MrLakefront blog

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Gentrification of the Lakes Region

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:18:49 -0500

The big question that I have for you today, dear readers, might seem trite. But please indulge me. Will granite countertops make living at the lake more enjoyable?

The bigger question is: Does a vacation home here in Maine have to have all the conveniences and lavishness of one's year round home back in Massachusetts, New Jersey or wherever??

I often see folks "from away" bitterly dissappointed when they view a half million dollar camp on Long Lake and find it wanting of the creature comforts they enjoy at their home back in the suburbs of Boston, New York or wherever.

"For a half million dollars shouldn't there be a master bedroom suite?""This home has no walk-in closets, or guest bathrooms or his and hers sinks!!"The old Yankees would figure that because vacation homes are mostly used in"summah" why would anyone spend the money to build a year round home for a few weeks of use each year?

"Where's the garbage disposal, the dishwasher and central air conditioning??"

"Where's the full walkout basement, the 2 car garage and Anderson windows?"

It is culture shock for many but the truth is, we are in the lakes region of Maine where suburban sensibility takes a back seat to Yankee pragmatism.

Furthermore why would anyone heat a lake home year round on the chance that they might use it a weekend or two over the course of the entire winter?? With heating oil at over $4.00 a gallon does it make sense??

A few years ago I visited Maine with the family after being away for a few years. Getting the rental car at the Portland Jetway I soon found US 302 and headed Northwest on a perfect moonlit night. The moonlight was so strong I swear I didn't need headlights.

Arriving at the lake after 10:00PM we quietly opened the car doors and were greeted by the smell of the pine scented air. The cool of the woods was seeping out of the pine and hemlock forest and was seemingly kept at bay by the moonlight. We couldn't wait to get inside the camp with the welcoming pine interior and fieldstone fireplace. We were eager to settle in the old rockers on the screened porch, to watch the moonlight shimmering on the water and finally, to hear the soulful cry of the loons calling to each other from across the lake.

Yes, dear reader, Maine isn't about master bedrooms suites, his and her sinks,or granite countertops. Maine is a special place. Get to know her. She'll always be there for you.

Northeastern Maine Lakefront Real Estate - No Small Potatoes

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:53:32 -0500

While the Presque Isle Region may be best known for growing potatoes, this northern Maine region has its share of wilderness, woods, and water and provides recreational opportunities to those who crave outdoor activities.

In addition to the hiking , fishing, canoeing and kayaking that can be enjoyed on the many good-sized lakes and rivers in the area, winter brings deep snow and, with it, unparalleled snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing.

This region is also well-populated by good sized towns, so area activities also include many fairs, festivals, and historic sites. The town of Caribou has an Arts and Crafts Fair in October, a Performing Arts Center, and the Nylander Museum featuring exhibits on natural history. Fort Fairfield has its Potato Blossom Festival and an 18 hole golf course. Fort Kent hosts the Can-Am Sled Dog Races and is home to the Maine Winter Sports Center. Houlton has a historic downtown district with 28 architecturally significant buildings, and Presque Isle has the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival every August.

The preeminent lakes in the area make up the well-known Fish River Chain that includes Long Lake, Mud Lake, Cross Lake, Square Lake, and Eagle Lake, then further south, St. Froid Lake and Portage Lake. The area also has many smaller lakes and ponds and two major rivers, the St. John and the Aroostock.

Whether you crave the remote beauty of northern Maine or warm to the energy and pluck of the people who live and work here, the Presque Isle Region is a fun place to visit and a great place to live.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Presque Isle Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Maine Waterfront Property - What To Do When You Get Here

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:42:37 -0500

Summer in Maine is all about balancing activities with relaxation - and eating! If you're coming to the Sebago Lakes area this weekend or next you might want to check out several things to do to locally besides just dangling your bare feet in the lake.

Here's a short sampling of some of the area events. Make sure to check the local paper, The Bridgton News, or the local Chamber of Commerce website at www.mainelakeschamber.com for a complete listing of area activities.

June 25 thru 29 - 8 pm "In Good Spirits" by Howard Odentz at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Sat/Sun matinees at 2 pm. A musical comedy about ghosts, an old theatre, and a small town in Maine that could almost been written about Deertrees itself. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.orgJune 28 - Barn Sale to raise money for both Pondicherry Park and the Lakes Environmental Association. 8 am to 2 pm at home of Nina Keene, 76 High St., Bridgton, rain or shine.

June 28 - Strawberry Pancake Supper, 5 to 6 pm, Casco Village Church, Rte. 121, Casco.

June 28 - Horse Show and fundraising events at Waterford's World Fair, Green Road off Rte. 35. Chinese auction fundraiser, preview 11 am, auction 1 pm. Horse show and livestock demonstrations begin at 9 am.

June 28 - Strawberry Festival, Poland Spring Resort Inn, Rte. 26, Poland. FMI: 998-4364, 782-1077.

June 28 - Mary Kaye with Professor von Wienerschnitzel at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412.

June 28 and 29 - Lakeside Grange #63 Ninth Annual yard sale starting at 7 am at the Grange in Harrison Village. Early birds welcome!

June 29 - Painting a Maine Garden at McLaughlin Garden in South Paris. 10 am to 3 pm. FMI: 207-743-8820.

June 30 - Open House at Narramissic/Peabody Fitch House in South Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-3699.

June 30 - Portland Symphony Orchestra at Shawnee Peak. 7:30 pm. Fireworks following show. Pre-event tickets on sale at Shawnee Peak or online at: www.porttix.com

July 3 - Spaghetti Feast at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, 5 to 7 pm.

July 4 - 32nd Annual Bridgton 4 on the Fourth Road Race begins at 8 am at Main St. and Rte. 117. FMI or to register online: www.4onthe4th.com

July 5 - Friends of the Library Annual Book and Bake Sale at the Bridgton Public Library, 9 am to 3 pm. FMI: 207-647-2472.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Questions For The Code Enforcement Officer

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:12:03 -0500

When buying a Maine waterfront property always make your offer contingent on having a satisfactory discussion with the local Code Enforcement Officer. No matter how knowledgeable your buyer's agent may be, he or she has no jurisdiction over the application of state and local rules and ordinances. The Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) does.

Make an appointment to meet the CEO at the property. Walk the property with him or her and be prepared to ask questions. Here are some suggestions.

A good place to start is to confirm the things you already think you know. Never assume! For example, how close to the water can I build? What are the sideline setbacks? How far do I need to be from the road? Is that distance measured from the middle of the road or the side of the road? What are the location requirements for my septic tank, leach field, and well? If there is an existing structure in the 100 foot zone, am I able to utilize the 30% expansion rule?

Regarding what can and cannot be done within the 100 foot protected zone, here is a list of questions you may want to ask:

What bushes and trees can I cut down?

