Cathy Manchester's Blog

Beautiful Sebago Cape with Garage!

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:58:09 -0800

Adorable 2 bedroom, 2 bath Cape offers incredible privacy nestled on 5+ acre wooded lot! Cathedral ceilings in almost every room, exposed beams & skylights create a cozy enjoyable atmosphere. This sundrenched home’s features include master suite with walk-in closet, first floor bedroom, hardwood flooring, eat-in spacious kitchen, pantry, tiled mudroom, spacious tri-level deck to enjoy relaxing alone or in the presence of company, 2 car garage & wood stove in the daylight basement!

The basement includes a partially finished room and offers the ability to finish additional space!

For additional pictures and more information, click the following link:

http://www.mainerealestatesearch.com/homes/978-Folly-Road/19453650

Unique Condo in Saco!

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:49:52 -0800

This Stunning and sundrenched unique open-concept contemporary loft awaits! Gorgeous exposed beams and beautifully finished concrete flooring! Features include 2 bedrooms with permanent walls and built-in closets, 12’ ceilings, ceiling fans, locked storage unit in the basement (10’x10’), 2 deeded reserved parking spaces, laundry hook-up w/ washer & dryer included, pets okay, secured building, community room & more! Close to the beach, public transportation, & necessities!

Enjoy gardening in the community garden or join one of the condo committees! There is ramped access to the first floor of the building at the main entrance as well as the option for stairs or the elevator to the third floor.

Historically, this building was built in the 1900’s and was home to Sears-Roebuck Shoe Factory, then later the High Shoe Co., Trail Moc Shoe Co., Saxe Glassman Shoe Corp., and Lunder Shoe Products Co. The shoe factory building played a great role in providing many jobs to local citizens and helping to build the Saco community. The building was completely re-done in 2004 with major renovations and is now the home to many 18 Park Street residents.

http://www.mainerealestatesearch.com/homes/18-Park-Street-302/19867993

Gorgeous Raymond Home with Beautiful Fireplace

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:41:27 -0800

Gorgeous & spacious well-maintained 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with more than 3,000 sq. ft. of living space nestled on wooded 2 acre lot awaits! This home has had many updates including exterior paint, new roof, new deck and luxurious kitchen with beautiful hardwood floors and granite countertops. Features include a stunning brick wall wood fireplace enjoyed from both the kitchen and living room, sundrenched living, eat-in kitchen, cathedral ceiling, tile bathroom flooring, Master Suite with walk-in closet including built-in drawers, bonus room over the garage currently used for gym and storage space, 2 car garage with direct entry to living space, den/family room & separate dining room both with French doors, sitting area on 2^nd flr – cozy space to enjoy a great book, very spacious 4^th bedroom on 3^rd floor with built-in book shelves and skylights, full unfinished walk-out basement and more!

To view additional photos and more information click this link:

http://www.mainerealestatesearch.com/homes/8-Presidential-View/19732474

Incredible Value on the Saco River!

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:25:17 -0800

Gorgeous & spacious open-concept home w/ 202 feet on the Saco River! Drop in your canoe or fish! This home is meticulously kept and features beautiful pumpkin pine wood floors, charming wood stove in dining room, gas fireplace in living room, loft, spacious family room, cathedral ceiling, 1st floor master bedroom with master bath, walk-in closet, recently updated kitchen with new appliances, large heated workshop, 2 car attached garage with direct entry to living area, shed, deck & screened porch. Incredible value! This 3 bedroom home rests on 4 acres and because of the numerous heat sources and open concept is very efficient to heat!

To view more photos and learn more info, click the following link:

http://www.mainerealestatesearch.com/homes/326-Boom-Road/18881736/

Beautiful Gorham Home with Immediate Equity!

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:58 -0800

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, December 4th from 12-2pm! No showings until after the open house.

Recently appraised at $412K; $13K in immediate equity! Call quickly! Gorgeous 4+ bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 3.93 acres! Meticulous, sun-drenched & spacious featuring 3rd floor bonus/family room with storage eves currently being used as a bedroom, beautiful hardwood & tile floors throughout, wood fireplace, separate dining room, eat-in kitchen with island and convenient built in desk with additional cabinetry, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, master bath with jets in tub and separate shower, 4 season sunroom, laundry room, well-landscaped yard, 2 car attached garage with direct entry to living, spacious shed with electricity & more! The back yard is wooded providing privacy!

