Barbara Hershey, Realtor Maine Real Estate

Greetings from Maine! Oh what a beautiful day it is today.....temps should reach close to 60...there's a light, salty breeze coming off of the ocean...the osprey are back..and the birds are singing! People are thankful that the long winter is finally over, as evidenced by the ear-to-ear grin on everyone's face! It's a perfect day to walk on Popham Beach, have a picnic at the waterfront park in Bath, or simply sit on the deck and soak up the sunshine! Oh....and of course it's a perfect day to check out the homes for sale in Mid Coast Maine!

Now is the time to act if you're planning to buy a property in Maine! Banks have money to lend, there are new listings coming on the market every day, and interest rates are low. Recent statistics suggests that we've already hit bottom...it's only goes up from here! In fact, sales in Sagadahoc County are up 12% .from last year!

Plus, if you're a first time homebuyer, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $8,000. I'm getting a lot of questions coming in on that topic, so stay tuned for a post explaining the new tax credit!

So whether you're looking for a cottage by the sea ....

land to build your dream home on....

or a maintenance-free condo for summer vacations.....

we can help! Call The Hershey Home Team to have new listings in Maine sent directly to your inbox.

And if you're headed our way, look for me outside enjoying the sunshine!

This time of year, people in Maine are always itching for a celebration. Something that says we've emerged from the icy grip of winter and are barreling headlong into a Maine springtime. Well, with the forecast predicting highs in the upper 40's for this weekend, I've got a plan where you can have fun, enjoy the warmth, and soak up some sunshine! How about joining me in Bath, Maine for a little March Madness? March "Irish" Madness that is!

This year brings us the first ever Saint Patrick's Day Weekend Celebration! The festivities include a Saturday parade, Irish music, children's coloring contest, free trolley rides and more!

The celebration kicks off Friday evening with the Moonlight Madness Sale! As the moon rises over the Kennebec River, local merchants will be holding incredible sales, and in some cases, discounts will increase as each hour passes. So for the best deals, make sure you hit Cafe Creme first and get plenty of caffeine! That way you'll be alert when they drop the prices!

As you walk through downtown Bath enjoying the festivities, don't forget to look up! You won't want to miss the banners lining Front St! Colorful canvas banners created by local artists, all following the theme of "Enjoying Bath in 80 Ways". Taking place for the 5th year in a row, this event has brought light to the numerous talented artists that inhabit our great city!

I do hope that if you're in the area you can take part in the festivities! The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 13

• 5-6 pm Banners Over Bath artist's reception at City Hall
• 6-9 pm Friday evening retail event, "Moonlight Madness Sale" Participants and details will be published in the The Times Record and Coastal Journal on Wednesday, March 11.
• 6-9 pm Musicians in the street (weather permitting)
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub
• 9 pm-12 midnight "Seize the Mike" Karaoke contest at the Bounty Restaurant -$5 entry fee

Saturday March 14

• 11 am St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning at St. Mary's Churchon Lincoln Street, continuing to Front and Centre downtown, and ending at Library Park Gazebo with an "Irish Blessing"
• Free Admission to Bath Area YMCA for those wearing green
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub

If you'd like more information on the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to watch the parade from your own front yard, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Make sure you look for me....I'll be the one wearing green! :)

When I left the house this morning, I had to wonder if spring would ever arrive. There was a steady sleet/snow falling that quickly turned to all snow during my morning commute.  And as I write this blog, a cold rain accompanies a brisk north wind. Kinda makes it hard to picture my clusters of daffodils or mounds of lilies ever emerging from the frozen ground.

And then I saw the morning paper and my whole outlook changed!  What changed my mood? I'm glad you asked....it's the arrival of

THE PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW!!!

That's right friends! The Portland Flower Show begins tonight, and for many Mainers, that is the first sign of spring!

In the past, The Portland Flower Show has had to compete with The New England Spring Flower Show, which usually take place in Bangor and Boston on the same day as the Portland show.  But alas, even flora and fauna have been affected by the economy, and the shows in Bangor and Boston have been canceled.  So that leaves The Portland Flower Show, with it's 16 indoor gardens, 105 garden-related vendors, lectures, films, a plant auction and other green fun, as the only show in northern New England.  This year will be even bigger, as many vendors from the two canceled shows will be setting up shop in Portland. You can buy gardening books, master creating a water garden, buy seeds, bulbs, shovels...the works!  Brunswick's own Skillin's Greenhouse will demonstrate landscaping with native plants, and Al Berard of the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization will talk about how to grow those giant pumpkins. Maybe I'll win the neighborhood pumpkin contest this year!