Can I prune back the bushes that grow along the shoreline?

Can I remove a half-dead or diseased tree?

Can I disturb a wildlife habitat, e.g. woodchuck burrow, bobolink nest, or beaver dam?

Can I keep a field area mowed and fertilized?

Can I pasture a horse in this area? What about other animals?

Where can I put in a dock and how big can it be?

Are there any limitations for boat and motor size for this body of water?

Can I have a firepit down by the water?

Can I plant anything I want, from vegetabe garden to trees and schrubs?

Can I use Round Up to kill off the poison ivy growing along the shoreline?

Can I move rocks, branches, leaves and debris that are currently under water?

Where can I move them to? To one side underwater, or can I remove them from the water and dispose of them?

These are some of the more common questions that come up when buyers contemplate a lakefront property purchase. Remember - make sure you protect yourself by always adding this contingency to your offer: "Offer is contingent upon having a satisfactory discussion with the local Code Enforcement Officer". Do your homework, ask good questions and make sure to get clear, satisfactory answers. Do this and you may save yourself some bitter disappointments and difficulties after the sale has closed.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Sandy Beach Tops the List

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:38:22 -0500

Of all the attributes of a lakefront property, having a sandy beach tops the list.

I remember growing up in Harrison and learning to swim at the public beach at Crystal Lake. This was long before the ballpark and picnic area was put it. There was just a winding path through an open field for the village kids to follow that ended at a beautiful sandy public beach on the south shore of the lake. Having that long expanse of sandy beach and also having sand beneath your feet as you walked out into the water was wonderful, but we just took that for commonplace. How little we knew as kids and how lucky we were.

Now that I work in a real estate business that specializes in lakefront property I realize how rare that sandy beach/sandy entry can be to find. But don't despair. If you're looking in the Sebago Lake area for property, your chances for finding that sandy beach are far greater than if you're looking up in the Rangeley area, for instance. For some reason, known only to geologists, sandy beaches are as rare as hen's teeth in Rangeley.

The Sebago Lake area is another story, however. We are blessed with many shorefront feet of sandy beach on any number of lakes and ponds in the area. Realize, however, that a property in possession of a sandy beach will reflect that desirable attribute in its price. The more sand you have, the higher the price, generally speaking.

If you'd like to read about all five top attributes of a lakefront property including the sandy beach go to our Lakefront 101. If you'd like to search on your own for a property with a nice sandy beach, use our Lakefront Locator.

Lincoln Regions Offers Maine Lakefront Real Estate in the Wild

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:30:09 -0500

The Lincoln region is anchored by two landmarks - the town of Lincoln, which sits just off the Interstate, and a fantastic, well-known body of water by the name of West Grand Lake.

This whole area is located on the east side of central Maine and has many lakes and ponds, but few towns and villages. North and east of Bangor and south and east of Katahdin, it runs from the Interstate, on its west side to the Canadian border and the Province of New Brunswick in the east.

Fishing and canoeing are the main areas of interest here along with the wonderful Maine wilderness experience you find in these more remote regions.

The major lakes and ponds in the region are found in the southeastern part, an area fairly remote and unpopulated. Find here the already mentioned West Grand Lake, also Nicatous Lake, Sysladobsis Lake, Junior Lake, and Big Lake. There are a couple of interesting groups of smaller lakes named First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Machias Lakes, and also First, Second and Third Chain Lakes.

Just outside of Lincoln are several small ponds, all in a group. They are Mattanawcook Pond, Crooked Pond, Folsom Pond, and Silver Lake. Then, just north of Rte. 6, find Stump Pond, Center Pond, Caribou Pond, Egg Pond, Long Pond, and Cambolasse Pond. Further to the east of here, nearer the Canadian border, find east and west Musquash Lake, Pleasant Lake, Baskahegan Lake, and Grand Lake.

The northern part of this area has fewer lakes and ponds, but several small towns. Travelling northeast away from Lincoln come to the towns and villages of Mattawamkeag, Macwahoc, Wytopitlock, and Danforth on the Canadian border. Travel for miles in this area without seeing much in the way of population - just vistas of forested hills, country roads, lakes and ponds, and abundant wildlife.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Lincoln Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

If you have a question or need a friend in the business let us know. We love Maine's lakes and ponds and want to share them with you.

Maine Waterfront Property - Kids and Fishing a Great Combination

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:03:06 -0500

I was reading a recent dispatch from the local fisheries biologist about some of the Sebago Lake area fishing going on and was remided what a memory-making activity fishing can be.

Young children are so impressionable and giving them a good fishing experience can provide them with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Take a minute to read this recent report and see if it doesn't make you want to go find a young person, dig up a bunch of worms, and go try your luck at a nearby lake or stream.

From the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, June 4, 2008:

Southwestern Maine - Local anglers have reported some great trout and salmon fishing in southern Maine over Memorial Day week, and the cool nights should continue that trend for the foreseeable future.

An angler from Raymond reported a fantastic trip on Sebago Lake, where two fishermen each caught and harvested their limit of six lake trout. Although their primary target was togue, they also caught and released several salmon with a total of 19 salmonids boated!

My dad went out on Sebago on Memorial Day with my brother-in-law, nephew, and my niece's boyfriend and they landed three salmon and a laker. My 11-year-old nephew, Casey Brown, caught a 16-inch landlocked salmon and a 24-inch lake trout. He released the salmon, but proudly harvested the trout. My sister stuffed the togue and baked it for dinner, and my nephew proclaimed, "I'm providing dinner for the family tonight!"

Stream fishing for trout also has been good. I ran into my neighbor's son while shopping at Cabela's and he reported catching some brookies and browns on the Little River in Gorham. He released the browns hoping they would grow up to the 24-incher he landed there a few years back, but decided to keep the "put-and-take" brookies that wouldn't fair too well once the river warms up later in the summer. I was planning to take my 4-year-old son, Hunter, bass fishing over the weekend, but our plans were foiled by the weather. Saturday rained and it was blowing a gale on Sunday afternoon. A four year old, high winds and a canoe are not a good combination. Hunter was disappointed, so I took him down to the Presumpscot River below the Mallison Dam. We saw several fly fishermen, and two of them landed trout during the short time we were there. Hunter managed to get in a half-dozen or more casts in with his Scooby-Doo fishing rod before deciding that throwing rocks into river was way more fun! He had a great time, and I realized that I was probably going to have to invest in a rod that casts more than 6-10 feet if I ever want him to catch a fish and stop throwing rocks!

