Another Freeport Favorite home

This is another one of my favorite houses in Freeport. I listed this house in January of 2007 and it sold in the middle of July for $670,000. The relatively new house was a resale because my client's wife had passed on late in 2006. Both my client and his wife had become my friends during the time I worked with them to find this property back in 2005. My client's wife passed on in November of 2006 after a quick illness. Notwithstanding the sad circumstances, RC Emerson was the builder and Eric Huemme and his crew deserve praise for how well they worked with my client, a Princeton trained architect. Today the house belongs to a young doctor, his wife and their young daughter.

Quebec City is relatively close to Freeport, ME

Our family makes a yearly trip to Quebec City which is only 250 miles from Freeport. According to the Delorem software I used at the Map Store in Yarmouth, www.delorem.com, New York City is 336.77 miles or 11 hours from Freeport. Apparently the software calculates the traffic time as well as the tolls one would have to pay. Nevertheless, it is far easier to drive to Quebec which is only 5 hours from Freeport, than to drive to NYC. Those of us like me who have lived in large metropolitan areas before coming to Freeport appreciate Maine country living. Yet, every now and then it is great to see the sights and sounds of the big city. Our family appreciates Quebec City because it feels like you are in Europe without actually having to fly to Europe. The French Canadians are great people and they certainly appreciate any effort the tourist makes at speaking French. You will be welcomed with open arms if you can say "Bonjour". Then simply ask your question in English and they will send you off in the right direction. The picture above was taken on a ferry boat that was breaking through ice, not Polar ice, but chunks of ice that would make it difficult to cross in a small boat. The famous Frontenac Hotel is looming in the background.

On the way to Bradbury Mtn from Freeport - A Pownal Masterpiece

On the way to Freeport from Pownal Center, you pass this amazing property that has been preserved with the help of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust land conservation organization. This barn and farmhouse sits on 18 acres of open land. It is visible from Bradbury Mountain, a large state park with hiking trails and mountain bike trails. Bradbury Mountain is a 15 minute drive from Exit 22 in Freeport.
Pownal has an active land trust working hard to preserve open space. Quoting again from Richard Barringer from the Portland Press Herald article "Report: Maine's singularity key to development" on December 5, 2007, "Our woods and waters, our open field(s), our historic and cultural heritage, our picturesque downtowns and working waterfronts, and our tradition of public access to private lands" are treasures that are imperiled by "the selling off of our industrial forest, the decline of agricultural lands, the arrival of large-scale national retailers, the spreading out of homes and schools across the landscape, the buying up of coastal, riverfront and lakefront lands, and the lack of investment in our downtowns."

What makes Maine and Freeport Marketable

A December 5, 2007 Portland Press Herald article titled "Report: Maine's singularity key to development" suggests that economic development should be aimed at the overall appeal of the state. That "assets" of Maine consist of the natural beauty and the desirability of Maine as a place to live, to vacation, to work or perhaps for those who don't mind the weather, as a place to retire. The governor put together a task force called "Maine's Quality of Place" which examined ways to preserve the state with such programs that I've touched on here before, namely, the Land for Maine's Future and tax incentives for historic preservation. The report reiterates that "...Maine's surroundings are the very key to our economic future. Other ideas include a an intrastate trail system to connect all of Maine's major centers with trails. Freeport has adopted that idea already with many conserved lands in town offering trail systems. By the way, the Lobster Cooker featured here is located on Main Street in Freeport next to the Gap.

Santa Claus comes to Town

Merry Christmas! Santa Claus is somewhat difficult to see here in a prominent display window at Thomas Moser, a fine furniture maker here in Freeport. Most of us who live here are very much acquainted with the masterpiece furniture that this firm creates. You should do yourself a favor and visit the showroom on Main Street located diagonally across from the Harraseeket Inn. Check out www.thomasmoser.com

More Holiday Spirit

This Hunter Road homeowner in Freeport has their annual candy canes attached to their birch trees out front. Hunter Road is one of my favorite routes to return home from either business in Portland or Freeport. The road has an easy rural feel which helps me unwind from the "busyness" of modern living. This house has a near front row view of 40+ acres of field which is mostly used to grow blueberries.

