Damariscotta Looks Different

    Yesterday morning I rushed into the office after my early showings, grabbed a camera and jogged up Main Street hoping not to miss the removal of the steeple from the Damariscotta Baptist Church.  For those not familiar with the story, the steeple of the Baptist church is one of the most recognizable figures of the Damariscotta skyline, visible to passersby on Route 1, boaters on the Damariscotta River and from most parts of town. Recently it was discovered that the underpinnings of the steeple were rotten and that the steeple was in danger of falling down. 

   The Church began a campaign to raise funds to remove and repair the steeple and have now gotten to the point where they could remove it and begin the process. Yesterday was the day it was coming off.

   Workers arrived at 4 AM and the initial much anticipated lift off was scheduled for 10 AM.  It was quite an event with the huge crane, lots of men in hard hats, Central Maine Power employees, police and lots of spectators some of whom had brought their lawn chairs.  It was 1 PM before we began to hear creaks and groans as the steeple and it's newly assembled carriage gradually succumbed to the pressure of the crane and finally let go.

   Once loose the crane operator gently and ever so slowly, smoothly moved it over and lowered it to the ground to the right of the church where workmen had prepared a bed for it to sit on. Here she will sit while repairs are made, money is raised and she is reunited with her majestic spot overlooking the town.

   To help you appreciate the size of this look at this picture of the steeple down on the ground!

   So if you are driving north on Route 1, don't miss the exit to Damariscotta and Newcastle because you don't see the steeple.  We're still here!  The town does look very different and it can be a bit jarring to look up and not see the steeple there.  We hope that the church is successful in their fund raising and that by next summer we'll be posting a story about the steeple going back up!

Debby Schling

OPEN HOUSE Saturday in Bristol and South Bristol

   OPEN HOUSE Saturday in Damariscotta and Newcastle was so successful that we will reprise the event again this Saturday, July 28 only this time with homes in Bristol Mills, Pemaquid Harbor, Pemaquid Point, New Harbor, Walpole and further down in South Bristol on both sides of the peninsula.  We even have one home open in Bremen.

   This is a great opportunity for those people who have been looking at property in our area to see several homes in a short span of time without having to go through the appointment process or the need for several brokers to coordinate schedules.  Maybe you have friends or relatives that are interested in moving to the area and you'd like to do some advance scouting or maybe you have a broker you're working with already in which case feel free to invite them to come with you!

   The following homes will be "open" from 11 to 1 on Saturday (click on the pictures to enlarge or on the link to go to that homes web page where you'll find all of the information):

Bill Byrnes will be at Indian Ledge Trail in Pemaquid.

This is a terrific property with seasonal sunset views over the waters of Johns Bay and a right of way to that waterfront.

Becky Brown will be at 81 Boulder Road in Bristol in this lovely home on the Damariscotta River. With complete privacy and westerly views across the water this is a great property!

    Lee Simard will be further down the peninsula at 2927 Bristol Road close to Pemaquid Beach and the village of New Harbor in this Post and Beam home.

    Just a short distance away at 2178 Bristol Road will be Anne Peaslee in this Cape that just has to be seen to be appreciated.  The artist owner has done a marvelous job of making this homes interior special! 

   Drawing a lot of interest already is this new listing at 237 Pemaquid Harbor Road where Kathleen Shattuck will be only too happy to show you around.  If you're there at lunch time the Pemaquid Harbor Lobstermans co-op is just a short walk away and they may have the best lobster roll on the coast of Maine!

    Up the road in Bristol Mills, Bill and Tracy Babcock will greet you at 1284 Bristol Road.  This is a wonderful 1830's farmhouse that has been restored, not renovated, and is walking distance to the local swimming hole!

   Moving over to South Bristol you'll want to start at number 390 on Route 129 in Walpole.  Tom Field has listed this 1850's farmhouse that comes complete with a barn and paddock for the horses.  some may consider it an added bonus that the golf course is nearby!

    Heading down the peninsula we have a special treat, this fabulous property on the Damariscotta River!  Brand new to the market and never before offered this may be one of the finest pieces of riverfront to come on the market this year.  If Debby Schling isn't in the home when you get there be sure to wander on down to the dock!   The address is Fiddlers Lane and it's on the right going down Route 129.

