What is the PHSI? | Auburn Maine Homes For Sale
What is the PHSI?
Each month I study the Pending Home Sales Index, issued by the National Association of Realtors. The index is based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed.The NAR uses a large national sampling to come up with their report. It ties the level of monthly contract activity to the level of sales that will occur in the following two months. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001 the first year to be examined as well as the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales, and it coincides with a level that is considered historically healthy.The most recent index report for March looked positive: It rose 5.1% to 94.1, up from 89.5% in February. The index is below the 106.2 in March 2010. It’s important to note that March & April 2010 activity was at an elevated level in order to meet contract deadlines for the home buyer tax credit.
via What is the PHSI? | Auburn Maine Homes For Sale.
Thinking Of Selling Your Lakefront Property In Maine? | Maine Waterfront Real Estate
Thinking of selling your lakefront property in Maine? Curious to know how the economy has impacted its market value? The spring season usually generates much interest in waterfront buyers. Now is a great time to review your holdings in Maine Waterfront / Lakefront real estate. Contact me for a Free, no obligation market analysis. Thank You!Sue MeservierMeservier & AssociatesKeller Williams Realty Mid Maine34 Center StreetAuburn, ME 04210office: 207-784-2525email: agent@meservier.comwww.meservier.com
via Thinking Of Selling Your Lakefront Property In Maine? | Maine Waterfront Real Estate.
Once You’ve Moved – Who To Notify
Once you’ve moved in to your new home, it’s time to notify everyone of your address change.
Use this list as a starting point:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Post office, bank (don’t forget to order new checks), voter registration
- Human resources and payroll where you work
- Insurance companies, doctors offices, schools, places of worship, gym memberships
- Cell phone company, magazine subscriptions
- Credit card companies, loan companies
- Personal and professional clubs, licensing boards, organizations, and memberships with benefit plans (like AAA for your car)
- Lawyer, financial advisor, accountant
- Regular deliveries (such as restaurant delivery places or CSAs)
- And don’t forget all your friends and family!
Save time if by doing it online if possible; check out a company’s website first.
Japan Crisis Affects Mortgage Rates

Japan Crisis affects mortgage rates
The sad situation in Japan made an economic impact on the U.S., including a dip in mortagage interest rates. Last week’s report from Freddie Mac stated the 15-year mortgage rate averaged 3.97 percent this week, compared to last week’s 4.15 percent, reaching the lowest level since December 2010.
“With the crisis in Japan, investors rushed to buy the security of U.S. Treasury bonds, which lowered its yields and other interest rates as well,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This allowed fixed mortgage rates to drift lower.”
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage also dropped slightly, averaging 4.76 percent compared to last week’s 4.88 percent. Last year at this time, 30-year mortgages averaged 4.96 percent.
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Its Time To Change Your Clocks!
The temperature here in Maine is steadily on the rise. Every day there is a noticeable snow-melt and in some areas we are already experiencing Maine’s most famous and notorious SEASON, Mud Season. All this being said, Spring is just around the corner which means Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on March 13, 2011. Don’t forget to change your clocks this Sunday!Daylight Saving Time starts the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.Want to know more about DST and where it is not observed? I found this site informative, visit http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b2.htmlWant to know more about Mud Season? It happens every year when the frost starts to come out of the ground and affects everyone using dirt drives and pathways. Just pay us a visit and you’ll experience it first hand!
Photos via Its Time To Change Your Clocks! | New Gloucester Maine Homes For Sale.
S-P-R-I-N-G Is In The Air! Maine Flower Show Coming Soon

