AUGUST ONLY CHART
From August 1-31, 2006 and August 1-31, 2007
County # Units Sold # Units Sold % MSP MSP % Change
2006 2007 Change 2006 2007
STATEWIDE 1335 1425 6.74% $195,000 $195,000 0.00%
ROLLING QUARTER CHART
From June 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006 -and- From June 1, 2007 - August 31, 2007
County # Units Sold # Units Sold % MSP MSP % Change
2006 2007 Change 2006 2007
STATEWIDE 4112 3988 -3.02% $195,000 $197,714 1.39%
Androscoggin 317 276 -12.93% $165,000 $163,000 -1.21%
Aroostook 114 113 -0.88% $83,450 $86,000 3.06%
Cumberland 947 991 4.65% $250,000 $259,000 3.60%
Franklin 106 94 -11.32% $135,000 $141,000 4.44%
Hancock 184 156 -15.22% $195,000 $193,750 -0.64%
Kennebec 429 362 -15.62% $155,000 $152,000 -1.94%
Knox 139 178 28.06% $199,000 $208,500 4.77%
Lincoln 139 142 2.16% $243,500 $217,500 -10.68%
Oxford 196 169 -13.78% $150,000 $156,000 4.00%
Penobscot 460 478 3.91% $149,900 $146,600 -2.20%
Piscataquis 64 72 12.50% $97,000 $122,500 26.29%
Sagadahoc 146 120 -17.81% $207,090 $212,250 2.49%
Somerset 128 95 -25.78% $110,800 $123,000 11.01%
Waldo 118 105 -11.02% $162,000 $163,000 0.62%
Washington 13 12 -7.69% $110,000 $120,000 9.09%
York 612 625 2.12% $240,000 $240,000 0.00%
Source: Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. Note: MREIS, a subsidiary of the Maine Association of REALTORS®, is a statewide Multiple Listing Service with over 5,800 licensees inputting active and sold property listing data. Statistics reflect properties reported as sold in the System within time periods indicated.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Change in October Show
During the month of October, we will be showing the photographic work of Sophie Sunrise Doughter. Sophie's show... Roadside Attractions is a journey through what many of us do not see... her work for this show is printed directly on stretched canvas which yields a beautiful and original piece of artwork. Please visit her website www.risephotography.com for more information...
"Sophie is a woman of few words. An observer. Her stories are best told through what her camera lens captures- moments you may have never known that happened, a glance you were too busy to catch, details you overlooked, an instant that may have passed you by otherwise. Not only does she depict the people, surroundings and emotions accurately, it's done in a style all her own. She considers each framed composition as a single work of art. No matter where she finds herself she is instinctually seeing the picture within her surroundings. Unobtrusive, she is aware of boundaries and naturally keeps herself hidden and you can trust she can do so without missing a thing. You almost forget she's there as she is a master at getting the unforced, candid shot.
As previously mentioned we will be featuring the works of Spindleworks at a later date.
Gallery 1 3 2
Townsend Real Estate spent over nine thousand hours restoring our two hundred year old building with the end result as our office space & an active art gallery with the capabilities of showing over twenty five pieces...
Gallery 1 3 2 has focused on local artists for the last two years & opens a new show on the first Friday of every month, in conjunction with Portland's First Friday Art Walk. We also feature members of the 'Jerks of Grass', Maine's best Bluegrass band. Gallery 1 3 2 is central to the Arts district, downtown and the Old Port... Join us for a fantastic evening of art, wine & cheese and the only live music at the First Friday Art Walk. We are also open to the public Monday-Friday 9-5 and on Saturdays until noon. We are continually looking for artists, so please contact us if you would like to discuss showing @ Gallery 132.
Gallery 1 3 2 has focused on local artists for the last two years & opens a new show on the first Friday of every month, in conjunction with Portland's First Friday Art Walk. We also feature members of the 'Jerks of Grass', Maine's best Bluegrass band. Gallery 1 3 2 is central to the Arts district, downtown and the Old Port... Join us for a fantastic evening of art, wine & cheese and the only live music at the First Friday Art Walk. We are also open to the public Monday-Friday 9-5 and on Saturdays until noon. We are continually looking for artists, so please contact us if you would like to discuss showing @ Gallery 132.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Spectacular turnout!
For those of you who don't know, Portland galleries and art museums sponser an art walk on the first Friday of each month. Townsend Real Estate's own Gallery 132 had a spectacular turnout this past Friday due to the winning combination of local artist Tita Townsend's abstact work, bluegrass music from members of the renowned band The Jerks of Grass, great food, company and of course the absolute perfect weather. Over 150 people visited our gallery to view the new collection. We hope you will come and visit us next month when we will be collaberating with the artists from Spindleworks Artist Studio's http://www.spindleworks.org/. Spindleworks is a nonprofit art center for adults with disabilities. Their mission is to, "Help children and adults with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives in their chosen community." We will be featuring more information about Spindleworks in future blogs and at http://www.townsendre.com/ click Gallery 132 to view some examples of their work.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
TEN WAYS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS DOWNSIZE THEIR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
The Task of downsizing can be daunting. It most often can be an adult child’s largest challenge. Frequently, downsizing occurs as a result of a crisis in the life of your loved one. This leaves them feeling out of control and important decisions are often made too quickly by their family.
