David Roberts

If you are a first time homebuyer or have not owned a home in 3 years and meet certain income requirements- you may qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit.

However you must close on the sale of a home by November 30, 2009

This means you should be looking now and get a house under contract by the beginning of October - or sooner!

From Under Contract to Closing can take 45-60 days and the week before the deadline is Thanksgiving week.

Call me at 207-741-2006 for more info on the process or to talk to me about representing you in the Southern Maine areas of York, Cumberland and southern Oxford Counties.

View some of my listings that would make a great first home at http://dkr.mreis.mlxchange.com

Limington MLS#944865

Limington MLS#948769

Fryeburg MLS#945740

Scarborough MLS#943450

Here in Portland, Maine we all know why we love living here.

Portland is a great metropolitan area with great access to the arts, entertainment, outdoor living and even in the recent economic downturn the Portland area has remained generally stable as far as economic opportunities. The Greater Portland metropolitan area is the center for jobs and commuting from other areas is relatively easy compared to other larger cities.

Recently I was showing houses and condos to visitors from Washington D.C. and they could not believe how easy it was to get around even at "rush hour". From Portland's Old Port area you can be to great beaches in 15 minutes, to ski areas in an hour, to lakes and waterways in under an hour and as far as retaurants and entertainment. Pretty much anything you want within walking distance.

Forbes magazine has now named Portland America's Most Livable city

http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities.html

US News and World Report has named Portland one of the Top Places to Retire.

http://www.usnews.com/featurUes/business/best-places-to-retire/best-places-to-retire.html

Could it be the rest of the world is catching on ?

Call 207-741-2006 or email me at droberts@waterglenrealty.com for listings in Greater Portland and the Lakes Region

Change has started here in the US as witnessed by the millions of people who stood in the D.C mall this past tuesday to witness the changing of the guard. You can see it by the giddy smiles of anticipation and the knowledge that even though the future is uncertain - at least something new is about to happen.

Markets are still in flux...interest rates do the daily see-saw..and the unknowing is all that is keeping many people from dipping their feet in the waters and taking advantage of low interest rates and low housing prices. When we see even a hint of a little stability - the people will come back to the housing market.

What can we do ? as REALTORS?.. keep the faith! Educate and guide the first time home buyers. Keep our eyes on our local markets and let our buyers and sellers know that Real Estate is local and they should not get caught up in the generalities that the news and media spout about the overall national trends. Focus on local opportunities and rebuff the ney-sayers. Don't get caught up in the water cooler politics but instead focus on grass roots marketing and be pro-active in turning your own little niche into the next big thing.

Adjust our attitudes and adjust our perceptions. Positive change will come.

Here in the State of Maine we anticipate the seasonal slowdown as winter quickly comes upon us. This winter though I am hopeful that others will recognize the opportunities that have arisen for homebuyers during the cold winter months.

The Portland area is the hub of life and activity in the state of Maine. Jobs, entertainment, shopping, sports, metropolitan and outdoors activities abound in our area and are some of the greatest reasons that Southern Maine and the Greater Portland area itself remain a great place to purchase a home and to enjoy the quality of life in the state of Maine.

As of the date of this writing - 12-13-08 - there are currently 278 single family home listings available in the under $200,000 price range in the combined towns of Portland, South Portland,Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Saco, Biddeford, Westbrook, Buxton, Gorham, Gray, Windham, Falmouth, Cumberland and Yarmouth. all of these towns are within easy commuting distance of Portland and provide great opportunities for Homebuyers looking for a First Home, downsizing or investment opportunites and rental income properties.

With interest rate remaining low - it is a great time to buy. Local banks such as Northeast Bank, Gorham Savings, Bangor Savings, Kennebunk Svaings Bank all have money to lend as do many of the larger national banking chains and motgage lenders in our area.

So why is winter the best time to buy ? The sellers who have their homes on the market are looking at a more limited pool of buyers in the winter due to our decrease in out of state visitors, looking at higher heating costs and are in general more willing to negotiate during the cold months in large part to the increased time that listings are sitting on the market in todays buyers market.

And for investors looking for waterfront properties in the same areas ? 143 properties in a wide spectrum of prices - all great opportunities for vacation and second homes on lakes, ponds,ocean and tidal water