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When the last of summer's heat is a faint memory, and you're pulling out your hoodies more than your shorts, it's time to tackle a few simple chores that'll make winter more pleasant and prevent some nasty surprises next spring. This fall checklist will help: #1 Clean and Stow Your Mower If you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, get to know it. If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will slowly deteriorate, which can damage internal engine parts. Fuel stabilizer ($10 for a 10-ounce bottle) prevents gas from degrading.Add stabilizer to your gasoline can to keep spare gas in good condition over the winter, and top off your mower tank with stabilized gas before you put it away for the winter. Run the mower for five minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor. Another lawn mower care method is to run your mower dry before stowing it. 1. When the mower is cool, remove the spark plug and pour a capful of engine oil into the spark plug ho

By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home.  Most potential home buyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase. 1. Decide How Much Home You Can Afford Generally, you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Remember to consider costs every homeowner must cover: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care if you plan to have children. 2. Develop Your Home Wish List Be honest about which features you must have and which you’d like to have. Handicap accessibility for an aging parent or spe

Did you know that most land uses within 250 feet of Maine's rivers, wetlands, lakes, the ocean, and within 75 feet of certain streams are subject to the regulation of Maine's Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act.?  The law protects water quality, limits erosion, conserves wildlife and vegetation, and preserves the natural beauty of Maine's shoreland areas. What are considered shoreland areas? All land within 250 feet of the high-water line of any pond over 10 acres, any river that drains at least 25 square miles, and all tidal waters and saltwater marshes. All land within 250 feet of a freshwater wetland over 10 acres. All land within 75 feet of streams that are an outlet of great ponds or streams below the confluence of 2 perennial streams. The municipalities must map these areas and establish districts or zones within these areas for protected districts and residential, commercial or mixed-use districts. Responsible Development  Development that is too close to the shor

Real estate sales in Maine continue on a healthy, highly-positive direction. According to Maine Listings, the value of single-family existing homes jumped 17.39% comparing August 2020 to August 2019, reaching a median sales price of $270,000. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less. Home sales increased 1.31% from last August. Maine is experiencing an historically low supply of homes for sale, 40% below a year ago. Demand is being fueled by all-time low mortgage interest rates, Maine households moving within the state, and an increase in out-of-state buyers seeking Maine’s quality of life and safety.  In August of 2020, Maine had 707 single family homes purchased by out-of-state buyers. In August 2019, that number was 482.

An insurance score is a credit-based statistical analysis that helps predict a consumer’s likelihood of filing an insurance claim in the future. It is not a measure of a consumer’s ability to borrow money.The insurance score is one of the primary determinants in how much monthly premium a consumer will be assessed. Why do insurers use credit?  Scores help streamline the decision process, so policies can be issued faster and at an appropriate price to the consumer. What variables are used to create an insurance score?  It is calculated based on your credit score, your accident history, and your insurance history. When you apply for auto insurance, insurers will calculate your rates based on a number of factors — including your age, ZIP code and the make and model of your car.  Some credit variables that are used include: outstanding debt ratio, new credit activity, types of loans, payment patterns, public records and past due amounts.  How are insurance scores used?  Decisions