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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 rea...

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...