To view additional pictures and for more details, click below:

http://www.mlsfinder.com/kwls/kw/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=15631036294&searchkey=ff0bd3eb-0508-5204-474a-f01af9516eab&npp=8&sr=1

Gorgeous West Bath Home for Sale

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:15:49 -0700

Gorgeous 3+ bedroom, 3700 sq. ft. home nestled on 34 private wooded acres! Relaxation and serenity with stunning views and a variety of Maine’s wildlife for your private viewing! Everything about this home is custom down to every last detail. The gourmet kitchen features a gas heat stove, cherry cabinets with amazing detail, Italian blown glass chandelier shades, spruce exposed beams, French casement window over kitchen sink, top of the line appliances, skylights controlled be remote panel & more! The living room gas fire place has a fan that can be flipped by a switch to vent excess heat down to the laundry room to prevent the room from becoming too hot. Home comes with an air exchanger with vents in almost every room to keep the air fresh. Marvin windows throughout house are low UV argon gas to prevent harmful fading of interior belongings caused by UV rays from the sun. Radiant heat consists of 6 separate zones on the 1^st and 2^nd floor. The basement is heated by baseboard also on multiple zones. All interior walls are insulated to help keep the house quiet and slow down noise from room to room. Additional features include beautiful Ash and Cherry wood floors throughout, tile bathroom floors, built in speaker wires in living room and family room, library w/ custom cherry shelving, office that can be 4^th bedroom, finished bonus room in basement currently used as a gym, laundry chute from master bedroom to laundry, Jacuzzi tubs in 2^nd floor bathroom and master bath – with lighting that changes color, GenTran generator hook-up, alarm and sprinkler system, Rinnai en-demand hot water heater, underground electricity to home, 3 car attached heated garage with storage above and trolley system, 2^nd detached garage and so much more! This home also has beautiful landscaping with high-bush blueberries and apple trees in the back yard and wild blackberries and raspberries as well. Sit out on the scenic back patio and enjoy privacy at its finest!

View FULL DETAILS and additional PHOTOS here:

http://www.mlsfinder.com/kwls/kw/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=15631033355&searchkey=6bb1a7f7-ad7e-e9ba-5993-43396954b2ef&npp=8&sr=1

Portland Home for Sale

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:36:10 -0700

Adorable well-maintained 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in charming Portland neighborhood! Relax and read a book on the 3-season enclosed sun-drenched porch or sit out and grill on back deck! Features include hardwood floors in the dining room and living room as well as the upstairs bedrooms, dining room with built-in cabinets and shelving, new windows, updated heating and electric, gorgeous original wood trim, washer and dryer included, spacious deck in a pleasant backyard with shade and some privacy from trees and bushes, brick driveway, and much more! Located on very quiet and pleasant street, yet close to Forest Ave.

View FULL DETAILS and additional PHOTOS here:

http://www.mlsfinder.com/kwls/kw/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=15631029861&searchkey=03ace7ca-b65f-9521-e1f9-03bcd37caefe&npp=8&sr=33

The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty

Portland: 50 Sewall Street, 2^nd flr, Portland, ME 04102

Gray: 19 Main Street, Suite C, Gray, Maine 04039

(207) 653-7653

Windham Home with Handicapped Accessible Accessory Apartment

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:20:19 -0700

Windham home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment available for sale in Cumberland County, Maine on Riverside Ridge Road. This immaculate, sun-drenched energy efficient Ranch home offers many amenities and may be purchased with no money down through Rural Development! Features include an open concept floor plan, gorgeous hardwood and tile floors, finished daylight basement with a walk-in cedar closet, gigantic brick wood burning fireplace in living room with built-in shelving.

