About Oxford County, ME

We have just received notice of the release of the latest newsletter from the Lakes Environmental Association. This four-pager is dedicated to giving us all an end-of-the-season milfoil update. Here is what you'll find:

Counterattack at Salmon Lake: The news that Eurasian milfoil had gained a foothold in Salmon Lake (Belgrade Lakes area) was certainly discouraging, but the real issue now is the response. And on that subject there is some cautious optimism.

Don't be afraid to hope: As the battle begins in Salmon Lake and continues against in other waters, it's important to know there's hope.

What's the story on milfoil weevils? The Eurasian milfoil in Salmon Lake has sparked questions about the weevils sometimes used to fight them.

22 tons of milfoil: That's correct - you read it right. At Thompson Lake, 44,000 pounds were hand-pulled, brought up, bagged, trucked off and turned into compost.

Please use this link to catch up on all the latest news in the Fall Milfoil Update.

The LEA provides a great resource for those interested in the condition of area lakes and ponds. Get plugged in to all the voluteer efforts that are continually going on to help protect the health and safety of our lakes and ponds. Check out their general website at www.mainelakes.org

To find out more information about any lake or pond in Maine you can use our LakeSmart feature.

Late summer and early fall brings with it the many agricultural fairs all over Maine. Here in the southern part of the state it starts in mid-summer with the North Waterford World's Fair, which is followed in September with the Cumberland Fair, the Common Ground Fair, and the Oxford County Fair.

All have their attractions and are great fun to go to, but the biggest and best of all - indeed, "Maine's Blue Ribbon Classic" - is the Fryeburg Fair, which opens tomorrow, September 28th, and closes next Sunday, October 5th.

What's your pleasure? Sheepdog trials and the Firemen's Muster kick things off tomorrow and begin a daily parade of fascinating displays of human and animal proficiencies the likes of which you will find no where else.

Monday is always Woodsmen's Day where the chips will be flying, sawdust spewing, and sweat dripping from the big and burly men (and women) who know how to handle axes, crosscut saws, and chainsaws.

Throughout the week you can find draft horses and oxen pulling sleds of concrete in competition, see beautiful show horses and ponys, and experience the excitement of the pig and calf scrambles, as well as tractor pulls and skillet throws.

Of course, what would a fair be without displays of mighty vegetables. See giant pumpkins and squash in abundance!

The best part, for me however, is just walking through the barns, where all the animals are kept when they're not competing. To be able to go from barn to barn and stall to stall and see these magnificent animals up close - to scratch an steer's head or pat a llama, or to just stand next to an ox and get a true sense of their size and strength - all of this is so out of the ordinary for most of us that to experience it is truly remarkable.

If you have always thought about going, but just don't seem to get to it, think of taking a day off this week and make the trip to the Fair. It's well worth the effort and will provide many wonderful memories to share with friends and families.

For more information about the Fryeburg Fair, click here and go directly to their website.

By the way, for many people a trip to the Fair also provides an opportunity to take a look at some late-season lakefront property. We'd be happy to fit in a showing or two for you while you're up here. Check out the inventory by going to our Lakefront Locator.

I had a customer recently who inquired about a waterfront land listing on the west shore of Kezar Lake in Lovell. This property is 1.96 acres with 438 feet of shore frontage and lists for $625,000.

After I sent him the listing information he sent me back an email that said, "What makes this, less than 2 acre, plot so expensive? At over $600K for 2 acres, I would expect a house, etc. on the property." Indeed, he expects a house with this land priced so high. Why not a three car garage and stables for the horses!

I told him that there were two key factors at play here. One is that there aren't many nice private, buildable lakefront lots out there for sale. The second is that Kezar Lake is one of the most desireable lakes in the area. That combination keeps the price on the high side.

