Living The Life On A Maine Farm, Raising Horses, Critters, Crops…Is Is For You?

Life on the Maine farm when horses are what you raise, love, were put on the Earth to take care of, train, and sell.

You work on the ad for the trade journals for those in the crowd that love the four legged hay burners. You find as you get older that you tend to enjoy horses, farm animals more than people that you used to work shoulder to shoulder with in the concrete urban jungle.

“The Maine farm horse raised from a colt has large feet, no shoes needed. Goes barefoot.”

“Is calm, awesome on the wood trails. Will go through anything and is pretty good in the ring. Walks, trots well. Can go either English or Western and is learning to neck rein. Responds well to hand and / or leg cues.”

“No problems with the vet or farrier and is an intermediate rider. No vices. Does not crib, has an even, consistent temperament. His lines probably a mix of a father who was Percheron and his mother a spotted saddlebred filly. Great ground manners. Clips, bathes, trailers and would be an ideal fit for the amateur horse owner, 4H or pony club stable.”

“Price negotiable to right home. Horse is handled daily, willing to please. Been around tractors, goats, chickens. Good with kids. Goes out alone or in groups. References will be required. Do not respond if you are just looking for a show horse. He is just an honest, tried and true trail mount. Loves attention, is blind in one eye which does not hinder him in the least. Up to date on all his shots, vaccines, worming. Asking price of $2500 includes a contract to ensure his lifelong safety. For his forever home you agree to provide. Photos available.”

“We got him as a companion for an older mare. He now stands over 17 hands. Not done growing.”

Could you be happy living on a Maine farm? With something everyday ahead of you after that second fresh coffee. The up and at ‘em. As the sun gets out of bed right after you? To be industrious on your buildings, Maine farm fields, woodlot. To do everything from mend fences, to fix machinery, hay, help mothers in the miracle of birth during the difficulty of breach new born foals?

Living on a Maine farm. Nothing glamorous, definitely not for the money that is meager compared to the expenditure of time, worry, frustrsations and resources involved. But the reward is rich. Deserved, earned, honest, real. In taking in, surveying the expanse. Looking out over the Maine farm land acreage at the end of another day in the country. On your patch of dirt you work from sunrise to the last light of the day. Every day. The spread with the clever name woodburned, hanging, swinging out front. Announcing to the World you now have your special place under the sun, in the place with the space called Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

My Dad Is On The Right, Next To Aunt Ruth, One Of Four Maine Farm Family Members.

Moms and Dads are pretty darn important in guiding, shaping, raising children.

We are lucky if we have both of them over long lives. And better yet on the local level to enjoy. To keep learning from and to spend time with through out the year. Moms and Dads, grandparents that are not in name only for much of life after the boys and girls grow up, leave the nest.

Many folks have to settle for once or twice yearly parental visits. Sad fact. All she wrote. The small capsule of time the family actually spends together. That happens when kids get flung into the wind like scattered seeds. To start their families, to continue life often far from where they began their own lives.

All of the four brothers in my family were lucky to have parents that lived into their eighties. That continued to stay involved, share wisdom and be a big part of all our our daily lives. Our kids too. You learn much from folks that love you, nurture you for four score. That take the responsibility very seriously.

The old family stories, history is so important. Passed down of family members, events where as young new grasshoppers we would not know about. Were not on the scene yet. To share, recite with our own kids. The grandchildren. That is part of the foundation, folklore of the family unit. The family that shares the joys. Shoulders the setbacks. Attends all the same weddings, funerals, new births, life events. The ups and downs, twists and turns along the path we all travel. That unravels, plays out quickly.

You are alone, hollow, empty without family.

We belong, are accepted. Sure social circles are great, part of life too. But to be from a family providing unconditional love. Accepted, understood, not judged. Encouraged, listened to, that guide each other from an early age. Spending time with you. Preparing you with skills, values, beliefs to define you. To handle whatever comes at you in life. How you think, react and shown how to dig deep to weather the storms. Passing on the traditions our parents taught, shared with us to our greatest treasure, our own children.

