The Eastern Promenade

The Eastern Promenade is a 68-acre beachfront park situated on a stretch of land separating Back Cove from the Fore River. The park offers beaches, trails, and plenty of grassy areas to unwind. To make the most of your visit, take a walk along the two-mile-long Eastern Promenade trail, start at the base of the hill where the old train tracks are found. It is cherished by locals because the Eastern Promenade Trail takes you away from the excitement of the city’s center.

Brewery Tours

Portland, Maine is referred to as one of America’s best beer cities because of its large crop of local brewers as well as its role in the microbrew movement. With 17 microbreweries, Portland has plenty beer for both residents and visiting beer enthusiasts. You can brewery hop through the city’s most popular breweries, enjoy beer tasting as you learn more about the microbrew revolution.

Old Port

Old Port offers an excellent introduction to Portland’s history. The locals like here because of the plenty options for dining, shopping and entertainment. Though shopping and dining are spread out through Old Port, Congress Street is a great starting point it is dotted with boutiques, restaurants, theatres and local art galleries. Stroll through the Old Port neighborhood which houses plenty of prominent attractions, including the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, Portland Museum of Art, Portland Stage Company and the Museum of African Culture.

Beach Towns

Take a short drive south of Portland to reach the beach towns. Old Orchard Beach has plenty activities, children even roller coasters. For more beautiful scenes, keep driving to Kennebunkport for a quieter beach with endless strolling opportunities.

Peaks Island

This is the largest island off the Portland harbor, and ferries head here every hour. The ferry ride is short but scenic, so head up and enjoy. On the island, you can find everything you need for a lovely picnic, delicious ice cream, and a conveniently stationed bike rental. You can bike around the entire island, relax at the many beach areas, and enjoy birdlife while you view the sea.

The post New To The Portland, Maine Area And Looking To Play Tourist? appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

YARMOUTH, ME – MARCH 26: Roseline Brookes, 1, collects an egg at an Easter egg hunt at Royal River Park on Saturday, March 26, 2016. The event sponsored by Yarmouth Community Services was the 29th annual egg hunt and included eggs filled with toys instead of candy. (Photo by Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)

Deering Center Community Church Easter Egg Hunt

The Deering Center Community Church will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31st beginning at 10 A.M. The church is located at 4 Brentwood Street in Portland, Maine.

Refreshments will be provided to those who attend. There is no admission fee and the church is asking that you invite all friends and family that are interested in attending! For more information, check out the Deering Center Community Church Facebook page.

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Tiny Tots Egg Hunt

On Friday, March 30th, beginning at 9 A.M., the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine will be hosting an Easter egg hunt for children up to 4 years old. The cost of attendance is $10 per person for the egg hunt, but for $18 you can participate in the egg hunt and the events that will follow. Children that are under 18 months old are free to attend. You can register by phone, online, or in person.

Plastic eggs filled with candy and other treats will be hidden throughout the museum. Additional entertainment options include adorable baby chicks as well as a craft station where you can make your own egg-inspired craft.

Events that will begin after the initial egg hunt are a celebration of Egg Day and include Eggcellent Artifacts, an exhibit that teaches about the various sizes and shapes of eggs ranging from ostriches to dinosaurs, Art Time: Egg Hunt Baskets, where attendees will create their very own fully recyclable egg basket, and the Frog Life Cycle Movement Game, which will help attendees learn about the frog life cycle.

Children’s Museum & Theatre Before Hours Dinosaur Egg Hunt

In addition to the Tiny Tots Egg Hunt, the Children’s Museum & Theatre will also be hosting a dinosaur-themed Easter egg hunt beginning at 9 A.M. on March 31, 2018. This event is designed for children ages 3 through 10. The cost is the same as the Tiny Tots Egg Hunt – $10 per person if you are only interested in the egg hunt, but $18 for the egg hunt and the following events.

Colorful dinosaur eggs filled with treats are scattered around the museum and they need your help to find them all! This event allows you to create your very own dinosaur fossil rubbing using the same methods as real paleontologists and it offers the chance for you to test your luck by participating in the “Golden Dino Egg Challenge.”

Events following the Dinosaur Egg Hunt are a celebration of Dinosaur day and include Dino Stomp Dance Party, where children can show off their Jurassic era dance moves, Dinosaur Fossil Detectives, where children will try to match dinosaur breeds to their matching fossils and will have the chance to touch a T-Rex jaw bone, and the Fizzing Dinosaur Egg Exploration, where you can watch baby dinosaurs hatch from their eggs thanks to a magical ingredient!