Smallmouth bass are spawning and largemouths will soon follow. It's a great time to get out there and bass fish. Male smallmouths are extremely aggressive when guarding their nest, and it is not uncommon to catch the same fish multiple times in a day. However, spawning can be a difficult time on these fish and I wouldn't recommend over fishing a particular individual. Besides there may be a bigger bass behind the next boulder, although less aggressive, largemouths will also be easier to target during their spawning season. Not only is the action good, but you combine that with sight fishing and quality sized adults - it's hard to beat! In my opinion it can be one of the best fishing times of the year, and I'm a trout fisherman at heart.

Late spring bass fishing is also a great way to introduce kids to fishing, since the action and catching can be almost nonstop. Get outdoors and enjoy. It's one of the best seasons for both trout and bass! - James Pellerin, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray .

My thanks to the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for this report. You can check out an abundance of fishing opportunities at their website. Just click on this link.

For Maine Lakefront Real Estate Buyers, Time + Gas = Real $$$

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:53:15 -0500

With gas now at $4 a gallon for regular the last thing you want to be doing, if you're a buyer of Maine lakefront property, is driving all over hill and dale with a fistfull of listing addresses and your eyes glued to a GPS screen.

Your intentions are good - do a bunch of "drive bys", get a feel for the area, and whittle your "potentials" list down to something manageable. Sure, you burn through a $60 tank of gas and the use of a sick day to take a self-guided tour of the Maine lakefront market, but to make this effort worth it you need to accomplish what you set out to do.

More often than not, however, the ugly truth is you end up more scattered and confused than when you started and you come to the grim realization that the road to real estate hell is, indeed, paved with your "good intentions".

The sequence goes something like this: you start online and find ten properties that look pretty nice on the laptop. You're able to get the addresses, so you plug them into your GPS, you call in sick, you buy that $60 tank of gas, and you tool up I-95 to Maine. So far, so good. You're determined to see all ten properties.

You drive from one lake to another, down camp roads and on main roads; you see camps that don't seemed habitable and year round houses that seem gorgeous - all priced the same; you look at the same lake three different times, in three different towns and don't realize it; some addresses the GPS can't find and others are flat out wrong; you wonder how far it must be to buy a loaf of bread or charcoal or dog food after you've driven two miles on a private road that doesn't go anywhere. When you get out to look at the water you see all kinds of things: weeds, leaves, and muck, or sand, rocks and clear water. You see bushes growing along the water, dead trees on the shoreline, and a black hose going out into the lake. It seems that no two places are remotely similar and each property raises a host of questions, yet they're all priced pretty much the same.

Finally, you get to the last property on the list and you really like it. There's a real estate agency "For Sale" sign there with a phone number. You call. They answer. They tell you the seller needs a 24 hour notice to show it. Can you come back tomorrow? Arrgh!

You're already two hours late in getting back home. Your tired, dejected, and can't remember if it was the fourth or fifth place you saw that had that beautiful dock system and two car garage. You wonder what went wrong. How could driving around looking at houses be so exhausting? You thought it would just be a nice drive in the country.

But then you remember that buying a second home is a big decision, one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. This is serious stuff. You're a smart person, but there are so many issues that come to mind, so much to think about. And you really don't know all that much about the area, or what lake is better than another, or how far it is to the nearest hospital or movie theater, or who pays for the upkeep of a private road, or how do I get the septic system checked out, or why can't I build a deck on the front of the house, or what is that black hose doing running out into the lake?

Now you're getting stressed. You can feel the weight of all these questions bearing down on you as you drive in the twilight, back down I-95, back over the bridge to somewhere other than Maine. On the way, you have to stop in Kennebunk to get gas.

Don't let this be you. How? Very simple. Call a real estate exclusive buyer's agent first. Get to know them. Build a relationship. When you're ready to come to Maine, come to the buyer's agent office. Sit down with them and discuss what your needs and desires are in a lakefront property. Have a lakefront real estate expert explain the services he or she provides and let them help you find just the right property using the information about yourself that you provide to them. They know the market, they know the questions to ask, and they work exclusively for you.

A buyer's broker will not only save you time and gas money, but also negotiate the best price for you, help you with financing, facilitate all the paperwork, aid in any inspections, and go with you to closing.

And now, a shameless plug for the buyer's brokers at Mr. Lakefront. The buyer's brokers in our office are lakefront experts. Lakefront property is all we do. Just in the Sebago Lake area alone there are 60 lakes and 20 towns. Today there are over 240 lakefront properties listed in this area, $200,000 and up. Our brokers know these lakes, know these towns, and are familiar with most of these current listings. They can save you a lot of "looking around" on your own if you would just call them first and have a no obligation, introductory meeting. How easy is that?!

So, continue to use our Lakefront Locator to view current lakefront listings. But when you're ready to come and have a look, call us first. We'll help you find just the right property and alleviate a lot of the stress that can come with making such an important decision for you and your family. Oh yes, the number to call is 207-655-8787.

Maine Waterfront Property - Allagash Just Woods, Water, Beauty

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:29:49 -0500

One would be hard pressed to find a more remote wilderness area in the lower 48 than this most northwest area of Maine that we call The Allagash. It is also referred to, quite accurately, as The Great North Woods.

Largely owned by paper company and timber interests and encompassing no towns, save Allagash, this huge area features several large lakes in the south and rivers in the north.

The Allagash and St. John Rivers bisect the northern part of this region providing canoeists and fishermen with an unparalleled wilderness experience as they follow the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. To the south are the large lakes - Chamberlain, Caucomgomoc, Allagash, Churchill, Munsungan, Eagle, and Chemquasabamticook. The region is also spotted with many more smaller lakes and ponds.

Criss-crossed by logging roads and hiking trails, the Allagash is remote and harder to access than any other area in Maine, but holds a wonder and a unique beauty for any who are bold enough to explore it.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Allagash Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Maine Waterfront Property - Local Paper Says the Time to Buy is Now!

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:00:52 -0500

At the risk of beating the drum once too often, I was reading the local daily, the Portland Press Herald, and on their editorial page they were making note of the recent downward slide in home prices. They seem to see the same silver lining I do. While the lower prices may be a source of consternation for sellers, they are also a source of great opportunity for buyers.

Much is made, the editorial says, about buyers trying to time the market - waiting for the moment the bottom is reached and then jumping in with both feet. As I have opined in a previous post, the editorial says market timing is sheer folly. The editorial ends with these words of wisdom:

"This is likely a good time to buy a home, even if the market hasn't bottomed out. Sure, maybe in six months you might say you wished you held out a little longer. But then again, maybe not."

To read the whole editorial click here.

If you think now is the time to start looking for a great Maine lakefront property try our Lakefront Locator. Finding just the right Maine lakefront home has never been easier.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate Market - Nationally the Picture is Challenging

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:39:11 -0500

In my last blog I passed along some information about the current real estate market that I hoped might shed some light on things here in Maine. Historically, we don't suffer the severe swings in the market that some other places in the country do. That's a good thing.