A family that sticks together is a beautiful thing. That family relationship strong or weak affects all the other ones you enter in to in life I believe. Early on the encouragement that everything will be all right gives a person a sense of safety, hope. Builds a bond of trust, not fear or insecurity. Whether being tucked in with a bedtime story and prayers before sleep. Or fed regular daily and holiday meals prepared with time, love, old family recipes. The time a family spends together on front open porch swings, taking time to share each other’s day lets you know someone cares. You are not alone, unloved in a family home filled with love. That creates a full, rich life of security instead of one of emptiness, darkness,neglect.

My Dad and Mom loved each other, built a marriage of over 65 years.

That love was demonstrated beyond just reciting the three words in actions. We were hugged by both parents, shown a path for life to follow. Taught moderation, an awareness of others, to be sensitive, caring. To work hard, to count our blessings. To look for the good, be positive. To pitch in, make things better in any way we could. We all had a purpose, role in our Maine rural family.

Today is father’s day and I remember my Dad. The B-24 WW II tail gunner, farmer, trucker, real estate broker and appraiser. But it is so hard to spotlight just one half of the team.

My Mom was the best thing to happen to my Dad.

She backed him up, made him a better Dad. But he supported, thought he got the most from his end of the partnership in return. It was so obvious how each other felt about each other growing up. Working together, in tune and helping each other unlock secrets to any insecurities, worries. The two were never alone. Boosting the potential of each other and coming along side as a unit, as one to enrich the marriage.

As a little kid there was nothing like hearing my Dad say the words “I love you Weeze” (his special version of Mary Lou).

Uttered with pure sincerity, with unwavering assurance of his true feelings deep down in his heart and soul. The words combined with a hug from behind as he reached, squeezed, held her. while she was doing dishes, wearing an kitchen apron. A peck on the lips as she turned her head to the side happened. To meet his kiss. I saw, felt, witnessed love through out my childhood. Not everyone did I now realize and was so so naive to the fact.

My Mom understood my Dad more than he did himself. She took the time to delve into his childhood, to help him explain mysteries, to explore him together. But he helped my pretty conservative, disciplined with moderation God fearing Mom soar too. To take chances, to dream deeper. She believed in him, he needed her to reach his potential. And they both worked together very hard. So it is difficult as the youngest kid of four boys to just celebrate Mothers or Father’s Day with one parent alone. Because that is not how I saw the two of them at their best. Together. Love you Mom and Dad.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Another Sunset On A Maine Small Town Lake, Collect Some Of Your Own.

When the Interstate 95 cut through Maine, and the whiz bang invention of the Internet took off like wild fire, small Maine towns took a hit.

Too easy to hop in the car, round up a few friends and head to one of the few cities in Maine. To shop until you drop. But without a dime going into the local coffers where you live, work and play.

I live in a county seat, a Shiretown of Maine’s largest of sixteen, Aroostook. The size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined and dotted with small towns, plantations and unorganized territories. So keeping money local is key. And generating new revenue streams beyond just recycling the same service, retail dollars is everyone’s concern.

Because we are the Aroostook County seat, there is an able stable of legal beagles.

To title search properties, update abstracts to assure the lender or the buyer of a property that everything is peachy keen. Squeaky clean regarding the title behind the Maine real estate being conveyed, mortgaged, traded, bought. Or that there are liens that stick to, run with the title like burdocks in the tail of the old gray mare. Some easier than others to get out. A few so drastic, severe that even title insurance won’t cover the risk, odds of a claim or challenge. That are too messed up for the properties traded for two pigs and a chicken. That don’t warrant spending a large chunk of the green stuff hidden, tucked away in a wallet or purse to clean up, cure, fix. Not worth the return on investment because the history of the title is so messed up, troubled.

So when a Maine property is put under contract, and the buyer selects a local Maine attorney to represent them at the closing, leave it be. When to assure the bank after examination of the deeds over the last forty years that there is a title worth a loan. To be used as collateral, security for the lender that everything is pretty simple. Straight forward and should be clear easy sailing to the final shuffle of paperwork that gets recorded at the local registry of deeds on Court Street in Houlton Maine.

Until the Maine bank involved decides to lean on a railroad switch, to divert the legal work to a title company down state.

One that has no stake in the community. No local sticks and bricks they pay property taxes on. No local facility that is a beehive of industry and creates local jobs. That means those salaries get spent locally at the grocery store. To purchase local gas, to help fund local schools, public safety, to fill potholes. To keep healthy the local intrastructure of a small Maine town. Everything that makes it tick, breath, exist. The local attorney, local bank all create close to home economic development in its simplest form.

