July is historically one of the very best times for selling your house in Maine. What relatively easy, impactful, positive steps should you take to maximize sales success? Learn here!    

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5 Powerful Secrets to Selling Your House in July                                               

If you plan on selling your house in July, pat yourself on the back! Why? Because you’ve already made an excellent move. According to Maine Listings, house prices in Maine are near an all-time historic high, and the Lewiston-Auburn area—as we recently highlighted in a blog post—is offering an “X Factor” appeal that is spurring great new interest among motivated home buyers. How can you best take advantage of this when selling your house? Here are 5 easy, powerful ways!

Price Your Home Right

This is a huge one: Consult with an experienced agent so you can benefit from their pricing expertise. Giving sellers exactly what the “sweet spot” is to (a.) maximize what you get for your house, but (b.) not list it so high it ends up languishing on the market for months. 

Highlight Outdoor Features

Since it’s summer in Maine, being outdoors will be more in the forefront of buyers’ minds than during other times of the year. They’ll be noticing outdoor spaces more, so be sure your curb appeal is rocking, and be sure your deck, back yard, and patio are neat and clean via dusting, cleaning, and power-washing. Then arrange your outdoor furniture in an attractive, welcoming way, accenting it with artwork, pillows, vibrant flowers, etc.  And here’s an extra secret: Keep colors neutral so buyers can more easily imagine themselves enjoying the space. 

Stage, Clean, and Declutter the Interior 

To put your absolute best foot forward, make sure the interior of your home is as sparkling-clean as possible. Consult our blog “5 Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your House,” and be sure to give your interior a bright, summer feeling by storing heavy winter blankets or pillows that speak of cooler temperatures. Then—even if you’ve already gone through your home and removed items—do it again. This will help you achieve the inviting, clean, decluttered look you’re shooting for.

Get Your Air Conditioner Checked Out

With Maine’s summer temps creeping up a bit higher than usual, the last thing you want is for your air conditioning to fail you right before a showing. So make sure all AC units are in optimal shape, and be sure to have your air ducts cleaned and the filters changed. 

Dish Up the Summer Refreshments

If it’s hot outside and buyers are parched, they might not fully focus where you want them to: on your house and all it has to offer. So before a showing, arrange a tray with a pitcher of lemonade or bottled water. And consider some light hors d’oeuvres, as well. The more you can make buyers feel welcome and at home, the higher your odds of sales success!  

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When you wish to buy your dream home in Maine … sell one … or build one … we’re always here to help. Contact us today! 
 
About Maine Source Homes & Realty 

Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 54 years of trustworthy experience and expertise.

Understanding Maine’s Homestead Exemption & Other Tax Benefits             

Do you fully understand how Maine’s Homestead Exemption and Property Tax Relief Law benefit you as a homeowner? Are you poised to take advantage of them? Let’s take a couple of minutes to spotlight the major tax benefits that homeowners enjoy here in Maine! 

Maine’s Homestead Exemption 

Maine’s Homestead Exemption was designed by the State to offer property tax relief for certain individuals. It specifically benefits anyone who has owned homestead property in Maine for at least 12 months, and who makes the property they occupy on April 1 their permanent residence. 

If you have questions about various details of Maine’s Homestead Exemption, we suggest you visit this FAQ page.      

Property Tax Relief 

Tax reforms passed a year ago established the Property Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents (replacing the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents). This law stipulates that funds be used to provide property tax relief payments directly to every Maine resident whose residence qualifies for an exemption under Maine’s Homestead Exemption.  

When the fund reaches a target balance, the Treasurer of State is required, by March 1, to mail tax-relief checks to each owner of a qualifying homestead.  

Renewable-Energy Equipment  

Maine’s reformed homeowner tax law also exempts solar and wind-energy equipment from your property tax.  If you feel you are owed this tax exemption, be sure to file an application with your municipality in the first year for which you seek the exemption. 

Here in Maine, the state government and local municipalities have made a very concerted effort to make housing regulations and tax policy as favorable as possible for Maine homeowners. To discover more about how you benefit as a Maine homeowner, we invite you to contact us today. 

About Maine Source Homes & Realty 

Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 54 years of trustworthy experience and expertise. 

How French Canadians Enriched the Culture of Lewiston-Auburn    

When we were kids and first started learning about American history, we learned that one of the things that makes America great is that we are a “melting pot.” Throughout our history, we—in the words written at the base of the Statue of Liberty—have welcomed those “yearning to breathe free,” from literally every other country on earth.  Here in Lewiston-Auburn, we especially are aware of and value the great contributions of French Canadians to our area. According to the Franco-American collection at The University of Southern Maine, Lewiston’s population is 60 percent of French Canadian ancestry, and Auburn’s is 30 percent. Today about 80 percent of Maine’s Franco-American population lives within a 50-mile radius of Lewiston-Auburn. 

