E.Pat's Blog

Helpful article:10 Things to know about the new Tax Credit

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:23:43 -0600

I (@gramEpat) was recently reading an interesting tweet from @maineRealtors about the Home Buyer Recent Tax Credit: 10 Things To Know - via CNN Money - Click the link for a very interesting article.

It clearly explains the new Tax credit law * . At least, I hope I clearly understand it. ...Now if they can just come up with a plan to help the 2nd home/vacation home buyer market...that would make me a 'happy camper'....

The first time buyer tax credit has made a huge difference in many parts of Maine...but our tourist industry areas also need a 'shot in the arm'. ... (*The increased sales price limit for a principal residence (up to $800,000...) should be helpful to jumpstart the market in the Bar Harbor area.)

I want to share the beauty that surrounds us in Acadia National Park!...

November Sunset ......a kaleidoscope of colors from our deck

MAINE REAL ESTATE SALES UP 22.74 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:11:50 -0500

The tax credit has been very beneficial to our housing industry and especially to the State of Maine!...(See Press release at the bottom of this message.)

National statistics released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicate a 7.7 percent single-family home sales increase in the past 12 months!

With your help, we can 'keep the ball rolling'. Please contact your State Senators and ask them to support the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment to extend the housing tax credit.

To all you Maine Realtor 'Rainmakers':To contact Senators Snowe and Collins , you can send email directly from their sites, or get phone/fax info at: Sen. Snowe: http://snowe.senate.gov or Sen. Collins: http://collins.senate.gov.

TAX CREDIT EXTENSION: NAR reports that early next week the U.S. Senate will be voting on two amendments that would extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit. NAR is only supporting the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment because it will: provide the $8,000 tax credit to any buyer (not just first time); set income limits at $150,000/$300,000 for single/married buyers; make the credit available until June 30, 2010.

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MAINE REAL ESTATE SALES UP 22.74 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER

SOUTH PORTLAND (October 23, 2009)-Sales of single-family existing homes in Maine rose a strong 22.74 percent in September 2009 compared with the same month in 2008. The Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. reported a median sales price (MSP) of $167,000, a decrease of 6.05 percent from last September, again highlighting the increase in the first time buyer market in Maine. The September median price is an increase from August 2009's MSP of $162,800. The median sales price indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

Bar Harbor Maine, "My Home, Sweet Home"

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:30:09 -0500

"God Bless the USA"...(Lee Greenwood Video). It makes me so proud to be an American.

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "

I was doing a google search and discovered that the unofficial national anthem of the United States was composed by an immigrant who left his home in Siberia for the USA when he was only five years old. The original version of "God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin (1888-1989) during the summer of 1918 (Thank you, Irving Berlin for these inspiring words and for sharing your incredible talent).

And..Thank you, Artist Gail Ribas, for sharing your incredible talent! I LOVE your paintings and value your friendship!

Happy 4th of July....Hope our paths cross during the day at the Bar Harbor Festivities! (My Home Sweet Home)
"God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America,
My home sweet home. " Realtor GramEpat

Faith Can Move Mountains, but Not Balance Rock

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:32:36 -0500

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can " ...

Don't give up looking for 'Your piece of Maine'. Let me know how I can help.(See info below about recent legislation).

PS: Just FYI:
I have no intentions of climbing the mountain and attempting to help move Balance Rock!
Many tourists in Acadia National Park have tried unsuccessfully to do that without my help! :)

Bubble Rock on South Bubble Mountain, Balance Rock on the Bar Harbor Shore Path, and white Lucerne granite are classic examples of glacial erratics found on Mt.Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park.

OUR MAINE GOVERNOR REMOVES TRANSFER TAX INCREASE: Thank you to Governor John Baldacci who REMOVED the proposed Transfer Tax increase on homes priced $500K or higher that was passed in the initial Tax Reform Legislation. The Maine Association of Realtors would have preferred a veto of the entire bill, however, the removal of this increase before passage of Tax Reform is HUGE for real estate in our State.

Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Wearing your bathing suit when the tide goes out?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:41:22 -0500

I got a kick out of a recent Warren Buffett quote that a friend told me:

"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked". Warren Buffett

FYI:The water temperature at Sand Beach, Acadia National Park's popular swimming area, rarely exceeds 55 degrees, so don't even think about skinny-dipping in those Maine waters. According to a posting at boston.com/travel, "It's far better to stroll at night -- and bundled up -- when the shimmering bioluminescence from microscopic creatures in the bay can sometimes illuminate the adjacent rocky bluffs".

"If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians".
Warren Buffett
"It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price".
Warren Buffett
"In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield".
Warren Buffett
**" If you're in the luckiest 1 per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent"**.

No worries on this end...I'm covered with Polar Fleece from head to toe!..

Realtor GramEpat

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Funds Available to 'Live Where You Work'

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:26:21 -0500

I was so delighted to read in our MAR newsletter this AM that the Maine Association of REALTORS Foundation is one of the first REALTOR Foundations in the country to receive an Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant from the National Association of REALTORS. Grants are now available to help low- and moderate- income working families secure safe and decent housing (http://www.realtor.org/iragribingrant).

In Maine, the $50,000 will be used to fund a new Foundation program called Live Where You Work, to help families with downpayment and closing cost assistance for a home purchase that is more than 30 minutes closer to their employment. The Live Where You Work program will increase access to home ownership and decrease commuting costs for home buyers. We anticipate the program will kick-off during the summer of 2009.

In our area,(Acadia National Park) it is not uncommon for our workforce to live 'off island' and commute from the mainland. I am hopeful that some of our commuters will be able to benefit from this grant program...and be able to live and work on Mt.Desert Island.

Realtor GramEpat

Contemplating investing in 'Your Piece of Maine'?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:11:52 -0500

Contemplating 'Your Piece of Maine"?
My friend, Ben Kimball offered to let me use his self portrait in my recent ads.
He took the photo this past December. It's on Champlain Mtn. overlooking The Bowl. The knob just above his head is the backside of The Beehive. (Thank you, Ben!)

Now is the time to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit for qualified buyers.

Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Heading for the Club House today?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:48:00 -0500

I found an interesting piece of history when I was doing some research online

(when I should have been working or Spring cleaning)

American Women's Realty New York 1927

American Woman's Realty Corporation, was formed by the American Woman's Association, Inc., for the purpose of financing the construction of a club/house for working women.

Spring Clean?....or head for the Club House today?... Tough choices. Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

"The Living Past" Funded by Grants

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:08:25 -0600

1761 funding formula/stimulus package....Grants from Great Britain to development an Island off the coast of Maine...now the Home of Acadia National Park.

When I trek around the Somes Harbor, it's hard to imagine that the first permanent settlement on Mt. Desert Island (founded by Abraham Somes in 1761) turned into a thriving industrial center with seven mills and five shipyards! ...The mills are gone...and so are the shipyards...but the Harbor and the fjord remain as incredible as they must have been when he first arrived on the Island from Gloucester, Mass.

I did a little research and found out that Abraham obtained the land for development on grants from Francis Bernard, who was the governor of Massachusetts .Securing the property for Great Britain, he chose to establish a village (along with James Richardson) at the North end of the fjord which cuts through the center of the island. (located across the street from my office)... The harbor would later be named after him as Somes Sound . His settlement , named Somesville, would develop into an important trading location that largely allowed for the rest of the island to be permanently colonized in the years following the American Revolutionary War. (All of this island development starting with a person with vision , courage...and imagination...requesting a stimulus funding grant from Great Britain!)

Abraham served in the military, then returned to Somesville where he raised his family of 13 children.

I am so delighted that my friend Dr.Virginia Somes Sanderson honored his memory with the memorial stone at the harbor and captured his memory in her book, "The Living Past". Thank you ,Virginia. I think of you often when I rest near Abraham's stone, and gaze out over Somes Sound......and ponder the amazing beauty of Abraham's settlement on the coast of Maine...."The Living Past" funded by GRANTS!
Realtor gramEpat technorati tag

One Step at a Time

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:51:44 -0600

"I hope that battery is still working on that electronic lock box"!

(Glad each office was provided with a spare back up battery!)

We're not used to using lock boxes in Acadia National Park. However, we'll adapt with time and patience.

