Some southern Maine real estate  ads post the "no jet skis" warning label on waterfront property for sale.

Well, other than Timoney Lake in southern Aroostook that says no go to over 10 horsepower motors, we enjoy the lakes with seadoos, jet skis or party pontoon boats, inboard and outboard vessels. The wrong person on a high powered jet ski or speed boat that is drinking is dangerous on any lake. But with only a handful of boats, we don't have a problem with lake congestion, noise, dangerous driving for the local Maine game wardens to worry about, to police.

     With way way fewer people, less congestion, the policing or regulation is not necessary. Less people, less restrictions or abuses.

If you are looking for peace and quiet, on a lake, waking up to fresh hot coffee on a deck taking in a sunrise and listening to loons sing (or cry), run to a phone.

Maine Waterfront Lake, River Property For Sale. See Videos, Learn About Maine, FAQ.

This is the year to buy the Maine waterfront. Low rates at the banks, great selection, and oh the fun you are going to have with your family.

     So what's to consider on ownership. Like any other property, no big deal in Maine?

Well shoreland zoning that happened back in the 1971 established rules, protections, guides to protect the Maine waterfront resource and wildlife around that lake, and everything that lives in the lake itself.

     Before you buy, check with the Maine Shoreland Zoning Regulations. I am president of the Drews Lake Property Owner's Association and we have workshops, try to protect the lake to give to our children a resource in as good or better shape than we were privledged to be able to own. Being a good steward and not hurting the lake and enjoying the four season beauty here in Maine where it is not over crowded. Respect for that resource. Here is a handy ME Shoreland Zoning PDF Handbook to read over.

     Local campers educate themselves on why the regulations are needed and dove tail the philosophy into their care in everything they do around the lake, pond, river, stream or ocean they border and have for a neighbor. What are common problems or concerns around a Maine waterway? The 36 page guide talks about, illustrates the danger of a cutting operation in the watershed that dumps in to the Maine body of water you are hoping to invest in. Poorly engineered roads that are overused for the purpose they were designed and lack of camper contribution to keeping those roads properly culverted, rock lined drains kept free of leaves, debris are just part of the real estate owner's responsibility. What is a non-conforming structure? Can I expand and what are the rules? Setbacks, tests or permits needed. What is a grandfathered lot or structure? How about guidelines for erosion control, septic disposal rules, clearing vegetation and timber harvesting? Who do I turn to and is there is local citizen board of property owners for a clear voice, vision, and protection of the water resource.

     Does anyone other than DEP, LURC care on the local level? The booklet helps with an explanation of the roles of local boards and state agencies. Get the booklet, do your homework, ask lots of questions if you currently own Maine waterfront property in a shoreland zone. Or if you are thinking about purchasing Maine waterfront real estate, property on a lake, pond, stream, river, the Maine coast. Also, scope out the property being looked at as you kick real estate tires. Is the shed on the back of the lot that looks pretty new, recently installed on the local tax records, or in the self analysis from the Bureau of Maine Property Tax Department's records in unorgainzed areas or in plantations where details are not as easy to obtain on the local level? You inherit problems, and have to correct situations after the fact that are in violaton of local and state Maine shoreland zoning regulations. Saying I did not know  or a note from home won't get you off the hook any more. Google the property and see what the aerials show, noting the date of the fly over as you do your due diligence to make sure the new Maine waterfront place does not put you in hot water. Maine shoreland zoning regulations have teeth, need your attention before and after your waterfront purchase.

     Ever wondered about how far out can my dock go, what about clearing along the water, what trees can I cut or can not remove and where in that 250 back shoreland zone? Questions needing answers and I am happy to help, offer my two cents on regulations, protecting the lake from non source point pollution. Be kind to your Maine waterfront property.

Maine Real Estate Agent / Broker Andrew Mooers - Maine, Why Not ME?

When weaving into the hills of a lush green poverty stricken Carribean island, crowded in a little beat up van with my four kids, a startling observations was made by my eight year old son.