Centerpoint Church Easter Egg Hunt

Centerpoint Church will be hosting their 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 31, beginning at 10 A.M. The event will take place at Fort Sumner Park on 64 North Street.

The event is free to attend for families and children of all ages. In addition to having an excessive amount of eggs to hunt, the Centerpoint Church will also offer face painting, games, and a few surprises! Please contact Ben Thornton at bern@centerpointportland.com if you have any questions regarding this event.

The post 2018 Easter Egg Hunt Locations in Portland Maine appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

One of the greatest stressors for pre-retirees to have to deal with is the reduction of their income, which in turn makes mortgage payments difficult. For this reason, according to United Van Lines, approximately 50% of the retiree population in America sees it fit that selling their home and moving to a smaller, yet comfortable house is the best solution. Portland’s Green Tree Realty understands the conundrum of selling and buying new property, which is why it is important to take time and patience to perfectly cater to their clients’ housing needs.

Moving to a serene place reduces stress

The golden years should be a season of life in which seniors can relax and forget about their worries. Going through life, one constantly worries about family, financial burdens, and even health problems that may arise on the way, such as high blood pressure and diabetes caused by high stress levels.

Even though, more often than not, seniors’ income reduces after they retire, it does not mean that they have to continue to deal with financial stressors on a daily basis, such as worrying about their mortgage payment. One solution to such a problem is selling a big family home and settling for a smaller one, which in turn can also help one make profit. What is more, one great thing most seniors should seriously consider doing is moving to a serene, yet fun place like Portland, where they will be able to start a new chapter, and become refreshed in beautiful nature.

Why not enjoy retirement in Greater Portland?

If you are a senior dreaming about a colorful waterfront and a serene environment, in which you can find new joy for life, Portland might just be the perfect place for you.

While buying a home is a meticulous and time-consuming process, with the help of expert realtors, one can rest assured that it is an adventure worth embarking on, as they will do everything in their power to find your perfect new home.

Everyone should be able to enjoy their retirement and avoid stress – especially of a financial nature. Thus, if you have been toying with the idea of possibly selling your home and relocating to a stress-free zone, make sure to keep Portland Maine on your top 3 list.

The post Enjoy a Stress-Free Retirement in Portland, Maine appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

Amazon Echo
Features: 10
Usability: 9
Design: 9
Performance: 9

Hand the keys to your digital life over to Amazon’s Echo. Echo’s sleek appearance fits well into any room. Offering news, music, weather forecasts, and a variety of other interactive capabilities, Echo is a useful addition to any home.

SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Features: 9
Usability: 8
Design: 7
Performance: 7
A leader in the smart doorbell category, providing 1080p resolution, SkyBell’s video integrates with Amazon’s Echo, Nest, and IFTTT. With on-demand recording and free online video storage, monitor your home’s doors from anywhere.

Lutron Caseta In-Wall Wireless Smart Lighting Kit
Features: 9
Usability: 8
Design: 6
Performance: 8

With a variety of features, Lutron’s smart switches bring connected lighting into your home. Working with Amazon’s Echo, Nest, IFTTT, Apple HomeKit, etc., these smart switches are easy to use and offer modern capabilities, including a security mode, geofencing, which turns the lights on and off as you come and go, and scene management. Control the lighting in your home any time, from anywhere with Lutron’s app-enabled smart switches.

Smarter Coffee
Features: 4
Usability: 5
Design: 5
Performance: 4

A coffee maker with a few hands-free features, the Smarter Coffee machine disappoints. Requiring both cleaning and refilling, the technologically advanced coffee maker offers a large water tank and a dedicated app. A wonderful, but unnecessary upgrade to any smart home, the Smarter Coffee machine provides an average coffee-making experience compared to other coffee machines currently on the market.

Nest Cam
Features: 2
Usability: 5
Design: 5
Performance: 4

Simple to use, the Nest Cam is a standalone, app-controlled security camera. Taking less than two minutes to set up, the camera shows live feed, previews, and three-hour snapshots. The downside to the device is the number of features hidden behind a paid subscription, including enhanced accuracy and sensitivity.

In the end, you should choose which smart devices are right for your home by determining whether or not they suit, or will enhance, your lifestyle. Simply acquiring smart technology as it is released isn’t easy on your wallet, so do some research. Several gadgets are built to integrate with each other and can be used to build an entire smart home system (for example, IFTTT). Assemble an affordable and intelligent home on your own terms by carefully considering the features, usability, design, and performance of each device.

The post Smart Home Devices: To Buy or Not to Buy? appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

Until now.