If you’re looking for a Windham home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment you must see this home! The fourth bedroom includes a built in desk and cabinets which makes for a great office space. An additional gas heating stove with its own brick chimney creates a cozy atmosphere in the family room. This Windham home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment also features built in air conditioners, Guardian automatic propane generator system, heated 2 car garage, and whirlpool jet tub in the bathroom as well as double sinks. Beautiful handicapped accessible accessory apartment added in 2000 offers separate entrance, separate heating, separate driveway, and has a handicapped accessible bathroom with a walk-in shower (would make a fabulous master suite also!).

In this Windham home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment, enjoy and relax in a private park-like setting complete with irrigation system, raised beds for garden, mature landscaping, many birds visiting, top-of-the-line Gibraltar above ground fenced pool with low maintenance Eco Friendly System (the water filters through copper plating drastically minimizing the amount of chemicals necessary to maintain water healthy for swimming), electric awning over the spacious brick patio, Outbuilding for pool house or workshop, and more! This Windham home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment is very private, yet convenient to Windham Center! Maine home with handicapped accessible accessory apartment.

For more information or to view this Windham Home with Handicapped Accessible Apartment, contact Cathy Manchester of Keller Williams Realty at 207-653-7653.

New Gloucester Home for Sale

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:12:42 -0700

This is a beautiful and spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home on 1 full acre in a pleasant neighborhood in New Gloucester! The front and back yard have a fenced in area and there is a private wooded back yard to relax in! Features of this wonderful home include a gorgeous sunroom with pine interior and cathedral ceilings, family room with gas fireplace, sun-drenched master bedroom with bathroom and walk-in closet, stunning hardwood and tile floors downstairs and carpet on the second floor, gorgeous kitchen and more!

View FULL DETAILS and additional PHOTOS here:

http://www.mlsfinder.com/kwls/kw/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=15631030705&searchkey=cb64449c-fc00-4102-8e20-80cf25d1f747&npp=8&sr=9

The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty

Portland: 50 Sewall Street, 2^nd flr, Portland, ME 04102

Gray: 19 Main Street, Suite C, Gray, Maine 04039

(207) 653-7653

Raymond Home for Sale

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:05:38 -0700

Meticulous 3 bedroom sun -drenched home with beautiful tri-level deck on well landscaped 1 acre lot! Features include many updates, kitchen with tile floors and updated appliances, movable kitchen island, gorgeous new bathroom with separate tub & shower, master bedroom with spacious closets, ceiling fans throughout, full finished daylight walk-out basement, tree house with electricity breaker, two sheds, 1 with garage door and ramp, roofing replaced 3 years ago, very efficient to heat, and so much more! This home is very well-maintained and cared for!

View FULL DETAILS and additional PHOTOS here:

5 Shaker Woods Road, Raymond, ME 04071

The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty

Portland: 50 Sewall Street, 2^nd flr, Portland, ME 04102

Gray: 19 Main Street, Suite C, Gray, Maine 04039

Historical Homes in Maine

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:29 -0700

There are many historical homes in Maine that continue to hold their original beauty and are a joy to live in. Renovated historical homes give the chance to live in the present, but also to appreciate architectural history. Many home owners of historical homes in Maine have invested a great deal of time and energy into restoring their home while maintaining the true character. Some of these amazing homes are for sale.

Although located all over the state, there is an incredible example of a historical home in Maine on Intervale Road in New Gloucester, Cumberland County. The Rev. Elisha Moseley House is a gorgeous and classic Federal style home built in circa 1803 and rests on 1.5+ acres! Registered in the National Register of Historical Places as one of the historical homes in Maine, it continues to hold its true character and has interesting history. Rev. Elisha Moseley was a minister of the local parish from 1802-1826. One of the rooms didn’t have any windows and history tells that it was used as a brewery. The brewery was famous for producing quality beer that attracted many.

Renovations of the 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom Rev. Elisha Moseley home include stunning refinished pumpkin pine floors and staircase banisters, restored fireplaces, rewired electrical systems, updated roofing and windows, fresh paint, new appliances, a 3 car garage and much more. Of the many historical homes in Maine, this is just one example of a home that has been restored beautifully.

