Date Archives: September 2022

Congratulations! You've made the exciting decision to put your home on the market. As a first-time seller, you probably have a lot of questions and aren't quite sure what to expect. 

You may have even heard that the selling process can be stressful, but we're hoping that by avoiding the most common mistakes, it will be a much more enjoyable experience for you!

Let's dive in…

#1. Not Hiring an Agent

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a first-time seller is thinking you can do it all on your own. If it were easier this way, everyone would do it! But there's a reason why FSBO sales only make up 8% of all home sales in the US. 

We're not going to sugarcoat it. The selling process is a lot! From documents to preparation to marketing and more, there are many things to be done — and it is important that they are done in the correct way! 

To give your home its absolute best shot at success, you need someone in your corner that is dedicated to the job, has the experience, and boasts proven results.

According to the NAR, agent-assisted listings sell anywhere from 5.5-26% more than FSBO. Don't make a mistake that could cause you to miss out on more money for your home. 

#2. Being the Owner Versus the Seller 

Home is where many of our favorite memories are made. So, it's likely that the decision to put yours on the market wasn't an easy one. While the feelings you have are completely valid, they need to be separated from the selling process for it to be successful.

Here's what we mean. As much as you love that themed bedroom, those walls lined with family photos, and the sports trophies showcased in the living room, potential buyers may not. It's important to depersonalize the home before it goes to market so that viewers will be able to picture themselves there.

Remember, you are the seller first and the owner second!

#3. Setting an Unrealistic Asking Price

You can't expect your home to sell if you've set an unrealistic asking price. If priced too high, it may be weeks or even months before someone reaches out –- and they still may not offer close to what you're asking. 

On the other hand, pricing too low can cause you to miss out on hundreds or thousands of dollars in profit! 

Your best bet here is to ask an agent. Not only are they experienced, but they know the area you're in, what houses are going for, and what's going on in the current market. They will be able to provide you with a number and the reasoning behind it. 

#4. Being Unwilling to Make Repairs

The "love it or leave it" mentality isn't smart here. If potential buyers notice something wrong, they will leave it. 

What is smart is preparing your home before it hits the market. Take care of anything that needs to be repaired or updated before someone can point it out at the open house. 

Any problems will be uncovered at the time of inspection, so you might as well put in the work ahead of time! 

#5. Choosing Poor Listing Photos

Your listing photos are more important than you may think. Many times, they provide the first impression of your home and become the deciding factor for making the next move. 

Here are some quick tips for taking quality listing photos that will attract potential buyers instead of scare them away. 

1) Declutter the space to remove distractions.

2) Shoot from the corners to capture the entire space and make it look larger. 

3) Highlight its best features by utilizing lighting.

4) Double-check for things like televisions playing and toilet seats up. 

#6. Being Close Minded About Offers 

Throughout the selling process, you may receive a number of offers. Don't expect asking price right out of the gate, and don't be offended if someone lowballs you. It happens, and that is okay! 

You just have to be realistic. No offer will be written at full price without concessions or contingencies. But try to look at each offer with an open mind. 

By avoiding these 6 mistakes, your first time selling will be far more enjoyable and far less stressful! Good luck and happy selling. 

The Masiello Group is a second-generation family company that has been a trailblazer in New England real estate since 1966. With now more than 35 offices throughout northern New England, we're the largest residential real estate firm north of Boston to offer a complete suite of home services, including buying, selling, mortgage, title, insurance, relocation, and more. 

Our agents are eager and excited to meet your real estate needs! 

For real estate insight, market trends, and more, check out our weekly blog at  https://www.masiello.com/news-and-updates/. 

Closing on your home is exciting but also can be overwhelming, especially if you don't know what to expect. While we usually think of "closing" as being the day you sign all the paperwork, the closing process actually begins the minute the home goes under contract and only ends the day ownership is officially transferred. There's a lot that still has to be done during that time! Here is everything our real estate agents want you to know about closing, from beginning to end.

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If you are looking for a true taste of fall, then our real estate agents have a suggestion that no one should overlook: Apple cider donuts. This special brand of baked good is something you'll spot all across Northern New England, with variations in every state and even in some cities.

Cider is a fermented drink made from fruit, typically apples. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is a wonderful part of the fall season for families all over the region. With so many family-owned bakeries all over New England, it seems like everyone has their own take on this "can't miss" breakfast staple.

The coming of fall marks the start of cider season, which usually means mulled, spiced cider suitable for all ages. For generations, the people of New England have savored this seasonal specialty in front of the fire. Connoisseurs seek it out with gusto, like fans in other areas might look for their favorite eggnog.

