Celebrate A Clean Earth

Happy Earth Day From Gray Fox Real Estate

At Gray Fox Real Estate, we pride ourselves on being a conscious company that works hard to keep, and add, value to our beautiful state of Maine. One way that we do this is by supporting and donating 1% of our annual net profit to not-for-profits that focus on conservation and land trusts in Maine.

One of the organizations we support is the Maine Audubon. They work to “connect people to nature through a science-based approach to conservation, education, and advocacy”. They have a calendar full of events for children, families, and adults to engage with natural beauty that their eight sanctuaries have to hold.

If you are looking for a way to give back and help protect Maine’s beauty this Earth Day, join the Maine Audubon in their Earth Day Clean-Up on April 28th, from 9 am to 12 pm. Register here!

Can’t make it? Check out their full calendar to find another way to get involved!

What You Should Know About Maine’s Current Real Estate Market

With lots of buyers and fewer sellers, the Maine real estate market has been what Realtors would call a “Seller’s Market” for a few years now. This means that it was common for houses to go on the market, get multiple offers, and sell very quickly.

In a Mainebiz article published on March 25th, 2019, Mainebiz staff wrote that the “Maine single-family home market may be balancing out”. This means that throughout Maine, the amount of homes that are selling are less than last year, however the prices of homes are still increasing in 10 of the 16 counties in Maine. Because of this, Gray Fox Real Estate’s Designated Broker and Owner, Polly Cockrill, believes that in most of Maine, it is still a Seller’s Market.

If you are selling…

Take note of the fact that the number of units being sold is decreasing, despite it being a Seller’s Market. What can you do to make sure your house sells?

Advertise. Your agent should be using social media to market your home. Share their posts to your personal page to spread the word of listing, open houses, and price changes!

Prepare your home. Even in a Seller’s Market, a deep clean and organize will never hurt. “Wow” your potential buyers by taking the extra time to clean and de-clutter, and add decor that will make it feel like home to them.

Communicate with your agent. In a Seller’s Market, things can move fast. It’s important that you are communicating with your agent so you are prepared for last minute showings or multiple offer situations. They will be able to give you advice and lay out your options.

If you are buying…

Know what you are working with. Before you start looking at houses, get pre-approved so you know how much you can actually afford. The last thing you want to do is find that dream home and miss your chance while waiting for your pre-approval. Check out our Featured Lenders if you need a recommendation!

Find the right agent. In a Seller’s Market, your search may take a little while. Find an agent whose priority is to help you find the right home, not just make a sale. The right agent will perform due diligence to uncover potential issues in an otherwise good looking home to protect you financially.

Be realistic. When you sign with your buyer’s agent, you will discuss you wants and needs in a home. It’s important to be realistic about what you can afford and what you want in your home. Ask your agent to show you houses that have sold in your price range and desired area to see what you can expect. Consider looking in neighboring towns if your budget and desired location aren’t lining up.

Buyer's Agents: Why Do You Need One?

Automation and technological advancements in business are changing the way we do things. Grocery stores provide online ordering and curbside pickup, doctor’s offices use online portals to communicate with patients about tests, medications, and medical questions, and in real estate, you can view homes, communicate with agents, and buy a home while relaxing in the comfort of your own home. Since technology has simplified real estate so much, why should you still hire a buyer’s agent?

Knowledge

When you hire a buyer’s agent, you are hiring someone who has experience, has taken time to understand the legalities, logistics, and processes that are crucial in completing a real estate transaction with minimal risk and loss. Sites like Zillow and Realtor.com use algorithms to aggregate information from across the web. However, Zillow’s “Zestimate” tool can yield an inaccurate number. This can cause missed opportunities for sellers. Buyers will simply pass by the house if it is priced too high.

Resources

When you hire a buyer’s agent, you gain access to the tools, resources, and experience that they have. Realtors in Maine use the Maine Listings System(MLS) which allows for them to search for homes based on specific criteria like price range, location, number of bedrooms, acreage, waterfront, and more. This system provides them with years of data on sold properties so that they can provide you with advice related to market value. They also have access to in depth information about the property that the seller provides so you can uncover possible issues.

