Date Archives: April 2020

Independent restaurants are a significant part of the community around Augusta homes for sale. Support these business owners in the comfort of your own home with a takeout order from these great local restaurants recommended by our real estate agents.

1. State Lunch - 217 Water St., Augusta, ME 04330
   Global influences take the gastropub comfort food at State Lunch to a new level. Patty melts, and reubens sit on the menu alongside sriracha chicken wings and their signature ramen bowls. If you're feeding a family, State Lunch offers platters of pasta and salad that serve four to six people. Wine and sake are also available to go. Check the Facebook page for special family meals and cocktail mixes. Hours are 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.
   
   

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If you had dreams of home ownership before the pandemic and are concerned if you should pursue them, you aren't alone.

Fortunately, we also live in a time where we can take advantage of online resources and technical advances. Has the act of shopping for a home changed because of social distancing requirements? You bet, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Know that your dreams don't have to be put on hold, you just need to shift the way in which you go about doing it.

Consider the following tips to keep you, your family and the community safe while shopping for a home:

• Realtors are considered essential workers and while many are working remotely, technology such as video calls with screen sharing capabilities give you the ability to shop for homes online with your Realtor.
• Take advantage of virtual tours. Ask your Realtor about virtual options before asking to see a home. You should only physically visit a home if you are serious about the property.
• If you do decide to physically inspect a property, drive separately from your agent to adhere to social distancing requirements.
• Be considerate of the seller's home and wash or sanitize your hands before entry, touching as little as necessary. While many sellers will likely provide it, bring your own hand sanitizer and use it before and after you tour the home.
• Ask your agent to confirm with the seller's agent that they have not recently been sick or in contact with someone suspected of having COVID-19.
• Current recommendations require the wearing of masks and gloves. Consider bringing your own and throwing them away when you've finished touring.
• Reduce the amount of time spent with other people in the same room. Practicing social distancing can curb person-to-person spread.

When Not to Tour Homes:

• Don't physically tour a home is you are not serious about it.
• Avoid touring homes in person if you are currently self-quarantined because of illness or other reasons. Ask you agent to video chat with you while they tour the home so you can see it virtually.
• We do not recommend touring homes after returning from international travel or travel that exposed you to a large group of people in close quarters, like large events.

As the situation develops with COVID-19, Sprague and Curtis Real Estate is dedicated to taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus while continuing to provide the exceptional customer service we are known for. We are here to support homebuyers during, throughout and after these uncertain times.

As a home seller, you expect people to visit and tour your home—it's part of the process! However, with current social distancing best practices in place because of the pandemic, adjustments should be made to keep yourself, your family, and others safe.

Consider the following tips to stay healthy during your selling process:

1. Your Realtor should make sure that any potential buyers interested in touring your home are low risk of exposure to COVID-19 and that only very serious inquiries or high priority showings are allowed. Virtual showings are also an option and will help to limit the number of people who come to your property.
2. Place a placard in the entry of your home requesting that any person who has recently been ill or may have been in the company of someone who is suspected to have COVID-19 not enter your home.
3. Provide easy-access hand sanitizer throughout your home.
4. Leave interior doors open and lights on so that buyers who tour your home can minimize touching handles and switches.
5. Wipe down surfaces following every showing of your home, and disinfect your home with proper cleaning supplies after every showing.
6. If you start to feel sick or learn that you have been in contact with someone suspected to have COVID-19, call your Realtor to discuss your selling strategy moving forward.

As the situation develops with COVID-19, Sprague and Curtis Real Estate is dedicated to taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus while continuing to provide the exceptional customer service we are known for as we work with home sellers.

Cleaning, organizing, repairing, replacing, packing… staging your home is no easy task, especially when you have a house full of children. Kids will be kids, and unfortunately, that means new messes will pop up faster than you can clean them. Don't worry — you won't have to tackle this task on your own. Our real estate agents have these helpful tips to make sure every one of your in-person walkthroughs and virtual showings are picture-perfect.

1. Knowing When to Seek Help
   First thing's first, you may need a set of helping hands to accomplish your goal. Quite simply, most parents have too many responsibilities to juggle, and there are only 24 hours in a day to get everything done. Older children should be tasked with tidying up their rooms and helping around the house. For larger projects, consider asking your extended family members and friends to help — even if that means babysitting! You may also want to consider hiring professionals to help you remodel, keep your home clean, or keep your yard looking great.
   
   

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To our valued clients and friends,

During such an unprecedented time, we want to assure you that Sprague & Curtis remains deeply committed to the health and safety of our clients, agents, employees, and communities.

We are joining with our communities, our nation, and our world to implement every protocol and process possible to keep our team and our clients safe. As we continue to follow the development of the COVID-19 outbreak, our first priority is the health and safety of our people and their families, as well as our clients and their families.

Through it all, we are mindful that our clients still need to buy and sell real estate for many different reasons. We are here and ready to help. The way we do business is changing, but thanks to technology and our dedicated team, we are able to advise and guide our clients in new, creative ways.

We remain fully operational while working remotely; we're staying connected digitally with audio and video conferencing for collaboration, training, and meetings. Our physical office will maintain modified hours of operation for the near future. This is to ensure the utmost protection for all of you, our team members, and the public as a whole.

Interestingly enough, the Greater Augusta and Central Maine real estate markets remain very active thus far. We are hard at work for our clients and are leveraging all available tools and resources to provide the absolute best customer service possible during this time. We are strictly following all prescribed health and safety protocols and best practices.

Sprague & Curtis Real Estate is locally-owned and committed to community. We are in this together, and we are grateful for your trust and loyalty. We promise to do everything in our power to serve you at the highest level.

We wish a speedy recovery for our nation and good health to you and yours.

Sincerely,

Bill Sprague, Jr.
President
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate

While waterfront properties offer gorgeous views and opportunities for aquatic recreation, they also have unique maintenance needs. It's imperative to keep up with these maintenance tasks so that your home remains in good condition for years to come. Make sure these items are on your checklist when working on your waterfront home. 

1. Keep Your Retainer Wall in Good Condition
   You want the water around your home to be clean and free of pollution. A retainer wall is a valuable component for keeping pollutants out of the water near your home. Retainer walls prevent the soil on your property from eroding and adding any contaminants in the soil to the water. Periodically inspect your retainer wall to identify any uneven areas or areas where the material is degrading. 

2. Winterize Your Home
   If you don't use your home during the winter months, you'll need to winterize your home to make sure it's ready for winter weather. You'll want to take steps to prevent water from freezing in your pipes, and many homeowners also board up their windows. Boarding up the windows prevents intruders from peeking into your home, and it provides protection for the windows against falling limbs or windblown debris. 

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As Maine celebrates its bicentennial in 2020, why not learn more about some of the historic landmarks in our area? Our REALTORS® help you get in the spirit by sharing 10 fun facts about one of Maine's most enduring symbols, the Maine State House.

1. Augusta Beats the Competition 
   Maine officially became a state on March 15, 1820. At the time, Portland was named temporary capital by being the state's largest city, but many felt Maine would be better served with a more centrally located capital. Brunswick, Hallowell, Waterville, Belfast, and Wiscasset all threw their hats in the ring, but Augusta emerged victoriously.
   
   

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