Date Archives: December 2019

Deciding to buy a home can be daunting, but educating yourself about what's involved can help you understand what to expect. Our REALTORS® guide clients through the process every day and share some tips to make your home buying journey a breeze.  

Decide What You Want and Need

Think about what you'd like in a house today and in the future. Are you planning to have a family and want a big yard for kids and pets? Is a garage a requirement for you? Write down everything you want and need and start checking out your local real estate market online. It's important to look at the area as a whole—it's always a good idea to buy in a neighborhood where property values will most likely appreciate.

Get Your Finances In Order

First, you'll need to save for a down payment. Generally, a down payment should be about 20 percent, but can be as low as 10, 5 or even 0 percent for certain types of mortgages like FHA and VA loans. When you feel confident that you've saved enough, check your credit. Annual Credit Report.com offers a free yearly credit report from the three major reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Making sure your credit is in order can help to ensure you get a decent interest rate. 

Also, get pre-approved by a lender before you start looking at Augusta homes for sale. To do a pre-approval, lenders will review your credit report, income, and other finances. They will then issue a letter stating the amount for which you've been pre-approved. Keep in mind that pre-approval is not the same thing as being approved for a mortgage loan. When you're ready to do that, make sure you choose at least three with competitive rates.

Click Here to Read More...

Did you know that maple syrup has its own holiday? National Maple Syrup Day is observed every year on December 17, and our corner of Maine is the perfect place to celebrate this sweet holiday. Local, family-owned businesses have been producing fresh maple syrup for generations, using old-fashioned harvesting practices producing some of the best maple syrup in the world. Whether you're a maple syrup aficionado or you want to enjoy something sweet, this is the holiday for you. Our REALTORS® have all the delicious details on four great spots to celebrate National Maple Syrup Day near Augusta this year.

1. Bacon Farm Maple Products – 415 Goodhue Rd., Sidney, ME 04330
   Conveniently located close to Sidney homes for sale, you'll find Bacon Farm Maple Products, the perfect place to celebrate National Maple Syrup Day. This farm is one of the oldest continually operating maple syrup shops in the area and has been delighting visitors ever since it was first founded in 1881. Today, the Bacon family sticks to the classic methods that have served them well for generations, starting with the sap harvest in the early spring. The sap is boiled down on-site to create fresh, delicious maple syrup. If you're interested in creating your own maple syrup, Bacon Farm also sells sugaring products and supplies.

   Click Here to Read More...

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what would it say about your home? When it comes to listing your home for sale, you have one chance to make a first impression, and in most cases that first impression will be your real estate photos. 

Stunning photos will make your listing jump out from other Augusta homes for sale. Use these valuable tips and stage your home to tell a story buyers can't resist.

1. Hire a Professional Photographer
   No matter how well you've mastered Instagram, it's worth the cost to hire a professional photographer. A Redfin study found that homes with professional photos in the listing sold from one to three weeks faster than those without.
   
   
2. Start on the Outside
   Make sure your curb appeal is highlighted in your real estate photos. Mow the lawn, trim the bushes, remove toys and other extraneous items from the yard and get cars out of the driveway.
   

   Click Here to Read More...

The Kennebec Valley is the place to be during the holiday season. To help you get in the holiday spirit, our REALTORS® highly recommend adding the following events coming to the nearby area to your calendar. 

1. Madison Christmas Celebration - 26 Weston Ave, Madison, ME 04950
   As you ponder Madison homes for sale, make sure you take some time to join in the Madison Christmas Celebration. This year's event takes place on December 6th and 7th. As always, they will have plenty of hot cocoa warming stations, horse and carriage rides, a craft fair, and Gingerbread House Contest. For the grand finale, you will be treated to a holly jolly parade that wraps up with a spectacular fireworks show. 
   
   

   Click Here to Read More...