REALTOR Andrew Mooers' Maine Real Estate Blog

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You Set Out To Buy Real Estate. But The Interest Rate Is Higher Due To Your Credit Score!

maine woods, forest for the trees image

Sometimes is it like not seeing the forest for the trees.

Case in point...stimulating the economy...putting more dollars in John and Jane Citizen's wallet to spend on necessities. Say you live with in your means. You have savings. You look good on a net worth analysis. You use your credit card but only when you are on the road traveling. You check into the motel with it, you pay for gas and meals with it.  But only on a trip..that's it.  And when you get the bill in a month, you pay it. No remaining balance, no minimum payment.  You don't carry credit card debt.  You've never been late on a payment.  You have a zero outstanding balance month after month, year after year. Your home is paid for. And you decide to get an equity loan because of the low rates out there now for a new garage or to spiff up the family room.  Surprised when you thought your credit score was 850...and suddenly closer to just a tad over 700.  No big deal right?  Well if you interest rate is a half a percent higher for that loan due to something on your credit report, you get excited. Say you are a broker who has a sale that falls thru and the buyer and seller are wrestling over the $500 deposit.  It escalates to the point of small claims court and the deposit is released in accordance to the judge's ruling.  That judgement, even if it was not against you but because you held the deposit and were brought into the fray can affect your credit..and remain on your credit report for seven years.  Getting it off by certified letters, emails, phone calls and faxes with all the court documents and a reader's digest version of the chain of events is not like snapping your fingers and voila..fixed. 

In Maine you can get a free once a year credit report to see what barnacles or burdocks are on that report that may or may not be accurate. I think you the person with the credit score should be able to access his/her own rating and details for free  to monitor if erroneous additions are removed or if new ones creep into play affecting your cost of money when your borrow with terms based on that credit score.  And access it any time of the year for free for your own personal information.  Also with identity theft, monitoring this is more important than ever. Have signed up for free credit report service but after the intial introductory period, like the free magazine that really is not free maine real estate agent, maine broker andrew mooersand hard to shake loose, it comes with a cost.  If you think how many folks in this country are paying a higher rate than they should based on incorrect credit reports or ones that issues that have been resolved but linger like a hangover, that is something to address in legislation along with the billions and billions in bail out money. 

There are so many positive moves Congress could make that do not involved handing over money or pumping in billions to stimulate the economy that would help the average guy. Making credit reports freely accessed by folks trying to improve their scores rather than paying millions over the country in higher rates than they should have had. A half a percent here and half a percent there on the final cost of financing and that is billions and billions that would not come out of the government..but from lower financing rates from the banks we are now bailing out left and right for other reasons. In the rush to infuse dollars into the economy, there should be a push of companion legislation that would save the tax payer money any way possible in their every day lives so the money left over in their wallet at end of the month could be used by themselves to stimulate the local economy on their own without the government trying to orchestrate it. Check out this in depth explanation on the financing process and FICO scores from Yahoo.

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Maine Real Estate And Area Information

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You Have Stunning Real Estate Videos, A Sharp Colorful Website Or Blog...But What About If Buyer Is Blind?

     seeing eye dog, visually impaired, maine real estate, mooers realty

Old real estate websites were skimpy on images, had no narrated videos and were pretty dog and pony style.

Now as video, helpful blogs full of links and up to 25 images come into play on a www.realtor.com enhanced site, what about if your buyer is blind?  The bells and whistles don't help that person at all.  They need to be able to "see" tags on what this image is plus you should have them anyway for search engine optomization anyway.  Had a customer today that got my attention and who our podcasts could benefit.  But made me thing about access to local property information and area data with this special need. Had always thought my next generation site now under contruction should be designed for somewhat that is not a geek computer wise, does not have a new state of the art screaming computer and who still has dial up.  Design a site that loads like lightning, is fully tagged and has audio to hit all the senses,,not just embedded video, graphics and imagery.  This blind emailer today when asked about her access obstacles told me a little about her search for property. She said...

