Casco, ME

HGTV program "House Hunters" will air an episode on January 1 at 8 p.m. that features local real estate buyer's broker Diane Monaco of the Mr. Lakefront Keller Williams team in Casco.

A producer for "House Hunters" had contacted Mr. Lakefront real estate earlier in the year after visiting their website and blog. They wanted to feature a Maine lakefront vacation home in one of their program segments. Mr. Lakefront buyer's broker, Diane Monaco, had been working with several possible candidates and was able to find a couple who were willing to participate in the project.

"House Hunters" takes their viewers behind the scenes as individuals, couples and families learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them. Focusing on the emotional experience of finding and purchasing a new home, each episode shows the process as buyers search for a home.

The production crew was here for three days in August doing the shooting and have edited down many hours of work to a half hour program. The segment will follow the Mr. Lakefront buyers as they go through the process of looking at three lakefront homes and deciding which one they would like to buy.

Lakefront homes featured in the program are located on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, Parker Pond in Casco, and Moose Pond in Denmark. They also did some production in the Mr. Lakefront offices in South Casco.

While the HGTV website shows the episode scheduled for 8 p.m. on January 1, they always suggest you check your local listings for the correct time in your area. We hope you'll tune in and check us out.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection estimates that between 40% and 70% of rain and snow melt that falls on a Maine residential property runs off and finds its way to streams, rivers, and lakes. Because of their proximity to the water, lakefront property owners play an especially important role in controling runoff.

Make sure that water runs off your driveway and walkways into vegetated areas. If you have gutters and a downspout, direct the water into vegetated areas or into a rain barrel.

Soil erosion is the primary pollutant that is carried into waterways via runoff. Soil contains phosphorus which encourages aquatic plant growth and algae blooms. The soil itself can be harmful to fish habitats, affect boating and swimming areas, and generally degrade the quality and clarity of the water. Try to repair and stabilize places where you see soil erosion taking place and plant vegetative buffers between your property and the water.

When doing lawn and garden work be careful not to overuse or misuse fertilizers or pesticides. Better yet, don't use them at all. Use organic mulch and compost your yard waste. Also, make sure to properly store and dispose of any chemicals you might use around your property including paint, varnishes, cleaning products, bleach, solvents, oil, and detergents.

The United States DEP has published an article that is a handy reference to help all homeowners do their part to keep Maine lakes and waterways clean and pollution-free. Click here to see the entire article.

If you're looking for a really great way to hang out at a beautiful Maine lakefront venue while sampling the tasty offerings of over 25 area microbrewers, mark September 27th on your calendar. It's the 5th annual 2008 Brew Festival at Point Sebago in Casco sponsored by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

This is a family event that has grown up over the last five years to where they are expecting as many as 3000 to attend. In addition to all the microbrews you get to sample, there is also plenty of food and music.

The Brew Festival is known for its "safety first" approach to hosting this event, as well as for the beauty of the beach it is located on and the variety of activities you can take part in. For a list of the participating brewers click here.

There will be ten or more food vendors and three bands and other muscians to provide sustenance and entertainment while you enjoy the brew.

There are still advance tickets available for $20 which will entitle you to 10 sample coupons and a free glass. What a deal!

For more information use this hotlink to the GBLRCC Brewer's Festival. See you there!

By the way, if you'd like to check out some nice lakefront property either before or after the Brewfest, we can help. Get a preview by using our Lakefront Locator, then give us a call to set up a showing.

After reading the papers and listening to the different news stations I wonder what is going to happen this coming winter. Some of the local towns are wondering how they will be able to help their residents get through the winter with the costs of fuel being high.

Many people are disabled, on a fixed income, elderly, single parents with children under the age of two, or newly unemployed. Who, what will help them if they find they can't afford to heat their residence? There are some towns putting on concerts to help raise money for the fuel assistance programs. There just won't be enough money through the state to accommodate all the requests which might very well come in this Winter, especially if it is going to be anything like last Winter.

People are going to question what they are going to spend their money on. Will they sacrifice medications in order to heat their homes? Will they sacrifice food for heat? Will they sacrifice heat to put gas in their car to go to work?

I worry about what is happening and ask for what other areas in the country are doing to help those who need the help. Maybe you can give me some feedback so I can pass it on to the surrounding towns where I live.

Sue Paige
ERA Today Realty
Naples, Me.
207-693-6500

When buying a Maine waterfront property always make your offer contingent on having a satisfactory discussion with the local Code Enforcement Officer. No matter how knowledgeable your buyer's agent may be, he or she has no jurisdiction over the application of state and local rules and ordinances. The Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) does.

Make an appointment to meet the CEO at the property. Walk the property with him or her and be prepared to ask questions. Here are some suggestions.

A good place to start is to confirm the things you already think you know. Never assume! For example, how close to the water can I build? What are the sideline setbacks? How far do I need to be from the road? Is that distance measured from the middle of the road or the side of the road? What are the location requirements for my septic tank, leach field, and well? If there is an existing structure in the 100 foot zone, am I able to utilize the 30% expansion rule?

Regarding what can and cannot be done within the 100 foot protected zone, here is a list of questions you may want to ask:

What bushes and trees can I cut down?

Can I prune back the bushes that grow along the shoreline?

Can I remove a half-dead or diseased tree?

Can I disturb a wildlife habitat, e.g. woodchuck burrow, bobolink nest, or beaver dam?

Can I keep a field area mowed and fertilized?

Can I pasture a horse in this area? What about other animals?

Where can I put in a dock and how big can it be?

Are there any limitations for boat and motor size for this body of water?

Can I have a firepit down by the water?

Can I plant anything I want, from vegetabe garden to trees and schrubs?

Can I use Round Up to kill off the poison ivy growing along the shoreline?

Can I move rocks, branches, leaves and debris that are currently under water?

Where can I move them to? To one side underwater, or can I remove them from the water and dispose of them?

These are some of the more common questions that come up when buyers contemplate a lakefront property purchase. Remember - make sure you protect yourself by always adding this contingency to your offer: "Offer is contingent upon having a satisfactory discussion with the local Code Enforcement Officer". Do your homework, ask good questions and make sure to get clear, satisfactory answers. Do this and you may save yourself some bitter disappointments and difficulties after the sale has closed.