E.Pat Foster

I get such a kick out of it when new agents say "I want to be a real estate agent because I LOVE to show kitchens" :)
I was thinking about that yesterday when I went in almost blizzard conditions (15+ inches of snow predicted)...to meet a buyer's agent and building inspector at one of my favorite listings (Higgin's Store in Somesville, Maine).
The first thing I had to do at my office was shovel my way to the car. (Couldn't snow shoe because the "LLBean Tubbs" were in the trunk of my car)...Then I had to 'de-ice' the car before I could take it down the highway. Good thing I have front wheel drive because the snow plow driver had not yet made his afternoon swipe through my door yard.

When I got to the listing, I parked out front because....again....LOTS of snow in the normal parking areas behind the building. (Probably the guy who plows my driveway also plows Julie's...He's also a fireman...so I wouldn't be surprised if he was in still in Northeast Harbor, helping clean up after the most recent fire!. )

Fortunately the seller left a shovel, broom, and sand and salt for the ice...(Thank you , Julie).

Once the walkway was shoveled, the back steps and apartment steps shoveled and swept...and sand and salt put down over the ice,...I was ready to try to retrieve the hidden key and unlock the door.......While all of this is happening...my car is again covered with snow and ice. (Which means that ,after we finish with the inspection,....I start all over again...shoveling the door yard, 'de-icing' the car, etc...)
The other hearty souls arrived....high spirited...with chats about ice fishing, skiing, and the other fun winter sports that were on the agenda for the 'snow day'....We all decided that when the inspection was completed, we would just call it a day and either settle in by our wood stoves and/or fireplaces, or opt to don the winter gear and play in the snow.

Gotta love selling real estate in Acadia National Park in January.



I LOVE Maine winters and Sellers, Buyers, Agents and Affiliates who embrace change and challenges!...I find myself reminiscing about why so many Realtors got into this business in the first place.

"They love to show kitchens" :) Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Maine Winters in Acadia National Park!....Gotta love it!

Realtors in the Acadia Council are a hearty group ..Especially the Seller's agents! In this area, if you are a seller's agent...and have an appointment to show your listing... and have to get INTO your office to get the listing information, keys and/or card reader before you meet at the property...before you attempt to get INTO your listing to show it... you better allow an extra few hours between appointments!

Seasoned Maine Realtors on Mt.Desert Island know that 'where there's a will there's a way'. Not only do they have to shovel their way into their office, they travel with shovels in their cars...and quite often have to shovel their way into the property they plan to show. LLBean Snow shoes and ice grippers are standard equipment...salt for the ice.....shovels, ice scrapers...and flash lights...(it gets dark mid afternoon!). Other standard equipment includes extra scarves, mittens, hats....granola bars, water...and jumper cables..(never know if that diesel will start after it's been sitting still in sub zero weather!)...Thank goodness for AAA...and polar fleece!..and friends with plow trucks and sanders...but...'where there's a will, there's a way'!....

On this Maine Coastal island, Serious buyers rarely cancel an appointment just because there's a little blizzard or 'Nor'easter'...Hiking boots and fluorescent gear help when you're trekking down the highway in a blizzard (because the diesel should not be 'out and about' in sub zero weather).....hoping to arrive in time to shovel, sweep, and de-ice ...to get the door open and the lights on before the buyer and their agent arrive.
...It's no wonder that on Mount Desert Island it is common for the listing broker to meet the buyers and their agent at the property. Buyer's agents in Acadia National Park are 'wicked smart'....They don't mind giving the listing agent advance notice to show a property...that allows plenty of time for shoveling decks, sidewalks, and entryways.

PS:Thanks, Betty...for serving Hot Cocoa this AM at the Bar Harbor Hostel listing...a much appreciated treat in below zero weather...especially after returning from Gail's unheated Bar Harbor shorefront property ..

PS: Gail...loved your full length fur coat and red hat and mittens...!...You were brave to host an open house this AM...(7 below zero at a 'closed down' shorefront home!)...You're a real trooper!

Gotta love this winter wonderland!...."Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Survival tips below from an old veteran..."Hang in there"...'When the going gets tough, the tough get going'!

"You've got to sing like you don't need the money,

Love like you'll never get hurt.


You've got to dance like no one is watching.



It's gotta come from the heart, if you want it to work."

REALTOR: GramEpat
technorati tag

A stormy day on the coast of Maine.
I wonder if the local ducks and loons are hovering by the Somesville Bridge
or congregating by the Mill Pond Dam.

"Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits, for when the storm clouds come in, the Eagles soar while the small birds take cover" Author unknown

"Some Times I Fly Like an Eagle" (John Denver)

Realtor GramEpat technorati tag

Check this out! It's great and saves a good deal of time.
Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!
Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411.

This convenient service from Google is FREE-- Great when you are on the road.
No need to waste your money on information calls or waste your time manually dialing the number.

For instance, if we are driving along in our automobile and we need to call a hotel to confirm our reservations (such as the recent NAR Convention in Orlando), and don't know the number, I can just hit the number on my contact list that I have programmed.

When the call is made, the voice at the other end says, 'City & State.' I say, ' Orlando, Florida' He says, 'Business, Name or Type of Service.' I say, 'Peabody Hotel.' He says, 'Connecting' and Peabody answers the phone.

Isn't that JUST DUCKY? (<- click the link to see the March of the ducks)

How cool is that?
This google service is nationwide and FREE!
Realtor GramEpat
technorati tag