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Greetings,
It is hard to believe that winter is nearly half over. For those who don't spend winters in Maine, we have had a wonderfully snow- filled season and have been able to enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating and many other outdoor activities. For those living here in Maine, we are already feeling the positive effect of the longer days with spring just around the corner.
The month of January represented one of the best opportunities in recent times to refinance mortgage debt. Fixed rate 30-year conventional mortgages dipped below 5% for the most credit worthy homeowners, while jumbo mortgages touched 5.75%. The continued commitment by the Federal Reserve to maintain low rates and improving liquidity has ignited a mini refinancing boom. Mortgage pricing is closely tied to credit scores and the loan-to-value ratio on the mortgaged property. Higher credit scores combined with a lower loan-to-value ratio makes for the best interest rate and greatest access to low rate financing.
Although January has a reputation as a slow month in property sales, we continue to see transactions coming together. We have highlighted a few of our recent sales below in Wells, Kennebunk, Portland and Cape Elizabeth. Real estate in Maine's coastal communities continues to attract buyers from all over the world. Maine's reputation as a global lifestyle destination has helped us outperform many of the real estate markets nationwide. Harpswell, known for its beautiful and abundant coastline, low property taxes and convenience to Brunswick, Portland and the airport, is our featured destination.
We expect the spring market will be met with a high volume of new properties listed for sale. Several of these homes are terrific residences in fabulous locations that have been withdrawn from the market for the winter holiday season. Please remember that your buyer agent may be able to research and provide access to these properties prior to the spring re-listing. If you are interested pursuing special opportunities, I would strongly recommend you engage an exclusive buyer agent to help you find your piece of Maine.
In closing, I want to thank you for the many kind comments related to our E-newsletter. There are a number of new and interesting features, links and announcements presented which are linked to the appropriate site for more information. You simply have to click on the photo, title or highlighted text. Our new interactive floor plan tour enables us to better serve our buyer clients with more detailed property specific information on our listed properties. We encourage you to click "join our mailing list," "update your client profile" and/or "forward to a friend." In a market that is constantly changing, you can get daily updates on our website and our new company Facebook page. |
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F E A T U R E D S O L D L I S T I N G S
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S O T H E B Y ' S I N T E R N A T I O N A L R E A L T Y
Offers Web Site Language Translation Feature
Sotheby's International Realty recently announced that its brand Web site, www.sothebysrealty.com, soon will be multi-lingual with the addition of seven new languages.
All functional and static information on the Web site were translated into Spanish and Portuguese this month. It also will be translated into French, Italian, German, Russian and traditional Chinese within the next few weeks. Translations will be done by professional translators based in each respective country, not by machine translation methods. The brand added a currency conversion to the Web site earlier this year.
"Maine is a Global lifestyle destination and we're confident that the translation feature will increase the number of potential buyers who are exposed to the properties listed by Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty," said Chris Lynch, owner and president.
Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty's Web site, www.LegacySIR.com, already receives a steady stream of international buyers with their Web site receiving hits from around the world including the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Italy, India, Costa Rica, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Finland and Russia, among others.
"The translations will be done by professional translators in each respective country, not by machine translation methods, and the Web site will be search engine optimized for each language," said Lynch. "Consumers looking for Maine real estate now will be able to search our inventory of fine properties in their native language with just the click of a button." |
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LEGACY PROPERTIES SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
R E N T A L S E R V I C E S
Whether you're seeking an 8,000 square foot bold oceanfront property with private beach in Cape Elizabeth, or a downtown waterfront condo, vacationers in search of the most breathtaking and desirable accommodations in Maine should consider contacting the Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty rental department.
With a portfolio of approximately 20 properties and access to dozens more, Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty provides a high level of personal service in order to make your vacation in Maine an once-in-a-lifetime experience. For more information about rental properties e-mail Troy Wilkins or call 207.770.2242. |
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For more information of this property e-mail, Lee Goyette or call 207.780.8900. |
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" L E G A C Y ' S L E G A C Y " C O N T R I B U T E S T O
M A I N E C A N C E R F O U N D A T I O N
Broker-Led Initiative Aimed at Raising Funds, Awareness
A volunteer and fundraising effort led by several agents of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty recently resulted in the first of what will be an annual contribution to the Maine Cancer Foundation. The broker-initiated effort is dedicated in memory of Bud Singer, a founding member of Legacy Properties, who succumbed to cancer after a valiant fight in March of 2007.
"Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty has taken a unique approach by pooling their resources and creating a standing volunteer organization, which will result in a significant annual contribution," said Doug Carr, board president for the Maine Cancer Foundation. "In fact, they were the second largest corporate contributors in 2008."
The Legacy's Legacy annual charity fund received voluntary participation from agents who pledge a stipend from every closing that will be directed toward a fund dedicated to the Maine Cancer Foundation.
The agency is also participating in the "Pink Tulip Project," an effort dedicated to raising awareness and funds for women's cancer research, according to Sara Brame, Vice President, who is active on the volunteer committee. As part of the program, a tulip garden was planted outside of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty's Portland office last fall.
This spring Legacy's Legacy will continue to support Maine Cancer Foundation's "Tri for a Cure" - a women's sprint triathlon established to raise money for cancer research and patient support programs in Maine. "The agent enthusiasm for the fundraising effort speaks to the importance of the charity and the fine work of the Maine Cancer Foundation," said Bob Stevens, partner and designated broker. "Nearly everyone has been personally touched by cancer in some fashion and it's a small way that we can contribute to raising awareness and finding a cure." Founded in the 1976, the Maine Cancer Foundation seeks to improve the health and well-being of Maine people by funding science based cancer research, professional and public education and patient support programs. All funds raised stay in Maine. For more information visit www.mainecancer.org . |
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D E S T I N A T I O N S P O T L I G H T:
H A R P S W E L L
Situated 40 minutes north of Portland and adjacent to the town of Brunswick you'll find the idyllic coastal community of Harpswell, Maine. Considered a boater's paradise because of the 200-plus islands, multitude of coves, beaches and first-class fishing - Harpswell is comprised of a ten mile peninsula and three large islands: Sebascodegan (Great Island), Orr's Island and Bailey Island.
With over 150 miles of shoreland hugging Casco Bay, Harpswell's major industries are fishing and tourism. Fun and interesting annual events include the lobster boat races, The Harpswell Festival and Cundy's Harbor Days.
Spotted with lovely B & B's, historic sea captains' homes and a working waterfront, Harpswell has been home to many well known writers including Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote "The Pearl of Orr's Island" after spending a summer on that island. Maine poet Edna St. Vincent Millay owned a summer home on Ragged Island and Robert P. Tristram Coffin based his book "Lost Paradise" on memories of his childhood spent on Pond Island.
Other illustrious Harpswell residents include Arctic explore Admiral Peary, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Franklin Pierce, who all attended nearby Bowdoin College. A community rich in history, unparalleled natural beauty and longstanding traditions, it's no wonder that Harpswell remains a destination that touches those who visit her shores.
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F R O M S O T H E B Y ' S
A U C T I O N H O U S E
This month's "From the Auction House" features a video tour presented by Helena Newman, Vice Chairman, Worldwide, Impressionist and Modern Art. The tour highlights works from a recent Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale. The pieces presented include German impressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's "Strassenszue" (Street Scene), Amedeo Modigliana's "Cariatide" and a rare sculpture by Edgar Degas entitled "Petit danseuse de quatorze ans" or "The 14-year-old dancer."
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