Downtown Freeport 2 days before Christmas

Sunset on Main Street taken at the major intersection with Bow Street across from L.L. Bean with Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop barely visible to the right. Two more days until Christmas means the commercial part of Freeport will be clogged with last-minute Christmas shoppers today and tomorrow. I will have to contact the Freeport Merchants association soon to see how this holiday season compares with the last few years.
The days are now getting longer and by summer of 2008 you will see a huge, positive change in the downtown area with the large construction project featuring an expanded central village area with new shops, including a new parking garage behind the buildings to the left.

A Winter view of the Drake Property

I thought it was only fair that I took a photo of our house since I've been so actively photographing and describing other peoples' houses around town. I also had a friend from St. Louis who asked me to send her family a photo our our house with all the snow we've received this December. Our family lives in the Evergreen subdivision just over the Freeport line in Pownal. The property is in a storybook setting, especially at this time of year with regular snow falls. We have a pond out front and to the left side of this photo, but it is currently buried beneath 18" of snow. Our lot is almost ten acres in size which is extremely rare for a subdivision living in the greater Freeport area. There are 11 lots that comprise the Evergreen subdivision; on one side of Woodland Road there are 5 acre lots, on the other side the lots are 10+ acre lots in size. Our house was designed by an engineer who owns his a commercial enterprise in Portland. The house was built in 1989.

This Freeport House was a Church!

24 Kendall Lane in Freeport was converted to a single family dwelling in 1977. The Christian Science Church of Freeport sold the property in that year. Through a bit of networking today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Clinton Mason who now lives in Florida. Clinton and his family moved to Freeport in the early 1940's from Winchester, MA. He mentioned that the first Christian Science Society was located on the Pownal Road in Freeport. Clinton's family owned Mason's Drug Store in Freeport right near L.L. Bean. In those days, L.L. Bean was in a building located over the post office. In the 1950's Clinton sold advertising for Channel 8. He actually called on Mr. L.L. himself and sold him a television Ad. According to Mr. Mason, back in the 1950's L.L. Bean was doing $300,000 a year in sales. He and I couldn't put a figure on how many billions of dollars the company makes today. One other memory stood out to Clinton which was that on his first day of high school back in 1946, Clinton was given a bucket to collect the rain water that dripped through the roof. Clinton would be amazed to see how nice the Freeport school buildings are today.

John Libby - Houses and Barns

This photo is world headquarters in Freeport Maine for John Libby's firm, House Masters and Barn Masters, located just off Exit 22. I took the picture from the Freeport Middle School driveway looking across 295 to the north. I don't have any Freeport houses or barns to share with you today, but I am certain my friend Ben MacDonald who works for John Libby in a sales capacity will respond to this post with a few examples. I do know of a house in Falmouth currently for sale off the Johnson Road that has a barn that was restored by John Libby. For more information click http://www.housesandbarns.com/

One Cove Road Freeport

This house, listed for $599,000, is being split off from it's original 38 acre parcel and will convey soon with just 4 acres. I hope that the Freeport Conservation Trust is working with the Shaw family to preserve the remaining 28 acres. The house was built in 1780 and is a 4 bedroom colonial that has a commanding view of the Porter's landing area including the Harraseeket river. This house is located at the other end of Cove Road from where I took the picture of the Michael Welsher house several days ago.

