I have no real excuse but let me try:  I live in a no cell tower zone.  Cell phones just don't work where I live.  I know, I know.  I'm planning on moving.

 So, I have been happily behind the times on cell phones for years.  I had a Motorola Krazr, what the heck.  Besides, this is Maine, right?

 I am on line more hours of the day than not.  I don't want a phone for email.  I just wanna phone!!!  But times have changed.  I would go to broker open's and instead of rushing the lunch, everyone's face was in their Blackberrys.  Hullo?  Anyone home?  I don't want to be the Realtor focused on technology, ignoring the people.

 So I looked at Blackberrys.  Tiny buttons with both letters and numbers which are hard for boomer eyes.  Ok for getting your email but really, I just want a phone. And the ability to occasionally pick up email when I am stranded for hours with no web access.  I planned on buying a Blackberry.  Picked out the one that looked like a regular phone, separate buttons for numbers and letters.  Tiny but separate.

 Then a friend with a smarty tech hubby walked in the office with a touch screen smartphone.  Bright, shiny and everything on it.  All kinds of apps.  So I went on line and bought one.  Touch screen, pull out Qwerty board.  A Samsung Rogue.  It even SOUNDS like me.  Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Of course, it comes with no manual.  A little doll size book that tells you how to turn it on, in English and in Spanish.  After that, search the web and good luck.  The little devil is very touch sensitive.  I don't have the right size case for it and I'm not used to handling it.  So it falls out of the pouch, gets squished in the purse and then gets busy.  I mean, it phones people!!!

Now, I've known my dog to curl up on the remote and order up a movie.  But this is an inanimate (correct that, it's very animated) object that is more social than I am.  Apps keep trying to download themselves.  Voices appear and I have to check and see if they are automated or real. 

 My final conclusion:  I need an aircard for the notebook.  But in the meantime, I do love my smartphone.  I really wish it would stop phoning people, though...

The general feeling among York, Maine real estate agents during the month of November was that this was a very slow month. Results prove them right.

There were 8 sales of single family homes in York, Maine closed during November 2008. Median prices tend to be more representative since a single high end home can distort the average in such a small sample. Median sales price November 2008 was $384,000, median days on market was 101 days, and median sales price was 96% of list price.

November 2008 sales of 8 single family homes is just over half of the total November 2007 sales, which was 15 single family homes. Median sales November 2007 price was $409,000, median days on market was 81 days, and median sales price was 95% of list price.

What's the forecast? Most agents believe that December 2008 sales will be light relative to the year before also. However, the recent steep drop in mortgage interest rates, from 6.5% on 30 year fixed just a few weeks ago to 5.5% today, coupled with some true bargain pricing, may lure buyers back into the Seacoast real estate waters. York, Maine, with its beautiful beaches, friendly folks, and quaint small town feeling, remains a sought after Seacoast location.

We predict an early Spring and we're not talking weather.

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8 & 9 FROM 11 AM TO 3 PM
@ 3 Conney Lane, York, Maine 03909

PHOTO TOUR: www.ConneyLane.com
Come check out this pristine, well built, one year old cape, close to beaches but hidden away on large, quiet lot.
Features:
3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Close to beaches with large lot in quiet area.
Eat in Center Island kitchen with stainless steel appliances.
Large Master Bedroom with ensuite bath and walk in closet.
Hardwood floors and berber carpet.
Walkout basement with glass French Doors.
MLS# 913748
After a day at the beaches, leave the crowds behind and come home to this pretty, sun dappled cape hidden away in a private neighborhood. Relax on the
Farmer's Porch or entertain on the large deck overlooking the nicely landscaped yard with rock walls.
Open floor plan that flows nicely with custom touches throughout. Room for friends and family with 3 bedrooms plus den. Less than a year old and in pristine condition.
Directions: From Route 1, take Old Post Rd, left on Bluestone, left on Graystone, continue onto Trafton. Right onto Conney Lane just before Dean Rd. Last house.
From beaches, take Ridge Rd to Gunnison. Continue on to end, left onto Trafton. First left onto Conney Lane. Last house.

Margaret Mitchell - Real Estate in the Maine Manner
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty
Margaret@MargaretMitchellRE.com
Home Office: 207-363-3692
Cell: 207-752-3489
Office 207-363-4300

Margaret Mitchell, York Maine Real Estate

Conney at Trafton   google map   yahoo map

Have you been to Harvestfest?  If you have, then I know you will be back this year.  If not, this is your chance!  The York Chamber of Commerce carries the full schedule.

Saturday's events center around both York Village and York Beach.  Those in the know skip the parking issue and take the free trolley from Short Sands beach or either the elementary, middle or high schools.  The opening parade is conducted in colonial dress.  From 10 to 4, there is a juried craft fair and a fabulous food festival.  Please stop by the Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty table and sample some of our chili.  Tell them Margaret Mitchell sent you!

Local musician, but widely known, Tim Janis will offer his uplifting music with a message.  A Fife and Drum Band also complements the colonial theme.

Children will be greatly entertained by the Kidsfest section offering crafts, games and face painting.

Not to be outdone, York Beach participates with a full day of events located at the Ballpark.  Crafters and Food Vendors will offer their wares in an Old Fashioned Marketplace.  There will be numerous community and non-profit raffles as well as (drum roll please) a corn toss challenge.

The day will conclude with Fireworks on Short Sands Beach!

On Sunday October 19, Short Sands Beach is also home to an Antique Car Show.  The Marketplace will continue and horse drawn carriage rides will also be offered.  Under the big tent, a Native American POW-WOW will include live entertainment and storytelling.  Harvestfest will conclude with the T-shirt raffle.  No, you don't win a T-shirt - your raffle ticket includes a free T-shirt or poster.  Local vendors have donated a variety of great prizes.

Please join us this weekend in York, Maine for Harvestfest.