The attraction to own Maine real estate.

What drives the process to get folks to want a deed to with their name on property in "Vacationland"? There are many basic reasons driving the real estate buying process, the attraction, the desire.  The "Vacationland" designation that is stamped on every Maine license plate is there for a reason. Once you cross the New Hampshire or Canadian border to get here, you have recreational choices galore in Maine.

     Like the rugged rock bound Maine coast. And help yourself to another plate of steam clams, a lobster a fraction of the price you would pay where you live now. Check out the light houses that dot the coast or Acadia Park, walk around the top of Cadillac Mountain or thru downtown Bar Harbor, Camden, Kennebunkport. Hike Mt Katahdin at Baxter State Park.

     Paddle a canoe, kayak down the Allagash Wilderness waterway. Swish swish and carve a new trail in the white new snow at Sugarloaf, Sunday River or a slew of other skiing options in Maine. Snowsled, ATV, hunt, fish, relax by a river or Maine lake. The four season beauty is everywhere and that leads us to the second attraction for picking Maine.

     Not too many people here to wipe out the wide open feeling. You can stretch, relax, think here.  We have just a tad over a million people in a state that is not small in size. In fact Aroostook County has 11 people per square mile in a land mass the size of CT and RI combined. Think of CT and RI without the many people..with only 70,000 something folks on the highways. Spread out over that big an area. Now you can see the difference too many folks make. The impact all because of too many people. Less people, but friendlier people in Maine means we have space to breath. These productive family oriented folks are fun to deal with. Hardworking, caring and grateful to live in Maine. So reason two is lower population which leads to number three on the list of why folks buy Maine real estate.

     Low crime. Maine is 4th lowest in the crime statistics department and Aroostook County has less than that gold star designation too. No crime, respect for other people and their property is taught from the time you are "knee high to a grasshopper". Kind of hearing the theme less people is a good thing? Less people mean less government rules. No one telling you what color to paint your house. Threatening to fine you because your lawn is too long, or you hang clothes out to dry, leave your garage doors open, etc.

     Work ethic. Kids who help rake Maine blueberries, dig for clams, haul in lobster traps, pick Maine potatoes know how to work. They have had entry level jobs that prepare them for life. They know the value of a dollar because they earned that dollar. They take care of the what they buy with their own money and are cautious with spending. Better spending impulse control than many in this country have. And all at an early age to benefit from it rather than learning the hard way in their 20's and 30's. Makes them good dependable workers. After world war two, folks that headed to places like Pratt and Whitney, General Dynanmics, Electric Boat, Royal Typewriter and the like were asked in masses in the plant yard this question.

"Who in the crowd is from Maine?" The hands that went up had a job, no more questions, let's get started now.

     And do you have any other brothers or sisters at home that need a job? Kids growing up on Maine farms and in family businesses learned to pitch in, were a big part of the family contributing in a big way growing up. They developed a work attitude, pitch in, your work ethic is your reputation and responsiblity to the employees. Same glad to hear you are from Maine reception still meets folks that head to Florida or anywhere in the country because they are known nationally as workers, dependable, valuable employees that will pitch in, do more than their share.

     Low cost property is a major attraction. Folks living in Maine pay off homes, don't like to have a mortgage. The income you make is lower, but so are all the living costs and household overhead. Lower insurances due to low crime, respect for property, less traffic means less accidents, etc. Everything you know, divide by three money wise. Get more for less.

     In Maine you can buy property you could never dream of owning. Victorians with turrets, lakeshore homes, riverside camps as vacation homes. Hobby farms with lots of acreages. Hundreds of acres to raise a family on. Low cost everything real estate wise.

     Some folks move to Maine because of divorce and starting over to get away from past in-laws. Some because they don't think they could retire and make enough to live in the city. Some because they are tired..of the energy spent worrying about personal safety even though every family member carries a taser. No gangs, no drive by shootings in mob street battles for turf control. Maine has a "help yourself attitude". This land is your land. And with fewer people, you have space, plenty of room to breath, move around. Enjoy life during the short time all of us are on earth.

    Vacations, a place for those family traditions. Maine is idea for run away three day weekends, eventual retirement here. And many folks like border patrol, customs, immigration due to Home Land Security beef up on the long long borders means relocation here for job reasons are common. Telecommuting with high speed internet also means you can bring your job, modem, computer and fax machine with you. Work out of your new home in Maine. No one on line knows you changed your zip code. Santa is even considering relocating to Aroostook County due to the logistics in shipping, local elf work ethic. Psst, don't tell anyone.

     The number one reason for moving here, buying property in Maine? There is no better place to raise a family. With small town pride and community involvement where the who village raises your kids and you help out likewise, Maine is the perfect surronding with the great outdoors to have happy childhoods. Preparing the youth with work ethic, honesty, a concern for others because they grew up in smaller Mayberry type towns that dot the Maine landscape. Maine, are you ready to make the leap part time, full time or to purchase real estate now for down the road? If you are not in your right place where you live now, move. If you want an investment in waterfront, land, vacation homes that won't disappear like stock values that tank when the CEO is caught doing insider trading. Or some other horrendous but now the norm activity. Point the car toward Maine. Maine, your heart is already here. It's been her for some time. Help the rest of your body parts catch up.

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers