Justin Douglass

Fall is a great time for realtors in Maine. Seems like we are all picking up and staying very busy. It's a wonderful sign and along with it nice cool weather . Hopefully no snow till december! Now all we need is some good inventory for the buyers!

Maybe im too young to remember, but i feel like over the past 20 years, talk has gotten much cheaper. People are still encouraged by talk , however the promises made and the actual walk they talk, are less and less productive and worthwhile. Im pretty sick of listening to news reporters who have nothing better then to talk about the same things ALL day LONG. They always have lawmakers to interview, they all have access to help all over the world, while they sit in their "perch" judging what goes on around them. Maybe the world would be a better place if we didnt have such quick and easy access to everyones business ? Is it going to be that bad if we actually lead by example instead of playing your pipe and expecting all of us to follow the sweet music?

I would like to ask what products people have had good luck with building a green or even leed certified house. Everything from the foundations to the floors and counters. Anyone with some good experiences please share. Insulated blocks I have heard good things about. What do you think about the costs ? are they close or is one way actually cheaper then the other? Solar anything is too expensive for the average homeowner isnt it? If there is an affordable solar heat or water solution id like to hear about that too.

We have been using electronic lockboxes here in maine for a while now. I will say its easier not to write down codes and its good for tracking purposes, but technology is not always better. I have a lockbox that has a dead battery and so the motor wouldnt work. I had to discover this in a torrential downpour and while on the phone with tech support. Pressing buttons and resetting things, of course there is enough battery for that. But not for the motor. And figures, I didnt happen to have my # 10 torque wrench with me and spare lithuim watch battery. I guess at that point i would have been happy to press a few buttons and get my keys and lockbox.

Finally we can see green grass again, well maybe its a shade of brown right now but the snow is gone! Id like to hear from other agents about their experiences this winter, with all the empty property, the un plowed driveways, houses colder inside then outside. i know i walked through a few feet of snow with my clients, they were troopers! Im looking forward to spring and the improving attitudes of many people bothered by the long dark and cold winter. I wonder if the economy will thaw out and maybe even start to warm up as well???