Maine Lobster Salad - Perfection

    There is a rumor going around mid coast Maine that a certain celebrity TV chef, known for trying to out do local chefs at their particular specialty, has come to our area and left with his tail between his legs after trying to improve on the popular Lobster Salad Roll.

   Im not at all surprised.  You see folks "from away" are always trying to improve on Lobster Salad.  They try to put "things" in it like fancy mayonnaise or celery or worse.  They don't understand that Lobster is perfect just the way it is and that the secret of lobster is to eat it in its simplest form.  If you choose to have a boiled lobster you don't have to put mustard in the water or special spices (as I've, shudder, seen some do)  and if you are having a Lobster Salad Roll you really want as little as possible to come between your tongue and the flavor of the lobster.

   So as a public service, Maine Coast Properties blog will give you the correct way (read: Maine way) to make a Lobster Salad Roll.

    It should go with out saying that you begin with fresh Lobster.  The best way to do this is to go visit your local lobsterman at the docks and purchase those lobsters directly from him. Unless of course during the winter he borrowed your chainsaw and wrecked it, in which case he owes you and no money will be changing hands. If you do not have a favorite lobsterman (hard to believe but it happens) you can go to any one of many fine local sea food markets here in the mid coast region of Maine and get your lobsters there.  Many people will argue passionately that smaller lobsters are more tender than the large ones. Some will argue that the soft shell lobsters (those that have recently shed) have sweeter meat.  I will argue just as passionately that all lobsters as long as they are fresh caught are equally as good, it's more of a function of how you cook them.  Some people have a tendency to over cook the hard shell lobsters or the bigger ones and that will lead to a slight toughening of the meat.  There's no such thing as a bad lobster, only bad lobster cooks.

   Lets assume that you are reasonably intelligent (you are after all reading this blog) and can cook and clean your lobster successfully.  So you now have a bowl of lobster meat cut into bite size pieces and slightly chilled. To this you should add just a small amount of mayonnaise, just enough to get some on all of the meat in the bowl.  This should be regular store bought mayonnaise not anything fancy and with no other flavoring mixed in. Plain mayonnaise. This next part is a little controversial but I have seen it go both ways and it can work.  It's not absolutely necessary.  But, should you so desire you can add just the slightest, smallest drop of lemon juice at this point.  Two drops would be too much. Now, set that all aside and let the taste of the lobster permeate the mayonnaise.  You want to taste lobster not mayonnaise after all. 

   While you're waiting, prepare the rolls. Again, simplicity is the key.  Here in Maine we know that the only permissible roll is a Nissen's brand hot dog roll.  No other will do, just a simple Nissen's hot dog roll. Put a little butter on each side and grill it to a golden brown.  Take it off the grill or out of the frying pan and while it's still warm stuff it with fresh lobster salad.  Nothing else. No lettuce.  Lobster Salad.

   The essence of a Lobster Salad Roll is the chilled lobster salad and the hot buttered roll. That's all. Perfection personified. 

   No celebrity chef or fancy restaurant can improve on that.  Come visit us and see for yourself.

Jim Cosgrove 

It Gets Better for First Time Home Buyers

    This is undeniably a great time to buy a home and even more so for first time home buyers.  Prices are lower than in a decade, interest rates, although they have ticked up slightly in recent weeks are still at post WWII lows, the Federal Government is giving first time buyers up to $8,500 in tax credit and now for first time home buyers in Maine, the Maine State Housing Authority will provide grants of up to $5,000 which can be put towards the down payment, closing costs or escrow funds.

   That's right, I said a grant.  The program is called The Gift of Green and it is just that, a gift.  This does not have to be paid back, there is no recapture of the payment upon sale of the property in the future.

   In addition to the grant first time home buyers will get a coupon good for up to $500 to specifically pay for an energy audit of the property they are buying. Buyers can use this to identify opportunities to save even more money in heating costs.  So not only will this program help to stimulate the housing sector of Maine's economy but possibly also the energy efficiency related industries.

   Dale McCormack, director of The Maine State Housing Authority is quoted as saying that in an average year 2,500 Mainers are first time home buyers and as many as 90% of these could qualify under the liberal guidelines for this program.

   Chris Pinkham, president of the Maine Association of Community Banks said the program could have a "trickle up" effect.  Making things easier for first time home buyers makes it easier for the owner of the home they buy to move on and purchase another home.

   The Maine State Housing Aauthority grants are funded by bonds sold by the Authority and not taxpayer funds.

   Here at Newcastle Square Realty we have seen a decided up tick in activity and properties going "under contract".  First time or any other buyers will want to start looking now as inventory is beginning to go down and the better properties are the first to go.  Why not call today and let one of our experienced real estate brokers show you what's available and just how far your money can go.