But from the sounds of what the writer below thinks, we still have a ways to go to get back to a more even keel in the national market. It would look like we're staying in this buyer's market for another year - at least until there's some reduction in the inventory.

Remember, though, in the Maine lakefront property market one of the reasons it's resistant to more national trends is that there is a finite supply, i.e. there's only so much lakefront real estate. So, my advice, through good times and bad, is to find something you like, negotiate the best price you can get, and go for it.

Use our Lakefront Locator to find just the right lakefront property for you.

Here is the article I promised - not for the faint of heart, but, if you're a buyer, the real estate world is your oyster.

Do Sharp Cuts In Home Prices Spell Buyer's Dream Or A Trap?

The latest housing headlines look bleak. The supply of unsold homes hit a 23-year peak last month, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.

Builders have slashed construction, but still-falling sales and a flood of foreclosed homes mean a recovery in prices might be far off.

"We've dug ourselves a hole. We just have too many units hanging out there," said William Wheaton, director of research at MIT's Center for Real Estate.But there is a bottom somewhere to the housing hole.

Past slumps, especially in hard-hit regional markets, seemed desperate at the time. Still, areas such as California and Texas eventually soared again.

What should prospective real estate investors be watching to catch the inevitable upturn?

Sales and home construction have to stop falling, but that's only a first step, analysts say. The glut of unsold housing has to come down sharply before prices can bottom. And like the stock market, price is often your best indicator about real estate's direction.

Real estate slumps are usually local affairs, reflecting natural disasters or regional economic troubles. But the subprime lending crisis has resulted in the first nationwide home-price decline since the Depression by some measures.

States where sales, construction and prices rose most during the lax lending era will take longest to recover, analysts say. Many are located in the West, such as Arizona, Nevada and California. The last time Western states suffered a real estate slump was in the late '80s and early '90s after the savings and loan crisis and Federal Reserve rate hikes choked off credit.

In the West, existing-home sales peaked in late 1988 and bottomed in December 1990, with a sluggish, uneven recovery. New housing starts peaked in January 1990 and bottomed in March 1991.

Prices Last To Rise

Prices took far longer to recover. Los Angeles home values didn't rise year over year until October 1996, according to the widely respected S&P/Case-Shiller index. But they stayed positive for the next decade.

L.A.'s housing revival was slowed by a series of setbacks that included race riots, big aerospace layoffs and the Northridge earthquake.

In the latest boom and bust, U.S. home sales peaked in mid- to late 2005. Unsold homes, after a slow rise, started swelling in mid-2006. That's when national prices topped, according to the Case-Shiller's 20-city index.

As of February 2008, home values had fallen 12.7% vs. a year earlier. Monthly price declines have accelerated for the past several months.

Builders have slashed housing starts by 55% from their January 2006 top. Total unsold new properties have fallen. But that's been overwhelmed by weaker sales and foreclosed homes flooding the market.

Unsold existing homes soared to 11.2 months' worth at the April sales pace, NAR said. The inventory ratio for single-family homes was the highest since 1985.

"You need to get that down to a five-month range for prices to stabilize," Wheaton said.

Right now home values, though falling rapidly, are still rich in many markets after their huge run-ups.

Banks are slamming the door after handing out loans like candy on Halloween for most of the decade.

A net 60% of banks tightened standards on prime mortgages, according to the Federal Reserve's latest loan officer survey. Subprime loans have virtually disappeared.

With prices falling sharply, many credit-worthy borrowers are holding off for a better deal.

Soaring foreclosures are putting downward pressure on prices. That leads to more foreclosures, as borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth walk away.

"Foreclosures aren't the problem; they're the symptom. The issue is falling house prices that lead to foreclosure," said Morris Davis, assistant professor of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics at the University of Wisconsin.

Halting housing's slide is key to reviving the economy, which has grown at an anemic 0.6% annual rate in each of the last two quarters.

"The fundamental problem for the economy and the financial system is declining home prices. Until prices hit bottom, the economy and financial system will be very unsettled," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com.

Prices in some markets have started to stabilize or even pick up a bit. The markets include parts of North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New York. But those areas didn't experience huge gains in the boom.

Southern California sales shot up 22% in April vs. March as prices fell, according to DataQuick. Gains were strongest in hard-hit Riverside County, where overbuilding led to soaring foreclosures and a glut of homes.

But the overall picture is gloomy. MIT's Wheaton sees prices falling 20% nationally from the peak and maybe 30%-40% in boom areas such as Arizona, Florida and California.

Economy.com sees U.S. prices falling 25% peak to trough.

Both say prices are only halfway to their lows. So many are looking for government help to speed recovery.

"It is critical to stimulate housing demand by inducing fence-sitters back into the market," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors.

Regulators have eased capital requirements on government-backed mortgage finance giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. They responded in April with their biggest loan-buying binge in years.The Senate Banking Committee last week OK'd a bill to guarantee refinanced loans when current loan holders agree to lower the principal.The legislation still needs to clear the House and Senate. It's also not clear if President Bush will sign it.But supporters say that by giving owners equity in their homes again, they'll be less likely to default."Government action to encourage homebuying will do a lot to ease the pain and speed up the recovery process," said Bernard Markstein, senior economist and director of forecasting at the National Association of Home Builders.

Economy.com's Zandi agrees.

"If policymakers get a bit more aggressive and help with loan modifications, I think that foreclosures could top out by the end of this year and the market could bottom by the spring of ‘09," he said.

Yet calling a bottom is difficult. The NAR has had to lower its forecasts virtually ever month.

"This boom is not like the previous two or three that we have on record, so the risk is that the correction period will look different," Davis said.

BY SCOTT STODDARD

INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

Posted 5/23/2008

Maine Lakefront Real Estate Market - Bouncing Off the Bottom?

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:53:17 -0500

I get emailed a lot of information from, and about, the financial markets. Earlier this week I received an email from one service that talked about the recent stock market gyrations and offered an opinion about what was currently driving the market. Here's what it said, in part:

"For now, stocks seem focussed on the last crisis - that of the financial/housing mess - which seems to be pretty much over with. At least, almost every week we get more positive news about it.

Recently, we heard from Toll Brothers, the home building company. While the company's numbers were not brilliant, the Chairman spoke positively about lower cancellation rates and pent up demand for housing. And why should he not? After all, real estate is the one hard asset that has not risen along with commodities. It's due to have a turn. Besides, once the mortgage rate falls below the inflation rate, buying a home is a no-brainer investment.

So it makes sense that housing starts rose last week. More significantly, housing permits - a leading indicator for not just the housing sector but the economy as a whole - climbed for the first time in quite a while. We also heard from many brokers that the worst of the credit crunch has passed."