The Freeport Flag Ladies

The Freeport Flag Ladies were out in front of St. Jude's this morning with their American flags and enthusiastically waving at drivers like me. I felt impelled to pull over and get into the picture. This picture was taken by one of the four famous FreeportFlag ladies. These fine people not only reawaken our American spirit on Tuesday mornings but they hold regular yard sales to raise money for soldiers serving in Iraq and their families. They also periodically drive to Bangor and greet returning servicemen and servicewomen at the Bangor International Airport. If unfamiliar with all their good work, I invite all of you to learn more about the Freeport Flag Ladies by going to their website http://www.freeportflagladies.com/

A December sunset at Porter's Landing

Porter's landing is one of Freeport's special places to live. It is all of 2 minutes from the retail area of Main street, yet it is a study in contract with the holiday shoppers marching around Main Street. I'm standing on the boat ramp at Porter's landing where I have launched my boat in past years. At high tide, it is the perfect place to put in a kayak or a canoe and paddle to the mouth of the Harraseeket or to Pettingill Park. The photo features another fine Michael Welsher house built 3 or 4 years ago for a woman who wanted a peaceful haven from the hustle-and-bustle of Boston. This house located on Cove Road has a perfect view of Falls Point marine and the boat launch. Currently, there is a house located at 1 Cove Road that was listed at $599,000 and went under contract in 10 days. I'll provide an update on that property in a future post.

The Freeport Fendersons and Swift their horse

In Freeport, there are always new discoveries, especially with respect to the residents and their rich and interesting life accomplishments. Meet the Fenderson family, minus their eighth grade son who was playing his musical instrument at the time of this photograph. Michael is the French teacher at the Merriconeag Waldorf School on Desert Road. He also has a major role on school governance which is comprised of teachers who help make administrative decisions for the school. Bobbi, his wife, is a guidance counselor in the Greeley school system. I've known Bobbi and Michael for ten years, yet only in the past 3 years did I learn that Bobbi loves horses just as much as I like to sail. So Michael and his friends figured out a way to make Bobbi's dream a reality. During the past two years I've watched this barn emerge from a foundation to the handsome building it is today. Michael reminded me that there are a few remaining projects including trim and putting up clapboard siding on the side and the back of the barn.

Michael and Bobbi are from northern Maine. I was informed by their son who is a good friend of my son's, that Bobbie has family both in northern Maine and in New Brunswick. Michael has a sister and a brother who live in southern Maine, Phippsburg and Falmouth respectively. Michael's brother is a builder and probably had a part to play in this barn. Before kids, Michael and Bobbi spent a year living in France. Michael is a self-taught guitar player. They both love to sing. I'll invite their friends and family to amplify or to claify some of their life experiences that I've shared here.

Contemporary Home in South Freeport

I congratulate the owners of this South Freeport house for their bold design. A Portland Maine architect designed this house for a couple who had moved here from California. Unfortunately I can't remember the architect's name at the moment. My wife and I have been inside this home and it has a wonderful original feel. I will try and get more details in another post for this house.

One of my favorite new houses in Freeport

This fine, tasteful home was built by Michael Welsher on a lot formerly owned by my wife and me. This house sits on 2.5 acres and abuts the Bliss Woods conservation land. There is public access to the Bliss Woods conservation land by way of a short driveway located next to Bliss Woods Way off the South Freeport Road. In 1999, South Freeport residents raised $538,000 to purchase 86 acres which comprises Bliss woods conservation land to prevent a 37-home subdivision from materializing. Today, one can walk all the way from Bliss Woods to Sayles field behind South Freeport Church in the village. Sayles field, which is 63 acres, was acquired in 2001 when Michael Welsher's father, Larry Welsher, took charge to help raise $885,000 to buy and preserve the hay fields and surrounding woods.

Hemlock Ridge - Call me for details

Land prices in Freeport have been coming down in the last year. However, the costs associated with building a new house remain high and are not projected to come down any time soon. All new Freeport subdivisions are required to have land set aside for conservation or common areas to avoid the "cookie cutter" suburban subdivision look; this is true here at Hemlock Ridge. Typically these kinds of subdivisions allow lot sizes of an acre or at the most 1.5 acres in size. I have clients who prefer the old 2.5 acre lot size available in older Freeport subdivisions. I'm waiting to hear from the owner of this subdivision about the details with respect to lot size, underground or above ground utilities, and whether or not the association road will be paved. Most important to me is whether or not the owner(s) will compensate me if I bring a buyer to Hemlock Ridge.