Jim Cosgrove

Pirates to Plunder Villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle

 In case you haven't heard there will be a pirate attack on the villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle this Saturday. The actual attack will be proceeded by a pirate breakfast at The Breakfast Place, The Blue Marble and The Salt Bay Cafe starting at 9 am. All through the day there will lots of pirate themed activities for children like a Pirate Costume Contest, Talk Like a Pirate Lessons and Sea Chantey Singing Lessons. At noon the pirates will be arriving by ship and probably manage to attack the villages despite the best efforts of the townspeople and their more than likely inadequate cannon and musket fire. So put on that pirate costume, pile the kids into the family rowboat and take part in the pillaging and plundering of the poor innocent villagers of Damariscotta and Newcastle. It promises to be fun for the whole crew. And if you are a little bit older (say 21) there is a Pirate Costume themed party at Schooner Landing starting at 8 pm with a prisoner auction, best pirate costume contest and a raffle for all sorts of pirate plunder. If you are a little unsure about how to fit in with the pirates here is a little video to help you fit in.

Tom Field

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

    I have a good friend who keeps a daily calendar of the weather.  She can always tell me how the seasons are unfolding in relationship to several of the previous years.  It's interesting...in the long run, things just aren't that different year to year.

   Although this spring has been cool, we've had some absolutely glorious warm days.  Yesterday was a beauty.  I got my work done in the morning and then escaped with another friend for a few hours to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.  What a treat!  First stop was a delicious lunch overlooking gardens in the cafe.  Then we strolled leisurely through acres and acres of gardens.

   The Lady Slippers and Rhododendrons were magnificent. The entire place was abuzz with activity as they prepare for the Grand Opening of the new Lerner Sensory Garden on June 19th. Instead of keeping track of the weather, I've decided to keep track of blooming seasons.  I can't wait to go back for the roses, hydrangeas and day lilies and watch the gardens grow.

Debby Schling

 

 

Alewives Return to Damariscotta Mills

Damariscotta Mills is one of those places where year round many people actually travel below the speed limit because they enjoy looking at the classic old architecture, the views of Great Salt Bay, the Mill Pond and Damariscotta Lake. This time of year not only are people driving slowly through the village, they are walking through the village and stopping along the way to witness one of Midcoast Maine's most interesting natural phenomena. 

 

Every year, roughly between Mother's Day and Father's Day. a few hundred thousand alewives make their way from the Atlantic Ocean, up the Damariscotta River, through the Great Salt Bay and climb up the fish ladder in Damariscotta Mills only to find themselves prey for various winged predators like osprey, bald eagles, cormorants and sea gulls. Not all of the danger is from above and sometimes the alewives make it all the way up the ladder and through the last gate into the waiting mouth of a largemouth bass. 

 

 

It is about a 40 foot climb from the foor of the the ladder to the mill pond where the alewives enter Damariscotta Lake and begin to spawn. Unlike salmon the alewives eventually return to the ocean after they have completed their mating which is of course preferable to the alternative.

 

This year there will be the Second Annual Fish Ladder Restoration Festival, a 4 day event during the Memorial Day Weekend. If you missed last year's festival you will not want to miss this year's as it promises to be even better. There will be a contra dance on the first night and live music, art festivals, fish science projects, a pig roast, smoked alewife tastings (yum) and lots of alewife themed activities that will appeal to everyone. What better way to welcome spring than to enjoy this spectacular event of nature? And please visit the website so you can learn how you can help continue the important work that has gone into restoring the ladder and preserving a piece of Maine's natural heritage. 

 

And while you are there feel free to have a look at some of the great listings that we have in the Mills like this one. 

  

 

Or maybe something a little bit more classic like this one.

So make plans to be in Damariscotta Mills May 22nd through the 25th for the festival. We will be waiting to see you!

Tom Field

 

Saturday Solds

   Okay, the banks have passed their stress tests, Chrysler and GM are going to be allowed to go bankrupt and the world is still turning and the swine flu is turning out to be just another bad cold. So how is the real estate market in mid coast Maine you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  It is improving.  Prices are down and some people are getting some pretty good buys.  Here's a few properties that have sold recently:

 

   This home above, with 18 acres of land, beautifully sited on Boyd Pond in Bristol, sold for $550,000 after 129 days on the market.

 

   This home in Jefferson, with convenient boating access to Damariscotta Lake sold for $251,000 after 552 days on the market.

 

   This 2004 home with many custom features is located on 7 acres in the rural community of Somerville and sold for $235,000 after only 42 days on the market.

 

   With beautiful views of the open ocean from Ocean Point in Boothbay, this cottage sold mostly furnished for $440,000 as soon as it came on the market.

If you've been considering purchasing property in Maine's beautiful mid coast, isn't it time you called your broker?

Jim Cosgrove

Economy Improves, Real Estate Sure to Follow

    On paper, U.S. stocks gained nearly $1 trillion in value in the month of April. So at least we know where some of the government stimulus money is, just kidding.  Seriously folks the economy is improving. 

   April was Wall Streets best month in nine years.  The Standard and Poor's 500 index, considered the most reliable measure of the broader stock market, climbed 9.4 percent last month, it's best performance since the peak of the dot com bubble in the spring of 2000.

   Economists tell us that the stock market tends to get back on its feet just ahead of the economy as a whole. Tellingly, those gains held Thursday even as the news came out that Chrysler, one of the Big Three automakers, was filing for bankruptcy and the media was playing the swine flu epidemic for all it was worth.  Just a few months ago either one of those new stories alone would have been enough to tank the market.

