Maine Real Estate Central

Looking for something to do?  Need an indoor activity to occupy the kids? Well...have I got a place for you!  In Bath, Maine...like in many small towns...we try to provide as many activities for our young people as possible.  A safe place for them to hang out with friends, see a movie, and maybe even get some exercise. One such place is the Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark.  Yes...it is the largest indoor skatepark in Maine.  But even if you don't enjoy skateboarding, there's still plenty to do in the meetinghouse!  For example, you could....

Bring your bike!  There are specific times when you can bring your bike to try out the ramps, bowls, and half-pipes!

See a movie! The theater features surround sound and 15' x 24' viewable screen!  Plus, the kids pick the movie!

Attend a concert!  Yup...it even has a concert hall Check the website to view past concerts and upcoming concert dates.

Hang out in The Garage! The Garage is a resource and hang-out area. It is currently under construction, but should be ready by spring!  Here you'll find games, computers with connections to the internet, and a low-key hang out space. The Garage will also provide 2 counselors...for kids who want some help with life's tricky issues.

While you're visiting be sure to enjoy the hang-out lobby with games, treats at the cafe, the free internet-cafe, or sign up for a course at the multimedia center.

The Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark is a great place to hang out...especially on a winter day! Drop in the next time you're in town...you might catch me on the 1/2 pipe!  Okay...you won't see me on a skateboard...but you will have a great time!

If you'd like to walk to the Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark from your new home in Maine, call The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to have a community activity featured here...call The Hershey Home Team!

Okay..well you don't have to be a polar bear to participate, but you might feel like one after it's over! I'm referring to the annual "April Fools  Dip" scheduled for March 30th at Reid State Park.  Sponsored by the Coastal Humane Society, the event is held to raise money to help the more than 2,000 animals that are cared for annually by the Coastal Humane Society.  Participants are invited to dip toes, ankles, knees, or whatever body part they choose into the frigid waters off Reid State Park.  Feeling froggy?  Then dive right in!  Participants are asked to register either by phone (207) 725-5051 or visit www.coastalhumanesociety.org . Pledges are due the morning of the dip.  Or , if you're the type who supports the Humane Society but shies away from frostbite (like yours truly) you can simply make a donation or sponsor a swimmer. Okay...odds are I  wouldn't get frostbite..but being the big baby that I am I think I'll just sponsor someone braver than I am.  Remember that families, animal lovers, cheering sections, and spectators are always welcome!

If you'd like to watch the event from the deck of your new Maine Home, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to have an event posted here, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Welcome back to the Phippsburg Community Profile Series!  I've noticed that a lot of people are under the impression that Maine winters are dark, dreary, and only good for inside activities.  Well...think again!  Now if you want to spend the days curled up in front of the fire with a good book, then that is certainly an option!  But if you're looking for something to do there's plenty to pick from!

How about ice fishing?  It is a huge sport in Phippsburg and actually is one of my favorite things to do!  Bundled up, out on the ice just as the sun comes up, clutching a thermos of coffee, and trudging out to the "secret spot", is something that will stay with you forever.  Holes are drilled...traps are set..and everyone settles back to watch.  Fish stories are traded, fires are built, everyone gets comfortable, and then BAM!  A flag goes up!  Nothing is funnier than watching 10 adults, each sporting about 20 layers of clothing, trying to run across the ice and beat the other to the fish.  Myself included!  The Phippsburg Sportsman's Club holds its annual fishing derby every February. The prizes are huge and the crowds are too, so if you plan to join us get there early! There are numerous ponds with prize winning fish, including Center Pond, Sprague Pond, Wattuh Pond, and Winnegance Pond.  Where do I fish? That's a secret....

Not into fishing?  How about some good old-fashioned sledding? Just ask a native where the sledding hill is....everyone will know what you're talking about and point you in the right direction.  But not before giving you pointers about which sled to take, how to make it go even faster than usual, and what happened to George the last time he went down on the west side of the hill.  So allow for at least a 20 minute dialogue when you ask for directions...

