mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Real Estate - In Maine, it's Not Always About the Money
- 05/16/08 12:21 AM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Katahdin Stands Guard Over Beautiful Maine Waterfront Property
- 05/14/08 12:08 AM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Jetski Update
- 05/11/08 11:45 PM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Property - Land Prices Reflect Quality of Water They're On
- 05/09/08 04:33 AM
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 … (1 comments)
mr lakefront: Bangor is Central to Central Maine Waterfront Property
- 05/06/08 12:07 PM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Building Your Lakefront Dreamhouse? Think Resale!
- 05/04/08 11:59 AM
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 … (1 comments)
mr lakefront: For Waterfront Property Buyers - Now's The Time
- 05/02/08 04:23 AM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: The Downeast Region - Waterfront Property by Sea and by Lake
- 04/29/08 12:57 AM
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, … (1 comments)
mr lakefront: Engineers, Nonresidents Fuel Naples Lakefront Bridge Controversy
- 04/27/08 01:53 PM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Is There a Condo in Your Future?
- 04/25/08 04:21 AM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Property - Embden Area Offers Beauty, Serenity
- 04/23/08 12:59 PM
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 … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Finding It Your Way, Phase Two
- 04/21/08 07:19 AM
A couple of weeks ago we announced several upgrades to the search capabilities found on our website. Today we bring another fantastic feature. Starting today, when you do a search for properties on our website, www.mrlakefront.net, once you get the search results, you will see a button on each individual listing that says "Map It". What this will do is actually show you the location on the lake of the listing you're looking at on a Google map. How cool is that?! If the specific address is not provided to us, the button will say "Lake Map" and show you a Google map of the lake … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Property - Meet the C.E.O.
- 04/17/08 01:34 PM
So, you're reading this headline and thinking, "Meet the CEO - the Chief Executive Officer - of Maine Waterfront Property?!" "Huh?" "What are they talking about?!" Well, to most of the world a CEO is a chief executive officer - the person at the head of a company who makes a six figure salary and a seven figure bonus, who is driven to work by a uniformed driver, and who wears $3000 suits, customed-made shoes, and shirts ordered in from a personal tailor in Hong Kong. Here in the world of Maine waterfront property, though, a CEO is somewhat different. Here in Maine, a CEO can … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Jetskis, the New Controversy
- 04/15/08 07:53 AM
When it comes to Jetskis, or "personal watercraft " as the manufacturers like to call them, ninety percent of lakefront homeowner opinions I've heard fall into two extreme positions. Extreme Position #1: OUTLAW THEM COMPLETELY - Many believe that unlike powerboats, which are designed to take one from point A to point B, jetskis are not designed for that peaceful and benign purpose. Folks seeking thrills, excitement and a rather noisy kind of fun are drawn to jetskis like moths to a flame. To some, jetskis are to boats as "funny car" hot rods are to automobiles. A virulent strain.Most jetski owners … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Real Estate - Choosing the "Sow's Ear"
- 04/12/08 12:49 AM
Most folks have only so much money to spend on a lakefront property. After conferring with a reputable mortgage broker, lakefront buyers have a pretty good idea of what they can afford to spend . (Need the name of a good mortgage broker? Let us know.) Determing how much one can spend is a lot easier than determining what to spend it on. Let's say your budget indicates that you can afford to spend $400,000 on a lakefront home. Here are your 5 choices: 1)One can purchase a $300,000 house on a $100,000 lot2)One can purchase a $250,000 house on a $150,000 lot3)One can … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Waterfront Real Estate - It's for the Birds!
- 04/10/08 11:50 AM
Before buying my Maine lakefront camp I was not really "in touch" with our feathered friends. Having grown up in the city, my idea of birds was pigeons, grackles and the sparrows. They co-existed in the old South Boston neighborhood that was all the world to me. These were the kinds of birds that I was used to. When I was a kid, I really liked the sounds of pigeons. Their cooing in the eaves of the old three decker on Dorset Street seemed strangely calming to me. Most folks don't think much of pigeons. In fact, I've heard them refered to as … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: For Maine Lakefront Real Estate Buyers, Spring Training Is Over
- 04/08/08 01:17 AM
While we wait for "ice out" to come to area lakes and ponds later this month, the snow is already melting around here at a rapid pace. Camp roads and shorelines are emerging and, much like our beloved Red Sox, lakefront property buyers should be moving out of "spring training" mode and into the "regular season". Phones in the office are ringing and new lakefront property listings are coming onto the market. Early bird buyers are venturing out of hibernation to see what the new listings are - as well as what older, unsold listings have come down in price. If you're in the market this season … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Maine Lakefront Real Estate - Finding It Your Way
- 04/06/08 01:35 AM
Last fall, at season's end, we, at Mr Lakefront, asked over a thousand regular visitors to our website a simple question: "How can we make our website more helpful to you, the lakefront buyer?" Quite frankly, we were very gratified by the response. Not just by the number of respondents, but by the quality of their input. After reviewing each request for value and feasibility, we put our web developer on the case. We are now happy to announce the release of Phase 1. Check out the following enhancements on our website at http://www.mrlakefront.net/ . Search by Lake Size - Let's face it, some … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Naples Bridge Controversy Proceeds to Non-Binding Referendum
- 04/03/08 01:10 PM
The latest news out of Naples is that the local populace - business owners, waterfront property owners, and landlubbers alike - will be sounded out via a May 20th referendum on whether they would prefer to see a fixed bridge or moving bridge replacement for the existing, deteriorating swing bridge. The vote would be non-binding, but would help officials steer a course toward resolution with the Maine Department Of Transportation, who only have enough budget for a fixed span. The other development that came out of the meeting was the acknowledgement of a quiet groundswell of support for the less expensive fixed bridge option. At a meeting … (0 comments)
mr lakefront: Spring Skiing Gives Birdseye View of Maine Waterfront Property
- 04/01/08 01:40 PM
The Maine winter has certainly been a long, snowy one. I'm wondering if you will still recognize this photo. It's a picture of the Shawnee Peak ski area on Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton with beautiful Moose Pond in the foreground. Many of you who come to this area know this view well if you drive west along Rte. 302 from Bridgton to Fryeburg. I'm running this photo to remind us all that the predominant colors in this area will soon be green and blue - not white! I'm also running it because I've found out that Shawnee Peak has received nearly 200 inches of … (0 comments)
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.;)
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