Elegance abounds in this classic colonial. Located in Bath's historic district, this home has enjoyed numerous renovations despite a careful preservation of antique details. Delicate banisters, recessed paneling, numerous fireplaces and hardwood floors are complimented by a new roof, furnace, sunroom, deck and multiple baths.
MLS # 888757, 1071 Washington Street, Bath $399,000
Presented by Sam Armentrout, a MidCoast Maine real estate agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate, (207)443-3333 x 214, (207)837-1492 (mobile), sarmentrout@chrrealty.com or on the web at www.samarmentrout.com
Sunny ranch situated between downtown Brunswick and Topsham. Located in a quiet neighborhood, this home boasts wood floors, three bedrooms, a sunporch and a partially finished basement. Attached garage, nice backyard and surprising space.
Listed at only $195,000!
For more information or to schedule a showing please call Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate, (207)443-3333 x 214, (207)837-1492, sarmentrout@chrrrealty.com
Brought to you by Sam Armentrout, A Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
Whispers of recession have begun to increase in amplitude and frequency. Employment, economy, relief, the fed, crunch; all dinner table vocab for even the most media sheltered of Americans. Despite the frenzy of discouraging statistics, 2007 data from Maine's Real Estate Market shows promise.
Of Maine's 16 counties, 10 showed an annual increase in either sale price, number sold or both. While there's no arguing that home buyers are making slow, cautious decisions, they are, in fact, making them. (At least in Maine)
Many would accurately have predicted that Maine's coastal real estate would experience a lessened degree of slowing based on the oceans limited nature and specific draw. Fewer, if any, could have predicted gains in Northern, Central and Coastal Maine alike. Maine counties Franklin and Waldo experienced growth in both sales prices and numbers sold in 2007.
COUNTY SALE PRICE INCREASE #'S SOLD INCREASE
Waldo 23.79% 5.98%
Washington 18.92% --------
Knox -------- 15.7 %
Sagadahoc -------- 11.46%
Franklin 8.46% 2.97%
Somerset 8.25 % --------
Piscataquis 7.08% --------
Kennebec 6.97% --------
Androscoggin 1.66% --------
Hancock 1.27% --------
Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent, CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
The closure of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, slated for 2011, looms over uninformed residents of Southern Maine with a vapid uncertainty. Vacant spaces, losses of Federal jobs and decreased revenue from sailors raise appropriate concerns. Fortunately, this impending change signals not just loss, but a significant restructuring of the Southern Maine region.
Brunswick and its surrounding towns have been undergoing major infrastructure redesigns, and any void left by the NASB will solidify the region's plans for growth. A Military Redevelopment Zone has designated Brunswick, Bath, West Bath, Topsham, Richmond and Bowdoinham as eligible areas for new business tax breaks. The reduction and possible elimination of state tax will be a massive incentive for the businesses to which it will apply. Sectors targeted for elimination and tax reduction are as follows; Information Technology, Environmental Technology, Aquaculture and Marine Technology, Financial Services, Manufacturing (including precision manufacturing technology), Biotechnology, Composite Materials Technology and Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture.
Developing businesses may be attracted to the 1000 acres within the boundaries of the Naval Air Station Brunswick; the location is central and the value is certain to grow as the area is overhauled by enterprise. On the other hand, 500 non-specific acres outside the base will be eligible for the SAME tax breaks.
Concurrent to the closure of the Air Station is the implementation of Brunswick Maine Street Station, a masterful reworking of downtown Brunswick and its transportation. 25 new structures will be erected, which include the illustrious train station, parking garages, hotels, apartment complexes, office and retail spaces and cinemas. Thorough fares will be rearranged to increase the flow of traffic. According to public record, the development comes courtesy of the private sector at a cost (not including the price of the multi-town railway overhaul) of approximately $33,000,000.
A common dismay among Southern Maine's residents has been offspring leaving the Pine tree State for increased job opportunities. The closure of the Naval Air Station, enhanced by ongoing outside redevelopment, is certain to increase the availability of desirable jobs. Of the multitudes of people working on NASB, only about 200 civilian jobs are even available to be lost. The major economic overhaul will fill the need of our highly skilled workers. The throngs of people who attend Bowdoin College, 2 state of the art medical facilities, Bath Iron Works and the growing University of Maine system will appreciate shortened commutes and more places to spend their money. The closure of the Naval Air Station Brunswick is a blessing in disguise.
Content Provided by Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
Cling tightly, agents who enjoy home entry variety, to the days of hiding keys, finagling jammed lockboxes and leaving doors open; times such as these are numbered. With increasing pressure from NAR to establish a unified system of home access, statewide Realtor associations are practically mandating that each and every agent be well versed in the new, tech friendly lockbox systems.
Two of the most popular examples of today's lockboxes are Sentrilock and Supra; having attended a training (!) seminar of the former, I present here a few thoughts to ponder when considering the Sentrilock system.