It's been really helpful to use the key card for multiple purposes ...I like using the card for our educational courses and tracking CE credits online. (Thank you, MAR for making those arrangements).

I know I can do this...just 'One Step at a Time"....(Thanks to my LLBean 'Tubbs')

Gotta Love Maine Winters!

Especially On Long Pond, in Acadia National Park! Life is good :)

Realtor: GramEpat

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"I Love to Show Kitchens"

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:33:41 -0600

I get such a kick out of it when new agents say "I want to be a real estate agent because I LOVE to show kitchens" :)
I was thinking about that yesterday when I went in almost blizzard conditions (15+ inches of snow predicted)...to meet a buyer's agent and building inspector at one of my favorite listings (Higgin's Store in Somesville, Maine).
The first thing I had to do at my office was shovel my way to the car. (Couldn't snow shoe because the "LLBean Tubbs" were in the trunk of my car)...Then I had to 'de-ice' the car before I could take it down the highway. Good thing I have front wheel drive because the snow plow driver had not yet made his afternoon swipe through my door yard.

When I got to the listing, I parked out front because....again....LOTS of snow in the normal parking areas behind the building. (Probably the guy who plows my driveway also plows Julie's...He's also a fireman...so I wouldn't be surprised if he was in still in Northeast Harbor, helping clean up after the most recent fire!. )

Fortunately the seller left a shovel, broom, and sand and salt for the ice...(Thank you , Julie).

Once the walkway was shoveled, the back steps and apartment steps shoveled and swept...and sand and salt put down over the ice,...I was ready to try to retrieve the hidden key and unlock the door.......While all of this is happening...my car is again covered with snow and ice. (Which means that ,after we finish with the inspection,....I start all over again...shoveling the door yard, 'de-icing' the car, etc...)
The other hearty souls arrived....high spirited...with chats about ice fishing, skiing, and the other fun winter sports that were on the agenda for the 'snow day'....We all decided that when the inspection was completed, we would just call it a day and either settle in by our wood stoves and/or fireplaces, or opt to don the winter gear and play in the snow.

Gotta love selling real estate in Acadia National Park in January.

I LOVE Maine winters and Sellers, Buyers, Agents and Affiliates who embrace change and challenges!...I find myself reminiscing about why so many Realtors got into this business in the first place.

"They love to show kitchens" :) Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Where there's a will, there's a way

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:05:03 -0600

Maine Winters in Acadia National Park!....Gotta love it!

Realtors in the Acadia Council are a hearty group ..Especially the Seller's agents! In this area, if you are a seller's agent...and have an appointment to show your listing... and have to get INTO your office to get the listing information, keys and/or card reader before you meet at the property...before you attempt to get INTO your listing to show it... you better allow an extra few hours between appointments!

Seasoned Maine Realtors on Mt.Desert Island know that 'where there's a will there's a way'. Not only do they have to shovel their way into their office, they travel with shovels in their cars...and quite often have to shovel their way into the property they plan to show. LLBean Snow shoes and ice grippers are standard equipment...salt for the ice.....shovels, ice scrapers...and flash lights...(it gets dark mid afternoon!). Other standard equipment includes extra scarves, mittens, hats....granola bars, water...and jumper cables..(never know if that diesel will start after it's been sitting still in sub zero weather!)...Thank goodness for AAA...and polar fleece!..and friends with plow trucks and sanders...but...'where there's a will, there's a way'!....

On this Maine Coastal island, Serious buyers rarely cancel an appointment just because there's a little blizzard or 'Nor'easter'...Hiking boots and fluorescent gear help when you're trekking down the highway in a blizzard (because the diesel should not be 'out and about' in sub zero weather).....hoping to arrive in time to shovel, sweep, and de-ice ...to get the door open and the lights on before the buyer and their agent arrive.
...It's no wonder that on Mount Desert Island it is common for the listing broker to meet the buyers and their agent at the property. Buyer's agents in Acadia National Park are 'wicked smart'....They don't mind giving the listing agent advance notice to show a property...that allows plenty of time for shoveling decks, sidewalks, and entryways.

PS:Thanks, Betty...for serving Hot Cocoa this AM at the Bar Harbor Hostel listing...a much appreciated treat in below zero weather...especially after returning from Gail's unheated Bar Harbor shorefront property ..