The out of town gypsy services that blow in and out and tout we can give your customers better service, pricing are wrong. Because there are local entities, friends and neighbors already doing the same thing. On the local level where the money for services gets plowed back into the Maine small home town economy. That have a wealth of knowledge, stand behind their goods or services when needed. Service what they sell and are live, local. Available round the clock. In it for the long haul.

In a bright lights, big city you might not think so much of how important it is to shop local.

To trade close to home for goods and services. And knowing it is all too easy to hop online. Tap tap and get something shipped in within a matter of days, sometimes hours that you could not live without, had to have. But if the service, goods are offered locally, trade close to your Maine home. Or there won’t be a small Maine town of which last count there were 108 surviving, struggling. Some gasping. From economic COPD.

Got the bank involved that stalled a Maine real estate sale by trying the shell game with attorneys involved behind the scenes to keep the deal local. Lot of needless phone calls, texts, emails to get back on the original track to the closing. But pushed hard to honor the original order sent to the legal kitchen. Do you worry about your local economy? Try to keep it healthy, to trade local? Every new dollar turns over six to seven times.

Do what you can to preserve, foster shopping local is what all Mainers are taught is so vital and learned early on as young grasshoppers.

Maine, simple living, everything is outdoors all four seasons. You feel more of an awareness. A strong connection with others in small Maine towns. That all are loaded with the jaw dropping beauty of our unspoiled natural surroundings.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

The Beauty Of Maine, From Every Angle She’s Gorgeous, Natural, Simply Stunning. Sample ME.

In my day job of peddling Maine properties, besides talking about the real estate listings, lots of chatter happens with one big question posed, raised over and over.

The one out of town, state, country real estate buyers want to know about Maine. They ask “tell me about Maine”. Whoa. Gosh. Let me see now. That is hard to do because to sum up a place like Maine and do her justice means we need to take sufficient time to paint the picture. She is more than low property priced homes and land.

Like a very large rare diamond, Maine has so many deep facets, interesting angles, hidden features to get excited about, expound on.

She is four season outdoors but the people in the 108 small towns in Maine are the real spark, flavor, life of the communities. To sum up with a few words alone just does not do a proper job. The Maine local community video series is a better approach. With a smile from me and an invitation to let me show you, tell you about the area called Maine.By leading you by the hand, taking you as my guest around to the home town events, special places.

But for images of Maine, just one at a time layed down, played face up like aces, face cards in a high stakes poker game, double click, tap tap this link. Each Maine photo frame tries to capture bits and pieces of why Vacationland is special to me. And to show how spoiled folks like me who live here full time are. The thumbnails to the right of this Maine blog post hint at the Herculean task of summing up the expanse called Maine. When asked “what is Maine like?”.

Because this slide show is what happens in our Maine backyard.

The images play every day, all season long. And some folks beg, borrow and steal time away to just sample a long weekend. Or a few hours after hopping into a tender off a cruise ship. To go ashore, grab a lobster, steamed clams feed. Maybe a t-shirt momento, reminder of the visit. Stamped with a lighthouse, moose, blueberries or a potato field on it. Or maybe Mt Katahdin, a Sugarloaf, Sunday River. Allagash Wilderness, white water rafting image on it. And that has to suffice. Would not work for me. I need more Maine than a t-shirt provides.

This place, space called Maine, She gets in your system in a good way.

Tugs at your heart. You fall hook, line and sinker hopelessly in love. And good luck trying to get her off your mind. There is no cure once bitten. Always thinking of the next hiking, biking, ski trip. Or kayak, canoe, rafting river ride. Boat ride to explore her shores. To meet the down to Earth people. Hardworking, family centered, God fearing. The kind you don’t forget.

Folks in Maine are connected in the less populated regions scattered around the state. The little burgs Maine is blessed with of resourceful people doing the day to day among the wildlife. To thrive, survive and prosper with what we have. Which is more than enough. Sheer natural beauty and each other. Grateful for all we do have around us to enjoy without traffic, pushing, shoving, noise, crime. Or just too many wall to wall people, over development in lots of expensive places elsewhere. Get to Maine, don’t stay away so long.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

The Catcher Of The Maine Little League Team Has A Big Job Behind The Mask, Home Plate.

