Sprague & Curtis Real Estate Blog

Our real estate agents have an exciting new trend in Augusta homes for sale to share with you. It's this: Energy-efficient homes.

Energy efficient (or "green") homes are gaining popularity throughout the United States. More and more people see the value in reducing their carbon footprint by ensuring energy isn't wasted. Not only does this help protect the natural environment, but it also reduces the cost of ownership for any home. A few energy-efficient improvements can reduce energy bills by hundreds annually. With a proactive approach, you may even cut bills by thousands.

This is a crucial matter for new home buyers in and around Augusta. Savings really count when you're establishing your budget and trying to discover exactly how much house you can afford. Luckily, there are some efficient renovations you can install relatively quickly, even if you're putting a property on the market soon. They can earn you a premium on your sale price, too.

Our top energy-efficient renovations include:

1. Programmable Thermostats
   Your thermostat is the brain of your entire heating and air conditioning system. When you use a programmable thermostat, it will keep these energy-intensive systems idle throughout the day, then reach your desired temperature while you're on your way home from work.

   Click Here to Read More...

Summer in Kennebec Valley is the best time of the year! Our real estate agents love the warm summer days and long summer nights that are perfect for getting together with family and friends to enjoy the some of the best festivities around Maine. Don't miss these four awesome events happening throughout the summer in Kennebec Valley!

1. Belgrade Lakes Market – 137 Main St., Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918 | Every Sunday, Memorial Day – September
   Who doesn't love a trip to the farmers market? Whether you enjoy sampling locally grown foods or browsing for handcrafted goods, you'll have a great time at the Belgrade Lakes Market. Happening every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend until mid-September, the Belgrade Lakes Market offers something new every week. Close to Belgrade homes for sale, live music and delicious food await you all summer long! Bring your family into town and support your local small businesses at this great farmers market.

   Click Here to Read More...

Home buyers know which features they want to see in Augusta homes for sale—do you? As a seller, you want to position your home for success, but this means more than just updating the kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Even though interior features like smart appliances and gorgeous countertops do entice buyers to purchase your home, you can't forget that buyers also desire fantastic exterior features. Our real estate agents want to help you get the most of your home, that's why we've identified the top five exterior features buyers desire in their new Augusta homes.

1. Energy Efficient Windows
   Summers in Augusta can reach temperatures in the 80s, while winter can drop those numbers into the teens. Attractive-looking windows can increase curb appeal, but if they aren't energy efficient, they aren't a buyer's first choice. Energy efficient windows regulate the heat that enters and exits the home. Old windows that aren't energy efficient or are in poor condition are one of the most common issues found during a home inspection. These features are expensive to replace, which means that buyers are willing to pay more for a home with new energy efficient windows to save themselves the hassle.

   Click Here to Read More...

When you were in school, a failing grade remained on your permanent record. Fortunately, as a home buyer, you don't need to despair if there less-than-favorable results on a home inspection report. 

Our real estate agents have extensive experience helping buyers understand and work through common problems uncovered by home inspection reports on Augusta homes for sale. Take these proactive steps before deciding the report is a deal-breaker.

• Include a Well-Written Inspection Clause
  Groundwork should be laid before the inspection even takes place. Many sale agreements provide latitude for a buyer to have an inspection completed, but there are no consequences for the seller. Make sure the home inspection clause includes recourse for a problematic report, such as renegotiating the price or walking away if you're not satisfied.

  Click Here to Read More...

For cyclists, it's hard to imagine a place more ripe for exploration than Maine. With countless trails and endless meandering back roads, our real estate agents think it's a truly extraordinary landscape to pedal through.

The 35th Annual Trek Across Maine, coming up this June, puts that landscape front and center. Traversing the Kennebec Valley and passing through the capital city of Augusta, Trek Across Maine offers bicycle enthusiasts of all stripes an opportunity to see just what makes Maine so special. 

Bike for a Cause

Now in its 35th year, Trek Across Maine is a three-day cycling event, with multiple route options that highlight the spectacular beauty of the Kennebec Valley. It's also the largest fundraiser in the nation for the American Lung Association and has raised more than $24 million in the years since the event started. 

More than 2,000 cyclists and 750 volunteers are expected to participate in this year's event, which takes place on June 14-16. Riders start and finish in Brunswick, Maine, and have three options: a 56-mile one-day route, a 102-mile two-day route, and a spectacular 180-mile full route over three days. Those who choose to bike the two- and three-day versions of the event will have overnight accommodations provided at Bates College in Lewiston and Colby College in Waterville.

Click Here to Read More...