PS: Gail...loved your full length fur coat and red hat and mittens...!...You were brave to host an open house this AM...(7 below zero at a 'closed down' shorefront home!)...You're a real trooper!

Gotta love this winter wonderland!...."Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

SING like you don't need the MONEY

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:45:55 -0600

Survival tips below from an old veteran..."Hang in there"...'When the going gets tough, the tough get going'!

"You've got to sing like you don't need the money,

Love like you'll never get hurt.

You've got to dance like no one is watching.

It's gotta come from the heart, if you want it to work."

Dance like there's nobody watching
Love like you'll never get hurt
Sing like there's nobody listening
Live like it's heaven on earth
And speak from the heart to be heard.

William W.Purkey is the source of this quotation that is attributed to many others: it was made popular in the song "Come From The Heart" written by Susannah Clark and Richard Leigh.

REALTOR: GramEpat
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Windsurfing with the Eagles

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:50:57 -0600

A stormy day on the coast of Maine.
I wonder if the local ducks and loons are hovering by the Somesville Bridge
or congregating by the Mill Pond Dam.

"Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits, for when the storm clouds come in, the Eagles soar while the small birds take cover" Author unknown

"Some Times I Fly Like an Eagle" (John Denver)

Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Free is Just Ducky

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:49:37 -0600

Check this out! It's great and saves a good deal of time.
Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!
Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411.

This convenient service from Google is FREE-- Great when you are on the road.
No need to waste your money on information calls or waste your time manually dialing the number.

For instance, if we are driving along in our automobile and we need to call a hotel to confirm our reservations (such as the recent NAR Convention in Orlando), and don't know the number, I can just hit the number on my contact list that I have programmed.

When the call is made, the voice at the other end says, 'City & State.' I say, ' Orlando, Florida' He says, 'Business, Name or Type of Service.' I say, 'Peabody Hotel.' He says, 'Connecting' and Peabody answers the phone.

Isn't that JUST DUCKY? (<- click the link to see the March of the ducks)

How cool is that?
This google service is nationwide and FREE!
Realtor GramEpat
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OUCH! Second Home Tax Benefits Dwindle in the New Year

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:41:40 -0500

I recently received this summary from our Association CEO about how the NEW LAW NARROWS SECOND HOME TAX BENEFIT. She quoted a summary that was included in REALTOR Magazine (8/7/08) : "The housing-stimulus package that became law last week took a bite out of the home-sale exclusions for second-home owners. Under both the previous and the current law, most homeowners can sell their primary residence and exclude as much as $250,000 of the gain if they're single or $500,000 if they are married and file jointly. To qualify for the full exclusion, owners typically must have owned the home and used it as their primary residence for at least two of the five years prior to the sale. In the new law, which takes effect Jan. 1 and affects property acquired after 2008, owners can't exclude the gain from the sale of the home allocated to periods of 'nonqualified use.' That refers to any period (after the end of 2008) when the property isn't used by the owner, spouse or former spouse as a principal residence. For example, a married couple buys a home Jan. 1, 2009, for $600,000 to hold as an investment. On Jan. 1, 2012, three years later, they begin using it as their principal residence. They live there for two years and sell the property on Jan. 1, 2014, for $1.1 million for a profit of $500,000. Under the old law, they would have been able to exclude the entire $500,000 gain from their taxable income. But under the new law, they could exclude only two-fifths of the gain, or $200,000, since the other three-fifths would be considered attributable to the three years the home wasn't their principal residence. Source: The Wall Street Journal, Tom Herman (08/06/2008)"

FYI: Nar Provides a chart that summarizes the first-time homebuyer tax credit provisions of the recent economic stimulus bill.

Our Association CEO, Cindy Butts does a great job of keeping us informed! Thank you Cindy!!