Well, it seems as if some folks think we may be finding a bottom. That's good news for buyers because the bottom is where, ideally, you want to be buying. It's also good news for sellers because, once the psychology changes about this market, more buyers will start coming into the market, properties will start selling again, and inventories will be reduced.

Have a great - and safe - Memorial Day weekend! Come to Maine and enjoy the fresh air and sunny weather!

Remember, if you'd like to take a look at the entire inventory of Maine lakefront property for sale, use our Lakefront Locator and find a lakefront home of your dreams.

Maine Waterfront Property - A Hard Asset That's Easy to Own

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:02:09 -0500

There's an old adage on Wall Street that goes "Sell in May and go away". What the swells on Wall Street mean is that there's historically not much going on in the market over the summer; in fact, the market often drifts downward during June, July and August, so it's best to just cash out for the summer, then get back into the market after Labor Day.

Well, I have a little amendent to that old adage. I say, "Sell in May and go away - to a nice Maine lakefront property"! Perhaps investors should think about the benefits of exchanging the often volatile liquid assets found in a stock portfolio for the hard assets of a piece of lakefront real estate in Maine.

When you look at your computer screen and see your stock holdings displayed in front of you do you also hear a loon calling? Do you hear the wind in the fragrant hemlocks overhead? Do you see a wide vista of clear blue water spread out in front of you, a boat bobbing in the water down by the dock?

If you're a little uncertain about which way the stock market is headed, maybe it's time to think about diverting some of those assets into a lakefront property. Historically, lakefront property has been a solid investment and right now is a great time to be a buyer. There's a lot on the market, buyers are scarce, and interest rates are low.

If you're concerned about the real estate market going down, take the longer view. Do you think the value of lakefront property will be higher or lower in five years? My guess is higher. Take any five year period in the last fifty years and you'd be hard pressed to find any five year period where lakefront real estate didn't go up in market value.

So, go ahead and "sell in May", but think about transferring that cash into something tangible, something you can enjoy, some place where you can go, where you can listen to the loons, smell the balsam-scented breezes, and feel the tug of a fish at the end of your line.

If you'd like to take a look at what Maine lakefront real estate is currently for sale, use our Lakefront Locator and search the entire state for a hard asset that's easy to own.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Finding It Your Way - Phase III

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:09:10 -0500

For folks not familiar with Maine, searching for lakefront property can be somewhat frustrating. After obtaining search results buyers have pondered "where the heck are these properties and what is their relative position to each other? "

Until now, displaying your search results using Lakefront Locator meant listing your results in a variety of ways. You can list results by price, high to low or low to high. You can list results from oldest listings to newest or newest to oldest. All good options, but still not totally satisfying.

Last fall, in response to our annual survey of suggested enhancements, we received a number of requests to plot, or map, search results so that one can see where each listing is in relation to each other.

Mr. Lakefront is proud to announce our new display option. All the list options remain as before, but we are releasing a Map It function. Let's say that the results of your search number 12 homes between $300k and $400k. If you choose to map your results, each listing will appear as a pin on a map. Clicking on a particular pin will give you basic info such as address, price and size. Also, lake info and position on the lake can be selected. For detailed listing info click listing details for additional information. Go to Lakefront Locator and give it a try!!

PLEASE NOTE: For the next few months it might be advisable to list your results prior to mapping them. Older listings in the MLS still have no street addresses assigned to them so they can't be mapped. As older listings fall from the MLS they will be replaced with new listings that have addresses that can be mapped. For example in the example above where 12 homes are found between $300k and $400k only 9 pins might appear on the map meaning that 3 older listings have no street address assigned to them.

p.s. I was recently asked by a competitor why the team at Mr Lakefront continues to strive to make it easier for lakefront buyers to find property on-line. "Aren't you guys working yourself out of a job?" he inquired. My answer is, "absolutely not."

Making it difficult for lakefront buyers to find property doesn't increase our value. We believe that buyers need to know what's out there in order to make an educated buying decision. Our value to the lakefront buyer goes far beyond simply finding possible properties that meet a client's criteria.

When it comes time to look at property we believe buyers will take advantage of our expertise and contact us. Our participation in the buying process, although very valuable indeed, actually costs the buyer nothing since commission dollars are paid by the seller.

Strange, but true!

This post contributed by Tom Ferent / Mr. Lakefront

Maine Waterfront Real Estate - In Maine, it's Not Always About the Money

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:21:59 -0500

Visitors to our fair state often never get beyond the idyll of Lobster, Lighthouses, Moose, Loons and Blueberries. A gorgeous coastline, crystal clear lakes, wondrous mountains, wild rivers, cathedral pines and hemlock all make for a pretty wonderful place.

However, a part of Maine few visitors ever get to witness is the one experienced by the average Mainer - high taxes, limited opportunities and few high paying manufacturing jobs. Only the most ardent free trader would say that NAFTA is good for Maine. Could H. Ross Perot have had it right after all?

Folks who choose to live here understand that there's more to life than making a buck. It's not always about the money. While folks "from away" buy up the beautiful lakefront property, many locals live in substandard housing down dusty dirt roads. Do Mainers resent "flatlanders" or folks ‘from away'? Maybe - sometimes - on occasion, but I seldom, if ever, see it. Pretty remarkable, I think.

Over the years, however, I have encountered poverty first hand. About 10 years ago while still in the corporate world, I visited Jacobsen, the turf equipment people in Racine, Wisconsin. The plant was in a run-down part of town. I stopped into a grocery for a cup of coffee and witnessed a down-on-his-luck guy buying a single cigarette for ten cents. The clerk behind the counter had an open pack of cigarettes and sold cigarettes to folks one at a time. The shopkeeper new what his customers could afford and made an effort to serve them.

I remembered that incident this past week. As Mr Lakefront, I have the pleasure of traveling to a lot of small towns all over Maine. Passing through Buckfield the other day, I stopped into the local grocery/convenience store. At that store in Buckfield one can buy a ham and cheese sandwich, a bag of chips and a 12 ounce can of soda all for $1.99. Now there's a merchant who knows that even the less fortunate among us deserve an affordable lunch. I will always stop and buy something at that store.

On the other hand, one of my favorite convenience stores, a local store here in the Sebago Lake region, has changed hands recently, the new owners determining that city life and corporate jobs are no match for the simpler life in Maine.

I stopped in the store the other day and was greeted by bright lights and a renovated interior. The store was no longer dark inside. In fact it was as bright as any 7-11 you would find in a city. I checked the hot food container for the "to-die-for" chili dogs, but they were no where to be found. I did see a pizza, lazily turning in the hot food container. A bit dissapointed that I would not be enjoying two red dogs with chili, I ordered the next best thing - a slice of pizza.