Over the past two or three years, we’ve witnessed marble’s glorious resurgence. Of course, it’s not exactly the same as it was in the early 2000s. Gone are the floors to ceiling interiors that were all marble and often gave a cold vibe. Today, people are using marble as an accent to what’s already there. Instead of filling your home with so much marble it’d make a mine jealous, you only want to add a few statement pieces to give your house a refined and cultured vibe. Here are a few ways you can incorporate marble into your decor:

The Kitchen
Your first thought is probably countertops, but that may not be your wisest option (though marble countertops are fantastic – if you can afford them). Remember, you only need a small splash of marble to put forth a classy look. Start with something small, like your light fixtures, or swap out your drab backsplash for some marble tile. If the thought of renovations scares you off, opt for something simple – like a marble mortar and pestle to decorate your countertop.

The Bathroom
White marble excels in making dark, closed spaces appear more welcoming and open – which means, the bathroom is the perfect place to add a touch of marble. A marble soap holder or sink basin and matching countertop can do wonders for a guest’s impression of your bathroom.

Statement Pieces
The vast majority of people looking to add marble to their homes won’t want to do any major renovations. The good news? Marble’s return to popularity means that now, more than ever, you can find beautiful marble furniture that makes a statement. A white vase sitting in the guest room can denote high-end living and affluence. If you’re willing to go a little bigger, get a small marble table for the sitting room. Be sure to measure everything out first – marbles heavy and you don’t want to get stuck moving it around repeatedly!

Working Well Together
Marble’s versatile and works well with both wood and leather. Pair a marble side table with your leather couch, or place a marble sculpture on an antique bookshelf. Remember – you don’t need to overwhelm; today’s trend is to use a small splash of marble to make a definitive statement.

The post Welcoming Marble Back To Interior Design appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

Here are a few examples:

• Replace your front door
  for instant renewed curb appeal and a fresh look, replace the focal point of your home’s facade to something a little more welcoming. If you’re feeling confident and your dowdy front door is solid and in good shape, a bright colored coat of paint in bright red or elegant black could be enough to make it pop.
• Install hardwood floors
  this is perhaps the single most impactful upgrade a homeowner can undertake. Solid hardwood is beautiful, though it can be costly. But there are so many great engineered wood or laminate options on the market; you could replace all the floors on the main level of your house for a small investment. Save even more money by installing it yourself.
• Create an outdoor room with a patio or deck
  your family will thank you for an outdoor space in which to play or entertain friends in good weather. A simple wooden deck or patio made from flagstones or pavers with some means of getting shade (umbrellas or a pergola covered in vines are both relatively inexpensive options) are quick fixes that will boost quality of life.
• Consider green upgrades or anything that reduces the bottom line of monthly bills
  this could take the unglamorous shape of adding insulation to a basement or attic, retro-fitting HVAC mechanics, replacing poor-quality single pane windows, or installing an on-demand hot water heater.

You don’t need to break the bank to improve your home and quality of life. Think small, think DIY and get busy with small upgrades that will have a big impact.

The post Small Home Upgrades Worth Your Time and Money appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

1. Personalized glassware

Champagne and wine glasses are an inexpensive, yet usable gift. Take it a step further by gifting glasses that are personalized with names, initials, or special dates.

2. Spice kits

During a move, many things are lost or thrown away. One of the first things to go is the spice pantry. Gift your friend with a nice rack of spices to help get their kitchen stock back in order.

3. Skyline painting

If you know your friend’s favorite city, gift them a painting of the skyline of the city. This can act as a window into another world, no matter where their home is located.

4. Custom made bath kits

A friendly gift that is always thoughtful is a gift of a favorite fragrance. Order a custom made bath kit of soap, bath gel, and bath bombs for your friend’s new tub. This will help them relax and unwind after a long move.

5. Home planner system

Home organization is one of the latest and greatest trends. A home desk calendar and portfolio, complete with color-coded markers can be used by singles and large families alike.

6. Meal box

Nothing says welcome home like a home cooked meal. Gift your friend all of the ingredients for a home cooked meal inside of a dinner box. Be sure to include all of the ingredients, seasoning, and the instructions. A box that will create a hearty meal is sure to be well received.

7. Charger toolkit

Electronics is the way that most people run their lives. Put together a tool kit of extra phone chargers, tablet chargers, USB extension cords, and country plug adapters. This gift will save your friend several panicked runs to the store.

8. Terrariums

While large potted plants are not feasible for everyone, a small terrarium can provide a room focal point with just a tiny bit of TLC.

9. Tiny, decorative book stands

While many people are participating in electronic book reading, most people keep a few of their favorite classics around the house. Give them a beautiful home with the help of a tiny, decorative book stand.