Expertise

Lastly, a buyer’s agent is a fiduciary that provides you with protection and support throughout the transaction. Real estate transactions are complex processes that require attention to detail and an understanding of real estate law, building science, and financing. By hiring a buyer’s agent, you can focus on making the decision, rather than due diligence. 
As your agent, they will be there to explain the process at each step and give you advice when you need it. As licensed Realtors, they have experience with negotiating and getting you the best price possible.

At Gray Fox Real Estate, we have compiled the services we feel are absolutely critical for our clients to have as buyers. A full list of our Buyer Services can be found here on our website.

Considering selling? See our full list of Seller Services here.

Just Listed in Falmouth, Maine!

96 Ledgewood Drive, Falmouth, $300,000

This move-in ready ranch will show you what it means to live “green”. Fully renovated with energy efficiency in mind, it has an electric/solar heat pump, added insulation, and purposeful ventilation throughout the one story house.
Relax on the front or back porch, around the stone fire pit, or in the fenced-in back yard with the apples trees and raspberry bushes.
Close to I95 and I295 for your commute and near walking trails that connect to dog park make this home perfect for both work and play.

Lighting: Why It’s Important and How You Should Use It

Lighting has the ability to change the way a room feels and looks. A small, dark bedroom can be turned into a cozy get-away simply by adding proper lighting like lamps, overhead fixtures, and dimmers(NYTimes). Lighting is especially important in real estate, for both buyers and sellers. Poor lighting can make it difficult for buyers to see the potential a house has and that means less offers for sellers.

Why Is Lighting Important?

According to Lights.com, “proper lighting is known to improve mood and energy levels” and can also affect your appetite and circadian rhythms. Natural, bright light in the morning will make you more alert and dimmed, soft light will help your transition into sleep. Lighting has the power to effect mood and energy, and therefore is important to pay attention to when buying and selling.

How Should Lighting Be Used?

There are three types of lighting, “general, which provides basic light for the room; task lighting, which highlights a specific work area; and accent lighting, which can create a focal point in the room”(HGTV). Those three types of lighting should be used throughout your home and with each other to create the perfect lighting plan.

Kitchen

Task lighting is important in the kitchen because you need be able to see when you are cooking. Under cabinet lighting and recessed overhead lighting are great for this(HGTV).

Bathroom

According to the New York Times, you should avoid using a recessed light fixture in your bathroom because “it casts shadows that are not flattering”. A better choice would be wall-mounted sconces that create even illumination.

Room Size

Lighting is a great tool for rooms where space is limited. According to LightLogic, you can create the illusion that a room is larger than it is by placing your light fixtures higher up in the room to draw the eye up as well as using mirrors to reflect existing light,

Bulbs

Lastly, don’t forget that the bulbs you use matter. LED bulbs are versatile and come in a range of colors. According to the New York Times, a good option is “warm white”. Avoid “day light” bulbs as they have a “dreaded warehouse look”.

Featured Lender: Rudy Ferrante, Residential Mortgage Services

Name: Rudy Ferrante

Company: Residential Mortgage Services(RMS), South Portland, ME

Rudy Ferrante has been working at Residential Mortgage Services since 2010. Before working here, Rudy worked at a local mortgage company for seven years. In his spare time, Rudy enjoys spending time with his daughter, Ella, and is both a hockey fan and player.

Rudy is ranked amongst the Top 1% of originators across America by Mortgage Executive Magazine.

““The thing I like best about working with my clients is helping them in the biggest, or one of the biggest, financial transactions of their lives.” ”

— Rudy Ferrante, Residential Mortgage Services

We asked Rudy….

What are your specialties?

My team comes with many specialties including First Time Home Buyers and Investors. We take great pride in educating our clients on the programs available to them to make wise decisions on selecting financing, whether it is for their first home or an investment property. Lifelong relationships are one of our goals and positioning clients for long term success is key to building those relationships.

