The Maine Newsletter – Volume 2.5 - John Herrigel
Mission
“To Educate and Elaborate on this Great State”
Table of Contents
1. Housing Statistics
2. Commentary: Significant Transaction Level Reductions
3. Case Study: Month by Month Transaction Level Analysis
4. “From Away”: “The Eroding Working Waterfront”
5. Featured…..
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Housing Statistics:
Sold Properties by County – May 2007 (May 2006):
# Sold Avg. Price Avg. Days on Market
York 250 (319) 284K (267K) 113(90)
Cumberland 364 (424) 278K (289K) 88 (85)
Sagadahoc 36 (41) 240K (223K) 91 (80)
Lincoln 22 (32) 282K (255K) 193(182)
Total Housing Inventories and Net Change by County:
6/20/07 5/24/07 Net Change
York 3117 3023 94
Cumberland 3065 2861 204
Sagadahoc 393 388 5
Lincoln 784 731 53
Commentary: Transaction Levels
As inventory levels continue to escalate throughout the spring season an alarming reduction in transactions levels was seen for the month of May. Total sold transactions for the 4 counties followed in May 2007 was 672 versus 816 in May 2006, an 18% reduction. The Days on Market for all 4 counties jumped significantly, but average sold prices rose in 3 out of the 4 counties. My thoughts: Higher interest rates + market volatility = Uneasy feeling for the short and mid-term market outlook.
Case Study: 2007 Month by Month Transaction Levels
|
2007 |
2006 |
|
Jan |
407 |
422 |
96% |
Feb |
438 |
454 |
96% |
March |
533 |
623 |
86% |
April |
619 |
654 |
95% |
May |
672 |
816 |
82% |
|
2669 |
2969 |
90% |
After seeing such a significant drop this month, I thought best to view it relative to the rest of this year. An average drop of 10% for the first 5 months can be seen for all residential transactions in the 4 counties followed.
“From Away” “The Eroding Working Waterfront.”
With a coastline of 5,300 miles, how much is left for commercial fishing endeavors? A study a few years back revealed only 20 miles total left with 2/3rds of this being leased land subject to future sales. 2 years ago the state of Maine population overwhelmingly supported a 2 million dollar bond initiative to provide matching state funds for fisherman who want to purchase the land they use. (Currently there are 6 projects in the works.) A ¾ of a billion dollar industry directly competing with the 2nd home property market. Awareness and preservation of the “working waterfront” is critical to keep this wonderful state in balance.
Maine Company: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
With a spectacular new facility on commercial street in Portland, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute is a marine research and education facility that has a 3 fold mission 1) to convene the interested public to discuss, debate, and resolve aquatic resource conflicts; 2) to facilitate and conduct collaborative research in the Gulf of Maine and its watershed; 3) to educate Maine residents and visitors about Maine's fresh and saltwater resources.
Visit them online at www.gma.org
Site to Visit: www.pfex.org
The Portland Fish Exchange, check it out for the latest auction fish prices and industry news.
Restaurant: Spinney’s Restaurant, Phippsburg
Overlooking Popham Beach State Park and the Kennebec River, Spinney’s offers wonderful summer seafood dining. Low key, reasonable prices and great atmosphere. Top off a day at the beach with a lobster at Spinney’s
Ph: 389-1122 - Seasonal Hours of Operation.
Quotable Quotes:
“We are tied to the ocean. Any when we go back to the sea, weather it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.”
John F. Kennedy
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 July
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**All housing data has been derived from the Maine IDX MREIS System
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