The fun of sitting on a Maine small town bleacher side by side with other parents hooting, hollering and supporting a local little league baseball team.

In a small Maine town you watch the kids grow up. Know their brothers and sisters because your own kids are in the same mix. Raised together by the entire village.

Little league baseball coaches help shape the good sportsmanship gene in the rag tag collection of players they lottery pick each spring.

Who start out the season pretty scattered but by the end of the schedule are a tight group. Win or lose, lessons of competition and focus, determination to work as a team are planted firmly. For each and every team member to apply to their lives. To remember when they pick up the clipboard, laced up the sneakers and slide on the same color hat to coach a team of their own in later years.

It is rich enjoyment to be a sponsor of a Maine little league sports team. Here’s a video of a Maine little league team game I enjoyed a red snapper hot dog and soda at this week.

Win or lose, the little league team rallies around the parking lot of local Maine dairy bar ice cream take out establishments.

To relive, do the play by play according to their recollection of the events of the innings just played. That are now in the history books. With someone the most valuable player. That sometimes takes home the game winning leather stitched ball. The one with the coach’s hen scratchings, shorthand of the date inked, branded on it. To be placed on a dresser top, bedroom night stand. Cherished, treasured, remembered as the little league game’s hero of the day.

Lessons learned on the little league ball diamond. To see the improvement of being beaten twice by the eventual league champion team. But knowing the guys and gals in your dugout almost won the second meeting. After losing the earlier season contest in a lop sided, high scoring game by the talented opponent, victor. Winning is sweeter when you have lost many games. When you earn the win, work hard to achieve it. And are a gracious winner because you have been on the other side, experienced a loss. And win with grace, class.

It is only a game, it is supposed to be fun. Make sure all the little league parents got that memo.

And you used to trust the coach of the other team to rein in the horses if the game winner became obvious early on. When the two sport teams were mismatched. The other coach pulls out the white flag of surrender. Waving it as a sign to be charitable and to try not to demoralize his team members too badly. Now there is a five run limit on runaway innings. When pitching goes south, the opposing teams bats get hot. And the hits, run production, score starts to take off like wildfire.

If you are looking for some outdoor exercise, considering laying down grounders at a little league game practice. Helping the emotional, exciting young team of new recruits settle down, gain focus and discipline. To not get in the habit of who does the team member blame when the chips are down. That there is no “I” in team.

To discuss what just happened with the little league team all eyes and ears in the dugout after a loss.

Beat by a better team or was everyone a little over confident because of expectations of a win that did not pan out discussed, pondered. And checking the schedule to remind the players to let Mom and Dad know the next game is Thursday night. To have you dropped off earlier or to ride their bikes to the park ball diamond at a new time. To be here at 5pm for a little longer practice going into the next game on the Maine little league roster.

Maine, you’re here, made it. Roll down the window, relax, fill your lungs with some fresh air.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Maine Truck Drivers, Holding Up Traffic Or Have A Purpose For The Snail’s Crawl Pace.

The Matteseunk Lake fishing trip started our enjoyable but quickly shifted to a tragedy.

The 576 acre lake in Aroostook County with an average depth of 21 feet in the Molunkus area is known as a popular spot for anglers. The serious kind that live, are passionate about wetting the line.

But the pair of Maine fishermen climbed into a John boat, and out on the open water the vessel upset.

Flipped over and suddenly everything going so well turned 180 degrees. Went from bad to worse. When the drowned fisherman’s body was discovered, recovered it showed he had gotten one wader leg off. As it filled, sunk. Lead weighted like a cinder block with the eight plus pounds per gallon of H2O dragged him down. But only the one leg removed but not in time to replenish the oxygen to his lungs.

The dead fisherman was a veteran truck driver. And his widow said he would want his ten wheel Kenworth maroon and white tractor trailer truck to lead the way. On the course, bee line from the funeral to the Portland Maine grave yard. The nephew tapped for the job of driving the lead escort said traffic was busy. As he with lights on, blinker lights flashing in a four way succession heading to the final resting place. On the last ride for the uncle who loved, lived to fish and drove truck.

