and.... if the truth be known.... people from surrounding towns are welcome too!  I'd love to list all the opportunities that exist in Phippsburg....but there just isn't room on one post. But I guarantee you...you'll never have to listen to "I'm Bored" again!

If you'd like a copy of the Recreation Committee's schedule, contact The Hershey Home Team or visit www.Phippsburg.com

If you're interested in owning a home in Phippsburg, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Well folks, it's that's time of year again.  Just when it's getting light early enough for me to stumble my way to the coffeepot without finding the light-switch, daylight savings time rears it's ugly head. So I guess I'll be setting my clocks back an hour on Saturday night.  But, looking on the bright side, that means spring is on it's way.  Really..it will get here.  In celebration of the coming Spring , the town of Bath is holding a special event on Friday, March 21st from 6pm-9pm. Under the light of a full moon, Main Street in Bath will come alive with live music, various street performers, excellent food, and wandering astronomers! The wandering astronomers will be prowling the streets to give shoppers, children, and anyone who's interested a peek at the Universe!  More than 20 stores will stay open late...many offering Moonlight Madness sales....and  Gina Hamilton (Editor of The Coastal Journal) will be at City Hall sharing star stories. Remember the Banners Over Bath that appeared in a previous post?  Those are complete and will be proudly displaying the Celestial Navigation theme from every lamppost in Bath.  So join us for what is guaranteed to be a rousing time under the full moon!

And don't forget to set your clocks backs on Saturday night....wouldn't want you to be late to the party!

If you'd like to walk to the party from your new home in Bath, Maine...call The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to have a community event posted here...call The Hershey Home Team!

Attention Couples!  Looking for the perfect location for your wedding?  How about on the coast of Maine?  Right beside the ocean....sun setting in the background...tables of fresh lobster waiting for the reception...  And did I mention it's free?

Yup!  Sebasco Harbor Resort has announced the launch of their "Pure Maine Wedding Getaway"!  The winning couple will receive a gorgeous wedding at the Resort, including the ceremony site, a reception for up to 200 of their friends and family, overnight accommodations and spa services for the bride and groom, a golf outing for the wedding party, and a rehearsal celebration sunset cruise for up to 24 people aboard Sebasco's touring boat, The Ruth.  This prize is valued at $25,000!  Finalists will be announced in 2008, and the wedding will take place in 2009!

Sebasco Harbor Resort is just down the road from my house, and let me tell you...it's beautiful!  We've played golf on the course, swam in the saltwater pool, watched the fireworks every  4th of July, and dined at their fabulous restaurants. And a good friend of mine,  Capt'n Phil will take you out on The Ruth...if you see me out lobstering be sure to wave!  It is truly a fantastic place, so if you're planning a wedding be sure to enter!

Interested couples must submit a brief video essay that talks about who they are, how they met, and why they want to win a Pure Maine wedding. Winners will be chosen based on their stories and their desire to experience "Pure Maine"!  Visit their website for additional information!

I'll continue to do follow ups as the finalists and  the winners are announced!

If you'd like to see a community event posted here, Call The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to start your new life together with a new Maine home, call The Hershey Home Team!

*Image Courtesy of Sebasco.com

Greetings Maine Homeowners!  I have received a steady stream of questions regarding the HAP program from homeowners affected by the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station.  I've been trying to post at least one question per week, so if this is your first visit feel free to check out my previous posts of HAP questions.  Also, don't forget that you can visit the Army Corp of Engineers' website for even more information!

Question# 5:  Will local appraisers have input into appraised values?

 Answer:  The home appraisals will be prepared by independent contract appraisers. But, like many government programs, you have to apply for and be awarded the competitive appraisal contract to do HAP work for the Army Corp of Engineers.  So, if a local appraiser has been awarded that contract, then yes, local appraisers will have input.  They will determine what the value of your home was at the time the base closure was announced, and also compare it to today's values.  This will help determine the extent of your benefits.  But note that all contract appraisals will ultimately be reviewed by Army Corps of Engineers Appraisers.

Please continue to send all your HAP questions to The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like sell your Maine Home,  Call The Hershey Home Team!

Well drat....my secret is out!  If any on you have been following my Phippsburg Community Profile Series, then you're aware that I've been giving tips on the best places to eat, spend the night, avoid the beach crowds, etc.  These are insider tips...places the crowds have not located yet...a gift to My Active Rain friends.  Until now! I opened up my new DownEast Magazine, and there on page 82 is a picture of Head Beach!  A perfect little beach that is part of Hermit Island Campground, but yet still open to the public.  It also mentions North Creek Farm..the best place in Phippsburg to grab an ice cream cone and buy a rosebush on the same trip.  And wait...it also talks about Anna's Water's Edge Restaurant...which, in my humble opinion, is the best place to grab a shore dinner or a bowl of chowda!  All my closely guarded secrets are now part of an article titled "15 Small Town Getaways".   So go check it out!  And I guess I'll see you...and the entire DownEast readership..this summer!

Oh...one more thing...call me if you need directions!  Despite what DownEast Magazine says, North Creek Farm is NOT at the corner of 209 and 216.  Plus, if you follow their suggestion and take Parker Head Rd, you'll miss North Creek completely!

If you'd like to walk to any of these attractions from your new home in Maine, call The Hershey Home Team!