Articles Tagged "Holidays"

Once you've settled into your new home, what better way to celebrate than with a party? Ring in the New Year in your new house! Celebrate the new year in style with these tips for hosting a memorable New Year's Eve party.

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With 2023 almost here, it's time to think about your New Year's resolution. If your resolution is to become a homeowner in 2023, our real estate agents suggest getting an early start on your resolution by following these tips. 

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Between showings of the best Augusta homes for sale, our team knows that it's important to take time out for all the little things that make life special. The holidays are the season to get together with loved ones and celebrate what matters most. That also means it's time for the hectic fun of holiday shopping!

Even with the best of intentions, time can get away from you. Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to finding the perfect gift here in Maine. Plus, our real estate agents know of a few places where you could find something truly special.

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Our real estate agents want to help you celebrate Valentine's Day in style this February.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to make lasting memories with the one you love. Even with travel restrictions and other public health precautions still in place, you can find ways to make a big impression this year through the many local florists in and around Augusta.

Augusta homes for sale are convenient to many trusted florists, including locally owned and operated businesses that have been around for years. Fresh flowers in handcrafted arrangements give you a classic and tasteful way to proclaim your love on one of the most romantic days of the year.

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Oh, the weather outside may be frightful, but sitting at home by the fire sure is delightful this time of the year. Our real estate agents love warming up by the fireplace with our loved ones and watching the snowfall outside. Though fireplaces are rightfully loved for their warmth in both function and appearance, homeowners must not forget that these appliances are inherently dangerous. We recommend that all homeowners with a working fireplace follow these maintenance and safety tips — even if you don't use the fireplace often.

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A wise but anonymous person once described hot chocolate as "a hug from the inside." During a cold Maine winter, that couldn't be more true! When our real estate agents feel a need for the warm embrace of cocoa, they head to these great restaurants and coffee shops near Augusta homes for sale. 

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It's time to start thinking about decorating your home for the holidays. If your home is listed among Augusta homes for sale, you will be looking for just the right tone, perhaps going low key this year so as not to be too distracting from showing your home. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to make your home feel extra cozy this holiday season. Follow these tips to give your holiday decorating a boost this year.

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Making your own wreath is a fun and simple way to spruce up your home for the holidays. Since decorations can be overpriced this time of year, our real estate agents came up with five inexpensive ways to make your own holiday wreath.

Before you get started, you'll want to head over to your local craft store and pick-up a few supplies. In addition to the base material you select (more on that below), it's usually a good idea to have an abundance of twine, pins, glue, and floral tape on hand. 

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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. 
   
   

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Every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday gives shoppers an opportunity to support their local businesses. It's a great chance to get your holiday shopping done and show your favorite mom-and-pop stores some love. 

In honor of the occasion, our REALTORS® are excited to share some of their favorite small businesses in the Augusta, ME area. Be sure to check out these amazing local shops this season!

1. Kennebec Chocolates - 10 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330
   If you're in the area looking at Augusta homes for sale, there's one place you're guaranteed to find the best chocolate. That would be Kennebec Chocolates, a favorite local shop that offers incredible treats for anyone with a sweet tooth. From gourmet truffle assortments to chocolate-covered espresso beans, Kennebec Chocolates has something for everyone. They even offer some fantastic sugar-free options. 
   
   
2. Kennebec Cheesery - 795 Pond Rd, Sidney, ME 04330
   Focusing on handcrafted small-batch artisan cheese and yogurt, Kennebec Cheesery is a hyper-local shop where you won't find anything that isn't from Maine. Located minutes from Sydney homes for sale, Kennebec Cheesery is the passion project of Jean and Peter Koons. They make everything using milk from their own Alpine and Saanen goats and organic Jersey cows' milk from nearby Woodside farm. Everything is solar-powered, non-GMO, and delicious. 
   
   
3. Mystic Maine Quilts - 5 River Rd, Chelsea, ME 04330
   Mystic Maine Quilts is an incredible resource if you have a crafty person on your Christmas list. Offering a tremendous selection of high quality 100% cotton fabrics, sewing notions, patterns, books, and professional longarm quilting services, Mystic Maine Quilts is located in the quiet community of Chelsea, just a few miles from Augusta and a stone's throw from these Chelsea homes for sale. If you'd like to have a custom quilt made – or are looking for the resources to make your own – this is your place.
    
