We are about ten days from Thanksgiving here in the great Maine Sebago Lakes Region.  It is time to finish winterizing and get those final outdoor fall projects completed prior to consistent cold.  The approaching snow and frozen weather is on the horizon here and a reality just an hour or two north of here, these days. The spectacular morning and evening clear views of Mt. Washington have more of the summit and great mountain covered in white this past week. A true bell weather of where we at at, here in the Maine Sebago Lakes Region. It’s beginning to more consistently drop below freezing overnight, with the daytime temperatures now struggling to reach the upper 40’s to 50 degree mark during the decreasing daylight hours. The approaching Holidays are both a joyous, yet often stressful time for many – in part due to the decreasing sunlight – and also with the gathering of extended family and each of us wishing for our offspring, only increasing opportunities.
Each of us here at Maine Real Estate Choice wants only the best possible outcomes for you and your family, and here are some important Fall tips for you. Any outdoor painting or deck staining you may want to accomplish prior to spring 2019 only has a very few possible days remaining that will be warm enough to allow for those projects. Same with yard cleanups now that there are many more leaves on the ground than are remaining in the trees surrounding our properties. It is time to tune-up our snowblowers and snow removal vehicles. Double-check your home heating oil tanks and heating systems. When was the last time yours was cleaned? Deck and outdoor furniture needs to be stored away, and if you happen to grill outside all winter as I do, it is much easier to fill up that primary and back-up propane tank now, when you don’t have to carry them in slippery and icy conditions.

If you are considering purchasing, selling, or looking at property: there truly is no better time than right now. This is because you are beginning to see exactly what views the property will see – and how it will be seen by others – with no foliage cover from November through April. And as we enter the second full week in November 2018, there is absolutely no reason to hesitate if you might be concerned that your property may be worth more “come Spring” vs. now, from a market perspective. The housing market has rarely been stronger than right now. Inventory is low. Homes are selling in hours and days, as opposed to weeks or months on the market, with multiple offers and above-asking-price being common with proper market evaluation and pricing. That, is our specialty.  It is our pleasure to assist you with all of your Real Estate needs.  We hope that you will look to us now.   There is no reason to wait, as may have been true in the past.  There has never been a better time to explore the possibilities, than right now. We hope you will call us today! (207) 693-5200
info@mainerealestatechoice.com
Make it a great week!

From everyone here at Maine Real Estate Choice, we all hope that your travels and time this Thanksgiving holiday has been safe, and enjoyable.
On Monday November 26th the majority of us will be back to work, some of us back on a diet, and many reading this will be more focused on what is left for gift buying, now that we are post Black Friday deal shopping. It is worth reminding everyone how blessed we really are here in the Maine Sebago Lakes Region of Maine. We are less than an hour to great summer beaches and also less than an hour to some of the best mountains anywhere, in our western Maine mountains and in the White Mountains in our neighboring state of New Hampshire. We have been talking a lot about the value of investigating the worth of your home and your property should you have any desires in considering selling anytime soon, as it is certainly still a sellers market. Our Maine Lakes Region has great value year round thanks to the beauty and convenience here, and there is zero need to wait until spring in a market that is still not only strong, the market is also still very low on inventory, allowing for proper valuations and asking prices to result in the real possibility of above-asking-price results. Here are a couple of important questions to ask yourself: Are you currently living in an ideal location for you? Remember that  your location is absolutely the ideal location, for someone out there! Are you in your dream home, today? Congratulations if you responded with two yes answers. We suggest that life is too short to spend it, with too much time in a non-optimal situationir location. We hope you will call us today. Our goal is to really listen, and to help you and yours make your Real Estate dreams, come true!

