Terry Driscoll, REALTOR - MidCoast Maine Residential Real Estate

The Tiny Home Trend

I posted a link on my facebook page yesterday, and it attracted a bit of interest: The Tiny Home Trend, so I thought I'd share it here. Our local TV station in Portland, WCSH6's evening news magazine, "207" (named for the only telephone area code in the state) aired a segment on the Tiny Home Trend here in Maine.

Tiny Homes in Maine make so much sense - - in terms of energy savings, if nothing else! The "207" story tells about 2 Mainers - one, an artist, who lives in a 400 sf home and the other, a builder of Tiny Homes who lives in something like 950 sf. Be sure to check out the video in the link - - I don't know that I could live in 400 sf, but the 950 sf is quite appealing.

The idea behind Tiny Homes isn't to rough it; it is to live comfortably, but more simply.

And then, this morning, I read another story on what the Gen Y group wants in their homes and it really feeds right into the Tiny Home Trend. The Millennials, apparently, don't want their parents' McMansions - - they want to be in or near cities, where things are walkable, there is public transportation, and they are able to live without cars. Owning alot of their own space isn't attractive - they prefer buildings or developments with common rooms to host get-togethers, or to be near enough to watering holes, restaurants and other places to gather with friends. They want a bit of the outdoors - maybe enough room to put a grill, but don't want grass to mow. Less to clean, less to maintain, and "green." This generation is happy living in a space that is the size of their parents' great rooms!

Thinking back on what my clients bought and sold last year in light of this information, my Gen Y buyers did tend to look at smaller homes - part of this was driven by price of course, but there was only one single male buyer that definitely wanted to be able to walk to work - the young couples still wanted the larger suburban yards.

Interestingly, I had a large, 5 bedroom home on the market and it wasn't bought by a family, but by a non-profit to be used as a group home. And, it seems my Boomer Buyers still desired larger living space and a good-sized yard. Even though they may be just one or two in their family, they wanted space to entertain at home, room (and bathrooms) sufficient to house visitors, and having space for grandchildren to play was also important.

Interesting. In-town Bath and Brunswick have neighborhoods, where our older (1800's - early 1900's) homes are smaller, more tightly packed on postage stamp size lots - many without garages because cars weren't invented yet when they were built. You can walk to the downtown and shop for just about anything you need, have lunch or dinner, or see a movie - is this a back to the future type phenom?

Whether you are looking for a Tiny Home or something a bit larger, I can help you find what you need!

Snowzilla is Here - Safety First!

On a day like today, it's hard to believe that Punxsutawney Phil has actually predicted an early spring! So many of us are burrowed away waiting for the snow to stop falling so we can dive into the next round of snow-blowing, shoveling and plowing. The local TV stations have been broadcasting several very important reminders to home owners for these snowy and cold times in terms of putting safety first!

1) If you have a direct vented heat source (furnace, stove or fireplace), make sure that the outside vent is not blocked by snow. A blocked vent may cause the heat source to shut down (happens with a power vent - the blower won't kick on so the furnace wont ignite) or worse, for carbon monoxide gas to be forced back into your home. There is a relatively new Maine Law that requires homes being transferred to have carbon monoxide detectors in place within 30 days of the sale, but there is no "policing" of this. If you don't have plug-in carbon monoxide detectors with battery back-up in your home, get them as soon as it's safe to travel again! If you don't think this is critical, I was at a closing a couple weeks ago where one of the attorneys related personal experience of her alarm going off and it saved her life.

2) Anyone who has ever shoveled snow, knows its weight can be back-breaking. The weight of snow and ice on your roof can be considerable, too - - Meteorologists estimate that a one-inch layer of ice weighs approximately 5lbs. per square foot and about 12 inches of snow is equivalent to one inch of ice. Wet and packed snow weighs more. From a series of large snow falls like we've had, you could easily have up to 20 lbs. additional, per square foot, on your roof-top. If ice dams build up, you could also have an incredible load on your roof edge and gutters. Ice dams can also cause significant interior water damage to ceilings, walls and insulation.