Now, while I don't think there is a line of people ready with full price offers beating down the door of the local real estate office, this asking price is probably not too far off the mark. In fact, there's another lot right beside this one that is 1.13 acres with 150 feet on the water that's listing for $675,000! Last year a lot on Thompson Lake in Poland that had 600 feet on the water sold for over $1 million. Kezar and Thompson are two very sought after lakes.

Take those same lots and move them to smaller bodies of water and the price goes down. Move them to bodies of water further north in the state and the price will also go down. Yes, it's the old "location, location, location" song that the real estate market sings. Generally speaking, the smaller the body of water the smaller the price for the land around it - relatively speaking, of course. Go up north and the price goes down, too.

In the same town that Kezar Lake is in, Lovell, there's another body of water called Bradley Pond. It's probably not 50 acres in size. There's nothing wrong with it - it's just small, that's all. There's a land listing with shore frontage on that pond - 6.5 acres and 665 feet of frontage. The asking price? $187,500.

Now there are, of course, other mitigating factors on these land values besides 1)buildable lakefront land scarcity and 2)the lake they're located on. For instance, what's the slope to the lot, will the soils condition allow a septic system, what's the entry to the water like, how good is the water view, is it private, what's the vegetation, and are there accessability issues.

But desireability of the lake and the size of the lake play a big role in the price of the land that touches it's waters. One of the keys to knowing lakefront land value is to know your lake.

To take a closer look at the land listings referenced in this blog posting by using these hotlinks:

Lovell - Kezar Lake - 1.96 acres - 438 feet of frontage - $625k.

Lovell - Kezar Lake - 1.13 acres - 150 feet of frontage - $675k.

Lovell - Bradley Pond - 6.5 acres - 665 feet of frontage - $187,500.

A little over a million dollars can still buy you a heckuva lakefront home here in Maine. While it's rare that I can promise that you can "have it all", there is that occasional exception.

In the opinion of Mr. Lakefront, "having it all" means great plot, great location, great neighborhood, great house and great lake.

Our listing at 131 Fish Hook Road in Oxford is in a splendid lakefront neighborhood on Thompson Lake.

The lot has everything one could want. There is a nice sandy beach, great for kids and seniors alike. The east shore location is highly desirable for the afternoon sun and dazzling sunsets. The broad water views from the screened porch and deck look out onto the widest part of late. The lot is flat with old-growth pine and hemlock. Privacy is assured with 214 feet of frontage on 3.3 acres. The house is situated quite nicely - only 60 feet from the water. There's a lovely screened porch facing the lake along with a good-sized deck for entertaining.

At 2600 sq. ft., the size of the home might be considered modest by luxury standards, but because the home sits within 100 feet of the water, the homeowner was limited in the size of home he could build. That said, having three bedrooms and two and a half baths suits the needs and wants of most folks seeking a year-round vacation home.

The home, originally built in 1971, was totally remodeled and reconstructed in 2005. Great care was given in the selection of materials used and only those of the highest quality were utilized in the construction. A specific list is available upon request. A garage with guest apartment above is planned, but has not been built. However, the plans for the structure are available for inspection. A separate septic tank has already been installed for use by the garage/guest quarters structure.Last, but not least, there is the lake. And what a lake!! Thompson Lake is one of Maine's best lakes. It has great size, impressive depth, and superior water quality. Best of all, it's not busy. I've heard it described as being just like Long Lake - 50 years ago.This lovely home is listed for $1.1 million and is ready for your inspection.

This post contributed by Tom Ferent / Mr. Lakefront

The Adviser Democrat is a local paper based in Norway Maine and serving the Oxford Hills Area in beautiful Oxford County Maine. If you are looking for the latest news updates for this area, check out their website at:

http://www.advertiserdemocrat.com/

The Advertiser Democrat
1 Pikes Hill
Norway, Maine 04268
207 743-7011

For more information on groups and resources in the area, use the links below

Western Maine Culture
Norway Historical Society

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Oxford County,

please do not hesitate to give us a call!

The Tanya Busch Team

Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine

207-689-9880

www.TanyaB.com