The clerk said that will be $4.00 please. I said "WHAT???". I may pay $4.00 for a gallon of gas, but I will never pay $4.00 for a slice of pizza! The clerk said to me, "You don't understand sir, our slices are one quarter the size of the pizza." I said, "You don't understand. I don't want a quarter of the pizza, I just want a slice." I walked out empty handed.

I have a feeling that maybe one of the new owners has a degree in Marketing and believes that 1- people spend more money in bright places than in dark places (I'm not sure of that one) and 2- people will spend $4.00 on a slice of pizza, if you ask for it.

While most of the changes to this local convenience store are welcome and long overdue, I think the new owners need to visit the store in Buckfield and learn something they didn't in Marketing 101. And that is, it's not always about the money. Sometimes less is more. Especially here in Maine.

Contributed by Tom Ferent / Mr. Lakefront.

Katahdin Stands Guard Over Beautiful Maine Waterfront Property

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:08:55 -0500

An exciting wilderness adventure awaits anyone who visits this area no matter the time of year. The Katahdin Region offers a fantastic family experience whether its for the wildlife and wilderness enthusiast or the sporting adventurer. There are miles and miles of terrain to be explored by any hiker, hunter, or fisherman.

The lakes, rivers and streams are considered among the best in the world for kayakers, canoeists, and whitewater thrillseekers. In the winter season snowmobilers will find hundreds of miles of groomed trails offering spectacular scenery.

Located just an hour's drive from Bangor and easily accessible from the Interstate, the Katahdin region is home to Baxter State Park and Maine's tallest peak, Mt. Katahdin. Baxter State Park is a wilderness area of over 200,000 acres, intersected by more than 175 miles of hiking trails including the eastern end of the Appalachian Trail.

Despite its remoteness, the Katahdin Region offers its visitors and residents a high quality of life. The school systems in the Millinocket area are outstanding and offer students a wide variety of extracurricular activities. First quality health care services and facilities are found at the Millinocket Regional Hospital and there are two medical centers in East Millinocket. The community recreation resources include swimming pools, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a golf course, and launch ramps for boats.

Boaters, fishermen and lakefront property buyers know that most lakes and ponds are found in the southern end of this region. Find here Schoodic Lake, Seboeis Lake, North and South Twin Lake, Upper, Middle and Lower Jo-Mary Lake, Millinocket Lake, and Dolby Pond. In the upper end of the region are Caribou Lake, Chesuncook Lake, and Telos Lake.

Whether you're a fisherman, hiker, snowmobiler, or just a lover of nature and wilderness, this region is for you. Come and enjoy the Appalachian Trail, Gauntlet Falls, Gulf Hagus (called "the Grand Canyon of the East"), and discover the southern edges of Maine's Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Thrill to wildlife in its natural state, gaze upon the awesome scenery, and ponder a future here - with you in it!

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Katahdin Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Jetski Update

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:45:57 -0500

In a blog post on April 14 I questioned the timing of a legal action taken by a jetski owner who was challenging the state's right to prohibit jetskis on a particular lake.

At that time I said that he was kicking a sleeping dog that might just turn around and bite him. I said this because I sensed a change in people's attitudes ever since last summer's horrific power boat accident on Long Lake. More and more folks want to do something about wild and reckless behavior on our beautiful lakes and ponds.

Well, this week the Supreme Court for the State of Maine ruled that the state had the right to prohibit jetskis from any lake or great pond. SEE FULL STORY.

I don't know whether the owner was working alone or whether he was egged on by special interests, but he made a bad miscalculation - a miscalculation that, in a way, affects us all. The result is less personal liberty for all of us because of the wild and reckless actions of a few.

Up here in Maine the Yankee spirit lives on. Rugged individualism, personal liberty, individual responsibility are not dead concepts from dusty history books. These ideas are still alive and well in Maine. But, less so today than yesterday.

Most folks are tolerant of jetskis. The attitude is "live and let live". The prevailing feeling has been "there's nothing we can do about it anyway". UNTIL NOW.

The fact that here in Maine communities could petition the state to actually outlaw jetskis was not widely known. Now, due to the press coverage this case received, I predict that folks who have begrudgingly "put up" with jetskis in the past might decide to work towards their prohibition on their particular lake or pond. Is this a good thing?

Mr Lakefront's attitude is the same as Rodney King's "Can't we all just get along?"

Snowmobile clubs in Maine have done a great job "going mainstream," becoming good and solid citizens by being responsible and sensitive to others. Jetski owners should take note and follow their example. Otherwise they'll be fewer lakes and ponds that welcome them in the future.

This posting contributed by Tom Ferent / Mr. Lakefront.

Maine Waterfront Property - Land Prices Reflect Quality of Water They're On

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:33:58 -0500

I had a customer recently who inquired about a waterfront land listing on the west shore of Kezar Lake in Lovell. This property is 1.96 acres with 438 feet of shore frontage and lists for $625,000.

After I sent him the listing information he sent me back an email that said, "What makes this, less than 2 acre, plot so expensive? At over $600K for 2 acres, I would expect a house, etc. on the property." Indeed, he expects a house with this land priced so high. Why not a three car garage and stables for the horses!

I told him that there were two key factors at play here. One is that there aren't many nice private, buildable lakefront lots out there for sale. The second is that Kezar Lake is one of the most desireable lakes in the area. That combination keeps the price on the high side.

Now, while I don't think there is a line of people ready with full price offers beating down the door of the local real estate office, this asking price is probably not too far off the mark. In fact, there's another lot right beside this one that is 1.13 acres with 150 feet on the water that's listing for $675,000! Last year a lot on Thompson Lake in Poland that had 600 feet on the water sold for over $1 million. Kezar and Thompson are two very sought after lakes.

Take those same lots and move them to smaller bodies of water and the price goes down. Move them to bodies of water further north in the state and the price will also go down. Yes, it's the old "location, location, location" song that the real estate market sings. Generally speaking, the smaller the body of water the smaller the price for the land around it - relatively speaking, of course. Go up north and the price goes down, too.

In the same town that Kezar Lake is in, Lovell, there's another body of water called Bradley Pond. It's probably not 50 acres in size. There's nothing wrong with it - it's just small, that's all. There's a land listing with shore frontage on that pond - 6.5 acres and 665 feet of frontage. The asking price? $187,500.

Now there are, of course, other mitigating factors on these land values besides 1)buildable lakefront land scarcity and 2)the lake they're located on. For instance, what's the slope to the lot, will the soils condition allow a septic system, what's the entry to the water like, how good is the water view, is it private, what's the vegetation, and are there accessability issues.