4. Uncorked Wine & Cheese - 145 Civic Center Dr, Augusta, ME 04330
   Few things go hand-in-hand quite like wine and cheese, and this tiny boutique shop in Augusta is your go-to destination for both. Uncorked Wine & Cheese offers a broad and ever-changing selection of wines and cheeses from here, and all around the world. You're sure to find something special. Be sure to check their calendar for upcoming wine tastings and other events!
   
   
5. Jellison Traders - 359 Riverside Dr, Augusta, ME 04330
   Augusta offers no shortage of quaint antique stores, but Jellison Traders leads the pack. For more than a decade, this local shop has offered a simply stunning variety of antique, vintage, retro, modern, collectible and second-hand items. For antique hounds, it's essentially a 4,000 square-foot wonderland, where you're sure to find a perfect gift for anybody with a taste for the old-fashioned.
   
   
6. Wolf Creek Farm - 13 Blake Rd, Sidney, ME 04330
   A fantastic resource for finding local Maine products, Sidney's Wolf Creek Farm Store is the ideal place to stock up on delicious Maine-centric gifts for anyone on your list. In addition to all-natural meats and produce, they also offer a wide selection of jams, jellies, pickles, candies and locally hand-made goods of all kinds, including eye-catching arts, crafts, and jewelry. 

There's always something new and exciting to discover in Augusta, ME. Contact us today to learn more about life in Maine, and talk to our team about finding your dream home.

Can you believe that it's already time for another busy holiday season in the Kennebec Valley area? Throughout the region, you'll have a chance to enjoy the annual traditions that make our communities such special places to call home during the holidays and throughout the year. Whether you're looking to shop, see the sights, or help the kids get into the holiday spirit, there's something for every member of the family to enjoy during the holidays in the area. Our real estate agents have the details on four fun events to help you celebrate the holiday season and shop for the perfect gifts in the Kennebec Valley.

Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Kennebec Valley

1. Gardiner Parade of Lights – December 1, 2018 at 4:30pm
   Take a break from shopping for Gardiner homes for sale to enjoy the Gardiner Parade of Lights, a true local tradition during the holiday season for many years. The Parade of Lights, which travels through downtown Gardiner, is filled with the sights and sounds of the holidays. It's also part of a busy schedule of holiday events throughout December in Gardiner, which includes Shop Small Saturday, the annual tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, the Gardiner Festival of Trees, and the Johnson Hall Chanukah Celebration.
   
   

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Home sales in New England don't stop when the leaves start to fall, and every station on the radio turns to Christmas carols. Many prospective buyers are eager to start the new year in a new home. This can present golden opportunities for motivated sellers to close quickly and do the same. Our real estate agents recommend the following six tips that can help you sell your Augusta, Maine home during the holiday season.

1. Choose Your Price Strategically
   If the listing price is too high, it will linger and languish. If it is too low, it will appear as if there is a problem with the property. Aim for a sweet spot that accurately reflects the value of the property and your desire to sell with minimal negotiation. Buyers want a deal, but that doesn't mean you have to give the home away. Your real estate agent can help you set a price that is acceptable to you and attractive to buyers.
   
   

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A warm and relaxing Thanksgiving brings one of the best meals of the year.  Even our real estate agents take a little break from showing off Augusta homes for sale to get together with family to appreciate all the best life has to offer.

If you're feeling especially thankful this year, why not make it a holiday to remember and go out to one of our fine Central Maine restaurants to get your turkey day feast?

Each one of these five restaurants will provide you with a lavish feast fit for a king (or a pilgrim!), and you won't even have to lift a finger. It's all taken care of for you!

When it comes to the best Thanksgiving restaurants in Maine, these are our picks:

1. Aunt Gin's - 48 Augusta Road, Whitefield, ME
   You can find Aunt Gin's online, on Facebook, or just down the road on Route 17 in beautiful Whitefield. It's already famous for its Sunday breakfast buffet, which draws crowds from far and wide for a heaping helping of comfort food. You'll find the classics, including delicious waffles and pancakes made right in front of you. Try the homemade blueberry bread pudding.

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The holidays are right around the corner, and so are the thieves just waiting for you to be away. A proactive approach to home security is the best way to protect your home and belongings. Our real estate agents offer this list of holiday home security tips.

1. Don't Advertise Purchases
   Boxes and bags let thieves know what you have bought and where you bought it. This seemingly innocuous trash should be broken down and disposed of within trash bins. Even better, you can break it down and take it to a recycling center. If you are shopping online, it is also a wise idea to have your packages delivered to your workplace or to pick them up from a delivery center.
     

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