1.) Even if you have no need for lockboxes, possesion of a keycard will provide effortless access to your competitor's listings. A short training is required prior keycard issuance, as well as a $6 monthly fee thereafter. One day, temporary codes are possible for noncarholders, but fellow agents may balk at your request to program.
2.) Maine's Association of Realtors chose a 1 week activation length of cards; every 8 days your card will need to be inserted into a card reader (which plugs into your computer's USB port). Each office will be issued 1 card reader. If your company does not have a vacant computer station, consider the reader's location and whether utilization will get in the way of support staff. I reccomend purchasing a personal card reader for $50.00.
3.) Reactivation is free, only takes a few seconds and will automatically update statistical logs of the brokers whose listings you've shown. When a broker has shown one of your properties and reactivates their card, your showing statistics will be updated as well. The logging function of Sentrilock lockboxes eliminates searching for slips of paper with broker's names and phone numbers; in addition to tracking the data, a hotlink is provided where you can automatically click to email for feedback.
4.) If you have a vacant listing lockboxes can provide codeless access to all keycard members. For properties with security issues, an access code can easily be programmed.
5.)Ever lost track of a lockbox? With Sentrilock, lockboxes can be programmed to listings and viewed online in 3 easy steps.
6.) If you forget to reactivate your keycard you cannot show property. Luckily, Sentrilock provides technical support 7 days a week, 8 AM to 10 PM. Call tech support and they will issue you a one day, one house access code.
7.) Sentrilock provides the option of issuing one day codes to non card holders. Up to nine one day, home specific and time dated codes are allowed per day, which will be of great benefit when tracking contractor hours or investigating theft or damage.
8.) Lockboxes are astate of the art, enhanced by ample key space, drainage holes, flashing instructions, protective covers and projectile shackles. (Watch your feet)
Content provided by Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
BUYING MULTI FAMILY HOMES IN SOUTHERN MAINE: 5 REASONS NOT TO WAIT
Provided by Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
5.) SAVVY INVESTORS KNOW Sagadahoc, consisting of Bath,Topsham and coastal Maine has experienced a 17% decrease in the number of SINGLE FAMILY homes sold in the last year; multi family statistics for the same sample area appear to be holding steady. Investment property is being bought and sold; the market has held its ground during the single family home crunch.
4.)RATES ARE LOW Mortgage rates are excellent. A standard, 30 year, fixed rate mortgage is 6.26%. 15 year fixed rates are at 5.92%, while 1 year adjustable arms areas low as 5.85% (12/04/2007)
3.)A GROWING NEED Single family home buyers are dragging their feet, waiting for news about the cooling housing market. Capitalize on the present and future situation by filling the need for rental property.
2.) DON'T WAIT, DO IT NOW Home prices are down and may go lower. Keep in mind that each day spent watching market statistics is a day someone else isn't paying off your mortgage (retirement plan) though.
1.)OPTIMAL SELECTION Cooling and booming are expected, dare i say, important in a dynamic economy. As the housing market makes its decadic cycle many short term investors are selling. Although it is certain that the market will recover from its recession some investors don't want to wait for the next up swing, leaving a fresh batch of buyers tons to choose from.
For more on Southern Maine Real Estate contact Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
5 REASONS NOT TO WITHDRAW YOUR HOUSE FROM THE MARKET FOR THE WINTER
Provided by Sam Armentrout, A Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
5.) KEEP THE PICTURE CLEAR Local brokers play a crucial role in selling each other's listings. Temporary withdrawl of a property will remove it from the forefront of brokers minds; many brokers will assume that your home has either sold or that the sellers changed their minds about moving.
4.) IT JUST TAKES 1 While home sales may dip 45-50% between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's important to remember that a sucessful sale only takes 1 buyer. Withdrawing a home for the winter may result in the same outcome as keeping it on during the holidays, but winter marketing at least leaves the opportunity for a sale, while withdrawl eliminates it completely.
3.) SHOWS BEAUTIFULLY As Move.com so eloquently stated, "Nothing is more inviting than a home brimming with greenery, twinkling lights and holiday decorations."
2.) WEEDING OUT Many buyers are willing to tour ocean front property in July whether they are interested in the property or not; fewer are willing to trudge through snow and sleet without serious interest. November and December showings may amount to less, but they will probably lead to more.
1.) MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK Chances are, the scents of balsam fir, sugar cookies and pumpkin spice are already wafting through the air. Revel in the thought that every step you normally take to make the holidays special for your family is going create ambience and atmosphere for buyers too.
Happy Holidays from Sam Armentrout, a Real Estate Agent in Southern Maine at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and peers in Southern Maine! I'm delighted to find that despite approaching festivites (and encoaching cold weather) business is steady and the Southern Maine real estate market seems active. Is it possible that amidst this supposed market crunch the industry as a whole is experiencing a better than average season?
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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