   So is this the beginning of the end of our most recent recession?  Past experience would certainly seem to indicate so.  Meanwhile the phones here at Newcastle Square Realty World Headquarters have been ringing more steadily and the emails have become more frequent. The brokers here all have showings scheduled for this weekend already.  If you've been waiting to time the market, you may have already missed the bottom but opportunities still exist.  Why not make that call today?

Jim Cosgrove

The Heart and Soul of Damariscotta

  Watch a short video of excerpts from neighbor to neighbor chats in Damariscotta as part of the Orton Family Foundation's Heart and Soul Project.

Timing the Real Estate Market

    I had an interesting conversation yesterday.  A fellow I've known for sometime stopped in to the office.  Said he wanted to see what was for sale in a specific price range and to "pick my brain" about the state of the real estate market in the Pemaquid Point area.

Well the picking of the brain didn't take too long, some will tell you there isn't that much up there anyway, but we did have a lot of properties to look at and I ran the whole list complete with pictures and related data off of the MLS site and printed them for him.  His plan was to "drive by" these properties and check them out just so he'd be familiar with them but he made it plain that he had no intention of buying at this time.  You see "he knows" that the market is going to go down further and he'll get a better deal in the future.  "He knows" the market has not hit bottom and he has no intention of buying until it does so.

   Now what you need to know about my friend is that in his former life he was an engineer. You may have heard that old saying about engineers; that if one person says the glass is half full and one person says the glass is half empty, the engineer says the glass was built too big. The point being that engineers tend to over think things.

   I'm afraid he is going to get burned trying to time the bottom of the market. Whether or not we've hit bottom remains to be seen.  We won't know where the bottom was until we're quite a ways past it.  Just as we didn't know where the top of the market was when we were there. No one makes an announcement and says"today is the bottom, prices go up tomorrow". Years after the fact a government office or a trade organization will compile some statistics and tell us how long of a recession we were in, when the stock market went from bull to bear and back to bull and where the real estate market bottomed. Unlike the other two the real estate market is trickier.  There is a mythological "national real estate market" that doesn't really exist.  Each market area is its own separate market with it's own set of dynamics and factors that determine value.  Sure interest rates and activity from other areas impact it but no two markets react exactly the same, unlike say the Dow Jones industrial average or the oil spot market.

   My humble opinion is that the mid coast Maine real estate market has already turned. It's almost imperceptible right now.  Just as at the moment the tide turns you can't tell. but it has turned.  Here at Newcastle Square Realty we've certainly seen an upswing in calls and inquiries over the past 2 months. We've shown more homes, we've written more contracts, we've scheduled more closings.  Are the statistics reflecting this? No not quite yet.  It takes time for these things to show up in the stats.  Rare is the property that closes less than 45 days after going under contract.  But in the late fall as big bank after big bank was going under and Congress was debating different "rescue' plans and politicians were running for office, the things that are happening now were not happening.

   Many of the better quality properties that saw big drops in price have already been sold in these past 2 months.  There are still a lot of properties on the market and that does depress prices.  But many of those that are out there have been on a long time and represent Sellers who have not made the mental shift to the new market reality. In other words they are priced for 2007 not 2009. By and large, those properties that have come on the market in the last 6 months have been realistically priced and a greater percentage of them have sold.

   Interest rates are at a 50 year low. The government is giving first time home buyers an $8,000.00 tax credit that doesn't need to be re payed when they sell. Prices are at a 10 year low. Trying to time the market under those circumstances is...well as I gently tried to tell my friend, not a wise mans game.

   Everyone in this business knows Sellers who got burned by holding on for a high price or pricing even higher than the market after what we now know was the peak.  And everyone in this business is going to know a Buyer who tried to time the market and missed a good deal because they thought prices would go just a little bit lower.  They may get a low price but they will miss the better properties or wind up with a higher interest rate or as I'm afraid will happen to my friend, have "analysis paralysis" and wind up doing nothing.

   Right now is a very good time to buy property in Lincoln County, Maine.  The glass is half full.

Jim Cosgrove

Pemaquid Motorcycle Trip

I was sitting at my desk the other day when Jim Cosgrove poked his head into my office and said "Hey, how about you write a blog about the progress of the fish ladder restoration in Damariscotta Mills? It is only across the street from your house." I said sure and took some pictures the very next day.

Well, I started writing a blog about the fish ladder and all of the work that has gone into it and the fact that there is going to be a great big Fish Ladder Restoration Festival on Memorial Day weekend but then the weather got in the way. I don't mean rain or sleet or cold I actually mean good weather. Sun, temperatures in the 50s, in other words Spring. So I got on the bike instead of writing the blog.
 

Spring is probably the best time to drive down to the lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. There are not a lot of people, the roads are pretty empty and the straight aways are a blast (of course at the posted speed limit). Pemaquid Point and the lighthouse are always very photogenic. Today was no different. Big surf, green water and a lobster boat full of traps close to shore.

I will get back to the fish ladder soon. It is just across the street after all.

Tom Field