Researchers from the Vancouver School of Economics and McGill University conducted extensive research on the connection between where people live and their degree of happiness. Their findings indicate people in small towns and rural areas enjoy improved happiness over urban and suburban locations. At City + Harbor Real Estate, we’re not surprised because we were born and raised right here in...
Living in Midcoast Maine means adapting to a way of life. Mainers are traditionally cheerful and laid back, much like the picturesque landscape around us. Those and other Coastal New England qualities are deeply embedded into our communities. They are also reflected in the interior and exterior designs of our homes. Whether you’re furnishing your summer house or want your house to embrace the style of...
Quality of life is a priority in Midcoast Maine, and winter weather has little impact on our ability to enjoy friends, family and neighborly get-togethers. If you are new to the area or thinking about buying a home here, we’d like to share some of our favorite upcoming winter festivals. We hope to see you there with a hot beverage and a warm smile. Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical...
People sometimes ask us what the attraction is to living in Maine, especially when so many are drawn to the warm weather and beaches of the South. Truth be told, Midcoast Maine has a vibe all its own, offering homeowners a rare quality of life. The friendly, welcoming nature of its residents fosters a close-knit community atmosphere that many find appealing. The area is renowned for its stunning natural...
With summer in our rearview mirror, Midcoast Mainers await the lovely fall foliage with an important task on our minds — winterizing our homes. If this is your first Maine winter, preparing your vacation property or primary home for winter requires thoughtful measures. That’s because winter months can usher in more than a foot of snow, with temperatures in Cumberland, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo...
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. The moment your property hits the market, potential buyers begin forming opinions that can make or break a sale. That’s why preparing your home before you list is an effective way to start the process! Here are some things to do before listing your home. Deep Clean Before you dive into the tasks required to prepare your home for...
Whether you've moved to the area recently or you're visiting to scope out the perfect Maine property, mark your calendar to enjoy one of the many amazing local fairs and festivals! Here are just a few of our favorites in 2024: St. George Days, St. George, Maine - July 20 We love celebrating St. George! This event features a parade, book sale, lobster dinner fundraiser, and children's activities. View...
One thing that appeals to short-term renters is that their rented home is already furnished. You don't have to break the bank to create a dream rental for others before it becomes your dream home. Starting Strong If you haven't purchased your Short-Term Rental (STR) property yet, you may be able to negotiate buying the property furnished. This will make it "turnkey" for your renters and minimize your...
If you’ve followed our journey, you know we recently bought a short-term rental in Georgia as our future retirement home. And while short-term rental (STR) mortgages aren’t available everywhere, we thought we would share a bit more about what they are and how you might use them to fund your future piece of paradise. The idea of a short-term rental is simple. As a landlord, you rent out to...
Although we're real estate experts, we were still fish out of water when trying to buy a home somewhere we weren't familiar with. What's the best neighborhood? Where's the nearest grocery store? Are there any properties we should avoid because all the local kids claim it's haunted? And because we are still living and working in Maine, we weren't able to do a lot of house hunting ourselves. That is why...