     "Many legally blind persons are stomping for more access to websites with a description for all graphics on the sites. If you are interested in this, as there are millions of legally blind on computers now you can probably get info at www.afb.org  on the web and other sites for visually
impaired talking about this need. For info on software you can view the page
Freedom Scientific in CA has which is one of the pieces of software, "Jaws
for Windows"  we use to access the web. The other really large known
software for blind folks is
Window-Eyes. Not certain who makes their product
as many companies have merged into others these days. These are two screen
readers. Google screen readers and you will see what I'm talking about on
Freedom Scientific's page. For ex.
Jaws has feature to put names to graphics
you would see labels on. Karen and Seeing Eye dog Harpo celebrating the
Seeing Eye's eightieth year founded 1929 Morristown, NJ."

  I asked Karen if it was okay to share this need. She makes a great point for one more feature to maine real estate broker,mooers realty,andrew mooersconsider when you are broadcasting your real estate and area information or doing new website / blog design. In advertising and marketing your want to attract lots of customers and frequently.  But reaching them takes special consideration which Karen pointed out to me today.

 Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Maine Real Estate And Community Information

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Zip Up Your Winter Jacket, Put On A Helmet, Turn The Key, Climb On Your Maine Snowsled.

maine snowmobilers, aroostook county, mooers realty

Seeing Maine from a snowsled...zipping across an open field with tracks of a white tailed deer beside the trail.

And then seeing five deer feeding along the edge of a field while you stop to just enjoy the scenery.  Going places you can not get by car. Try the 3500 mile system of trails in Maine...and explore "Vacationland" The average snowsledder also brings in roughly a $100 a day to the local economy in gas, food, lodging so most towns in Maine really greet with open arms the rows of machines that roll in from all over creation.  Head into Canada..Houlton Maine is right on the New Brunswick border.  Others head to Quebec or up to Fort Kent to watch the annual dog sled races. Houlton Maine also is home of "Moosestompers"...a year celebration of winter with bonfires, lots of free local activities for the kids and dances, suppers for the entire family. Maine winters...we don't sit on a couch with a clicker raised surfing maine real estate broker, andrew mooers realtorchannels.  We dress for and enjoy the great outdoors with snowsledding, ice fishing, pond hockey and ice skating and down hill skiing.  Come for a day, stay a life time. Maine...the way life should be.

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Listing, Selling Maine Real Estate & Promoting "Vacationland". 

info@mooersrealty.com 207.532.6573 Log on www.mooersrealty.com   

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It's A Clear Sunny Maine Winter Day, Incredibly Blue Sky..As You Climb On A Snowmobile.

maine snowmobilers, aroostook county, mooers realty

Seeing Maine from a snowsled...zipping across an open field with tracks of a white tailed deer beside the trail.

And then seeing five deer feeding along the edge of another field while you stop to just enjoy the scenery.  Going places you can not get by car. Try the 3500 mile system of trails in Maine...and explore "Vacationland" The average snowsledder also brings in roughly a $100 a day to the local economy in gas, food, lodging so most towns in Maine really greet with open arms the rows of machines that roll in from all over creation.  Head into Canada..Houlton Maine is right on the New Brunswick border.  Others head to Quebec or up to Fort Kent to watch the annual dog sled races. Houlton Maine also is home of "Moosestompers"...a year celebration of winter with bonfires, lots of free local activities for the kids and dances, suppers for the entire family. Maine winters...we don't sit on a couch with a clicker raised surfing maine real estate broker, andrew mooers realtorchannels.  We dress for and enjoy the great outdoors with snowsledding, ice fishing, pond hockey and ice skating and down hill skiing.  Come for a day, stay a life time. Maine...the way life should be.

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Listing, Selling Maine Real Estate & Promoting "Vacationland". 

info@mooersrealty.com 207.532.6573 Log on www.mooersrealty.com   

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You're Warm As Toast In The Living Room With A Pellet Stove....But....

winter ice storm image

The living room in your northern climate home is warm as can be as you eat popcorn and watch reruns of "Gunsmoke". 

