Maine Housing Stats Show Promise

Brought to you by Sam Armentrout, A Southern Maine Real Estate Agent at CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate

Whispers of recession have begun to increase in amplitude and frequency. Employment, economy, relief, the fed, crunch; all dinner table vocab for even the most media sheltered of Americans. Despite the frenzy of discouraging statistics, 2007 data from Maine's Real Estate Market shows promise.

Of Maine's 16 counties, 10 showed an annual increase in either sale price, number sold or both. While there's no arguing that home buyers are making slow, cautious decisions, they are, in fact, making them. (At least in Maine)

Many would accurately have predicted that Maine's coastal real estate would experience a lessened degree of slowing based on the oceans limited nature and specific draw. Fewer, if any, could have predicted gains in Northern, Central and Coastal Maine alike. Maine counties Franklin and Waldo experienced growth in both sales prices and numbers sold in 2007.

COUNTY SALE PRICE INCREASE #'S SOLD INCREASE

Waldo 23.79% 5.98%

Washington 18.92% --------

Knox -------- 15.7 %

Sagadahoc -------- 11.46%

Franklin 8.46% 2.97%

Somerset 8.25 % --------

Piscataquis 7.08% --------

Kennebec 6.97% --------

Androscoggin 1.66% --------

Hancock 1.27% --------

Sam Armentrout, a Southern Maine Real Estate Agent, CHR Realty/ GMAC Real Estate