    I'll be out on the deck watching the boats sway at anchor in Kings' Cove at this home at 52 Sloop Nellie Road.  please come down and join me.  Bring your bathing suit if you'd like and try out the private sand beach!

   

   And over on the other side of the Peninsula off of Route 32 in Bremen, Ken Gray will be waiting to show you modern Cape.  The master suite in this home is outstanding and there are many other fine features, don't miss it!

   If you would like directions to any of these properties please call our office at 563-1003 or stop in and we'll be glad to give you printed sheets with all of the properties listed.  If you can't make it Saturday but think one of the homes may be right for you we hope you'll call one of our brokers and arrange a private showing.

Jim Cosgrove

Real Estate Report

    I can't even begin to think about real estate.  We've got more important things to worry about.  The Red Sox lead over The Team Whose Name We Shall Not Write is down to 7. And they no longer have the best record in all of baseball. 

   I know what you're thinking.  "What's his problem?"  "They still lead the A.L. East and they are 7 games ahead not behind."  "It's only mid July."  Clearly you don't understand.

   The warning signs are all there. Over the last 45 games the Red Sox record is something like 21-24. The trouble apparently started when Dan Shaughnessy wrote an article May 30 in the Boston Globe in which he just about crowned the Sox winners of this years World Series.  Faithful fans will recall that Shaughnessy is the kiss of death for any successful Boston team, our own version of the SI cover jinx.

   Now friends from New York who were conspicuously silent when the lead was 14 games, are only too happy to be in touch.  Oh sure, they try to make it sound like it's just old friends getting together but we all know what's going on.  They smell blood in the water and the sharks are beginning to circle.

   I thought when the weather got warmer Big Papi would start to hit but instead we're hearing about "torn meniscus" and "playing in pain".  J.D. Drew was supposed to make us forget about Trot Nixon but he's hurt (big surprise there) and even when he was healthy I didn't see anything that said "I'm worth $70 million" .  Willy Mo can hit a fast ball no doubt about that but the pitchers in the A.L. East have figured that out and he's getting a steady diet of breaking balls and other junk which he can't hit. Julian Tavares was forced into the role of 5th starter when Theo couldn't find a closer and had to move Papellbon back to the job.  Papelbon is doing his job but it's time for Tavares to go back to the pen and bring one of the young arms up from Pawtucket (Jon Lester?).  The little guys (Lugo, Crisp and Pedrioa) at either end of the order are getting on base and playing pretty good defense and Mike Lowell continues to make the Marlins look dumb for saying he was all done but as a team there are way too many runners being stranded on the bases and the starting pitchers are prone to that one bad inning (see:Matsusaka, 6th inning last night) that can kill a comeback.

   So don't tell me that the lead is still 7 games.  Remember  a certain 5 game homestand last August?  Remember a ground ball to first in Game 6?  Remember Bucky F. Dent?  I want to see Manny slowly rounding the bases.  I want to see Papelbon breathing fire and pumping his fist to end games.  I want a huge lead and I don't care if it is July.  Everything changed after 2004.  We can't go back to the way things used to be.

   Honestly, it's enough to drive a man to drink.  And I don't mean Moxie.

Jim Cosgrove

 

Window of Opportunity

    "How much is that little house in the window?"

   A young couple in their late 50's walked into the Newcastle Square Realty office to inquire about a photo and description of a house which they saw featured along with many others in the front window display.

   Newcastle Square Realty has a wonderful location in downtown Damariscotta where local people and visitors are always stopping by and checking out the Listings in the window.  I know that when my husband Bill and I are on vacation, we love to check out the real estate offerings in other parts of the country.  I know, I said when we are on vacation but, we can't resist.

   I not only told these people the price but was able to give them a survey and a data sheet with all of the pertinent information. I also told them that I would be available that afternoon if they would like to see the property. They said "yes" but they wanted to make it clear that they really weren't considering buying as they had never even been to Damariscotta before and they didn't know anything about the area and besides, they weren't retired yet.

   "No problem", I said.  I will give you a little tour of the area and we can see the house and who knows, maybe you'll come back some day when you are ready to buy a house.