Meanwhile, the pipes in the cellar rec room and upstairs in the mother-in-law bedroom are slowly freezing from lack of heat.  Pellet stoves...they heat the space you are in but unless you have a pellet furnace that's providing central heating thru out the home, oh oh.  Or you could install another pellet stove and like the five fireplaces in some old New England victorians, stay busy making sure all those stoves are burning brightly.  The thermostat that is often in the living room is told there's plenty of heat so it does not call for heat in other areas in homes that are not multi zoned in the case of hot water baseboard heating.  With hot air, same problem with the one primary furnace thermostat thinking all is fine and dandy in the room maine real estate agent, realtor broker andrew mooers, houlton mainewhere the furnace controls are.  You could move the thermostat to another room to get your oil furnace to kick on when it reaches a certain temperature as one option.  But with 34 below zero temperatures over night in parts of the nation, one oil dealer and another local plumber have told me pellet stoves have been good for their business in service work. Check for more on wood pellet stoves and their operation, costs, and FAQ. The wood pellets come in different quality and are compressed sawdust in easier to wrestle with 40 pound bags that can be bought by the ton on pallets. 

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Houlton Maine Real Estate In Aroostook County For Sale

info@mooersrealty.com 207.532.6573 Log on www.mooersrealty.com   

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Getting A Deal At A Maine Motel....Why Pay The Price They Quote On The Phone?

    maine varsity hockey players,blackhawks

If you owned a motel or hotel, your mission is to keep the rooms rented and producing income flow. 

Guests also help support the restaurant or bar that may be in your establishment. And as a community, the more conventions, sports tournaments and events that can cause the need for a room is the goal. It should be the desire of every local business that benefits from these new tourism dollars that will turn over six times in their hometown. The news reports indicate motels and hotels are not full and traveling is off. Translation is owner should be flexible and more anxious to rent empty rooms. Over the weekend, my son's hockey team did two away games with a night's motel stay in between.  While in the lobby on a lap top after check out before game two, I found I had a two hour delay. So ker-plop I go on the lobby sofa to kill some time catching up on email with the wireless connection while the team that had late check out watched game tapes.  Phone in the lobby rings and $99.95 indicated as  the quoted rate for a room.  A fellow from a local railroad wanders in and asks if he could get the rate that the railroad has as a corporate discount. The clerk says sure, $59 dollars.  Then phone rings by a member of a motel discount club that they pay an upfront yearly fee to to qualify for lower rates. The front desk clerk  quotes the caller $72. Parents of the team members paid $60 and some of us used Priceline and other discount room finder services and paid anywhere from $55 and up. Saving money on a motel in Maine or anywhere. Check the free room saver booklets at the tourist information centers too for coupons and special discount deals. Overall, the catch is to not wait until the night before to suddenly decide you need a room and expect a andrew mooers, mooers realty, houlton maine real estatedeal. It's your money and you need to do your home work, ask some questions, and take some notes. What has been your experience on getting a deal on a motel/hotel room?

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Maine Real Estate And Area Information

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Maine Homes Under $30,000...WHOA...Really? Take A Peek!

houlton maine location,maine map

Homes in Maine in the $20's? "Really?" you are thinking. Sure..check them out.

At these prices, you can consider owning a second home in "Vacationland" that you enjoy your time off or retirement at with the great 4 season outdoors right in your backyard. Maine..the way life should be. Get here as quick as you can. Scope these gems out and call, click, stop in for more details.  Northern Maine and Aroostook County offers plenty of space, fewer but friendlier people and gorgeous outdoor recreational opportunities.  Read to explore and see what you have been missing? No traffic, bluer skies, brighter stars.  That's what you are after right? Questions? info@mooersrealty.com

207.532.6573

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Take your pick of these three! $20's!


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Past Presidents...Do You Have Statues Or Reminders Of Them In Your Home Town?

george washington, america's first president, houlton maine, mooers realty 04730In cities, with museums, you expect lots of statues, busts, plaques and reminders thru monuments of past US presidents.  In small towns it is extra special considering the cost.  In Houlton Maine George Washington, a mason is proudly at the mouth of Market Square.  As our first president and going thru all the struggles as our nation's first Commander in Chief, you wonder what he would think of the image andrew mooers, broker owner mooers realty,houlton maine 04730celebration in Washington DC.  As the We Are One concert unfolded, you had to wonder what Abe Lincoln would be thinking, saying as 250,000 folks or so gather for the festivities on the steps in front of him?  What president or national historic news maker(s) is honored and a part of your home town?