Realtor GramEpat

$low Down and $ave

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:53:31 -0500

Ever worry that your fuel tank is almost empty and then hurry to the nearest gas station before you run out of fuel? Hate to admit it, but "Been there, done that" !
I came across an interesting article this AM posted on RISMedia Real Estate News that I thought was worth sharing.
"10 ways to be more efficient and green in 2008"...This is one of the postings that caught my attention:
1) $low down and $ave! Each 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 mph costs you about 20 cents more per gallon of gasoline. And aggressive driving habits - speeding, rapid acceleration and braking - can lower gas mileage by a whopping 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town. But driving sensibly can save up to 200 gallons of gasoline per year at highway speeds, or about $600 per car and about $1,200 per household with gasoline prices at $3/gallon. Added benefit: Avoiding up to 4,000 pounds of CO2 per car/8,000 per household.
Since this was posted earlier in the year, today's statistics will be different (more savings), but the concept is the same: "Slow Down and Save". Seems like a safe and easy "green" tip! Have a safe and Happy July 4th Holiday! Realtor GramEpat

Piece of Maine, Peace of Mind

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:48:19 -0500

My Piece of Maine : I am fortunate to have several incredible Pieces of Maine.
One of my favorite spots is in the Historic Village of Somesville.
Pictured below is the Somesville Foot Bridge. One of the Island's most photographed scenes.
(FYI: I took this photo last week when I was taking a morning walk thru our scenic village. )

The Somesville Carriage House (GramE Pat's Place ) is my 'home away from home'. Located on the Main Street, across from the Harbor, I get to enjoy gentle summer breezes , watch the Eagles and Osprey, take short walks to village amenities (book store, museum, antique shop, church, PO and Bank...all nearby). I can even flag down the Island Explorer Bus if I choose to 'run away' and take a free ride around the National Park.

The foot bridge and Old Selectmen's museum building (pictured above) are just 'down the street' from my real estate office.

When you visit Acadia National Park, stop by the Carriage House to say "Hello". If my car is in the yard, the welcome mat is always out.

If my 'be right back' sign is on the door, I'm probably across the street at the Village Landing on Somes Sound...or walking to the Post Office and Bank. Of course if it is Wed. afternoon, or Sat. AM, you'll probably find me with my nose buried in a book at the local Library. Stroll down to join me.
Sit for a spell on my favorite bench, watch the ducks frolicking in the Mill Pond and enjoy the fantastic views of Somes Sound.

BTW: Somesville is the oldest settlement on Mt.Desert Island. And,...Bar Harbor and the Park Loop Road are only minutes away.!!

Let me know how I can help you find your Piece of Maine! (YPOM)

What do you love about Acadia?
Realtor GramE Pat

Looking for Your Piece of Maine?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:44:17 -0500

Gotta love Acadia. In the National Park even the ducks are friendly!

'Matilda' (my favorite mallard duck) returns every summer with her wee ones. When she wants a break from swimming, she'll cruise with me around our quiet cove on Long Pond.

She's out there right now...squawking...begging for a treat. Guess it's time to grab a favorite book and head for the pond. (Great novel : 'The Other' by David Guterson)

What's not to love about Acadia!

Looking for "Your Piece of Maine'. ?

Let me know how I can help.

Maine Realtor GramEpat

YPOM "Your Piece of Maine, Your Peace of Mind"

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:16:14 -0500

Attention all YOU Mainiacs ! ......Let the Games Begin! (Those of us who survived the Winter, DESERVE the summer !!) YOU have a chance to win $20,000! The Maine Association of REALTORS has just launched a contest on "You Tube" for YOU...Maine residents (*non-Realtors and their families *) to say by video what you love about Maine and why you want to own "Your Piece of Maine". ..Or..If you already have your 'Piece of Maine', let the world know how it gives you 'Peace of Mind'!...The Grand Prize is $20,000; Second Prize is $5,000; and eight third prizes are $1,000. You can use your cell phone, computer, or video recorder to make a video (less than 3 minutes long).
You can get all the details about the contest by going to: http://www.youtube.com/group/yourpieceofmaine

and .com

Be creative , have some fun! ...and GOOD LUCK!! from Realtor gramEpat *Please note: The program is limited to Maine residents, anyone out of state who owns property in Maine, and includes Maine students attending in state and out of state colleges.