As the last full week before Christmas 2018 approaches here in our great Maine Sebago Lakes Region, it appears we will be inconvenienced at the end of this weekend, whether-wise.  Sunday night through the Monday morning commute, and well into Monday, we have snow in our forecast with varying amounts depending upon how close or how far away you are from the coast. Right now, early this weekend, the whether from Virginia to New Your City to Toronto to Cleveland and back, is currently frightful.. and headed our way! For those with school-aged children it is possible that Monday morning may bring a snow day to some communities here in the region, and this weekend will be a good time to prep the outside of your properties, accordingly.
Everyone here at Maine Real Estate Choice is very excited for our significant investment in being the best possible Agency for you, in all aspects of your Real Estate needs. We have an unparalleled team of experienced Real Estate Agents. We also know how important it is to understand and leverage the facts for our clients, in and on the many towns and lakes here that we specialize in, that no one knows better than our collective team. We as an agency understand how important statistics are when you are looking to buy or sell property.  Please stop by and let us explain to you why now, in this very strong market still especially for sellers, it has never been more important for you to have a trusted and experienced Real Estate agent at your side, regardless if you are selling or buying.  The overall value and actual bottom-line reality is consistently better when working with a good Real Estate Agent, to avoid those too-often costly pre and post-close mistakes, omissions, or oversights.

As this Holiday and end-of-year Season fast approaches, our dedicated team here at Maine Real Estate Choice wishes you great success and happiness. This is a season of reflection, giving thanks, and of appreciation for the many gifts we each have. Even when there are difficult moments or situations in our individual lives, we each have much to be thankful for. We sincerely thank the many of you that have helped make 2018 a great year here at Maine Real Estate Choice. The opportunity to help you with diligence and pride with pleasure, really is a gift that the entire team here at Maine Real Estate Choice is truly thankful for.

And as always: Make it a great week!

As we approach the middle of January 2019 already, let’s take a closer look at upcoming winter events here in our region. Just about one month away there are two of our larger events taking place here in the Maine Sebago Lakes region and just west, in Bridgton, on the weekend of February 26th.
Here is a link to the Bridgton Winter carnival:

Home

Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Winter Carnival
February 16, 2019
Headlined by sleigh rides, dogsled rides, a polar dip, and ice fishing, this button-admission event also includes a snowshoe 5K, ice bar, and evening fireworks.

Also February 16th and 17th, 2019: the annual Sebago Lake fishing derby will be taking place on Sebago Lake on both Saturday and Sunday that same weekend as the Bridgton Saturday Winter Carnival event:

Sebago Derby

These are well attended annual events that – much like the Naples Maine Blues Festival weekend that always takes place on Fathers Day weekend each year – find themselves growing in popularity each year. And once again, if anyone pulls a record Togue through the ice, the prize for that fish will earn you an amazing $100,000.00 prize!

We do not speak often enough about how blessed we are here at Maine Real Estate Choice to be located right directly in the heart of the great Maine Sebago Lakes Region here on Route 302 directly across from the intersection of Route 11 here in Naples Maine, where we as dedicated agents in a great organization, have a singular advantage of being located truly in the heart of the Maine Sebago Lakes Region. So many people vacation here, and have vacation properties for good reason, and we are so very fortunate and thankful to be able to enjoy our area, year round! We are truly a four season destination, and we hope that we can help you with any of your Real Estate needs here in the region. Give us a try. You will be glad that you did!

