September 2011 Housing Statistics: Maine Association of REALTORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: LISTED BELOW
MAINE HOME SALES UP 7.56 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER

SOUTH PORTLAND (October 20, 2011) — Maine real estate sales continue to climb: Single-family existing home sales increased 7.56 percent comparing September 2011 to September 2010. According to the Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. (MREIS), Realtors report 967 sales across Maine’s 16 counties. The statewide median sales price (MSP) decreased 6.42 percent to $159,000 in that same time period. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

Nationally, single-family existing home sales rose 12.2 percent over the past 12 months. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported a national median sales price of $165,600 – a decrease of 3.9 percent. In the regional Northeast sales were up 6.8 percent, while the regional MSP decreased 3.3 percent to $229,400.

Mike LePage of RE/MAX Heritage in Yarmouth relays, “Despite continued downward pressure from short sales and foreclosures, the Maine real estate market has weathered the storm in the third quarter this year. The numbers are up significantly from last year and, although a bit premature for a major celebration, we are pleased with a 14.87 increase in unit sales over the last year. The statewide median sales price continues to show signs of stabilization.”
LePage continues, “First time home buyers have been taking advantage of the lowest prices in years combined with the best interest rate environment anyone can remember. The high end has also seen improvement. Cash buyers have found value in the more expensive properties and the results reflect that. The tougher market in the near term has been the middle market, due in part to buyers needing to sell their homes in order to purchase a new one. I think that one fact has put a damper on the very real demand that exists in the middle market.”

For charts and full press release please visit: http://www.mainerealtors.com/Statistics/2011PressReleases/MaineHousingReport-September2011.pdf

Source: Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. Note: MREIS, a subsidiary of the Maine Association of REALTORS, is a statewide Multiple Listing Service with over 4,600 licensees inputting active and sold property listing data. Statistics reflect properties reported as sold in the System within the time periods indicated.
Contacts: Maine Association of REALTORS President Mike LePage (RE/MAX Heritage, Yarmouth) - 846-4300 - mlepage@rheritage.com; REALTOR Marc Chadbourne (Century 21 Nason Realty, Winslow) - 873-2119 - Marc@C21Nason.com. For more names: Cindy@MaineRealtors.com
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We welcome Gail Mahan to our Waldoboro Office

Jaret & Cohn Real Estate is pleased to welcome Gail Mahan to their Waldoboro Office. Gail has been selling real estate in the Miidcoast area since 1985, including running her own agency (with her late husband Jim) since 1990. She brings a wealth of experience, a sunny disposition and, as she says, "the ability to listen -- the most important quality to help you find the property you're looking for."

Gail has lived in Waldoboro for 26 years, and is a member of many local organizations, including the Waldoboro Business Association, the Medomak Valley Land Trust, the Waldoboro Woman's Club and the Waldoboro Garden Club. She loves to restore old houses, having done several, and is currently working on a 1790 former mill owner's home in Waldoboro, bought, of course, through Jaret & Cohn. She also enjoys visiting her son Jim and his wife Mary, and grandchildren Jim and Stephanie, who live in New York state. Gail can be reached at 207-832-5219, or by email at gmahan@jaretcohn.com.

Organic Lawns and Yards

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Assocation (MOFGA) inserted this book suggestion into their newletter this week:

Introduction To Organic Lawns And Yards. New organic lawn care booklet for the homeowner. Just in time for the fall planting season, NOFA OLC (the Northeast Organic Farming Association's Organic Land Care program) has published a science-based introduction to organic lawns and yards booklet for homeowners. This is a beautiful, informative guide with gorgeous photographs. Focuses on water and energy conservation, soil fertility, natural pest and invasive species control. This is a great resource and gift idea for the person you've been hoping would consider a low-impact approach to yardscaping. Available from our online Country Store for only $5.

Perhaps this is a good read in light of Camden and other areas adopting pesticide free policies.

Agent Focus: Brenda Pendleton of Jaret and Cohn Rockland

Brenda Pendleton is Broker in our Rockland Office with over 29 years experience in the real estate industry. She is a full time broker, serving all of Midcoast Maine and surrounding rural areas. Brenda has earned the ABR® designation, which allows her to network with over 30,000 Accredited Buyer Representatives throughout the country. She has completed a comprehensive course specifically designed to working with Buyers.

Brenda lives in Rockport with her family and enjoys all that the Midcoast has to offer. Whether it is working in her garden, kayaking, playing with her dog Eli in the yard. She strongly believes the Midcoast is a great place to call home.

You can reach Brenda by visiting our Rockland Office at 25 Park Street, Phone at 207-975-0233
or by email, bpendleton@jaretcohn.com