For all of you 'out of staters'....known as "people from away", I thought you might enjoy viewing MAR's new marketing campaign. Have any helpful hints, tips, suggestions? Creative ideas to contribute? We're also including several TV commercials...and, separately there is a contest that provides one $5,000 prize for a Maine REALTOR or their immediate family members (defined as spouse, children, parents) to participate. We WANT Maine REALTORS to participate too! Realtors know what there is to love about property ownership and many already own or want to own thier piece of Maine.

"WADING" for the Tourist Season to Begin

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:20:04 -0500

Spring time in Maine...... 'gotta love it'!
It's time to 'dig out from under'! (winter photo:GramE's camp on Long Pond)
Mud Season is fast approaching. I wonder where Bob put our LLBean Waders ??.

A local reminded me the other day that we usually have 2 seasons in Maine: Winter and Construction.
This year in Acadia National Park, we had 3 seasons: ..Summer season, Flu season and Mud season.
Most of us are now on the mend , and ready to put on our waders ...It's time for the tourists to arrive !

Just a reminder: When you are in the Bar Harbor area, stop by the Somesville Carriage House to visit. If GramEpat's car is in the yard, the welcome mat is always out! Hope to see you soon.

"When you are over the hill you pick up speed"

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:18:18 -0600

I was walking past the TV this AM and happened to hear a catchy phrase that I just had to jot down.
"When you are over the hill, that's when you begin to pick up speed".
I googled the phrase to see if I could credit the quote** and stumbled on an article by Marc Freedman posted in the Providence Journal: Over the Hill and Gathering Speed
Interesting facts and comments:
*"THE FIRST of 77 million Baby Boomers celebrated their 60th birthdays last month".
* "Boomers now nearing traditional retirement age are on the front edge of the largest, healthiest, wealthiest and best-educated population of Americans ever to move through and beyond their 50s".
* 'Surveys show that the vast majority of Boomers expect to work long past traditional retirement years, and are eager to apply their idealism and passion to work that makes a meaningful contribution to society".
**Record producer Quincy Jones says, "They say when you're over the hill, that's when you pick up speed."
"The Boomers turning 60 this year are entering a new stage of life, which could last 20 to 30 years. They will uncover a new workforce to help solve old problems, from illiteracy to the lack of affordable housing to the need for health care for all. " Recent research indicates that the younger generation (Y and X) represents a significant share of the 'home buyer market'...but it seems equally important to tap into the baby boomer market . The Boomer$ are now the grandparent$ who dole out advice and help the 'kids' with their financing. (Pain in the A$$et$)
Guess I'll have to learn how to text message responses , post videos on U Tube, post a profile on Facebook and continue to blog to communicate with the GenY' s and X'ers, continue to email replies and ad links to web sites for the Boomers...and pick up the phone and postal mail responses to all the others who are 'Over the Hill' . I'm going to grab my ski poles...It's going to be a speedy ride down hill!! REALTOR® gramEpat

How to Build a House in 5 days!

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:39:32 -0600

Can you imagine building a home from the slab up in less than a week? Well, 20 Volunteer REALTORS ® , staff, friends and family from the State of Maine...and the Maine Association of REALTORS® believe it can be done!
Check out the blog created by MAR for a 'behind the scenes' daily posting of comments and photos. I'm already 'lovin' it'...great stories!!.. Shopping trips for ibuprofen, first aid kits, water and coolers...hard hats and gloves...and maybe a few alarm clocks for the 'not so early risers' who have to meet the group by 6:15 AM for the morning breakfast get-together!

Maine REALTORS® raised over $70,000 for the project. An additional $14,500 was raised to assist with travel expenses through the generosity of sponsors and a few rounds of "pass the hardhat" at various programs.

The Maine volunteers arrived in Mobile , Alabama today to begin the home construction project for a family affected by Hurricane Katrina. If all goes as planned, ..weather and stamina permitting... this build will be from the slab up...and by the end of the week the house should be ready for the finishing touches...needing only carpet and appliances. I have no doubt that this generous, ambitious and hardy group from Maine will be able to 'get the job done' !

Some of the interesting blog postings on the MAR site include tips from Connecticut Association of REALTORS President Ken Delvecchio who met with the Maine Habitat Build team to share his experiences from his build as a Global Village team leader for Connecticut: (Here are a few of the 14 tips posted on the MAR blog. )

Plan on Advil
Take time for reflection and endorphins
"The black snakes aren't poisonous" (oooooooh gross!)
Expect it to be an emotional journey
"Appreciate what you have, and help those who have less".