Tips for first-time buyers?

Take as much advice from the Realtor and lender as possible. Knowledge is power and you want to make sure you are taking advantage of all the best options for your needs.

What’s something you think buyers should know about the market now?

This is a great market to buy a property. Maine is on the move and the growth we are seeing has created some great opportunities for many clients ranging from First-Time Home Buyers to seasoned investors.

What makes you different than other lenders?

At RMS we understand buying a home is one of the largest and most important investments anyone makes. From helping prepare your initial paperwork through settlement on the home of your dreams, you can trust that RMS has you covered. RMS is an independent, privately held company and direct lender of residential mortgage products, and our loan specialists have direct access to a full spectrum of integrated loan processing, underwriting and direct lending services – all under one roof our corporate office is right here in South Portland and we take pride on reputation and getting to the closing table on time. We are ready to guide you home.   

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Contact Rudy
Residential Mortgage Services
Cell: 207-939-0053
Office:207-808-4200 x20200
Rudy.Ferrante@rmsmortgage.com

At Gray Fox Real Estate, we know that providing high-quality real estate services is only possible with help and expertise of industry professionals that we trust.

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There is no affiliation between Residential Mortgage Services and the real estate agent or agency listed above. This arrangement is for your convenience, and does not constitute an endorsement of RMS or a referral to RMS by the Agency. You are free to seek financing from the mortgage lender of your choice.   NMLS# 1760; www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org; Equal Housing Opportunity; Operating as RMS Mortgage in FL, FL Mortgage Lender License #MLD232; ME Supervised Lender License #SLM2537; MA Mortgage Lender & Broker #MC1760; NH Mortgage Banker License #8816-MB; Mortgage Lender/Broker, VA Corp. Commission #MC-5816

Just Sold in Auburn, Maine!

89 Old Danville Road, Auburn, $231,000

This wonderfully maintained home located in Auburn with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a garage is perfect for families and entertaining. The kitchen features Corian counter-tops, with an island to sit or eat at and a huge dining room. You can relax in the living room or the finished "family cave". This home has a master bedroom with a large walk in closet and full bath, down stairs has two other bedrooms, another full bath, with the laundry not far by. This quality built home features wainscoting and awesome brickwork. Don’t forget the back deck and large lot with a wooded back drop.

The Sustainable Building Products You Should Be Using On Your Next Project

There are many considerations to make when choosing building products for your next project, like price, durability, and color/textures. But one consideration that is often overlooked is the sustainability of those products. When a building is demolished, what happens to those materials?

Take steel, for example. Steel is known for its durability, but creating it, as well as materials like concrete and glass, “requires temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is achieved with large amounts of fossil fuel-based energy”(UMass Amherst). While steel can be recycled, the amount of energy needed to melt and reuse the material has similar negative effects on the environment. Thankfully, there are many sustainable building products that can help to reduce the negative environmental effects when building.

Cork

According to ArchDaily.com, “the harvesting of cork is a completely renewable process that causes no harm to the tree and naturally regrows after ten years”. Cork can be used for indoor or outdoor projects and can provide them with water, sound, and fire proofing.

Bamboo

Bamboo has become a popular building material within the last few years. It regrows quickly and is “two to three times stronger than steel”(ArchDaily), plus it looks cool while doing it!

Marmoleum

According to GreenBuildingSupply, Marmoleum is actually a type of linoleum made of all natural products like “linseed oil, natural resin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and powdered limestone”(ArchDaily). Those natural materials make Marmoleum biodegradable and able to be incinerated.

Wood

While this one may seem obvious, it’s important to know why materials like wood are great options. According to WagnerMeters.com, wood has a longer life cycle than steel or concrete and that life cycle has a significantly smaller environmental effect. It’s also biodegradable, cheaper to produce, and more energy efficient, meaning less energy to heat and cool a building. The list goes on!

As environmentally responsible consumers and producers, we need to be aware of the potential effects that our decisions today will have in the future. Consider your options when you are buying your next home or building your next project. You can do your part in keeping our Earth clean.