French-Canadians Arrive in Lewiston-Auburn 

The first French-speaking Canadian migrants came to Lewiston-Auburn in the 1860s to work in the textile mills and shoe shops. Most arrived at the Grand Trunk Railroad Depot on Lincoln Street in Lewiston—a small building later home to a restaurant—and then settled in an area known to this day as “Little Canada.” In 1907, construction of St. Mary’s Church began in the Little Canada neighborhood. The parish served its new residents and became an important focal point for Lewiston-Auburn culture. 

From St. Mary’s to Today’s Franco Center 

In 1930, a Boston newspaper published a photo of St. Mary’s and judged it to be the most beautiful church in New England. From its construction until the year 2000, an estimated three-quarters of Franco-Americans in the Lewiston-Auburn area were baptized or married in the church. But with the turn-of-the-century decline of the industries that had encouraged families to populate the neighborhood, the church began to suffer financially. The Catholic Diocese of Portland announced it would be closing St. Mary’s as of July 1, 2000. Led by former Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay, the community banded together and formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that ultimately turned what had been St. Mary’s into what is today The Franco-American Heritage Center (commonly called The Franco Center). By offering the local Lewiston-Auburn community an outstanding performing arts and cultural facility, the Franco Center meets its mission to “celebrate Franco-American heritage and culture and the cultures of others from places around the world.” 

French Canadians’ Cultural Contributions 

From their savory Tourtière Pie ( a seasoned meat pie baked in a traditional piecrust) … to their other culinary delights … to the incredible work ethic they brought to Maine’s mills, logging operations, and other businesses starting around the time of the Civil War … to the deep religious faith and close-kit fabric of their families and community … French-Canadians have left an indelible stamp on our area through their contributions to local history, government, religion, language, education, industry, sports and the arts. 

To take a deeper, more detailed dive into the many cultural contributions of Franco-Americans, we invite you to visit The Franco American Collection of the University of Southern Maine here. 

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When you wish to buy your dream home in Maine … sell one … or build one … we’re always here to help. Contact us today! 
 
About Maine Source Homes & Realty
Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 53 years of trustworthy experience and expertise.

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Best Shops & Stores in Lewiston-Auburn for Fall Home Décor 

Can you imagine anything cozier than autumn in Lewiston-Auburn? It’s the time for delicious mugs of steaming hot cider … the aroma of candles and pumpkin pie throughout your house … and gorgeous New England foliage outside. It’s also when you can enhance your home’s Warm-and-Cozy Factor with a creative dash of fall home décor! Looking for the best shops and stores in Lewiston-Auburn for buying it?  Here you go! 

EllieAnna Gift Shop 

With two great locations in Maine—one in Lewiston, the other directly across from L.L. Bean’s world-famous flagship store in Freeport—EllieAnna Gift Shop is brimming with the fall décor you need! New arrivals for fall include shelf sitters, gnomes, candles, hand-painted signs, handmade jewelry, soaps, lotions, and much more! 785 Main Street, Lewiston. 

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Hobby Lobby Arts & Crafts Store 

Featuring an attractive array of fall home décor items, arts & crafts materials, party supplies, and fabric, Hobby Lobby has a stated mission to “Bring Out the DIY in All of Us.”  Their more than 70,000 stocked items also include resources for scrapbooking, custom framing, and many other fun seasonal activities.  65 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Auburn.

Marden’s 

Featuring 14 locations in Maine and billing themselves as “Maine’s Best Bargain Store,” Marden’s is your destination for—to quote them directly—“crazy-good deals.” Brimming with an abundance of fall home décor and other seasonal (and general) items, Marden’s will offer you a money-saving bargain every single time! 750 Main Street, Lewiston. 

And Don’t Forget Your Pumpkins! 

What would fall home décor be without wonderful pumpkins to complement it? You can grab yours at Wallingsford’s Fruit House in Auburn, The Lewiston Farmers Market, Stukas Farm in Lewiston, or tried-and-true chain stores such as Shaw’s, Tractor Supply, or Walmart SuperCenter. 

With its great new businesses, great restaurants, and high-quality Maine lifestyle, the Lewiston-Auburn area is a wonderful place to live. If you need assistance or have questions about buying or selling a house in central or southern Maine, we invite you to contact us today. 

About Maine Source Homes & Realty 

Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 53 years of trustworthy experience and expertise. 

