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Maine’s residential real estate market fared well in 2020, despite the impacts of COVID.  The Maine Association of Realtors and Maine Listings show a sales increase of 9.82% for all single-family existing homes sold during 2020. Values rose by double digits during the year with a statewide median sales price of $256,000, which is an increase of 13.78%. The year ended with historic highs for the number of reported transactions (19,921) and median sales price. In month of December, sales across the state of Maine were up 31.53% compared to December 2019, and the statewide MSP of $270,00 represents an increase of 15.38% from the previous year. Sustained low mortgage interest rates and Maine’s reputation as a safe place to live relative to the rest of the U.S., combined with the emergence of teleworking has created an unprecedented demand for residential real estate in Maine.

Here are some creative ways to make your house lighter, brighter, and cheerier with more natural light indoors: #1 Take the Screens Off Your Windows You will get 30% more sunlight shining indoors without screens on your windows.   Sunlight warms your room and saves you money on your heating bill. Be sure to store your screens in your garage or basement where they won’t get damaged. In the spring you will want to put them back on so you can keep that 30% of the sun out and run your cooling system less. #2 Hang Outdoor String Lights Indoors Drape string lights around a window or a mantel or hang a string of LED glimmer lights in a tall potted plant. They will add a layer of soft light to your room and remind you of fireflies, flip-flops, and patio parties. #3 Lighten Your Interior Keep interiors pale to reflect and amplify light.   Think white walls, light woods for furniture and floors, and light upholstery.   To get the look without getting rid of your dark furniture and

The low inventory of homes for sale and the high demand for Maine’s lifestyle continues to drive real estate sales and values into the double digits.  According to Maine Listings, 1,965 single-family existing homes were sold in November, which is an increase of 31.17% compared to November 2019.  Home values also increased 20% to a median sales price (MSP) of $270,000.  Residential real estate activity in Maine is strong.  In most markets across Maine, Realtors are reporting multiple offer situations for move-in ready listings. The increased competition for historically low inventory of available homes is resulting in price appreciation.   Year-to-date sales are 7.9% ahead of the comparable time period of January through November for 2019— Maine’s best year ever.  One-third of November’s sales involved out-of-state buyers, compared to one-fourth during November of 2019.

Maine’s real estate sales were up 26.88 %  in October 2020 compared to October 2019.  According to the Maine Association of Realtors, 2,341 single-family existing homes were sold by Realtors last month and the median sales price for homes sold reached $280,000, a 24.50 %  increase over October 2019.  January through October 2020 sales are 5.6 %  ahead of the comparable time period for 2019—Maine’s best year ever.  Buyers are plentiful across Maine and they are facing a sustained tight supply of for-sale inventory.  This supply/demand imbalance, combined with historically-low mortgage interest rates, is resulting in increased competition and price appreciation. Maine’s lower incidence of COVID compared to the rest of the country, plus the increase in tele-working, has resulted in out-of-state buyers adding to the demand for Maine homes.  Historically, about 25 %  of monthly home purchases in Maine are by out-of-state buyers; during October, that number was 36 % . 

With the holidays  coming at you fast and furious, you want to be sure your home is cozy, but with that  fresh-as-spring feel  — as opposed to that musty-damp-winter feel. Here's how to make that happen (along with a few other timely tips): #1 Wash Bed Pillows You love your trusty, old, perfectly-snugged-to-your-head pillow. But guess what's also snug against your head?  Fungus — 4 to 16 species to be precise. Yuck! W ith fall being the height of guest season, you'll want your pillows fresh, too.  Toss them in the washing machine and dryer for an all-over clean feeling. (But check manufacturer advice, too. Some pillows shouldn't be washed, but replaced instead. #2 Clean the Mattress, Too Sleeping soundly gets even better when you know you're lying on a clean and fresh mattress. The yuck factor: Skin cells and sweat get into the mattress, then dust mites show up for a dinner party featuring those tasty skin cell morsels. You'll want your mattress to be at it'

The temps are starting to drop; the smell of wood smoke is in the air.   Temps are more chilly than warm. That's when veteran homeowners know it's time to do these six things if they want to avoid grief or overspending: #1 Buy Appliances Do whatever it takes to get your old appliances to wait until fall to go on the fritz. Manufacturers bring out their latest models during the fall, and store owners offer big sales on appliances they want to move out — like last year's most popular dishwasher. So September, October, and November are great months to buy. But October is right in the middle — when there's still plenty of selection, and retailers might be more willing to haggle. Refrigerators are the exception since new models don't come out until spring. #2 Switch the Direction of Ceiling Fans Most have a switch to allow the  ceiling fan blades  to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise — one way pushes air down to create a nice breeze and the other sucks air up,

Sales of single-family existing homes increased 22.78% in September 2020 compared to September 2019. According to Maine Listings, the median sales price for homes sold in September 2020 rose 19.56% to $273,500, compared to September 2019.  January through September 2020 sales increased 2.6% compared to January through September 2019 — Maine’s best year ever!   Demand is strongly affected by historically-low mortgage interest rates combined with the allure of Maine’s quality of life and response to COVID-19, resulting in historically lows in the supply of for-sale properties. With more buyers than sellers, most markets are experiencing strong competition, faster sales, and increased pricing.  Typically, about 25% of home purchases in Maine are made by out-of-state buyers, and that percentage has increased to around 33%.  In September of 2020, 735 single family homes were purchased by out-of-state buyers, compared to 445 in September 2019. Buyers are anxiously ready and waiting for homes