What about cross-country skiing?  There are numerous preserves in Phippsburg which offer trails for skiing or snowshoeing. It's very peaceful, quiet, and odds are you'll see plenty of deer and maybe a moose or two!

Like the beach?  I guarantee you it won't be crowded!  It's a great time of year to see the sights, watch the wave action, and find some serious shells!  Did I mention the 20 layers of clothing?

Okay..so you want to stay inside?  How about joining us for one of the public suppers?  The best food, company, and conversation you'll ever find!  Once a month you can attend family movie night at the elementary school...a movie, popcorn, and drinks for $1.00 a person!  Attend story hour at the library, join the book club, sit in on a presentation at the Historical Society, or attend craft fairs at the Fire Hall.  The possibilities are endless!

I hope I've dispelled some of the rumors about wintertime in Maine!  Feel free to contact The Hershey Home Team if you'd like more information on any of these activities.  And, as always, if you're interested in buying a home in Phippsburg, call  The Hershey Home Team!   

Welcome Brunswick Maine Homeowners!  It's time once again for the HAP question of the week!  And just in time, for I just heard that the government is closing on it's first home in Brunswick next week.  So continue to send me your questions...I love answering them!

Question # 4:  What is the Private Sale Augmentation Benefit? 

Answer:  This benefit was designed to help sellers who have to sell their house for less than their mortgage payoff.  This applies to people who are trying to sell their home on the open market but because of current market conditions they can't get enough for their home to pay off the mortgage. THis is where the Private Sale Augmentation Benefit comes in to play. Most of the time,  the sale proceeds plus the HAP benefit are enough to cover the loan payoff and the closing costs. So in a nutshell, HAP may pay the difference at closing between the sale price of the home and the loan balance.  Remember that you will have to pay taxes on the difference, but that's nothing compared to being able to pay off your mortgage!

While HAP is a valuable safety net, you will always do better if you sell your home on the open market verses selling it to the government. If you would like to find out how much your home would sell for, call The Hershey Home Team!  And please continue to send us any questions you may have concerning the HAP process!

Welcome to HAP Central!  If you haven't read the 1st post or questions 1 and 2, you can find them here.

This week's question happens to be the one I hear most often....

Question #3:  Who is eligible for HAP? 

Answer:   "Any service member or federal employee assigned to or employed at or near the installation at the time of the public announcement of the closure action could be eligible. Non-appropriated ... employees assigned in connection with the installation are also eligible. "

Remember that you must have been with the installation and owner-occupants at the time the closure was announced.

If you are on an overseas tour within 3 years prior to the announcement and you own a home in the affected area you may be eligible....

If you are a civilian employee on an overseas tour with reemployment rights in the affected area....

And if you are a military member homeowner who was ordered into on-post housing within 6 months prior to the announcement you may be eligible!

I am telling everyone who asks.....if you think there's even a remote chance you will qualify...Apply!  Do you have to use it once you are accepted?  Nope!  But it's good to be a part of if only to have as a safety net.

Additional Info can be found at http//hap.usace.army.mil.

Feel free to contact The Hershey Home Team with any HAP questions you may have.  And if you'd like to find out how much your home is worth in today's market, contact The Hershey Home Team!  Be sure to check back next week for Question #4! 

Trying to make it through the final dreary days of winter?  How about a little celestial navigation to liven things up?  I'm not suggesting you grab your star charts and head to the dory...just put on your walking shoes and head to Bath! 

Have you ever wanted to paint the town red?  Or blue? How 'bout green?  Main Street Bath invites you to do just that in it's 4th annual "Banners Over Bath" celebration.  People are invited to paint colorful canvas banners that will hang in downtown Bath from March 15th-May 15th.  The theme of this outdoor art exhibit is "Celestial Navigation".   Anyone can participate, but if you feel your painting skills aren't up to par, you can sponsor an artist to paint it for you.  Just describe the masterpiece that you envision and they will reproduce it on a 2x3 banner!