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Broadcasting News About Houlton Maine...Best Place To Live, Work, Play!

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Oldest Son In Washington DC Says Today's Free MLK Concert Was Great!

martin luther king image, washington dc concert

Traffic is jammed in Washington DC and my son Alex says the campus of George Washington University where he is a student is closed off. 

Tons and tons of motorists are in DC for the inauguration and Martin Luther King Day Celebration.  The free concert today on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was cold but Alex estimated 250,000 people were there lined to get there from the base of the Lincoln steps way back to the Washington Monument.  The "We Are One" concert also had our President elect and others talk! Alex got there early and said many folks got turned back due to the crowd.  His favorite performers were Stevie Wonder, Usher and Beyonce.  Being from Northern Maine, he was warm enough and wore his insulated long underwear to be safe.  He said not everyone was dressed correctly and it was cold for the performers. The event included a super lineup of celebrities. Musical performers scheduled for the event also included  Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp,  Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and will.i.am. Among those reading historical passages were Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen maine real estate broker, andrew mooers, mooers realty,houlton maineLatifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson gave the invocation. Alex told me today it is something he will never forget and is excited about the presidential inauguration. See photos and learn more here.

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Maine Real Estate And Area Information



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Every New Dollar You Can Bring Into Your Area Turns Over Six Times.

    maine lake image,drews lake

Living in a small Maine town with roughly 6700 people, not 6.7 million locals means new dollars put into the revenue stream is critical. 

Unlike a city worried about urban sprawl or protective zoning to control development, small rural Maine towns put their efforts in to different endeavors.  Instead of worrying about where this subdivision goes or how large to allow it to be, you put your efforts into different planning exercises. For starters, if you have an ice arena and a strong local hockey program, helping set up tournaments where teams, their parents and fans travel to your town is economic development. These tournaments bring in new dollars...the out of towners spend money on gas, food, tournament and get a hopefully good first impression of your town.  It is part of local tourism and attraction.  These folks may come back to snow sled or hunt or fish in the case of Houlton. They could consider stopping there on their way thru to the Atlantic Canadian provinces. 

     As a real estate broker, capturing videos of local events is critical to help showcase your area.  Not just property blah blah blah propaganda...but area flavor coverage.  A sizzling barbecue tastes better because you smell the grilling meat, anticipate the flavor when the steak chicken or fish is cooked to perfection, just the way you like it.  Show your area with the best imagery, the top video clips, better written crisp descriptive copy.  If your corner of the world has been blessed with many lakes like Houlton Maine, post blogs about it...illustrate those lakes.  You have the images used in marketing property so show them, don't keep them tucked away like Sunday best dinnerware. 

     If you town has an airport or a modern hospital do blogs on them so others know.  These are reasons houlton maine, northern maine soap box derbyfolks come to your area either full or part time.  Industrial community members like Smith and Wesson, Ward Log Homes, Louisanna Pacific and Tate & Lyle create lots of local jobs.  And helping promote news or events within ouragricultural potato, dairy, christmas tree and grain farming operations is important.  Houlton Maine has local Houlton Farms Dairy, one of four dairies in the state...you want them to prosper and have customers to sell product to.  We have Houlton Water Companyso local power, water and sewer is handled by a community run, very involved utility headquartered right in our town.  Lower cost power means industrial power consumers have one more reason to locate to Houlton Maine.  Get details, images, video and stories about your local schools on line.  Help non profit organizations get on line in your area...do the websites for them if you must to help promote the area.  And lastly, promote also what you don't have.  In Northern Maine we are lucky to NOT have crime, NOT millions of people, NO pollution and miles and miles of unspoiled four season beauty to promote.  Maine...the state has a great public perception whether it is lobster and lighthouses on the rugged rock bound coast or rolling fertile maine real estate broker,realtor andrew mooers, mooers realtyfarm fields to down hill ski slopes and hiking up Mt Katahdin, the state's highest mountain. 

Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Houlton Maine..Best Place To Live, Work And Play.

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