But desireability of the lake and the size of the lake play a big role in the price of the land that touches it's waters. One of the keys to knowing lakefront land value is to know your lake.

To take a closer look at the land listings referenced in this blog posting by using these hotlinks:

Lovell - Kezar Lake - 1.96 acres - 438 feet of frontage - $625k.

Lovell - Kezar Lake - 1.13 acres - 150 feet of frontage - $675k.

Lovell - Bradley Pond - 6.5 acres - 665 feet of frontage - $187,500.

Bangor is Central to Central Maine Waterfront Property

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:07:35 -0500

The Bangor Region is centrally located - and some would say, ideally located - in the state of Maine as it serves as the gateway to the Katahdin/Baxter State Park area to the north and the Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park to the south.

The area is surrounded by all the natural beauty that Maine is famous for - our rugged ocean coastline, majestic mountains, a mighty river - the Penobscot, and many beautiful, clean, scenic lakes and ponds.

Bangor, central Maine's queen city, was once the lumber capital of the world. Now it has a more cosmopolitan flavor, featuring many fine restaurants, interesting shops, and much in the way of cultural events and performing arts.

The Maine Turnpike bisects this region, providing easy access to all its lakes and ponds. From Dover-Foxcroft, Milo, and Howland in the north to Bucksport and Unity in the south, the Bangor Region features many small towns and many attractive lakes and ponds as well.

The larger ones to look for are Sebec Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Pushaw Lake, and Branch Lake. Some of the popular smaller lakes and ponds are Phillips Lake, Green Lake, Lake Winnecook, and Cold Stream Pond. These area lakes and ponds have been enjoyed by locals for generations and are now becoming discovered by people "from away" as places to retreat to while providing a jumping off place to discover the natural wonders of Maine that lie within easy driving distance.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Bangor Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Building Your Lakefront Dreamhouse? Think Resale!

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:59:26 -0500

As a listing agent I often ask myself "What were the sellers thinking when they built this house?"

Often times bright, sharp and savvy people will build a home to their individual tastes and singular specifications never thinking that someday they might want to sell. Now, those of you who don't care whether your lakefront home is a good long term investment or not can stop reading right here. But, if you care about the long term value of your lakefront home, please read on.

#1 Mistake - Building a suburban style home on the lake - Lakefront property is vacation property. For most lakefront buyers, a lake home is a second home used for vacation getaways. They are looking for a home that has rusticity. They want something that is authentic and "evergreen" rather than "plastic" or trendy. The classic Maine camp with a pine interior is a look that never goes out of style. It's authentic - hardwood floors, bead board, fieldstone fireplaces, screened porches, cathedral ceilings, granite and/or flagstone hardscape, solid pine doors, three-quarter inch Pickwick pine. These are the things that make vacation homes in the lakes region. This is what's forever in demand. If you dislike log homes, how about a post and beam?

Wall-to-wall carpeting, Euro-style kitchen cabinets, hollow core doors, Formica this and that, walls of sheet rock, and fibreglass shower enclosures might be what's great in the suburbs, but not here.

When you decide to build, remember you might want to sell someday. Build what's always in demand, not what's trendy.

#2 Mistake - Planning the home before buying the lot - But more than how it's appointed is how little thought is given to the home's relationship to the lake. Often times, folks from away spend gobs of time working on home plans before they buy their lakefront lot. They then, with great futility, try to fit the home to a lot and miss the mark. What one should do is buy a lot and then design a house to take advantage of the best features of the lot. Don't get it backwards.

#3 Mistake - Not considering functionality - Last Sunday I visited a 10 year old four bedroom house with one three quarter bath and two half baths. Why would anyone build a four bedroom house with one shower, no bathtub and 3 toilets? ( I know, there's a joke in there somewhere). My advice: if your finished living space is spread over three levels, you need two three quarter baths and one full bath, with a bathroom on every floor. And every house needs at least one tub. Where do you wash the toddlers in the family? And bedrooms? You need at least one on the first floor.

#4 Mistake - Leaving the decisions to the "experts" Sometimes wealthy people,who sometimes have more dollars than sense, will leave all the details to a trendy architect they found in Downeast Magazine. Big Mistake. I recently visited a million dollar property on Pleasant Lake. None of the bedrooms had closets. The architect didn't like closets!! A triumph of form over function. The old Yankees who built half the homes on the lakes would never have stood for such foolishness.

#5 Mistake - Giving more thought to the house rather than the the lot it sits on - Everyone wants a house they can be proud of. But here in the lake region you want a lot that has great views, sandy beach swimming and privacy. Please read The 5 Top Attributes of a lakefront property. Over time it's the lot that appreciates in value not the structure. If you're going to overspend on something, overspend on the lot.

This posting contributed by Tom Ferent/Mr. Lakefront

For Waterfront Property Buyers - Now's The Time

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:23:51 -0500

In the aftermath of a long, snowy winter where the evening news was filled with stories about mortgage meltdowns, rising oil prices, recession, inflation, a long presidential campaign, and a longer war, it's no wonder we all feel a little worn out. But I've been reading some sunnier news.

You may be surprised to know that this is a great time to be a buyer of lakefront real estate. Why? Predominantly because since late 2005 the market has turned - from a seller's market to a buyer's market. By that I simply mean there are more people selling than there are people buying. That puts the buyer in the driver's seat. Here's a short list of why buyers have things going their way right now.

1 - Selection. There's a lot of property for sale right now and more coming onto the market every day. Selection not only means there's a lot more to choose from, but also that there will be competitive pricing.

2 - Bargaining Power. With an overabundance of sellers wanting to attract the attention of an insufficient number of buyers, the buyers have the advantage on pricing. Buyers can use similar properties for sale in the same market as motivators for sellers to listen to reasonable offers.

3 - Low Mortgage Rates. 30 year fixed, still around 6%. Cheap money. Need I say more.

4 - Timing. It's spring and we're just coming into the season for lakefront property. This is the best time to start looking. Sometimes a buyer can find an early season bargain, other times it's just helpful to know what's currently out there early on, then watch the market weekly to see what new comes on. Enlisting the help of a buyer's broker can be very helpful. Plus, if you get something under contract early in the season, you can enjoy it this year, not next...which brings me to my last point...

5 - Enjoyment. Looking at balances in a savings account, CD, or stock portfolio is all well and good, but as far as assets go, you can't beat sitting in a wicker lawn chair, putting your feet up on a deck rail on a July afternoon, a cold beverage in hand, and looking out at the water - and it's all yours. It's your asset, you own it, and you can enjoy it - by yourself, with your family, and with friends. How great of an asset is that?!

If you're like most people there are probably a hundred reasons not to make a move on a waterfront property this year, but my guess is they pale in comparison to the five reasons for buying that I list above.