A home is often the most valuable asset a person has. Assessing the overall situation prior to a crisis can significantly reduce the stress of an impending move.
1. Identify appropriate housing and realize that there may be a long waiting list at many facilities. It is generally best if you can plan to market the home after your parent has relocated and the house is vacant.
Talk about showings and what happens when a house is shown.
Easier to show when vacant less clutter.
2. Arrange for professional services. A real estate agent can assist you in identifying a market value for the home and can give you advice on how to prepare the home for sale, even if it’s month’s prior to placing it on the market. He or she should also be able to give you local references for trash removal, estate specialists, cleaners, movers, lawn maintenance, etc.
Talk about how it is important to interview 3 agents. May be difficult to find someone who specializes but ask what kind of experience they have with elderly people. These sales tend to be more work because of the number of different people involved.
3. Help sort. Be sensitive to the fact that seniors tend to keep things they don’t need. Ask them if they don’t use an item if they would mind if you donated it or gave it to a grand child or sibling as a keepsake.
Don’t treat them like children!
4. Take pictures of the inside of their home. Keep in mind that the place they are moving will be much smaller and sometimes very few personal items can be taken. Try to photograph how the significant items in their home are situated so that you can place them in a similar way in their new residence.
Create a photo album for them to take with them full of family memories.
5. Start small. Take a day to talk with your parents about the move and what to expect. Give them small tasks to do and keep them involved.
15 minutes at a time. Be patient.
6. Pick a room to start that has less sentimental value such as a bathroom or a kitchen. This will set the tone for the rest of the moving experience.
7. Plan the move - When possible allow enough time so that your parents don’t feel rushed. Give them time to absorb the change. Visit the new facility a few times so that they become familiar with their new surroundings.
If a Realtor is involved at this point it may be stressful for a parent to hear a stranger talking about their home. Keep visits minimal talk to the agent about the situation.
8. Hire help - There are senior moving specialists who will assist in the entire moving process, including helping to organize, clean, coordinate the move and prepare the home for sale. Many times it is easier for parents to work with an outside party as they may feel conflicted or burdensome on their adult children who need to take time off from work or their family. Often family members are scattered throughout the country and the burden is placed on a single family member. This can cause dissension within the entire family, making the task of downsizing even more stressful.
Talk about staging vacant properties.
9. Speak with an attorney to get advice regarding placing the home in a trust, getting a power of attorney and other essential issues regarding the legalities of your parents estate and transfer of title.
Get a recommendation for Real Estate agent not advice!
10. Start early, take this advice and downsize when you no longer need the space anymore. Avoid future conflict and plan ahead in your 50’s and 60’s. Don’t hold onto your childrens items if possible.
author:Kathryn Townsend
A home is often the most valuable asset a person has. Assessing the overall situation prior to a crisis can significantly reduce the stress of an impending move.
1. Identify appropriate housing and realize that there may be a long waiting list at many facilities. It is generally best if you can plan to market the home after your parent has relocated and the house is vacant.
Talk about showings and what happens when a house is shown.
Easier to show when vacant less clutter.
2. Arrange for professional services. A real estate agent can assist you in identifying a market value for the home and can give you advice on how to prepare the home for sale, even if it’s month’s prior to placing it on the market. He or she should also be able to give you local references for trash removal, estate specialists, cleaners, movers, lawn maintenance, etc.
Talk about how it is important to interview 3 agents. May be difficult to find someone who specializes but ask what kind of experience they have with elderly people. These sales tend to be more work because of the number of different people involved.
3. Help sort. Be sensitive to the fact that seniors tend to keep things they don’t need. Ask them if they don’t use an item if they would mind if you donated it or gave it to a grand child or sibling as a keepsake.
Don’t treat them like children!
4. Take pictures of the inside of their home. Keep in mind that the place they are moving will be much smaller and sometimes very few personal items can be taken. Try to photograph how the significant items in their home are situated so that you can place them in a similar way in their new residence.
Create a photo album for them to take with them full of family memories.
5. Start small. Take a day to talk with your parents about the move and what to expect. Give them small tasks to do and keep them involved.
15 minutes at a time. Be patient.
6. Pick a room to start that has less sentimental value such as a bathroom or a kitchen. This will set the tone for the rest of the moving experience.
7. Plan the move - When possible allow enough time so that your parents don’t feel rushed. Give them time to absorb the change. Visit the new facility a few times so that they become familiar with their new surroundings.
If a Realtor is involved at this point it may be stressful for a parent to hear a stranger talking about their home. Keep visits minimal talk to the agent about the situation.
8. Hire help - There are senior moving specialists who will assist in the entire moving process, including helping to organize, clean, coordinate the move and prepare the home for sale. Many times it is easier for parents to work with an outside party as they may feel conflicted or burdensome on their adult children who need to take time off from work or their family. Often family members are scattered throughout the country and the burden is placed on a single family member. This can cause dissension within the entire family, making the task of downsizing even more stressful.
Talk about staging vacant properties.
9. Speak with an attorney to get advice regarding placing the home in a trust, getting a power of attorney and other essential issues regarding the legalities of your parents estate and transfer of title.
Get a recommendation for Real Estate agent not advice!
10. Start early, take this advice and downsize when you no longer need the space anymore. Avoid future conflict and plan ahead in your 50’s and 60’s. Don’t hold onto your childrens items if possible.
author:Kathryn Townsend
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