   Well, it was love at first sight.  The woman walked into the cottage and said over and over, "I love this house, I love this house."  So, they bought it.

  Since then this couple have decided that they need to winterize the cottage they bought because they plan on retiring in a few years and live here year round. I guess they are convinced about what a wonderful community we have here in mid coast Maine.

   So, a major life change due to a little picture in a window.  Come on by and check out our windows and then come in and check out our other photos on the boards just inside the door.  Or, list your property for sale with Newcastle Square Realty and you can give someone an opportunity to see a photo of your house and come into our office and ask, "how much is that house in the window?"

Tracy Babcock

OPEN HOUSE Saturday in Damariscotta - Newcastle

   If you've been looking for a new home in the greater Damariscotta area or even just thinking about looking for a new home, you won't want to miss OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY on July 14th.  From 10 AM to 12 PM 9 homes in Damariscotta, Newcastle, Damariscotta Mills and Sheepscott will be open for viewing.  The Listing Brokers will be on hand and will be glad to talk with you about these and other fine properties in our area.

   The homes open this Saturday are:

97 Westview Road in Damariscotta

The Townhouses (2 Units) at 186 Elm St. in Damariscotta

64 Huston Cove Lane in Damariscotta

387 Bristol Road in Damariscotta

43 Pond Road in Damariscotta Mills

70 Stonebridge Circle in Newcastle

51 Pleasant Street in Newcastle

139 Borland Hill Road in Damariscotta Mills

94 Sheepscot Road in Alna

   Please stop by our office at 87 Main Street in Damariscotta and we'll be glad to provide you with a map to guide you to all of these properties.

   We look forward to seeing you!

Maine Real Estate Report for June

    For the month of June just past the trend remains the same.  Overall the market remains down but here at Newcastle Square Realty business is brisk. First the statistics.

   June of 2006 saw 110 closed residential sides in Lincoln County for a dollar volume of just over $36 million.  In June of 2007 we (that is the market as represented by the Maine Statewide Multiple Listing Service, broken down for Lincoln County) had 88 closed residential sides with a dollar volume of just over $23 million.  In 2006 the Associates here at NSR closed 8 sides for a little over $4 million and this year we did 19 sides with a volume of almost $8 million.  Now here's the difference and pay attention because this is important. In 2006 our average sold price was $502,000.  This year our average sold price is $407,684.  Just as we've been advising our clients since the first of the year, the market is down 20% from it's high point in the summer of '05.  County wide the average sold price is $264,602. But, homes are selling.  This is not the early 90's when nothing was selling, at any price.  This time, the market has readjusted but there is still a market. Priced right a home will sell.

   Right now in Lincoln County, Maine there are 807 residences for sale.  If you've been thinking of making the move to the Mid Coast area of Maine, you will never have more choice and at prices not seen for the last several years.  Ocean front homes, lakeside camps, country cottages and even in-town condominiums are available.  Why not call and make an appointment to speak with one of our knowledgeable brokers about making your dreams come true?

Jim Cosgrove

Ben Franklin the Weblogger

    Maybe it's because I was a History major in college or I'm simply overcome with patriotic fervor leftover from last nights excellent fireworks show here on the Damariscotta River but I love this blog post by Brian Brady over at Bloodhound Blog and so I'll break one of the cardinal rules of blogging and send you away from our site.

   The title is Benjamin Franklin the Weblogger and Brian starts with the thought that "Benjamin Franklin would have been a helluva weblogger."

Check it out; http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=1623

Jim Cosgrove

Happy 4th of July!

   Happy 4th of July to all of our visitors and those that wish they were.  Don't forget to head on over to the Round Pond Parade which will kick off at noon from the Post Office in Round Pond.  This is not your average 4th of July parade but is loaded with political satire and commentary that cuts both ways.  All in good fun of course. And that truly celebrates the greatness of our nation.  What better way to honor the brave men and women who founded our country than by exercising the freedoms they gave us!

   So get there early, bring the sunscreen and chairs and stay after for the cookout at The Anchor Inn.  Fireworks in Damariscotta tonight.

Have a Great Day, America.

Jim Cosgrove