This coming weekend, will somehow already find us in early February 2019 here in our great Sebago Lakes Region of Maine. Everyone here at Maine Real Estate Choice wants you to know and believe how amazing the Real Estate market still is, right now, yes in the winter. Many years past, it may have been true and frugal to wait until late March, or April, or May to consider listing a property or home to obtain your best value. The same is not true in today’s market which is still absolutely first and foremost, a very strong sellers market, which now slowly and surely is building more inventory for buyers to have more and more choices. Great and top value continues to occur regardless of the month showing on the calendar, and thankfully we are not as often seeing the crazy “only on the market for hours” or less than a day – which certainly can occur, however it is no longer the norm which we’ve all witnessed in the last couple of years. Here are important steps to help you, help yourselves if you are buying or selling. Buyers: Get yourselves pre-qualified. There are many sellers who will not even entertain an offer, unless the buyer has a pre-qualified status. And if you are a potential seller: It matters a lot to “trust the statistics”. It is important to understand and agree with the current market analysis, which will be accurate based upon recent sold prices in your Neighboorhood. Few things are more important than getting the listing price accurate, for all parties, when the time is right for you to go to market. And remember: that time is not at all currently dependent, on what the calendar says. We as a team really enjoy listening to what is most important to you – as either a buyer or a seller – and bringing our wealth of collective knowledge to you and your advantage brings us great joy and satisfaction. No team of realtors exceeds our collective desire to provide to you and yours, with the best Real Estate experience possible. Give us a try. You will be glad that you did!

It’s that time of year for all of us to think about certain safety in our homes, the homes of other family members, and the homes of our neighbors. Each winter, people unknowingly put themselves at great risk by not checking and not heading warnings as to carbon monoxide poisoning. The two most common mistakes people make to put them and others at risk: AC Generators – either too close to the house or not even set-up outside but placed in an enclosed garage  (never do this!) and/or faulty or snow-covered furnace venting. Check the exhaust vents of your heating systems and that of the homes in your neighborhood as you walk and drive around. If each person who reads this blog does this simple thing, who knows if together we just might save a family or a neighbor from a very dangerous situation. More heavy snowfall is in the forecast, which could be the storm that starts to back-up dangerous, deadly gasses into a home due to more common direct-vent systems in place with many newer homes not having chimney venting. Let’s avoid this possible scenario here in our great Maine Sebago Lakes region if we can!
If you might be elderly or recently out of the hospital, we have offered this in the past:  As a team we will absolutely help you if needed. Call our office.  Mention that you read this blog, and if you need help clearing your furnace vent, I the writer of this blog will help you get the help that you need to make your, or your neighbors property safe.

Being the true four season destination area that we are, reports from all of the NH ski areas and Maine western mountain resorts including the great night skiing at Shawnee Peak all seemed pleased about great conditions that they are enjoying this peak winter season of 2019. Our great region has a lot to offer. The many snowmobile trails in our area bring a lot of important recreational revenue to our local economy. We all choose to live and work here for many great reasons. Please call us today. Every great Real Estate reality starts with a dream and a goal in mind. Even if it might be just a dream for you to have a lakefront camp or a year-round property on the water, or you just want to upgrade or downsize your current living situation, call us for all of your Real Estate needs. You will be glad that you did!

As we enter this first week in March there is some to-be-expected snow coming in our forecast, however the focus of this blog is that hope Springs Eternal! This March here in our great Maine Sebago Lakes Region came in like a lamb (barely!)  and I know of no one who would not be okay with March going out like a lamb as well. This is the time each year when we’ve added at least an hour of daylight with more each day, and the sun’s warmth can be felt more regularly despite official winter hanging-on until the 19th of the month, this year. So in just about two weeks it will officially be Spring, with Summer not far behind, and in that spirit here’s a reminder of great things to come, in 2019!

Naples Maine hosts The Maine Blues Festival each year.
Always Father’s Day Weekend!
More details as June approaches..
Friday June 14 – Sunday June 16, 2019

Fourth of July Celebrations – Fireworks, Road races, Strawberry Festivals
July 1st-4th
Naples, Bridgton, Windham, Raymond, Casco, and other area towns offer parades, races, fireworks, and community meals throughout the holiday weekend.
More details in future blogs, as the country’s Birthday week and Thursday July 4th, 2019 approaches.

The Yarmouth Clam Festival
Always the third Friday in July
July 19, 20, 21 this year.
www.clamfestival.com
Great food, Friday evening kick-off parade, arts & crafts, music, and a carnival with rides, games, midway. It’s a unique annual family event!