If you're as excited as I am, here are the details:

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (preview); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore St.; 775-4403

HOW MUCH:$13 in advance at Hannaford Supermarkets and various garden centers; $15 at the door. Wednesday's preview costs $30 in advance and $50 at the door, and will include an awards ceremony, music and food.

PARKING:At garages around downtown, or on the street in the Old Port. Free shuttle buses will run along Commercial Street as far west as the Casco Bay Bridge, except on Wednesday night.

WHAT ELSE: For a complete list of lectures, vendors, exhibitors and other information, visit www.portlandcompany.com.

So there you go....a wonderful taste of spring for the winter weary New Englanders!

If you'd like additional information on The Portland Flower Show, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you'd like to grow your own garden in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

While the weathermen are keeping an eye on an approaching snowstorm, Maine Golfers are looking forward to the first days of spring. The first day they can step out on the links and see how many trees they can hit...or balls they can lose...or lakes they can splash through. At least that's how my golf game usually goes! But luckily, when it comes to golf courses Maine has something for every skill level and every budget. With over 140 courses, you can choose from an intimate beginners course or a stunning world-class layout. You can decide to play 9 holes in a scenic mountain setting, or tee off along Maine's rocky coastline. So if you're a golfer and are headed to Mid Coast Maine this summer, here's a list of places that might interest you....

BATH COUNTRY CLUB: Nestled amid the rolling farmland of North Bath, the Bath Country Club is a favorite of many a Maine Golfer. Don't let the lush, country feel fool you, the 18 hole course is challenging! It's no wonder so many Mainers decide to "Skip Work, Play Golf!". Call 207-442-8411 to reserve a tee time, or visit www.skipworkplaygolf.com

BRUNSWICK GOLF CLUB: Brunswick Golf Club is an 18 hole gem that is considered by many to be the best course in Mid Coast Maine. The front side, a Geoff Cornish design, will test every club in your golf bag. And the Stiles/Van Cleek designed back nine has plenty of birdie opportunities! Call (207) 725-8224 or visit www.BrunswickGolfClub.com for more info!

SEBASCO HARBOR RESORT GOLF CLUB: I love a golf course where your approach is affected by whether it's high or low tide! Sebasco's 9 hole championship golf course winds along the shores of Casco Bay, and the beauty of the scenery might distract you a bit! The course was fully redesigned in 2001, and the challenging layout and bent grass fairways ensure an outstanding experience! Call (207)389-1161 or visit www.Sebasco.com !

SAMOSET: Just up the coast a bit is the Samoset Resort Golf Club, an 18 hole course featuring some of the most magnificent views and formidable holes in golf. It won Golf Digest's "Top Ranked Resort Course in New England" as well as the magazine's "Seventh Most Beautiful Course in America". Definitely worth the trip! Call (207) 594-1431 or visit www.samoset.com .

BOOTHBAY COUNTRY CLUB: Boothbay Country Club is the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery, challenging holes, and ocean breezes. It's location is just minutes from downtown Boothbay Harbor. Visit www.boothbaycountryclub.com for more info!

These are all fabulous courses set in Mid Coast Maine! If you're going to be visiting other parts of our great state, then visit www.golfme.com for a complete list of Maine Golf Courses!

And if you'd like to purchase a home located on a Maine Golf Course, contact The Hershey Home Team!

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Why are they all blank? Well...it's because if you're planning on buying a home, then I can't think of 1 good reason to not have a home inspection!

For most people, the purchase of a home is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, investment they will make in their lifetime. It is vital that you know what you're taking on with that investment! Sure..you fell in love with that home the minute you saw it! But remember, my friend, that love is blind! Love might make you miss that water stain on the ceiling. Love might cause you to overlook that termite damage. And love might keep you off the roof entirely!

"But Barb", you might say, "The seller is a little old lady who is sweet as pie and was very honest about all the defects in the home." I'm sure she is very sweet...and she probably told you everything she knew was wrong with the home. But when's the last time that little old lady climbed up in the attic and looked for asbestos or knob and tube wiring? When's the last time she traipsed around on the roof and looked for damaged shingles? See where I'm going with this? The homeowner is not always aware of all the hidden defects. But a licensed inspector can identify any issues that might cost you a lot money down the road.

In Maine anyone can call themselves a "Home Inspector"...there's no requirement for a license! So when choosing an inspector, I always recommend that you look for one who is licensed and certified. Don't just hire your cousin, or his drinking buddy, or the son of the seller. While their intentions may be good, they haven't been trained in what to look for during a home inspection. And what if they miss something really important? A mistake like that can strain a friendship and cost you money!

So by all means, fall in love with the house, hug the little old lady, and send your cousin a bottle of his favorite beverage. But make sure that you have that house inspected by a professional before you buy it!

If you need contact info for Home Inspectors in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you're looking for Real Estate in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!