Heading, weeding, threading the needle with vehicles like a Pied Piper.

Carefully, slowly, respectfully through the city streets in this solemn moment prossesional in the early 1980′s. When suddenly a police cruiser in two tone basic black and plain white with sirens and lights of his own flashing, blaring cuts off, stops the lead lone truck. The one all polished, dead heading without a box to the cemetery in Maine’s largest city. Driven by a nephew surprised by the cruiser’s sight and sound.

Jumping, stepping up on the aluminum diesel fuel driver’s side saddle tank and proceeding to bark instructions to the stunned driver. The over dressed for the purpose he is ten and two behind the wheel of the big, over the road rig for today. Not wearing the standard chain drive wallet. No George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Red Sovine playing on the boom box.

“You’re holding up traffic, pull over and get out your log book, registration and license” said curtly. The annoyed dark uniformed Portland cop with the gun and badge, cocked to the side hat was upset, clearly annoyed. Did not candy coat it, pull any kidney punches on how he really felt as the driver rolled down the driver’s side tinted window.

“What are you doing, holding up all these cars and trucks in heavy traffic man?” “Look at all the cars behind you that are being held up by you!”

But his demeanor, mood reversed to a somber, dejected one. When his boss appeared, a Captain in the force that took the traffic stopper officer to task. Explaining the truck driver was the lead reindeer in the funeral for the actual truck owner who died. The deceased driver being honored who was a passenger, riding in the black, shiny hearse with high beam lights on behind the Kenworth. In front of all the other cars with head lamps on too. Filled with dark dressed, clothed family members, friends of the truck’s deceased owner. Things in life are not as they first appear.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Large Trees No Match For Strong Maine Winds, Rains Working Together.

Talking about the weather, the standard default when conversation lulls.

The driving force for many when you decide what kind of day it is based on if the sun is shining or not. The amount of rainfall in Maine has been on the plus side this spring.

Too much water means Maine farmers have equipment parked, waiting to plant the rest of their crops.

I have talked with some Maine potato and grain farmers who indicate roughly 35% of their crop is in. The saturated soil of ground water makes them nervous about the seed already planted. And left wondering when they can plant the rest of their crops without mired to the axles in mud, stuck solid up to the hubs. To salvage, have something on the other end, in fall to harvest. That’s farming in Maine, anywhere because you are dependent on the weather. Which you and I know the weather is not always predictable. Often not so tame, cooperative.

The winds Sunday night combined with the heavy rains to create extra work for power and phone line crews too.

Micro bursts of intense wind, torrential rain caused extensive damage. With trees down on lines, structures, vehicles. The clean up continues and it does make one wonder about the summer weather ahead. Whatever the pattern is, Mainer’s are resilient, will make the most of what they have. And find some ray of sunshine, something to be grateful about to survive.

On the other hand businesses like white water rafting, kayak outfits are enjoying the increase in water. The river changes with more water but overall improves with the added H2O. Because dangerous rocks exposed and to be maneuvered around are suddenly erased. The river gets “more slippery”. Like oil in the machine that lubricates the chutes, twists and turns. Adding more padding, cushion, insulation for the ride.

But dairy bars for ice cream take out and outdoor vacation parks could do without too much added water. The increased number of daily showers are like a wet blanket. Heat, hot temperatures are what help tag team with the bright sunshine, blue skies to make one hanker, drool for something cool, sweet. That says summer when the take out window opens and asked politely “can I help you, what will it be?”

If a summer is dark, cold, wet, the business lost in June, July, August does not suddenly get made up at the tail end of the season either.

With all those missed treats suddenly collected in a sugar high all at once. To even the score, end up with as many twisted cones, banana boats or sauced sundaes with chopped nuts and cherry. All teetered, balanced and carefully carried back to the vehicle that delivered the customer. The business is gone, but the payments to run the enterprise continue regardless. People stay in when it rains. Outdoor businesses need them to do the opposite and head outdoors, move around.

Today the sun is shining, there is a summer breeze. And the lack of a run of picture perfect summer days can make the hit or miss ones you do get blessed with all the more sweeter, precious. Pick a season, don’t have to have a reason and get to Maine. And roll down that window, you’re in Vacationland now.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Learning From Both Maine Dark Clouds, Storms Or The Many Bright Sunshine Days.

