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.