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

Agent Focus: Beverly Doherty of our Belfast Office

Real estate for Beverly Doherty is alive, vibrant and fun. She loves houses, and that feeling of really helping someone find home. Not just a house, but home. One that delights them, fits them, works for them. That’s part of the reason she so enjoys first-time buyers. “It’s the excitement they exude. It’s kind of scary for them, but to help them through that, to guide them, and have their offer accepted. "It’s such a thrill, for them and for me."

Bev's been working in real estate since 2001, and says the longer she’s in the business, the more intuitive she’s becoming. “If any issues begin to bubble during a transaction, I’m all over them. Squash the problem before it gets out of hand!". In addition to selling real estate she is the managing broker of our Belfast Office.

In 2005 Bev was president-elect of the Midcoast Council of Realtors, and was president in 2006. She was voted Realtor of the Year in 2008 by her local council. She is also active on a local committee helping to raise grant money for homeowners of low income. These grants help pay for repairs to their homes they would otherwise not be able to afford to have done. "It feels good to be able to give back to the community I work in."

Bev lives in Camden with her husband Rick and their 17 year old cat Flash. "We have built our own new home and are busy with the finishing touches." She also enjoys gardening, reading, sewing and is a new knitter!

You can reach Bev by visiting her in our Belfast Office. By phone at 207-691-1029 or by email bdoherty@jaretcohn.com

Agent Focus: Jim Chalfant

Born and brought up in Cape Elizabeth, Jim has lived in the Mid-Coast for the past thirty five years and has an intimate knowledge of the coast from Boothbay to Castine. He particularly enjoys working with buyers who are just discovering the incredible beauty and diversity of this special part of Maine. Jim has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the U.S. and much of Canada. The opportunity to travel to distant places has strengthened his conviction that the Penobscot Bay Region of Maine is clearly the best place on the planet. He belives protecting this special part of the world is a responsibility of those of us lucky enough to live here and that we should all do our part to ensure that it retains its unique qualities. To that end, Jim has been a two term member of the Rockport Planning Board, a steward for Coastal Mountains Land Trust and a member of the Rockport Conservation Commission. He was a former Director of the Saint George River Council of REALTORS and has been a Top Producer for one of the Mid-Coast's most active agencies. Jim will bring that same passion and commitment to you whether you are buying or selling property. When not sailing his sloop Dazy, Jim can be found gardening, hiking the coastal mountains, or photographing his favorite places. He also enjoys fly fishing, skiing, music, wooden boats and the fabulous art that abounds here.

You can reach Jim by visiting our Camden Office, by phone at 207-232-4477 or email at jchalfant@jaretcohn.com

Agent Focus: Kirstie Ransdell of Jaret & Cohn Waldoboro

Kirstie Ransdell was born and raised in southern NJ then attended Arizona State University and lived fourteen years in Phoenix, AZ. She could not wait to move back to the east coast. When she and her husband discovered Maine in 1997 they decided to bring their children here to give them the gift of this idyllic life. She spent 3 years researching Maine to locate the perfect area for her family. They bought their 200 year old dream home to restore and began their transition to relocate the business and family to Bristol. Since coming here permanently in 2002, she says, "Our life here has exceeded all expectations. Our business has been successful and the children have learned a true sense of community through their school, church and activities. We make a point to experience all that this area has to offer by sailing, power boating, fishing, horseback riding, snow shoeing, and enjoying the local arts and music."

Kirstie works out of our Waldoboro office and strives to assist her clients in achieving an equally satisfying experience in their transition whether it is buying or selling their home. She has experience in long distance moves, vacation homes, rentals, and investment properties, commercial sale, 1031 exchanges, and finding a house you can call home. Her knowledge of Lincoln County is extensive.

She asks, "How can I help you improve your real estate experience?"

You can contact Kirstie by phone at 207-592-0080 or by email kransdell@jaretcohn.com