10. Electronic key tiles

Losing brand new home keys is a special kind of panicking. Gift your friend the trendy key tiles, that will allow the owner to find lost keys with the press of a button.

The post 10 Best Housewarming Gifts- People Actually Want appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

Portland is neatly divided into more than two dozens distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and personality.

Portland Maine neighborhoods to consider

1. Arts District. Portland’s Arts District is centered along the upper portion of the city’s historic Congress Avenue. This area is home to a number of museums, including the Portland Museum of Art, as well as Maine College of Art. Housing here consists primarily of condos in historic or sleek, modern buildings.

2. East Deering. The most eastern neighborhood in Portland, East Deering offers a variety of single family homes, most of them cottage-style and some with dramatic views of the ocean. Paysons Park and scenic Martin’s Point peninsula are located in this neighborhood.

3. Munjoy Hill. Munjoy Hill, the highest point in Portland, is located just east of downtown and offers sweeping views of downtown and Casco Bay beyond. Most of the housing here consists of single family homes, doubles and a few condos. Historically, an Irish and Italian neighborhood, the area still retains remants of its ethnic past. Eastern Promenade Park, designed by Frederick Olmsted, and the Portland Observatory are located in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood.

4. Peaks Island. Located about three miles off-shore from downtown Portland, Peaks Island is a former 19th century vacation resort turned upscale residential community. Home to around 900 residents, Peaks Island offers condos, cottage and larger waterfront estates as well as seafood restaurants, art galleries and the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum.

5. Riverton. Located in northwest Portland, Riverton is home to the Westbrook College Historic District and some of the oldest homes in Portland. This neighborhood offers a diverse mixture of housing options, from condos to doubles to single family homes. Riverton is also home to the University of New England’s Portland campus.

To learn more about buying and selling real estate in southern Maine, contact Veronica Schneider of Green Tree Realty at 207-838-4034. Veronica has been helping people in the greater Portland area with their real estate needs for more than 12 years.

The post Investor Questions –specific neighborhoods in Portland Maine to recommend for potential future value thanks to planned improvements in infrastructure or other? appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

You may need extra insurance
If you make any upgrades to your home, it is always necessary to check with your insurer to determine if the upgrade will be covered. For many homes, a major upgrade such as solar panels on the roof will not be covered through the traditional insurance that you already have on the home. If you speak with your insurance company and this is the case, you will need to seek specific insurance to cover your green upgrades. Be sure to give this information to your buyers so that they have the proper information before closing.

Some upgrades will pay off and some won’t
Some homeowners are under the impression that green upgrades will always pay off. It is important to check the market in your area to determine if green upgrades are something that will interest buyers and if it will increase the worth of your home. Speak with a real estate agent who works in your area to provide you with information on how the upgrades will affect you home on the market.

Go for insulation first
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly upgrade that will produce the best results, go for good insulation. Installing new insulation in your home in areas that normally lose heat or cool air will make your house more comfortable. Better insulation also means that you may be able to run fans or space heaters whether than increasing the temperature of your heating and cooling system. This will make your home more attractive for buyers who are interested in making a good monetary deal.

Go green and sustainable
If the reason why you are installing green features to the home is to make the house more appealing, it is a good idea to make sure that the feature is sustainable for families. For instance, if you are selecting green floors, a cork floor will be able to hold up to damage from pets and it will be softer for children. Some wood floors, while green, may show stains and scratches more easily and need to be replaced by the family. Before adding a green upgrade, come up with a profile of your potential buyers. Make a list of their wants and needs along with your real estate agent, then make sure that all upgrades fit the bill for what they will want in a home.

The post What Sellers Should Know About Green Upgrades appeared first on Greater Portland and Southern Maine Real Estate Agency | Green Tree Realty.

Seek out financing approval
Pre-qualification is typical when a person is researching homes to purchase. Instead of getting a pre-qualification, seek out the pre-approval. The pre-qualification is a quick and dirty look at your finances versus a thorough and detailed overview of what you can actually afford. It is not uncommon for prep-qualifications to be higher than the actual pre-approval. If you want to know for sure that you can afford the house that you want, you will need the pre-approval.

Negotiate the money, not the contract
Bidding wars involve money, but not just money. Most sellers are also looking for a quick closing date and a buyer that will be stress-free. To this end, some sellers and seller agents may encourage you to renegotiate portions of your contract such as home inspection clauses or increasing earnest money. Be sure to stick to contract terms that are comfortable for you, despite the fact that they may not look as good in the bidding war. Protecting yourself is priceless and should be the focus for you and your agent.

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