S-P-R-I-N-G is in the air!
Get an early dose of spring by heading to the Portland Flower Show, March 10 through 13. Adult admission price is $15 ($13 in advance). Located at the Portland Company Marine Complex, 58 Fore St., Portland. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Earth,” and, as always, will feature landscapers, growers, gardeners and industry retailers. While you’re breathing in the fresh smells of flowers and greenery, it might be nice to look for some “hot” new ideas to perk up your yard. Perfect for either a new homeowner or perhaps someone wanting to prepare for selling in the near future. For more info, go to www.portlandcompany.com.
Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine | Lewiston Maine Homes For Sale
Smoke-free livingAre you a landlord? I found a great resource for you if you would like to make your building a smoke-free environment. According to the Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine:• It’s Your Choice. If tenants are smoking in your apartment building, and you wish to eliminate the health risks of secondhand smoke, not to mention smoke damage and fire hazards, it is completely up to you as the landowner to make that choice.• Existing Smokers. In privately owned, non-subsidized housing, the written contract lease or rental agreement you have with…
…the rest of the story via Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine | Lewiston Maine Homes For Sale.
Tips For Helping Children Move | Turner Maine Homes
Moving can be stressful for everyone in the family, but don’t forget to talk about it in advance with your children. Make sure to answer all their questions as honestly as possible. One way to help them in advance is to show them their new room, and help them decide where their furniture and belongings will go. For young children, read books such as “The Berenstain Bears: Moving Day” or “Who Will be My Friends?” by Syd Hoff. Help them sort, pack and label their belongings, and celebrate afterwards with a fun meal. Put together a Moving Day Kit, with essential items they might need. If you are moving to a new town or school district, make sure to help them say goodbye to their friends, and help them stay in touch if possible.
via Tips For Helping Children Move | Turner Maine Homes.
Free App For Your iPhone: HGTV – Plus More Real Estate Apps! | Maine Waterfront Real Estate
Design tips at your fingertips! Offering the “best of” from the HGTV network, this app allows you to look up real estate videos, photos, tips and review their advice. Watch clips from popular shows, “Curb Appeal” and “Designed to Sell.” Getting ready for an open house? Look up design tips, and tutorials for staging and designing your home for more buyer appeal. Also fun, you can see before and after photo slide shows of their room transformations. Especially great if you you’re like me and don’t have time to watch much TV!
Looking for more Real Estate app choices? Visit http://www.topappcharts.com/search.php?show=search&string=real+estate&start=0&price=free to review or download the top 16 free iphone / ipad apps for real estate. Choose from top names like Realtor.com, Zillow, Loopnet, Trulia, Redfin, Homes.com and more. View Photos of…
…read the whole story via Free App For Your iPhone: HGTV – Plus More Real Estate Apps! | Maine Waterfront Real Estate.
Hey Hue, Whats New? Color Update | Auburn Maine Homes For Sale
The new trendy Color update is Honeysuckle pink! It’s the “hot” new color of the year, according to Pantone, the world leader in color authority. A lively and energizing shade of reddish-pink, it could be a fun way to perk up a dark room, or if you’re just a wee bit more conservative, try it as a splash of color. We will soon see it in everything from small appliances, to table accessories and clothing. Another economical way to use this color to modernize the look of your home — whether you’re just putting it on the market or if you’ve just moved in — would be to update your bed coverings, accent pillows in the living room, or table-top accent pieces such as candles, flowers or ceramic pieces.
via Hey Hue, Whats New? Color Update | Auburn Maine Homes For Sale.
Boothbay Maine Region – A Taste of Spring: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens ~ Open year round! | Maine Waterfront Real Estate
Do you need a quick reminder of spring, which is — hard to believe —right around the corner? Maybe it’s time to update your landscaping projects?
Check out the 250-acre botanical garden in Boothbay. Free admission from now through March. They offer some great workshops about all things gardening, can suggest some wonderful-sounding “garden getaway” travel packages, and offer a yummy-sounding Kitchen Garden Series Dinners, prepared by visiting guest chefs from Maine. To check out their class schedule and to make reservations for the dinners, call 633-4333 or go to www.mainegardens.org.
Homeowners: Protect Your Investment – Roof Snow Removal | Maine Waterfront Real Estate
Because it is usually your most valuable investment, I am hoping that you want to take care of your home. At this time of year, I like to send out a reminder about all the beautiful snow that may be stacked up on your rooftop. To remove this excess weight from the roof, and to prolong the life of their roof shingles, many people will use a roof rake to remove as much snow as possible. Aluminum rakes seem to be the best choice for do-it-yourself homeowners because they are lightweight and quite sturdy. For many people, I would recommend hiring a professional maintenance person to do this job for you, especially if you have a two or three-story home. Also, this applies to seasonal or vacation properties Call me if you need the name of someone in our area to help you. 207-784-2525
via Homeowners: Protect Your Investment – Roof Snow Removal | Maine Waterfront Real Estate.
Single Family Home For Sale In Durham Maine

| City/ST: Durham, ME | Zip Code: 04222 | |
| Property Tax: 2666 | Property Type: Single Family Home | |
| Square Footage: 2047 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 1 full, 1 half |
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Enjoy a fantastic neighborhood & setting from this newer Cape with farmer’s porch and attached two-car garage. Beautiful hardwood floors, spacious rooms and lots of windows create a warm and inviting feeling from the moment you walk in. The first floor offers a large living room, modern kitchen, formal dining room, and 1st floor bath & laundry. All bedrooms are located on the second floor, as well as the full bath. From the kitchen, you can access both the garage and the impressive finished space above, currently being used as a bright and vibrant game room. The neighborhood is well designed, retaining a comfortable rural feel by providing large 2+ acres house lots. You can also enjoy outdoor activities from the large common area which all neighborhood residents get to share at the river’s edge!
Last Updated: 1/18/2011 11:18:42 AM |
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Auburn Maine Homebuyer Education | Turner Maine Homes
Homebuyer Education Classes are held every week at Community Concepts, 79 Main St., Auburn.
These classes are an easy and inexpensive way to learn how to make smart decisions when buying your home. Get all your questions answered by an expert as you learn how to shop for a loan, qualify for lower rates, budget for monthly payments and unexpected expenses and more. Homeowners who have taken the class say they felt much more confident at every step of the home buying process as a result.
The 10-hour class requires advance registration. Please call Ron Knott at 1-866-221-4383 to register. Classes are made possible through financial support from HUD, MaineHousing, private lending institutions and local non-profits.
Visit our website How To Buy A Home In Maine to review the home buying process. Download useful documents or ask for a FREE ebook. We’re here to help. Call if you have any questions or for a private consultation.
Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine 34 Center Street Auburn, Maine 04210 | 207-784-2525 | sue@meservier.com
via Auburn Maine Homebuyer Education | Turner Maine Homes.
What is the Value of my Maine Home?

When it’s time to list your house on the market, I would like to offer you an alternative to hiring an appraiser to ascertain the value of your home. As a professional Keller Williams real estate agent, I will research recent home sales in your neighborhood and analyze other comparative information for you. I will write up a market analysis of your property. I provide this service at no charge. After you review my report, if you are still unsure of the value of your home, you may opt for the assistance of an appraisal. Start by giving me a call, It’s FREE!
Office number is 207-784-2525 or email Sue at sue@meservier.com

