Maine Real Estate Central

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Lunch Lessons

For some reason, it seems like more and more of my day to day experiences are providing me with blog Pizzatopics....as well as business lessons!  For example, the simple act of going out to lunch the other day inspired this blog...a lesson for sellers, agents, and Pizza Hut! 

It was a crazy day and we decided to slip into the Brunswick Pizza Hut to hit the buffet.  It seemed like a good decision at the time...fast...hot...and involving pizza. What could go wrong?

Well..it started with waiting 10 minutes to be seated.  There was no one in line in front of us...tons of empty tables...but no-one who worked there could find the time to seat us.  That should have been my first sign. We were finally seated, ordered our drinks, and headed to the buffet.  Only half of the buffet table was filled and the pizza that was there was cold and tired looking.  We selected a few pieces, headed back to our table, and just as we finished eating we received our drinks. To make a long story short, the food was cold, the service was terrible, and we left with a bad taste in our mouths.  Literally.

Needless to say I felt cheated.  There were a dozen restaurants I could have spent my money in. So my question is...during a tough economic time when people don't have  a lot of money to throw around, why isn't Pizza Hut doing everything it can to attract diners? They should have the biggest selection of the freshest, hottest, pizza around to lure people in.  Their service should be top notch!  Even if they're rolling in the dough...pardon the pun... they should be at the top of their game!  I know I won't be going back there.

 So Sellers..here's a lesson for you.  Like restaurants, there are quite a few homes on the market for buyers to choose from!  Talk with your agent and make sure you're both doing everything you can to make your home stand out among the sea of homes for sale! You can't put cold, tired pizza out on the buffet and expect buyers to come back and spend their money on it. Get rid of the clutter, clean the carpets, paint the laundry room, cut the grass, plant some flowers! In other words..put your best pizza on the buffet! If you don't, buyers will take their appetites and their money to the buffet around the corner.

And Agents, this should be the time when you provide better service than any other restaurant agency in the area!  Return calls promptly, answer your e-mails, communicate with your clients, be kind to agents who bring their buyers...do everything you can to prove that you've got the best service in town! Because like buffets and homes for sale, there are a lot of agents to choose from!

So there you go...two good lessons that emerged from a bad dining experience. I for one plan to revisit my business plan and my  listing buffet to ensure that I have the best service and the freshest, hottest listings around!

If you'd like to receive tips on preparing your home for sale, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to experience top-notch service from a Realtor, contact The Hershey Home Team!

"Skip Work, Play Golf"

Maine GOlfWhile the weathermen are keeping an eye on an approaching snowstorm, Maine Golfers are looking forward to the first days of spring.  The first day they can step out on the links and see how many trees they can hit...or balls they can lose...or lakes they can splash through. At least that's how my golf game usually goes! But luckily, when it comes to golf courses Maine has something for every skill level and every budget.  With over 140 courses, you can choose from an intimate beginners course or a stunning world-class layout.  You can decide to play 9 holes in a scenic mountain setting, or tee off along Maine's rocky coastline.  So if you're a golfer and are headed to Mid Coast Maine this summer, here's a list of places that might interest you....

 

BATH COUNTRY CLUB:  Nestled amid the rolling farmland of North Bath, the Bath Country Club is a favorite of many a Maine Golfer. Don't let the lush, country feel fool you, the 18 hole course is challenging! It's no wonder so many Mainers decide to "Skip Work, Play Golf!".  Call 207-442-8411 to reserve a tee time, or visit www.skipworkplaygolf.com

BRUNSWICK GOLF CLUB:  Brunswick Golf Club is an 18 hole gem that is considered by many to be the best course in Mid Coast Maine. The front side, a Geoff Cornish design, will test every club in your golf bag. And the Stiles/Van Cleek designed back nine has plenty of birdie opportunities! Call (207) 725-8224 or visit www.BrunswickGolfClub.com for more info!

SEBASCO HARBOR RESORT GOLF CLUB:  I love a golf course where your approach is affected by whether it's high or low tide!  Sebasco's 9 hole championship golf course winds along the shores of Casco Bay, and the beauty of the scenery might distract you a bit!  The course was fully redesigned in 2001, and the challenging layout and bent grass fairways ensure an outstanding experience! Call (207)389-1161 or visit www.Sebasco.com  Sebasco Golf  !

SAMOSET:  Just up the coast a bit is the Samoset Resort Golf Club, an 18 hole course featuring some of the most magnificent views and formidable holes in golf.  It won Golf Digest's "Top Ranked Resort Course in New England" as well as the magazine's "Seventh Most Beautiful Course in America". Definitely worth the trip!  Call (207) 594-1431 or visit www.samoset.com .