Maintained historical homes in Maine date back to being built as early as the 1700’s although there are many more that have been restored dating back to the 1800’s. For more information the Rev. Elisha Moseley House in Intervale Road in New Gloucester, Maine or other historical homes in Maine for sale, please contact The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty by either visiting www.cathymanchester.com or calling 207-653-7653.

Windham Home with In-law Apartment

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:02:36 -0700

Windham home with in-law apartment available for sale in Cumberland County, Maine on Riverside Ridge Road. This immaculate, sun-drenched energy efficient Ranch home offers many amenities and may be purchased with no money down through Rural Development! Features include an open concept floor plan, gorgeous hardwood and tile floors, finished daylight basement with a walk-in cedar closet, gigantic brick wood burning fireplace in living room with built-in shelving.

If you’re looking for a Windham home with in-law apartment you must see this home! The fourth bedroom includes a built in desk and cabinets which makes for a great office space. An additional gas heating stove with its own brick chimney creates a cozy atmosphere in the family room. This Windham home with in-law apartment also features built in air conditioners, Guardian automatic propane generator system, heated 2 car garage, and whirlpool jet tub in the bathroom as well as double sinks. Beautiful in-law apartment added in 2000 offers separate entrance, separate heating, separate driveway, and has a handicapped accessible bathroom with a walk-in shower (would make a fabulous master suite also!).

In this Windham home with in-law apartment, enjoy and relax in a private park-like setting complete with irrigation system, raised beds for garden, mature landscaping, many birds visiting, top-of-the-line Gibraltar above ground fenced pool with low maintenance Eco Friendly System (the water filters through copper plating drastically minimizing the amount of chemicals necessary to maintain water healthy for swimming), electric awning over the spacious brick patio, Outbuilding for pool house or workshop, and more! This Windham home with in-law apartment is very private, yet convenient to Windham Center! Maine home with in-law apartment.

For more information or to view this Windham home with in-law apartment, contact The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty.

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?

Cathy Manchester (The Cathy Manchester Team of Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:11:30 -0700

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?

A short sale occurs when a home’s sale value is less than the outstanding mortgage debt plus the cost of the sale AND the bank holding the note agrees to write off a portion of the outstanding loan debt in order to consummate the sale.

Lenders will entertain a short sale if they believe they will receive a higher percentage of their principal back compared to forcing the property into foreclosure. Foreclosure from a banks perspective runs the risk of property damage or neglect, additional delays and costs and the possibility of the owner filing bankruptcy. Reports indicate a foreclosure may cost a bank $50,000 - $60,000. From a business standpoint, it makes sense for the bank to allow approval of a short sale.

In order to obtain short sale to be approval the realtor must prove:

· Financial hardship of the owner substantiating why they cannot stay current with their mortgage.

· A ready, able and willing buyer who has entered into a valid purchase and sale agreement and can show proof of availability of funds. Banks will not allow a purchase and sale that is contingent upon the buyer’s current property being sold.

· The sales price is at or close to fair market value based on the recent sales of other homes in the area and the current real estate market conditions.

Banks are not in the business of giving away homes at rock bottom prices. The bank wants to receive close to market value. Lenders are not in business to own homes, but that does not mean they make the approval of a short sale an easy or fast alternative. Lenders are not properly staffed to handle the number of short sale requests.

If the buyers have little patience, a short sale purchase is not for them as the sale can realistically take up to 9 months to complete. If the buyer decides to cancel, then the transaction starts over which can happen several times.

A TYPICAL PROCESS

Bank acknowledges receipt of the file. Up to 30 days

A negotiator is assigned Up to 60 days

A BPO is ordered Up to 30 days

A second negotiator is assigned Up to 30 days

The file is sent to review Up to 90 days

The bank requests all parties sign an arm’s length affidavit

The bank issues a short sale approval letter or renegotiates the price.

Each bank is different regarding short sale processing time and the only constant is change. Buyers don’t usually get a fabulous deal when they purchase a short sale as the bank is likely to approve only sales prices that are close to market value. The buyers benefit is that they get the home they wanted….sometimes after a long wait.

For more information regarding short sales contact Cathy Manchester of The Cathy Manchester Team at 653-7653.