Portland, ME

On Saturday, February 6th, the Chinese American Friendship Association of Maine (CAFAM) will be celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year (The Year of the Tiger) at Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Avenue, Portland from 10:30 A.M. to 4 P.M.

The event will feature Chinese crafts and games for kids, Chinese music and folk dance (including the debut of my 3-year-old daughter Emily), Interactive workshops and demos and, of course, fantastic Chinese food and merchandise.

Admission is $5 for adults ($3 for CAFAM Members), $3 for Kids ($2 for CAFAM Members) and Free for Kids under 2. For more information call 207-797-4033.

For the month ending December 2009 the Portland Maine residential real estate housing market saw 43 single family and condo residential transactions occur at a combined median price of 209K with each home sitting on the market for a median of 85 days. This represents a volume increase of 48% from December 2008 with median prices for the first time ALL YEAR not decreasing and holding steady at the 209K price point.

To get more information on real estate in Southern Maine please visit www.mymaineproperty.com, contact me directly at 207-650-5383 or via email at john@greentreemaine.com

The Southern Maine area experienced a busy fall with the first time homebuyer tax incentive driving a portion of the market. With the new extended and expanded version of the tax credit - allowing buyers to take advantage of the credit in the first quarter of the new year shows great promise in continuing the trend in to the new year.

We are even seeing buyers staring to jump back into the middle portion of the market ($250-500K) homes and I am working with home buyers actively looking in what is a traditionally slower time of the year during the holiday season. This is good news - heading toward stability in the marketplace in 2010.

All the best - and a prosperous new year to all!

963 Roosevelt Trail, Naples $849,000

11 Minniewawa, Raymond - Panther Pond $399,000

For the month ending November 2009 the Portland Maine real estate market saw 55 residential transactions occur at a combined median price of 212K representing a pricing decrease of ONLY 4% relative to a year prior, but compared to October 2008 it represents a pricing increase of 4% month over month!

These are the best housing results of the year so far and a very encouraging sign for the real estate markets in Maine as a whole!! In addition, volume was up 8% compared with December 2008 and up 12% relative to October.

To get more information on this Southern Maine real estate community please visit www.mymaineproperty.com, contact me directly at 207-650-5383 or via email at john@greentreemaine.com