Great Open House Ideas That Close the Sale                               

It’s a HUGE question for everyone wishing to take advantage of sky-high home prices in Maine by selling their house: How do you create an open house that MAXIMIZES the odds of closing the sale? How do you avoid one that’s just “meh”? Try these proven-effective open house ideas to powerfully convert interested attendees into willing buyers! 

Hire a Professional Photographer 

Attractive, eye-catching photos should always be Step #1 as you work toward gaining sales-generating exposure. First-class photos of your house will help you powerfully promote it in social media posts, email invites, and online real estate forums. But before your professional photos are taken, be sure to … 

Gussy-Up Your Home’s Exterior 

First impressions and “curb appeal” are BIG parts of a successful open house. Put yourself in the shoes of the home buyer. When you pull up to the curb, don’t you want to see a house rocking a freshly mowed lawn … a power-washed driveway … gorgeous seasonal flowers on the front porch … a new doormat and mailbox, etc.?   

Promote-Promote-Promote on Social Media 

Today’s social media places power-marketing at your fingertips. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, etc., can spread the word about your open house to an astonishing number of people. Make sure your posts include who-what-where-when details, a few of your eye-catching house photos, and perhaps a “fascinating fact” about the house that will make seeing it even more enticing. Embedding something such as a drone video of the property can also work wonders. 

Capture Contact Information with a Digital Tablet 

As attendees arrive on the day of your open house, invite them to sign-in on a digital tablet placed near the entryway. As part of this sign-in, ask for each person’s name, email address, snail-mail address (if desired), and what part of the buying process they’re in. Then use this information to nurture relationships with attendees afterward by, for example, posting updates about the house or neighborhood, your asking price, etc. 

Stage Rooms Virtually 

By using a digital tablet to stage rooms virtually, you can help attendees see VARIOUS ways a room could look. So use your tablet to demonstrate various interior design styles. This strategy is becoming more and more popular, so be sure to ask your agent about it. 

Host a Live Virtual Walk-Through 

Even some highly motivated buyers may not be able to attend your open house in person. The solution? A live virtual walk-through the day of the event (or a different day). Once the open house begins, you or your agent can hop on a platform such as Facebook Live and present a walk-through of the home. Through the course of the virtual walk-through, be sure to engage with viewers and answer questions. 

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When you wish to buy your dream home in Maine … sell one … or build one … we’re always here to help. Contact us today! 
 
About Maine Source Homes & Realty 
Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 53 years of trustworthy experience and expertise. 

Best Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Agent                       

There’s no two ways about it: Buying or selling your house is a big deal. That’s why hiring the RIGHT real estate agent is a big deal. So how do you do it? Let the following questions guide you to a confident decision! 

 
“How much experience do you have as an agent?” 

A real estate agent’s experience—especially if he or she has been an agent for years—offers great benefits to you as a buyer or seller. He or she will be able to anticipate problems before they arise, understand proven-effective negotiation strategies, have invaluable relationships with other professionals, etc. The “package” of their experience typically means a “package” of benefits for you. 

“Do you work part-time or full-time as an agent?” 

Someone who works full-time as a real estate agent is more likely to be able to focus on you more fully. But you shouldn’t necessarily rule out part-time agents. Some are real go-getters who make up for their part-time status with great passion and focus. 

“Do you work with buyers or sellers—or both?” 

You’ll discover that many real estate agents work as either buyer-specialists or seller-specialists. While that means they have expertise in that area—which can be extremely valuable to you—it also can be helpful to find an agent who does both, because he or she can offer valuable insights from both sides of the process. 

 
“How many clients do you currently have?” 

Ideally, you want to find a real estate agent who doesn’t have too many—or too few—current clients. Too many clients could mean you won’t get the attention you deserve; too few could be a warning signal. 

 
“Have you helped buyers find homes in this specific area?” 

If you are a buyer, you need a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the specific area in which you want to live. Communities can be quite distinct regarding the types of homes people want, what types sell there, etc. Your real estate agent should be on top of all this. 

“Have you helped buyers / sellers in my price range?” 

The price of a home can dramatically alter the way it’s marketed, and sometimes change the way an agent views it. An agent specializing in listings of, say, more than $750,000 could devote less time to you if your selling or buying level is more in the $300,000 range. Make sure your agent is a good fit for you “price-wise.” 

“Do you have references?” 

You need to vet a real estate agent exactly as you would any other professional. He or she should be able to refer you to satisfied clients and, if the agent can’t, it could be a huge red flag. Prepare a list of questions to ask the agent’s other clients, to make sure the agent will deliver the satisfying, life-changing experience you are looking for. 

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When you wish to buy your dream home in Maine … sell one … or build one … we’re always here to help. Contact us today! 
 
About Maine Source Homes & Realty 
Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 53 years of trustworthy experience and expertise.