It is recommended, as part of your snow clean-up routine, to rake your roof - you can remove some of the additional weight from your roof structure and it may help prevent ice dams, too. Roof rakes can be purchased on-line, at your local hardware store, Lowe's or Home Depot - they have an extendable pole so you can safely rake your roof from ground level. You can rake your whole roof or just 3-4 feet along the lower edge. Please do not climb up onto your roof to shovel - it is slippery up there and you could fall. But you should never stand on a snow-covered roof and a regular shovel can damage the shingles. Another option, of course is to hire a professional (many roofing companies offer this service) to remove snow from your roof. Experts recommend that you never try to remove ice dams yourself.

3) Lastly, make sure your cell phone is fully charged in the event of a power outage.

Just passing this information along to help you safely get through winter in our northern climate!

Stay safe and warm - - soon it will be Spring - - Phil says so!

Musicians Wanted - Move to Bath and Play in the Band!

I read in our local newspaper, The Times Record, the other day that the Bath Municipal Band is looking for some new folks to play along! They are recruiting musicians!

The Municipal Band is one of the really cool, throw-back to yester-year, kind of things about the City of Bath that I really love. Picture a warm, summer evening in Library Park. Young families, couples of all ages and singles (usually with a dog or two) are spread across the lawn, under to stately trees, on blankets or sitting in "bag" chairs; many enjoy a picnic supper and children have room to run, romp, dance anad enjoy the music. The band, in their red vests and straw boaters, is set up in the gazebo and strains of show tunes or patriotic songs waft through the night air. What a splendid way to escape the confines of your house and enjoy being out in your community with family and friends. Can you hear it?

I sure don't want this summer entertainment to disappear, so I hope musicians come to play in the band. Apparently, they have a special need for brass players, but openings exist in all sections except saxophones. So, come to Bath and join the band!

If you Move to Bath to Play in the Band, I'd be happy to help you find a home to live in!

Brunswick, Maine is Best Place to Live - Angus' "Top 10" List!

Maine's former Governor, Angus King, spoke last week at the Brunswick Downtown Association's(BDA) annual meeting and gave his "Top 10 List" of why Brunswick, Maine is the best place to live. Please note, these are Governor King's Top 10 items, but my commentary:

1. "Walk-ability" - Yep, I checked WalkScore - 98 out of 100 - not to shabby!

2. Brunswick's Merchants - Friendly folk, one and all!

3. Amenities - he specifically mentioned flower-lined median strips (planted by volunteers), the Androscoggin River Bicycle & Pedestrian Path and the Brunswick Mall (this is not a shopping mall, but a grassy park-like area along Maine Street where, in spring, summer and fall, you can find food carts, the weekly farmers market, and all kinds of outdoor events, and the ice skating pond in winter.

4. Bowdoin College - Enough said.

5. "Extraordinary" schools - Here you go!

6. Sense of Community - This is something you have to experience in person - I have no link for it!

7. Transportation - Governor King pointed to the anticipated arrival of the Amtrak Downeaster, which will connect the Mid-Coast to Boston via Portland. He didn't mention the new "Brunswick Explorer" local bus service!

8. "The air" - The quality of our environment

9. Medical Care, including great facilities and connectivity

10. "The Times Record"- OK, so The Times Record wrote an article about his speech, but his point was that for a small town, we are lucky to have a daily local newspaper that is commited to the community!

Governor King lives in Brunswick with his family. After he left office, he traveled the country and has seen what else is out there. This list is Governor King's list about his hometown - I can think of many other things that add to the quality of life in Brunswick and our region and make this a highly desirable place to live.

I'd be pleased to show you all that the Bath/Brunswick Region has to offer. Contact me Today!

Serenity Friday - a Photo Montage of Snowy Bath, Maine

Yes, it is snowing again in Maine - - The schools are having yet one more "snow day" and many businesses will be closed also. We are expecting another 10 - 12" by this afternoon. But, we really don't mind because it's just so darn beautiful up here, no matter what time of year it is! The above photos show snowy scenes around Bath, truly Maine's "Cool Little City." Enjoy.

For help finding the perfect home to buy in "Maine's Cool Little City" call me today!