Make Maine Your Home

In this week's episode, we are going to talk about last-minute creative Halloween costumes that are Maine based. Maine is a very spooky place and is perfect for coming up with ideas for last-minute Halloween costumes! Why not dress up as a Lobsterman and show how amazing the fishing community in Maine is. Or dress up as a Manlobster, which is a half-man half-lobster hybrid! You could even be a regular lobster, and have a friend go as a lobsterman! Of course, you could go as a classic Maine lumberjack! Luckily there is a ton of wildlife in Maine so with a little creativity you can go as a deer, moose, or bear! Hungry? Why not go as some Maine food, a blueberry, a can of moxie, or maybe a bean suppa! If you are technical, turn yourself into a lighthouse. Last but not least go as a classic Maine villain Pennywise! There are so many fun things to be for Halloween, why not be something classically Maine! So if you Make Maine Your Home, or your costume, you don’t have to do it alone!

View the blog post on my website...

To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/

Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHome

You can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app. Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends.

To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to [email protected] or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com.

00:00-00:43 maine based halloween costumes

00:44-00:50 Doug puts on his glasses

00:50-01:11 Lobsterman Halloween Costume

01:11-01:20 Manlobster Costume

01:21-01:37 Lobster Costune

01:38-01:50 Lumberjack Costume

01:50-02:07 Maine Wildlife

02:07-02:23 Maine Food

02:23-02:29 Lighthouse Costume

02:29-02:53 Pennywise Costume

02:53-03:22 If you Make Maine Your Home you don’t have to do it alone!

In this week’s episode, we are going to talk about each step to buying a home in Maine. If you are buying a new home or if you are a first-time home buyer, this video will walk you through the steps to buying a home. The first step is definitely to speak with a lender and get your financing in order. In this market, you want to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row before looking at properties so you can be ready to make an offer right away! Figure out how much you can afford, and what options you have when buying a house. If all goes well they will provide you with a pre-approval letter that will state you are ready to start your home buying process. Next is the time to narrow down your search. We recommend driving by properties you are interested in and getting a feel for what you truly want. Once you have narrowed down the search then we go look at the properties! Once you find a property you like we are going to make an offer on the property! If that offer is accepted you are officially under contract. When you are under contract you will take care of the business of buying a house, such as the due diligence period where you can have a home inspection and then negotiate to have any issues fixed. Then you will be clear to close! Closing is pretty simple because everything is done and you are there to sign the paperwork! Then you are officially a homeowner! If you have any questions let us know down below and remember if you Make Maine Your Home, you don’t have to do it alone!

View the blog post on my website...

https://www.makemaineyourhome.com/each-step-to-buying-a-house-in-maine/

To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/

Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHome

You can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app. Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends.

To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to [email protected] or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com.

00:00-00:35 Buying a house in Maine

00:35-00:41 Doug puts on his glasses

00:42-01:49 Financing and Lenders

01:49-02:05 Pre-Aprroval Letter

02:05-03:03 Narrow down your search

03:03-03:21 Looking at houses

03:21-04:06 Making an offer on a house

04:06-04:38 Being under contract on a house

04:39-05:27 Clear to close

05:28-06:23 Being a homeowner!

In this week's episode, we are going to talk about 3 reasons why we still live in Cape Elizabeth Maine. We did a video on this a couple of years ago we did a video on why we live in Cape Elizabeth and we wanted to do an update and go into why we stuck around! We have three kids and having them live in Cape Elizabeth has been fantastic. They love their school and we have been nothing but happy with the Cape Elizabeth school system. Cape Elizabeth has an amazing sense of community that we all really love. Another thing we really like about Cape Elizabeth is that it is a waterfront community. We love the Beach and Cape Elizabeth is the place to go to the beach! Also, Cape Elizabeth has an amazing trail system that we have grown to love. You need to check it out if you have a chance. Being outside in the Cape has become a big part of our lives. We especially love Great Pond and the great winter sports that you can experience there! These are just some of the reasons why we have stayed in Cape Elizabeth! Do you live here? What are your favorite things about Cape Elizabeth? Let us know in the comments, and remember, if you Make Maine Your Home, you don’t have to do it alone.

View the blog post on my website...

https://www.makemaineyourhome.com/why-we-live-in-cape-elizabeth-maine-update-2-years-later/

To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/

Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHome

You can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app. Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends.

To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to [email protected] or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com.

00:00 - 00:56 - Why we live in Cape Elizabeth Maine

00:56 - 01:41 - Cape Elizabeth Schools

01:41 - 02:02 - Community

02:02 - 03:14- Water Front Communities in Maine

03:14 - 03:45 - Trails and Hiking in Cape Elizabeth

03:45 - 04:25 - Great Pond in Cape Elizabeth

04:25 - 05:01 - What is your favorite thing about Cape Elizabeth?