Bakeries, orchards, and farms serve up memorable and one-of-a-kind versions of this treat for a seasonal taste of what the area has to offer.

Get in the fall spirit, and let's take a closer look at just a few places to find delicious apple cider donuts in New England:

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There's something special about autumn in Maine. Our real estate agents look forward to the crisp morning air and brilliant foliage all year long. It's also the perfect time of year to visit Maine's lovely farms and orchards, which offer some great corn mazes this time of year!

• Pumpkin Valley Farm - 100 Union Falls Rd, Dayton, ME 04005
  There are several events to look forward to at Pumpkin Valley Farm every year—their Sunflower Festival is always a late summer highlight—but pumpkin season is when the farm really comes alive. This year, Pumpkin Valley Farm's annual Pumpkin Festival returns every Saturday and Sunday from September 24 to October 30. The five-acre corn maze, corn pit, and various other kids' activities are included in the price of admission. You can also get brick oven pizza and beer at the Rust Bucket or stop in at the Cow Lick Café for hot dogs, kettle corn, and cider. 
  
  
• Ricker Hill Orchards - 295 Buckfield Rd, Turner, ME 04282
  Ricker Hill Orchards is known far and wide for you-pick apples. More than a dozen varieties are ready to pick throughout September and October, but that's not the only activity on this picturesque Turner farm. Craft fairs, animal shows, pony rides, and other activities take place throughout the fall, and kids can also enjoy getting lost in the twists and turns of Ricker Hill's corn maze. The maze is designed for kids to be able to solve within a half hour, which should give grown-ups just enough time to visit the Ricker Hill Orchards tasting room to sample some hard cider. 
  
  
• Treworgy Family Orchards - 3876 Union St, Levant, ME 04456
  The corn maze at Treworgy Family Orchards is the stuff of legends. Every year, they create one of the most intricate and elaborate corn mazes in Maine, always with a different theme. But finding your way through this year's Winnie-the-Pooh-shaped maze may not be an easy task! Before heading into the corn, be sure to pick up a copy of the map, which includes riddles that can be completed as you pick your way through the labyrinth. Bring your completed puzzle to the café afterward for a free ice cream! And consider visiting during one of the Night Maze events on select weekend nights in October to try your hand at the corn maze after dark. 
  
  
• Zach's Farm, 7 Colby Turner Ln, York, ME 03909
  Zach's Farm is a cozy family-owned farm known for its incredible farm stand. They offer a dizzying array of crops throughout the season, including some of the best sweet corn around. Come fall, their 17-acre cornfield becomes a massive corn maze that kids and grown-ups alike come from miles around to enjoy. The Zacharias family, who own and operate the farm, have been creating their corn maze for the public for more than 15 years now and have no plans of stopping!
  
  
• Hooper's Orchard - 856 Back Brooks Rd, Monroe, ME 04951
  Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins are fall staples at Hooper's Orchard, a 300-acre farm in the rolling Mid Coast Maine foothills. More than 50 varieties of heirloom and modern apples are grown here. It's one of the best apple picking places in Maine, and their corn maze has also become a fall tradition. The maze offers kids and families a fun activity, along with free food and hayrides, during the annual Hooper's Orchard Apple Fest in late September. 
  
  
• McDougal Orchards - 201 Hanson Ridge Rd, Springvale, ME 04083
  A seventh-generation farm in Southern Maine, McDougal Orchards is a staple of the Springvale community. In addition to growing 40 varieties of apples (and quite a few other crops), the farm also puts on some of the best fall festivities around. Stop by to pick apples, browse the farm store, take a weekend wagon ride, grab a coffee and apple cider donuts, and get lost in the corn maze! The maze and McDougal Orchards are smaller and easier than most, making them ideal for younger kids. 
  
  
• Thunder Road Farm - 185 Newport Rd, Corinna, ME 04928
  The farm stand at Thunder Road Farm offers an amazing variety of produce throughout the year, from carrots and cucumbers to peaches and plums. In fall, they open up the farm to visitors with a wide range of attractions, including you-pick pumpkins, a 6-acre corn maze, and a 2-acre play area. It's the perfect destination for fall fun, open every Saturday and Sunday from September 17 to October 30. Thunder Road Farm chooses a unique theme for their corn maze every year, and this year's maze is dedicated to the champion 2021/2022 Nokomis Regional High Warriors varsity basketball team. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Maine. It's a special place to call home in any season, and our real estate agents are dedicated to helping you find the perfect Maine dream home for you and your family. 

If it feels like your home lacks ample storage, turn to your garage. The garage is a frequently underutilized space that can significantly increase your home's usable storage.

Our real estate agents recommend following these tips to help you maximize and showcase your garage's storage space. 

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