The patience to learn and succeed is easy while the sunshines. When life’s roadway is straight, paved and level.

But introduce some twists, hairpin turns. Sprinkle in a few dips, gullies, large potholes. Pile on, get dumped some straight up vertical rock climbs to your life course. Throw in a healthy dose of intense, severe inclimate weather patterns and what happens?

Depends on the person.

Some blame others, make excuses, avoid challenges during the seemingly sad turn of events. Step away rather than dig in and take responsibility. But how you lead, react to life all depends on what you were taught growing up. What you saw illustrated to see the good, bad and the ugly. And to apply those lessons to your own life.

Or if missed out early on when knee high to a grasshopper, then hopefully picked up soon along the way. If certain lessons just not gleaned, available to harvest in the all important formative years. If not shared or talked about by the circle of loved ones raising you on open front porches. In farm home kitchen rocking chairs enjoying a fresh home made cookie, something cool to drink. The bits and pieces of the sage wisdom shared during picnics, at funerals and wedding events. From now wiser, older family members expressing love not anger. Or engaging in the the unproductive turmoil of feeding, perpetuating pure heavy drama. Shift gears. This us, we, not me.

My Dad’s University of Maine college commencement speaker told the rows and rows of new graduates wearing the square hats that he wished them much success. But at the same time hoped they made mistakes. Lots of them quickly. Had setbacks early in life so they could benefit from them. To save greater, deeper heartache later. So life was rich, had purpose, fulfillment and was not kept a dark mystery where you missed out on many of the fun rides, experiences.

Feeling dispair, that setbacks are permanent.

Instead of turmoil should be only temporary because you are not easily discouraged. And one by one sort through the solutions options available so the dark clouds disperse. Blue sky and the sun can shine brightly again in your life. For those you are lucky to have in it surrounding you because relationships are the most important thing in life. When it is all said and done right? Who would not want to improve them, make them to get to the next deeper level? Unless you like, thrive on hubbub. Ah, but it takes everyone eyes wide open. Ears too. To be in unity, harmony, to achieve oneness. To rise above the pretty petty habit of who to blame when the going gets tough.

So one by one, picking up, adding new tools to the skill set. To improve your approach, outlook on life. The most powerful lessons kind you only grasp, latch onto when between a rock and a hard place. The low spots where you really learn to find the silver lining. It does not matter how you fell in the hole but how to get out right?

To start small and build your way up.

After stripping away the non-essentials of run away emotions, fear, insecurities. Becoming humble, meek, mild. But highly creative, resourseful, prayerful. Receptive to really learning after your pride disappears. And survival saddles up, kicks in with sharp spurs from both sides. When it becomes do or die, sink or swim.

Sad to say but like banging your head against the wall, it feels so good when you stop. When you try something new to achieve different results. To move from the stall, dead lock. Pushing hard with both feet when you bottom out. Onward, upward 180 degrees in a new direction.

Clothed with a completely different atttitude.

Armed with a better outlook, full of hope and desire to improve the situation. Knowing you can do it. Are not lazy even though temporarily blind. Even if not everyone around you is on the same page, on board in the resolution when the options are limited. But when arguement, circular debates that go nowhere just bog everything done. Cause bone tired weary to happen which is one big waste of time, emotion, life. Don’t waste the sunshine, daylight but learning to weather the darkness, the storms in life. We need to compare notes, learn from each other.

But what did you learn to avoid the same blind mistakes and emotion upheaval they cause to you, those around you that you care about, love and worry about? If you don’t take ownership, have a stake in the steady decline of missed cues, red flags and just ignorance to new situations, nothing new is added.

To the what just happened / what did we just learn column in the gray matter we all carry around. And try to improve to avoid the rerun, rehash. Over and over repeat of the not so pleasant but highly educational life experience. And our role in the script to that life movie.

Maine, two words. Natural, outdoors. She’s drop dead gorgeous and waiting. Get here quick as you can.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Find Yourself Involved, Enjoying, Contributing To A Small Maine Town.

You live in a city, large sprawling urban area and wonder where does all the money go.

