Maine Real Estate Talk

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Are you looking for a place in Maine?  Somewhere the whole family looks forward to coming to year after year? A place where you don't have to worry about keeping the grass mowed....or the shingles painted...or the roof maintained?  

Well, I've got the perfect place for you!  Nestled on 183 acres of common land, this new condo is perfect for either vacation or year-round use. Someone else takes care of grass...and the shingles...and the roof.  All you have to do is unlock the door!

Fabulous location is under 2 minutes to magnificent Popham Beach and historic Ft. Popham. Short drive to Sebasco Harbor Resort and less than an hour to Portland!

Join me on Saturday, March 28th from 1-4 for a tour!

For some reason, it seems like more and more of my day to day experiences are providing me with blog topics....as well as business lessons!  For example, the simple act of going out to lunch the other day inspired this blog...a lesson for sellers, agents, and Pizza Hut! 

It was a crazy day and we decided to slip into the Brunswick Pizza Hut to hit the buffet.  It seemed like a good decision at the time...fast...hot...and involving pizza. What could go wrong?

Well..it started with waiting 10 minutes to be seated.  There was no one in line in front of us...tons of empty tables...but no-one who worked there could find the time to seat us.  That should have been my first sign. We were finally seated, ordered our drinks, and headed to the buffet.  Only half of the buffet table was filled and the pizza that was there was cold and tired looking.  We selected a few pieces, headed back to our table, and just as we finished eating we received our drinks. To make a long story short, the food was cold, the service was terrible, and we left with a bad taste in our mouths.  Literally.

Needless to say I felt cheated.  There were a dozen restaurants I could have spent my money in. So my question is...during a tough economic time when people don't have  a lot of money to throw around, why isn't Pizza Hut doing everything it can to attract diners? They should have the biggest selection of the freshest, hottest, pizza around to lure people in.  Their service should be top notch!  Even if they're rolling in the dough...pardon the pun... they should be at the top of their game!  I know I won't be going back there.

 So Sellers..here's a lesson for you.  Like restaurants, there are quite a few homes on the market for buyers to choose from!  Talk with your agent and make sure you're both doing everything you can to make your home stand out among the sea of homes for sale! You can't put cold, tired pizza out on the buffet and expect buyers to come back and spend their money on it. Get rid of the clutter, clean the carpets, paint the laundry room, cut the grass, plant some flowers! In other words..put your best pizza on the buffet! If you don't, buyers will take their appetites and their money to the buffet around the corner.

And Agents, this should be the time when you provide better service than any other restaurant agency in the area!  Return calls promptly, answer your e-mails, communicate with your clients, be kind to agents who bring their buyers...do everything you can to prove that you've got the best service in town! Because like buffets and homes for sale, there are a lot of agents to choose from!

So there you go...two good lessons that emerged from a bad dining experience. I for one plan to revisit my business plan and my  listing buffet to ensure that I have the best service and the freshest, hottest listings around!

If you'd like to receive tips on preparing your home for sale, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to experience top-notch service from a Realtor, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Well folks...it's official.  The HAP homes are now on the market! Those of you who have been with me for a while may remember a few posts I did regarding the Homeowners Assistance Program at Brunswick Naval Air Station. I had a terrific response from those posts and answered many questions before the Army Corp of Engineers asked to me stop.  Apparently, they are the only ones "allowed" to answer HAP questions.  Puhleeezzz...   But that's a different blog. 

So for those of you who are new, well...let's back up a bit.

In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission announced that Brunswick Naval Air Station was on the closure list.  Military personnel who owned homes in the areas affected by the closure were a bit nervous at the thought of trying to sell their homes..... what if values had dropped? Would they be able to cover what they paid during the housing boom? In rides the Homeowners Assistance Program to save the day! If a qualified homeowner (there are certain criteria that have to be met)  has tried in vain to sell their home on the current market, HAP steps in and purchases the home, pays off the mortgage and frees up the owner to purchase another home at their next duty station.  And then what does the government do with these homes?

It puts them back on the market, of course!

These homes are just starting to trickle on the market as our military guys begin to relocate. The trickle is good....the fact that the government hasn't released them all at once has helped to maintain the values!

Several of my clients have expressed concern about HAP Homes...thinking that they are similar in condition to most of the foreclosures they've looked at.  They're not!  These homes were not "taken" from people, so they haven't been stripped or mistreated like you sometimes see with foreclosures.

If you're interested in learning more about the HAP program...contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you're interested in buying a HAP home...contact The Hershey Home Team!

    PHIPPSBURG ANNUAL ICE FISHING DERBY!

Well boys and girls...it's that time again!  One of my favorite winter sports is in full swing..time to don your long underwear, grab your gear, and head to the nearest frozen puddle!  It is ....drum roll please...Ice Fishing Season! 

When I first moved to Maine, the thought of sitting on ice and staring at a hole was about as unthinkable to me as a hotel without a jacuzzi.  But let me tell you, once you've tried it...you're hooked!   Pardon the pun...

If you've never been, it's not hard to get started. All you need is 10 layers of clothing, a thermos full of coffee, a few traps, a few shiners, and an auger to drill the hole.  Actually, it's better if you have a friend with an auger...much cheaper!  Drill the hole, set the trap, and then sit back and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow fisherman.  But keep an eye on your trap....when that flag goes up you'll be racing every fisherman within a 20 ft radius to get there first....all while wearing 10 layers of clothing. (You might want to practice that before the big day!)

There are over 3,000 lakes and ponds in Maine...plenty of opportunities to bring home a whopper!  If you're looking for organized fun, I suggest you check out one of the local fishing derbies.  A good resource for that is www.MaineIceAnglers.org  , they have a list of the most popular Ice Fishing Derbies in Maine! If you're free on February 8th, I invite you to join me at the Phippsburg 10th Annual Ice Fishing Derby! There are prizes for the smallest fish,(I've won that), the biggest fish (I haven't won that) and tons of door prizes! 

A Word Of Warning:  Always check the ice before you venture out!  This chart will help you determine if it's safe to go fishing!

So grab your gear..I'll see you on the ice!

And if you'd like information on Maine Real Estate so you can fish on your own private pond..contact The Hershey Home Team!