Naples Arts On The Causeway
www.naplesforthearts.com
August 3rd, 2019 – 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.
**** Rain Date August 4th, 2019
Area artisans display many different and unique offerings along the Naples causeway

Naples Wooden Boat Show – Mountainview Woodies Classic Boat Show
Held the second Saturday in August which is August 10th, 2019
mountainviewwoodies.org
T he 25th annual wooden boat show located on the causeway in Naples, Maine

Lakes Region Brewfest – South Casco
Always the last Saturday in September!
mainelakesbrewfest.com
Do Not Drink And Drive!

Fryeburg Fair
Maine’s Annual Classic Country Fair
September 29 – October 6, 2019
http://www.fryeburgfair.org/
Maine’s largest agricultural fair – over 3,000 animals, great food, always great fun

As the days get longer and the temperatures continue to improve this early March: if you write these events on your calendar now, and you can attend some of these events:

You will be glad that you did!

Let’s make it a great week.. and year!

With the beginning of April upon us, there is snow in the forecast this week, and it looks like it’s going to be the kind of snowfall that us locals long for here in the Maine Sebago Lakes region. Not only could the snowfall be the last of the season, the best part is that it should not need to be shoveled, plowed, nor should the new snow last, with daytime temperatures reaching well into the 40 degree range these days. With some additional rain showers, and significant winds predicted as well, we continue to lose our hefty snow pack at a consistent rate.  Our brief and always delightful mud season will soon be upon us, which thankfully ends swiftly most years when the frost has not been at record depth, as has been true for this season.  The state of Maine, especially the northern part of the state in Aroostook county, has seen significant snowfall this year.  The deep  snow cover has mitigated the frost depth this season.

For all who are interested in looking to purchase real estate, or sell real estate, we are approaching the traditional and most exciting time of the year for Real Estate: true Spring and early summer. And seeing properties of interest in the next couple of weeks, before the leaves start to really bud-out, will give you a clear view of what your potential new property will look like annually from the Holidays through late March and early April when the leaves are not providing coverage.  It is our pleasure as experienced agents here at Maine Real Estate Choice to listen closely for just what you and yours are looking for, and to use our vast resources and unparalleled experience as a team, to help you meet and exceed your needs. If you give us a call today, you will be very glad that you did!
Make it a great week!
(207) 693-5200

Giving Thanks, halfway towards the Holiday season..

We are approaching the 6-month mark from the Holiday season, which, like the saying Christmas in July, is a great reminder that events here in May leading up to early summer is another great time of year to give thanks. This next weekend has us focused on everyone’s all-important family figure for Mother’s Day, as without our mom’s, none of us would be here!
We can also share some thanks for some better weather after a difficult couple of weeks with little sunshine.
Better weather gives us all the opportunity to spend some time outdoors with family and friends, and to get an outdoor project or two completed or under way. For many people, full spring – which takes place just after mud season in these parts – it a great time of year to enjoy the many blessings we have. As summer fast approaches, we here at Maine Real Estate Choice are aware how fortunate we all are to enjoy this wonderful area we are all blessed to reside in here in the Maine Sebago Lakes Region. Within moments we have lakes, mountains, the ocean, and State Parks to enjoy. There is so much to see and do here in our area.

Later this month as we honor and share gratitude for those who have served our country with honor – Memorial Day is May 27th this year – we each should embrace the ‘spirit of the Holidays’ that will then be almost exactly six months away.

As Mother Nature really starts to turn things green and the trees come back to life and nature here in our Sebago Lakes region truly is waking-up, with the days quickly seeming to get much longer.. there is much to be thankful for.  And there is no better time to call us about your real-estate desires and dreams, to see how possible it is for you and your family to consider that ideal spot:  a camp, lakefront, water or mountain view home or getaway, whatever your ideal location may be, let our team’s unmatched experience help you and your family truly enjoy this season.. and the next.. and so much more.