     The roads we traveled on were twisty, narrow, dirt. The homes we pass did not quite belly up to the bar on our classification as a home. Missing windows that were never installed. Rusted flaps of metal bent and catching the wind like a captain less ship's sails heading into the rocks like roofing. Skinny dogs that did not look healthy, or fed for days roaming the jungle like yards or opening in the vegetation.

But despite the squalor setting lacking much, scattered with debris, the local islanders were visible happy.

     When folks talk in email and on the phone or thru visits to Northern Maine, I let them know up front that "fun" is family, hiking the outdoors of Maine, paddling its waterways and many lakes, rivers, streams. Our recreation is right here in our backyard. You also don't move to Northern Maine thinking of pulling down eight digits a year. You don't land here thinking to impress, to hob know with the upper 400 or folks who you would never find in steerage, third class.

     Many of the folks who live here have done so most of their lives. No one needs an armored car of money to live comfortably in Maine. It's not about the money.

     Others "transplants" cruise in at the tail end to slow down and enjoy the sunset years before parts start wearing out. To recoup, recharge from the hard years of pounding the pavement, pushing thru bumper to bumper traffic and the bright lights, big city living. But give me the down to earth, what you see is who they are folks that care about each other. They ask you questions, rather than draw attention for themselves.

     These are the folks you bump in to at McGill's Houlton ME music summer concerts, or on the Big Rock ski area, or paddling down the Meduxnekeag in a river canoe race to celebrate spring's arrival. Or at one of the 14 area churches. Is that what you are looking for? Small town, no one trying to set the world on fire, and a safe place to raise kids, make an honest living, enjoy the great outdoors that  living in "Vacationland" provides?

     Maine..you move here for way way more than the low attractive real estate prices. You get a lower population but of friendlier, help you out, care about you folks that you'll bump into at church bean suppers, the local farmer's market or in a kayak paddling a local lake near sunset. Simple, real, relaxing, honest. Maine, the way life was meant to be. As a kid, my three brothers and I were reminded a lot by my mom that "gratitude is riches". Happy may have a correlation to your wallet size...smaller wallet, less clutter and more simple use of the money you do have. Basics. Your needs, not all your wants. Follow me on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr.

Maine Real Estate Broker Andrew Mooers - Maine is what has been missing in your life...until now.

Dateline Houlton Maine...what is the current news, what is happening in Southern Aroostook County this morning?

     Turning to local snowsledding news, Wednesday night, October 14th at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snowmobile Club House in Littleton Maine on Cary Lake will be the site for a membership supper. A traditional turkey meal complete with all the extras is free to those signing up for another year of support for the local snowsled trail system. The club also invites local Aroostook land owners who allow the trail system to cross private property to make snowsledding the fun winter experience many enjoy. It has been estimated the average Maine snowsledder pumps a thousand dollars a week into the local economy during a slower time of the year for most Maine businesses.

And this just in, the Elm Tree Diner, a local restaurant institution in Houlton Maine for many years that suffered a fire recently is planning on rebuilding.

Zippy's Take Out Restaurant

Speaking of weather,  local Northern Maine potato farmers could use a little more sunshine, dryer digging conditions and temperatures above freezing each night for the days ahead. Area growers are grateful for  a quality crop and larger yields during the harvest this season. Wet colder days have plagued area farmers anxious to get the crop out of the ground and into storage. Rain is in weekly forecast for the yearly traditional harvest now underway that Aroostook County youth are involved in to help area spud growers get the crop safely stored for the winter. Here's a Maine potato picking video clip showing spud pickers hard at the task of filling those barrels the old fashioned way.

In Maine, we are very fortunate to have super medical facilities in place, staffed by folks who want a friendly, crime free, pollution free area to raise a famly in.

I just got back from a Maine Association of REALTOR state convention at the Samoset in Rockland ME.

The many southern Maine loan orginators and mortgage brokers who have hospitality suites after classes wonder how to get more of Northern Maine's bank buying customers. Have to smile, remind them we have some pretty sharp financing individuals in place.