Maine Real Estate > Maine Newsletter

 

Volume 1.11 - The Maine Newsletter - John Herrigel

Mission
“To Educate and Elaborate on this Great State”
Table of Contents
1. Housing Statistics
2. Commentary: Price increases in all 4 counties
3. Case Study:  Cost of a Single Family Home in Portland
4. “From Away”
5. Featured…..

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Housing Statistics:
Sold Properties by County - Nov 2006 (Nov 2005):
# Sold              Avg. Price      Avg. Days on Market                       
            York                185 (272)         325K (290K)              106 (92)
Cumberland    282 (302)         320K (299K)               93 (79)
            Sagadahoc       27   (34)           203K (191K)              109 (66)                                              
            Lincoln            29   (34)           303K (298K)              114 (76)                    
           

Total Housing Inventories and Net Change by County:
12/30/06          11/29/06          Net Change
Cumberland:    2461                2801               -340
York                2556                2830                -274
Lincoln            608                  666                  -58
Sagadahoc:      308                  341                  -33

Commentary
Despite an overall average price drop of 3.9% for the state in November 2006 over 2005, the 4 counties above all saw price appreciation for the first time in multiple months with a combined 7% average increase and York topping out at 12%.  Taking into account that the volume of transactions dropped sharply, 19% on average with a staggering 32% drop in York.  Market depressions historically last on average 3-5 years and longer making this rise appear more likely to be an anomaly than a trend, but inventories continue to decrease and it is FACT that buying activity has markedly increased as of recent months.

Case Study:  The Cost of a Single Family Home in Portland
                                                #Sold               Avg. Sold Price           Avg. DOM
2000                            479                  157K                           52
2006                            565                  276K                           73
Area by area  (2006)
            West End                    41                    473K                           71       
East End                     15                    196K                           56
Deering                       151                  276K                           71
Outer Portland                        191                  244K                           71
           
Currently (as of 12/30/06) there are 189 properties on the market with an average asking price of 337K. The lowest price house is 150K and the highest is 2.1 million.  
Asking Price breakdown:
Under 200K                21 homes
200K-250K                 40 homes        
250K-300K                 39 homes
300K-500K                 69 homes
500K and Greater       21 homes        

 

“From Away”  - Higher Education in Maine
For a state with a population topping out just over 1 million, Maine boasts a wide array of excellent higher education institutions that attract a diversity of students.  For small liberal arts enthusiasts, Bates in Lewison, Bowdoin in Brunswick and Colby in Waterville offer “Ivy League” caliber education in a wonderful small school environment.  The University of Maine with 7 campus’s and 11 regional outreach centers offers over 175 programs alone at it largest facility in Orno.  Try the Maine Maritime Academy for boating and international trade, MECA for artist or the Bangor Theological Society  for higher callings.   Visit Here for a complete listing of all Maine colleges and universities.

Featured….

Quotable Quotes:
“When I go to the Bar, I don’t go out looking for a girl who know’s the capital of Maine.”
David Brenner, US Comedian
Maine Company:  Maine Lobster Direct.
Named by Food and Wine as one of the top mail-order seafood companies. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, order today, dine tomorrow.   MaineLobsterDirect.com is a family owned business located on Union Wharf in the heart Portland’s working waterfront and one of the oldest internet based lobster delivery companies.
Visit: www.mainelobsterdirect.com
Site to Visit:  Maine News Media Websites
Stay abreast of local area new stories with these excellent resources
www.MaineToday.com
www.TimesRecord.com
www.keepMECurrent.com
            www.PortlandPhoenix.com

Restaurant: El Camino - Brunswick
Looking for Mexico in Maine.  A casual, authentic atmosphere off the beaten track yet very accessible.  Excellent daily special entrée’s and margaritas at reasonable prices.  Ph: 725-8228

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
All information contained herein is deemed accurate when facts are stated. All opinions are that of the author.  We apologize for any inaccuracies, offenses or misrepresentations
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Thanks for reading.
Next Issue:  Mid-Late January
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**All housing data has been derived from the Maine IDX MREIS System