Your car insurance if you dare to drive is higher cost. Because vehicles get stolen. Joy rides happen. Chop shops dissect cars, trucks, SUV’s buzzard quick like they were road kill. The chances of being bumped or plowing into a multi car super highway cloverleaf pile up are higher because you don’t live in a small Maine town. Maine is mostly small town with 108 total muncipalities to call home.

When you have a patch of dirt, more land around your lower cost Maine home, you can grow your own food. Sell the excess or use it to barter services back and forth with the neighbor down the country lane. You also save gas in a small town because everything is close, handy. Living in a smaller community in Maine means you can walk to things. The movies, out to eat, to a corner grocery for a quart of milk, loaf of bread. The essentials.

You enjoy little things like a dairy bar ice cream. Socializing at a bean supper.

Fund raising meal spread for a school trip. To help a local burned out family that lost their home to a fire. Or to give, show support to one with a sickness. Struggling with an expensive medical operation. Everyone pitches in. Digs deep. With a silent auction after the tasty meal. Of small local business and home made crafts, donated items. Your comforts are smaller but larger at the same time. Your appreciation for life increases because you can think, breathe easier with clean air, water, the unspoiled environment.

In small Maine towns you are way more involved with activities, part of the local landscape.

Festivities at civic, church, school groups are worked, not just attended. There is more of each individual written all over the home grown, small Maine town events. The expensive monetary option of just hiring it done gone. So greater commitment happens from the individuals. Year after year. That group that is only so large when in Northern Maine there are only eleven people per square mile. In a wide open area in Aroostook County the size of the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. If you don’t come forward, who is going to behind you when the population numbers are smaller.

And due to the big helping of expansive wildlife filled woods and our clean lakes, rivers, streams and ponds to explore, the fun is outdoors. Low or no cost. You live in Vacationland, the desire of many but who only sample just one teenie weenie precious week, long weekend to last the rest of the year. Until the next trip north to the state in the right hand corner of the country. Almost in Canada which offers a whole new nation under a waving red maple leaf to sample. For an entirely International spin to your recreation, leisure time too. When you already live here, not having to schedule that short window of opportunity when you check out of work for a vacation from the concrete jungle. Crossing the big green bridge at the southern tip of Maine.

When you live in a small Maine town, you know, care, pray for your neighbors.

You are more connected to others because crime is nil. You can let your guard down, not wear a taser and wear a smile. Make eye contact. Communicate to and not ignore folks around you. To feel the pride because you contribute, are needed, would be missed if not in a small town. The people, individuals are the local community flavor, spirit, spark. Local waitresses miss the regulars that view the diner as family. When they have none.

And Maine small town people care about shut ins, elderly, knowing they themselves will be in the same position some day. Calls to Martha that does not drive anymore. To see if she needs anything at the grocery store. Or inviting her to come along for the ride. To get out of the house, apartment. Or snow blowing her driveway, shoveling a walk. Including her in a holiday celebration. You kids treat her like family which is gladly becomes despite not matching DNA pumping in her veins.

You watch the community grow up. Kids are raised by the village. One by one you follow their lives. You coach youth teams, sponsor competitions, teach Sunday school, hire area youth for jobs. Know the brothers, sisters, moms and dads. Related to many. It is a given that “if it is to be it is up to me” thinking experience a small Maine town.

More confident, self assured, with a larger do it yourself, jack of all trades skill set. Lazy becomes a cuss word. Hitting below the belt sniping remark that stings. Wired into everyone growing up, being shaped, guided in a small Maine town to pitch in, have respect for other’s feelings, their possessions. The favor returned. And not much happens that is lost from scrutiny, like in the bright lights, big city fast paced shuffle.

Maine homes that cost less get paid off faster.

Mortgages disappear and free up resources for other endeavors. Like savings, a second home or camp on the Maine waterfront. Travel, college funds, household expenses all benefit from the cheaper day to day overhead. Your worry emotions run lower, the stress is less financial. You count your blessings. You enjoy life more when you have space, room to roam, can find a place to think without noise, people, the hustle bustle of better pay attention heavy traffic. A faster paced hurry scurry all the time. That’s no way to live… in a blur of worry, crime, high cost of living right?