In this week’s episode, we will talk about whether it is a good idea to buy new construction. We are going to weigh the pros and cons of buying new construction. If you have time or have the ability to get a short-term rental then a new construction property may be perfect for you! You will have the ability to personalize and customize everything about the house! Depending on what stage of construction the property is in you may be able to pick out almost everything! One of the biggest perks of new construction is that it’s clean! Since you are the first person to live there, any dirt in the house is from you, not the person who lived there before you! Additionally, you will not have to worry about any updates for a while. Plus new construction has energy-efficient systems that will save you money in the long run. With all the new items in your house, there will be less maintenance to worry about because everything is new! While new construction doesn’t have mature landscaping so it is important to chat with the contractors to make sure you get exactly what you want! The luxury of having a move-in ready home is really one of the best things about new construction! If you have any questions let us know down below, and remember, if you Make Maine Your Home you don’t have to do it alone!

View the blog post on my website...

https://www.makemaineyourhome.com/is-it-a-good-idea-to-buy-new-construction/

To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/

Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHome

You can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app. Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends.

To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to [email protected] or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com.

00:00-00:24 Intro

00:24-01:03 Should I buy new construction?

01:03-01:12 Doug puts on his glasses

01:12-02:12 Customizing your home

02:12-02:38 New Construction is clean

02:38-03:37 Low maintenance

03:37-04:22 Landscaping

04:22-04:40 Move in Ready

04:40-05:11 See you next time

What $500K Buys You in Maine: Exploring Your Real Estate Options

If you’ve got $500,000 to spend on a home and are wondering what you can get in Maine, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’ll take you on a tour of what your budget can buy in different parts of Maine. From coastal towns to peaceful country retreats, suburban neighborhoods to quaint New England villages, and even the city life in Portland—there’s something for everyone. Let’s break it down!

The Seaside Dream: Coastal Homes for $500K

If you’ve always dreamed of living near the ocean, Maine offers some great options for coastal living. In towns like Brunswick, Bath, and South Portland, $500K can get you a charming home just a few miles from the beach. You might not be beachfront, but you’ll still be able to feel that salty sea breeze and enjoy the coastal lifestyle.

Expect to find a small 3-bedroom cape-style or ranch home, usually around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. These homes often come with a cozy backyard—perfect for a small garden—and are likely to need a few cosmetic updates. Plus, you’ll likely be within walking distance of some local shops or a spot where you can grab a fresh lobster roll!

The Country Retreat: More Space and Land

If you’re looking to stretch your dollars and enjoy more space, head inland! Towns like Norway, Oxford, and Windham offer larger homes on bigger plots of land for $500K. Here, you’ll find homes that are perfect for those who love peace and quiet, outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, or just having room to breathe.

For this price, you can expect a 4-bedroom, 2-bath farmhouse or even a modern log cabin with over 2,500 square feet of living space. You’ll typically get 3 to 5 acres of land—plenty of room for a workshop, barn, or garden, with the potential for some stunning views of the nearby mountains or lakes. It’s the ideal lifestyle for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle for some tranquility.

The Suburban Sweet Spot: Family Homes in Great Neighborhoods

Prefer a suburban lifestyle? In towns like Gorham, Scarborough, and Westbrook, $500K will get you a modern family home. These homes are typically 3- to 4-bedroom colonials or split-levels, built in the 1990s or 2000s, with around 2,000 to 2,400 square feet of living space.

In these neighborhoods, you’ll find modern kitchens, finished basements, and usually a two-car garage. These are safe, quiet areas with good schools—perfect for families—and they offer easy access to shopping centers, parks, and even a quick 20- to 30-minute drive to Portland for those weekend brewery runs.

The Quaint Village Life: Historic Charm for $500K

If you’re drawn to the charm of a classic New England village, towns like Freeport, Yarmouth, or Camden are the places to be. For $500K, you can find historic New Englander or Victorian homes converted to condos filled with character, like original hardwood floors, crown moldings, and maybe even a clawfoot tub!

These homes are usually between 1,800 and 2,200 square feet, and while they will need some updating, their charm is undeniable. Plus, you’ll likely be within walking distance of a bustling Main Street filled with local shops, coffee spots, and maybe even L.L. Bean if you’re in Freeport. If you love history and community, village life might be perfect for you.

What About Portland?

If city living is more your style, you’re probably curious about what $500K can get you in Portland, Maine’s biggest city. With Portland’s growing popularity, it’s no surprise that your options might be a bit more limited.

For $500K, you’re likely looking at a condo or a smaller single-family home in the 1,000- to 1,400-square-foot range. You might score a modern two-bedroom condo with stylish finishes, possibly in a building with amenities like a rooftop deck or parking garage. While you won’t have a ton of outdoor space, you’ll be right in the middle of the action, with easy access to Portland’s vibrant restaurant and brewery scene. And while you might not have waterfront views for this price, you’ll be a short walk from the Eastern Promenade, where you can enjoy some killer ocean views and outdoor fun.

Final Thoughts: What $500K Can Buy You in Maine

Whether you’re dreaming of a seaside cottage, a sprawling country estate, a modern suburban home, or a charming village retreat, $500K can get you a variety of beautiful properties in Maine. The real estate market here offers something for ...