A special "Thank you" to all who are volunteering their time and energy for Habitat for Humanity. We are so proud of you , so very grateful, ...and know you will continue to accomplish great things!! REALTOR® gramEpat

What's the #1 Goal of Today's College Students?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:44:52 -0600

Have any experience writing Facebook applications? Until I read the article "Real Estate Gets Younger" posted on RISMEDIA, I never knew anything about Facebook applications.(and still don't). I'll need to do some more research to see what is involved in writing one. I was searching for new tech ideas and came across the Dec. 21, 2007 posting.

Some of the interesting comments in the article include:
* A new survey has pinpointed the number-one goal of today's college students: It's owning a house.

Students were asked to complete this sentence: "If I could buy anything, it would be..." Housing was the top choice for 41% of the men and 49% of the women. Owning a home scored higher than other, seemingly flashier possessions, such as a car, which came in second, or clothes, which ranked third with women and at the bottom with men.
*"There are 75 million of them" with Boomer grandparents. "They have more money at their disposal than other generations did at their age".
* "They think they're going to have that house soon. That's partly due to the popularity of shows like "Flip This House" and "Total Home Makeover,".
*Much of the survey focused on their favorite social networking sites, with Facebook ranking first for both genders. the second choice, women choosing MySpace.com and men ESPN.com.
*Today's students, the survey found, are "very materially focused." Fifty-seven percent lived in an apartment during college, with or without roommates. (instead of choosing a dormitory lifestyle)
* Women have a higher preference for housing as their top purchase than men. Might also be something for marketers to consider.
*Social networking is twice as popular among young women as men, suggesting that marketers who want to target females are wise to use this medium of communication.

From what I have read, there is the potential to reach Facebook users directly from their pages. The article indicated that anyone can write and upload applications into Facebook for free, and also add them to their own sites. Then Facebook users browse the applications and share the links with their friends...who share with their friends, who then also share with their friends..etc...This seems like unlimited networking possibilities!

Guess I better stop blogging tonight and start doing some research on how to write a Facebook application and get it posted! If anyone has any suggestions, or any experience with this new media, please email a note. Or comment below or on my new Facebook 'company' web page. (as soon as they fix the error on my new site :)
I'll take all the help I can get! Thanks! REALTOR® gramEpat

Largest Real Estate Single Land transaction in US History?

E.Pat Foster (E.Pat Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:22:52 -0600

In my ongoing search for old photos and interesting articles about the history of women in Real Estate, I stumbled on an incredible photo and a fascinating article about one of the largest real estate land transaction in American History. (The link is to "This Week Then". It changes each week. I assume the large photo and article are now posted in their archives for the week of January 3, 2008).

At HistoryLink.org, there is an essay entitled: Weyerhaeuser makes one of the largest land purchases in United States history on January 3, 1900.
It states that on January 3,1900, railroad magnate James J. Hill (1838-1916) sells 900,000 acres (1,406 square miles) of Washington state timberlands to Frederick Weyerhaeuser (1834-1914) for $5,400,000. It goes on to quote: "This is one of the largest single land transfers in American annals."

I clicked on a few more links and found out that James J. Hill (known as the "Empire Builder" ) took control of the ailing Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s and sold its vast land-grant forests to his friend George Weyerhaeuser on January 3, 1900. This transaction has been publicized as one of the largest real-estate transactions recorded in American history. (I would assume, with todays prices, that there are other transactions that have topped that one.)
In 1910, Hill published a book Highways of Progress . Much of the book is a plea for conservation and intelligent development in all departments of agriculture, both by irrigation, drainage, and soil conservation, and a forecast of the future needs and growth of the United States and a defense of railroad and business consolidations as bringing greater efficiency and service to the public .I can't help but wonder how many (if any) women Real Estate Agents might have been involved in the transaction? My guess would be ZERO.

If you find any old photos (men and women Realtors) and historic links, please comment or email. My email address is epat@epatFoster.com Thanks.
To quote Dennis Waitley: We can "Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which we have any control: NOW. REALTOR® gramEpat