Local artist Susan Perrins is the force behind this project. She came up with the idea of hanging banners from the lampposts as a way to connect artists, business owners, and community organizations.  And connect it did!  People from all walks of life participate...everyone from professional artists to area students.  It is quite a sight to walk the street and see the creations that flutter in the sea breeze!

By Brady Nickerson 

The fee to participate is $20 and that covers the canvas and the materials used to hang it.  Everyone is encouraged to participate whether you paint your own or sponsor an artist.  If you are a business, remember that your banner cannot display any advertising or promotional information! If you don't want to paint...at least come and enjoy the show! 

                                                                                                                                     By Lynn Koenig 

If you'd like to walk from your new Maine Home to see the celebration, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to have a community event posted here, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Welcome to an ongoing discussion of the HAP Program! If you're not familiar with the HAP program, I suggest you read the intro as well as the 1st question of the week. Basically it's a government program designed to help families affected by the closure of a military base. In my community, Brunswick Naval Air Station is the base that is scheduled to close. I've received so many questions regarding this program, I've decided to post one a week along with the answer.

        Question 2:  What benefits are available under HAP?

        Answer: There are numerous benefits available, and each apply to a different situation. If you are eligible, the following benefits may be available to you...

        1. Private Sale Benefit: If you took a loss from the sale of your home, you are eligible for the Private Sale Benefit. The government will reimburse you the difference between 95%  of the appraised fair market value of the property before the announcement date and the appraised value at the time of sale, or the sale price ...whichever is greater.  In our case, the announcement date is June 2005.  So basically, if you take a loss on the sale of your house, the government will reimburse you 95% of the profit you could have made before the closure. Closing Costs are reimbursed for private sales. Confused Yet?

        2. Private Sale Augmentation Benefit: If you are able to sell your house, but you don't make enough to pay off the mortgage, the HAP Program allows the government to pay off your mortgage for you. This benefit allows applicants to sell their homes for less than the mortgage payoff  as long as the sale proceeds combined with the HAP benefit are enough to pay the mortgage balance and all closing costs. . HAP may pay the difference at closing between the sale price and the loan balance (payoff) to the mortgage company and other associated costs may be included

        3. Government Acquisition: The government purchases your home by paying off the mortgage.  If you choose to go this route, the purchase price you will receive will not exceed 75% of the appraised market value prior to the announcement date, or the current total amount of the mortgage...whichever is greater.

        4. Foreclosure Benefit: If foreclosure proceedings have already begun, you may choose to receive foreclosure benefits or private sale benefits.  Foreclosure benefits may be paid directly to the applicant to reimburse for foreclosure costs  or paid to third parties on the applicant's behalf.

Confusing?  Yes...a bit.  After all, for the majority of the homeowners involved, this is uncharted territory!  I recommend that everyone apply for the program, but keep in mind that HAP is designed to be a last resort..not your first plan of action!  If you'd like to discuss the steps involved in the HAP Program, or if you're interested in putting your home on the market, call The Hershey Home Team!  Be sure to check back next week for Question #3!

Bath Sunrise Rotary Club's annual "Death By Chocolate" Fund-raiser!

Saturday, February 9th, 6:30-8:30pm at the Bath Middle School Cafeteria,  6 Old Brunswick Rd, Bath ME

Piano music by local keyboard artists and Silent auction.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.  You can also purchase tickets at the following businesses:

Now You're Cooking, Bath Sweete Shoppe, and Magnolia.  Proceeds support many community organizations and projects including Flying Changes, Patten Free Library, YMCA, Bath Area Food Bank, Odyssey of the Mind, and local youth sports! Come join the fun!

NOTE:  Due to the approaching snowstorm, this event has been rescheduled to March 29th.  Tickets are still available!

If you would like to have a community event listed here, call The Hershey Home Team!