BOOTHBAY COUNTRY CLUB:  Boothbay Country Club is the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery, challenging holes, and ocean breezes.  It's location is just minutes from downtown Boothbay Harbor. Visit www.boothbaycountryclub.com for more info!

These are all fabulous courses set in Mid Coast Maine!  If you're going to be visiting other parts of our great state,  then visit www.golfme.com for a complete list of Maine Golf Courses!

And if you'd like to purchase a home located on a Maine Golf Course, contact The Hershey Home Team!

10 Good Reasons to NOT Have A Home Inspection....

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5.                                                                    10.

 

Why are they all blank?  Well...it's because if you're planning on buying a home, then I can't think of 1 good reason to not have a home inspection!

For most people, the purchase of a home is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, investment they will Home Inspectionmake in their lifetime.  It is vital that you know what you're taking on with that investment! Sure..you fell in love with that home the minute you saw it! But remember, my friend, that love is blind! Love might make you miss that water stain on the ceiling. Love might cause you to overlook that termite damage.  And love might keep you off the roof entirely! 

"But Barb", you might say, "The seller is a little old lady who is sweet as pie and was very honest about all the defects in the home."  I'm sure she is very sweet...and she probably told you everything she knew was wrong with the home. But when's the last time that little old lady climbed up in the attic and looked for asbestos or knob and tube wiring?  When's the last time she traipsed around on the roof and looked for damaged shingles? See where I'm going with this?  The homeowner is not always aware of all the hidden defects.  But a licensed inspector can identify any issues that might cost you a lot money down the road. 

In Maine anyone can call themselves a "Home Inspector"...there's no requirement for a license!  So when choosing an inspector, I always recommend that you look for one who is licensed and certified.  Don't just hire your cousin, or his drinking buddy, or the son of the seller.  While their intentions may be good, they haven't been trained in what to look for during a home inspection.  And what if they miss something really important?  A mistake like that can strain a friendship and cost you money!

So by all means, fall in love with the house, hug the little old lady, and send your cousin a bottle of his favorite beverage.  But make sure that you have that house inspected by a professional before you buy it!

If you need contact info for Home Inspectors in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you're looking for Real Estate in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

The HAP Homes Have Arrived!

Well folks...it's official.  The HAP homes are now on the market! Those of you who have been with me for a while may remember a few posts I did regarding the Homeowners Assistance Program at Brunswick Naval Air Station. I had a terrific response from those posts and answered many questions before the Army Corp of Engineers asked to me stop.  Apparently, they are the only ones "allowed" to answer HAP questions.  Puhleeezzz...   But that's a different blog. 

So for those of you who are new, well...let's back up a bit.

In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission announced that Brunswick Naval Air Station was Homeowners Assistance Programon the closure list.  Military personnel who owned homes in the areas affected by the closure were a bit nervous at the thought of trying to sell their homes..... what if values had dropped? Would they be able to cover what they paid during the housing boom? In rides the Homeowners Assistance Program to save the day! If a qualified homeowner (there are certain criteria that have to be met)  has tried in vain to sell their home on the current market, HAP steps in and purchases the home, pays off the mortgage and frees up the owner to purchase another home at their next duty station.  And then what does the government do with these homes?

It puts them back on the market, of course!

These homes are just starting to trickle on the market as our military guys begin to relocate. The trickle is good....the fact that the government hasn't released them all at once has helped to maintain the values!

Several of my clients have expressed concern about HAP Homes...thinking that they are similar in condition to most of the foreclosures they've looked at.  They're not!  These homes were not "taken" from people, so they haven't been stripped or mistreated like you sometimes see with foreclosures.

If you're interested in learning more about the HAP program...contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you're interested in buying a HAP home...contact The Hershey Home Team!

Calling All Campers!!!!

If you're planning to spend your summer camping in Maine.....today is your day!  You can begin making Baxter State Parkyour Maine State Park camping reservations today!

You can do it one of four ways:

- online at www.CampWithMe.com

- by calling in state at 800-332-1501; or (out-of-state) 207-624-9950;

- by mailing reservations to: Bureau of Parks and Lands, ATTN.: Reservations, 22 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333. Mailed reservation requests must not be postmarked before Feb. 2, 2009.

- Or by walking in at the Augusta office.

If you walk in to the Augusta office,  you must have your registration forms with you as well as the payment.  And be advised that they can't give you an immediate confirmation.  So your best bet is to go online!

The premium sites fill up quickly....so get going!