If you'd like to start looking, there's no better place to start than online, using our Lakefront Locator. You can see all the current listings, see them located on a map, and get more information by simply shooting us an email directly from the site. Try it out. It's a good place to start.

The Downeast Region - Waterfront Property by Sea and by Lake

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:57:54 -0500

If you seek the quintessential Maine coast experience, this area of Maine - from Stonington and Castine, through Blue Hill, Acadia and Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, and on up the coast and inland to Schoodic Point, Cherryfield, Milbridge, and Columbia Falls - offers visitors and locals alike everything one could ask for in a Maine coastal experience.

Acadia Park, Bar Harbor, and Mount Desert Island are known all over the world for their scenic beauty and history. The Blue Hill area and south to Deer Isle and Stonington are pure coastal Maine - a spare population, busy, working harbors, lobster traps, chugging boats, and the cries of the seagulls overhead. For many, this is what Maine is all about and what has drawn people to this area since Samuel de Champlain first gazed on Cadillac Mountain 500 years ago.

Volumes have been filled waxing poetic about this area of Maine. However, one of the attractions of this area that is little mentioned is the proximity and beauty of the mid-coastal mountains and how they surround many wonderful clear lakes and ponds.

These bodies of water have an abundance of sandy beaches, glacial rock deposits, and a network of hiking trails. In addition to the great boating and fishing, you can find a wide diversity of wildlife and unspoiled, regional fauna. Establish a foothold on any of these fresh water bodies and enjoy all the aforementioned inland beauty while being a stone's throw from the Maine coast and the Great Atlantic.

Among the lakes and ponds you'll find here are Walker Pond, Toddy Pond, and Wight Pond in the Blue Hill area. Then, as you move east and north, beyond Ellsworth, you'll find Graham Lake, Green Lake, and Beech Hill Pond, as well as Upper, Middle and Lower Lead Mountain Ponds, Rocky Pond, Spectacle Pond, Molasses Pond, Webb Pond, Abrams Pond, Tunk Lake, Beddington Lake, and Pleasant River Lake.

From fresh water fun and recreation to the majesty of the ocean - the Downeast Region has much to recommend it.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Downeast Region. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Engineers, Nonresidents Fuel Naples Lakefront Bridge Controversy

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:53:55 -0500

Controversy continues to surround the fate of the Naples causeway bridge project as the date nears for a local, non-binding referendum vote on the bridge options May 20th.

Two items in the local newspaper point out the difficulties in deciding this question.

The first describes the response to an appeal made to the Army Corps of Engineers to designate the Standish-to-Harrison waterway a "U.S. Navigable Waterway". Such a classification would make it incumbent upon the federal government to keep the waterway open which would impact the type of bridge that would be built to replace the aging swing bridge currently in place. The Corps of Engineers have told the town that the waterway does not qualify for such classification. However, Naples town manager Derik Goodine read the reasoning behind the judgement and felt that, given their criteria, this waterway should be classified as a "U.S. Navigable Waterway", with all the attending benefits. He has repetitioned the Corps of Engineers and is awaiting a response. You can read the full article in our Lake News.

The other item that caught out interest was a letter to the editor of the Bridgton News that says that the referendum on May 20th is a sham because many of the people that will be affected by the bridge decision are lakefront property owners and many of them are nonresidents - and therefore not able to vote their preferences. The writer has a bit more to say, as well, and you can also read the full text in our Lake News.

As always, we will try to post updates about this controversy as they develop.

Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Is There a Condo in Your Future?

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:21:59 -0500

Now, I know what you're thinking. When it comes to lakefront living, the thought of a condo leaves many lakefront buyers cold.

That's because in their mind's eye they see a concrete tower brimming with boxy units filled with indoor/outdoor carpeting, formica counters, vinyl sheet tile, avocado appliances and other vestiges of the seventies.

But, the truth is, lakefront condos in Vacationland, for the most part, are quite nicely appointed. They have woodburning fireplaces, screen porches, decks and master suites.

But what about privacy? Relax. Here in the lakes region there are no concrete hallways smelling of boiled cabbage and stale garlic. No grumpy asssociation members trying to outlaw fun.

Most condos have private entrances. Units are grouped tastefully in quads, threes, twos and even single "stand-alone". Condominium communities feature large, beautiful sandy beaches, private boat slips, garages, and private boat launches. Some have tennis courts and playgrounds for kids.

But the real reason for the growing popularity of condos is they are, in two words, PRACTICAL and CONVENIENT. There are no walkways to shovel or driveways to plow in winter. No lawns to cut or bushes to trim from spring to fall. No putting in and taking out your dock. The exterior of your unit is painted every few years and the roof is reshingled every 15 or 20 years. Monthly association fees take care of it all. Drive up on a Friday night and there's nothing to do but RELAX. What could be nicer?

Still skeptical? Okay, but seeing is believing. I happen to be listing a townhouse condo in Winsor Green, a lovely lakefront community in Naples right on Brandy Pond in the heart of the lakes region.

I am planning an Open House for Sunday May 4 from Noon to 3PM. Why not plan to visit and take a look. Who knows? Maybe you'll like what you see. Consider yourself invited!

Maine Waterfront Property - Embden Area Offers Beauty, Serenity

Jon Whitney (MrLakefront Keller Williams) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:59:48 -0500

The Embden Region is located north of the Belgrade Lakes and south of Moosehead, about 4 1/2 hours from Boston. This sparsely populated area is dotted with small lakes and ponds and offers lakefront properties in a variety of settings and price points.

The names of the prominent towns in this area - Bingham, Solon, Caratunk, Harmony, Athens, Guilford, and Monson - are not that well-known outside of Maine, reflecting the rural nature of this region. Similarly, the lakes and ponds are not household names either - Embden Pond, Great Moose Lake, Indian Pond, Piper Pond, Lake Hebron, Sebec Lake, Whetstone Pond, Pleasant Pond, Moxie Pond, Kingsbury Pond, and Manhanock Pond - but what they may lack in size and recognition they more than make up for in offering settings for properties that reflect the timelessness and serenity of rural Maine lakefront living.

The mighty Kennebec River courses through this area from north to south and the Appalachian Trail bisects the region from west to east, meandering its way to its terminus on top of Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak. There is ample opportunity for fishing, camping and canoeing or, if you're a little more adventurous, try one of the area white water rafting trips. Great downhill skiing is nearby, just to the west, at both Sugarloaf and Saddleback and there's unlimited opportunities for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Lakefront Locator will get you to available listings in the Embden Lakes Area. LakeSmart is a research tool that will give you important information about area lakes.

Remember, you can change the house but you can't change the location. So, do your homework! If you have a question or need a friend in the business let us know. We love Maine's lakes and ponds and want to share them with you.