Don't miss Classic Convertibles near the Big Indian

If you are a car buff like me, it's hard not to turn your head and look at the Classic Convertible lot while driving on Route 1 near the Big Indian in Freeport. Businessman,Roger Bowdoin, had a novel idea several years to open a business that restores and sells classic American and foreign cars. I've seen a range of cars on his lot that I would like to own including a '57 Chevy's, a '73 Monte Carlo hardtop and even a Delorem gull wing sports car. The snow covered 1973 Monte Carlo featured in this photo is listed for $13,000. You can also have your car or classic Roger owns the Classic custard business next store which is mobbed with locals and tourists during the warm season. Spring of '08, Roger will be opening yet another business nearby called "Classic Cookout".

FSBO in Freeport

If you took the trees down out front, this is the view you would have from the living room of a For Sale By Owner on the Webster Road. It is a Colonial on 2.5 acres built in 1989. It is a spacious 3 bedroom home with a very attractive garden in the back. The first floor features a family room with gas fireplace and cathedral ceiling, a large eat-in-kitchen with custom oak wainscoting and adjoining year-round sun room overlooking perennial gardens. The seller is offering to compensate a buyer's agent, so please call me if you know of someone who might like to live here.

Christmas Spirit Alive and well in Freeport

It was sort of a "Robert Frost" moment as it started to snow Friday evening when I was on my way home from visiting a client on Baker Road. I immediately pulled the car over and walked up to the front door to ask permission to take this photo and post it on the Internet. Permission was granted and I thought my readers would appreciate seeing that the Christmas spirit was alive and well in Freeport. I was told by the homeowner that this nativity scene has been a regular feature on Durham road for a number of years. The gentleman went on to say that the Nativity scene occupied his parking spot in the barn; consequently, his truck would be left outside and uncovered for a few weeks until Christmas was over.

Freeport Snapshop

Talk with those who live or work in Freeport to learn about the diversity of people and the rich community life that comprise this town. There are fishermen and business owners, bank president, and a state senate president. Freeport teens have a new community center. L.L. Beans and investors from away are transforming Freeport into an attractive village for both residents and visitors to enjoy. Call me to learn why you should think about buying a home in Freeport. Now is the perfect time to buy!

Freeport Grinch on Baker Road - Miscellanoues RE comments

We've had an early nor'easter snow storm this Monday as you can see in this photo taken on Tuesday, December 4th on Baker Road. I'd like to think that this Freeport homeowner is telling the real estate Grinch to leave town.

Those of us in the real estate business feel that the media Grinch needs to stop harping on the bad real estate market. All markets are local and Maine and Freeport are doing pretty well thank you very much.

Yet we can't ignore the problems that got the country into a national real estate slump. We've all heard the bad news about the sub-prime market. The National Association of Realtors which is the voice for the 1.3 million members in the residential and the commercial real estate industry is encouraging Realtors to to contact their senators for Senate action needed to accelerate the real estate recovery. According to the Christian Science Monitor yesterday, the Federal Reserve is taking action to avoid more foreclosures by helping some homeowners freeze their interest rates. You can read that story online at http://www.csmonitor.com/

Baker Road Barn - November Home sales data

The answer to the December 1 post is "Needlework and Fine Yarns on Route 1. I've asked the owner for a press release to give me more information about their company and the renovation of their building. You can contact them at 865-6110.

Today's post features a nice barn located on the Baker Road. I met the owner of the barn about a year ago after the barn was completed. This is an example of a barn that I would like sitting on my property in Pownal.

Here is the "sold" data for Freeport during the month of November:

2 Youngs Lane $172,900 Days on Market (DOM) 122 days

78 Varney Road $300,000 DOM 94 days

90 Flying Point Rd. $550,000, DOM 176

330 Lower Flying Point Rd. $585,000 DOM 22

Where is this busienss in Freeport?

It's sparkle weekend in Freeport. Do you know where this business is located? Hint, you can reach it when you drive from the Big Indian on Route One to the village of Freeport. You can also see this lighthouse structure when you drive north to Freeport on 295.