In a small town, lots of talent from other areas of the country comes together in a blend, melting pot of creativity. Retired folks get involved, share what they have learned in other parts of the World. Young families can stretch their dollar because of lower cost of everything. Especially Maine real estate. You can own more property with extra features because supply is always bigger than demand. Which keeps the price down where it is manageable, affordable.

You get more creative in a small Maine town.

There are no gangs, worries about safety. Utilizing the options from public libraries, cross country ski trails, bike paths, hiking options happen. The fun is outdoors, all four seasons. Sporting events, from fishing, hunting, snow sledding, skiing, four wheeling are possible. Photography of nature, art, sharpening writing skills all get tapped into instead of just reaching for your wallet. And tying your fun to store bought or something man made. Not natural and home grown. And your awareness, clarity increases of all the little things that matter most in life happens in your less populated, more natural surroundings happens. Make it not buy it.

Money is not so important in a small Maine town and you get out of the habit of spending, the norm in a city where everything costs dearly. Things like paying for expensive parking, theatre tickets, nose bleed high swanky places are saved for a trip. Not practiced, pricey expenditures found round the clock, day in and out in a small Maine town. Family values, work ethic and responsibility happen with kids raised in a small Maine town.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

Thank You With A Smile, Leaving No Doubt The Employee Waiting On You Really Means It.

Survival in a business depends on watching the bottom line, providing consistent customer service that is top notch, memorable.

All the time. It takes work ethic, pride in what you do even if you are not handstand happy about certain aspects of any job you hold down. And it means liking people, all of them. With empathy to put yourself in their moccasins to feel what it like to be on the receiving end of the product sale, service provided.

On a recent fly out, drive back trip to youngest son’s college graduation we both got a chance to examine lots of transactions. With motels, restaurants, and store stops of all kinds, every quality level of service showed up, was experienced. The good, bad, and ugly.

One stop at a BP gas station caused a young lady to trot out to the self serve pumps in the middle of no where in Kansas.

Handing out BP hand sanitizers, nickel discount per gallon of gas cards if you signed up for plastic. With a magnetic strip to add to the wallet collection I sit on. Ah, no thanks. In the small C Store, another young lad’s full time job was meet, greet and try a second time to hand out a sanitizer, credit card application and again no thanks. Need a black coffee, a little snack and back on the black, broken white line highway for this pair from Maine.

But before the cup of Joe, the tidbit wrapped in plastic, high time to hit the little boys room. Which was also the little girls room, one at a time use please. Whoa, got my attention. The by far dirtiest, grossest and not so sweet smelling pit stop spot. Luckily I have had all my shots, still have tonsils, a spleen, other infection fighters on board.

But wonder, why not take one of the hand santiser distributors on two feet to tackle the bathroom facilities with a scrub brush, bucket?

Then think back about a Maine Irving gas outlet and a clipboard hanging on the door. Showing hourly clean up details, a time and signature of the employee who is responsible. Reprimanded for slacking or patted on the back for doing his job. Who’s mission is to make the place to sparkle shine, odorless, spotless. Clean and fresh. To give a comfortable, safe feeling to a weary road warrior traveler who stumbles in, races out.

Thank you, said with eye contact, smile and really meaning it at some motels. Others, the desk clerk does not make the eye to eye, could not appear more bored or mad or alternating between both. And feeling like an interruption, a nuisance, pain in the keester to the guy or gal standing on the other side of the service counter. That somehow the guy before me, myself and person behind me is making their job harder by showing up when we all did. Disturbing them and feeling like somehow er are all putting them out when just retrieving a reservation. Needing a shove, simple index finger point in the direction of my room and we’ll be out of your hair Mr Dale Carnegie – NOT.

In business, the tone of the phone call I use, the attitude of the approach when someone enters the office with a problem is everything.

And sensitivity to what is the expectation, situation I can help the buyer or seller of Maine real estate with always on my mind. Has to be or in the wrong business. Not going to keep the doors open long if anyone we are lucky enough to help buy or sell gets the cold shoulder.

So much of quality customer service means manners, willingness to work to meet the needs of others needing help. I am glad I was raised in Maine, taught skills to last a life time by parents who my appreciation for grows daily. Long after they have stopped the training. Left the Earth.

Maine, we keep it simple, life is spent mostly outdoors all four seasons. Come get lost, found by dissolving in Vacationland.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com