As social distancing is becoming a regular and necessary practice during these times, we are recommending that people do not attend open houses or go to in-person showings. Although Real Estate brokerage has been deemed an essential service at the…
Author: Kevin Murphy
My brother Jack and I co-own The Real Estate Store. I grew up and live in Scarborough, ME. I became a real estate broker in 2005, but Real Estate is a family business for us. We are second generation Real Estate Brokers. My experience working with apartments and with residential construction has given me insight into cost-aware construction and green construction and design.
Setting Up a Temporary Work-From-Home Space
In recent days, many people are finding themselves working from home. Remote work allows for ease of flexibility as many workplaces are asking employees to work from home during this crisis. However, people who have never worked from home before…
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: home office, social distancing, time management, work-from-home
Affordability in Home Ownership
For someone who wants to stop renting and start owning a home, the goal may feel like steep climb. With housing prices and rent rising, it can be hard to imagine making a large purchase such as a home. However,…
Posted in For Buyers Tagged with: affordability, budget, credit, credit history, credit reporting, home buying, mortgage, types of mortgage
Maine Homeowners: Check your Mailbox in Early 2020!
Are you a homeowner in the state of Maine? You may be seeing a $100 check early next year! The Property Tax Relief Fund (https://www.maine.gov/treasurer/property_tax_relief/) in Maine is planning to distribute excess funds to households that qualified for the homestead…
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: $100, homeowner, homeowners, homestead exemption, maine, property tax relief fund
Why Should You Have Pre-Inspection
When it comes to changing homes, one of the most stressful parts is selling your home. In the process of packing and looking for your new home, a potential buyer may find an issue during the inspection that will throw…
Posted in For Sellers Tagged with: home seller, inspection, negotiation, pre-inspection, real estate, renovation, repairs, seller, selling
Sweat Equity & “Fixer-Uppers”
Buying fixer-uppers and pouring sweat equity into those properties trended almost a decade ago. While there are still plenty of investors who “flip” homes for a profit, buyers are trending toward homes that are move-in ready. As this trend continues, the…
Posted in Uncategorized
Building your Dream Home in Maine
Building a dream home has many benefits! New construction homes are: Tailored to you and your family’s needs Built using new materials that will last longer Need less maintenance and repair in the near future Meet current safety codes and…
Posted in For Buyers Tagged with: architects, builders, buyers, dream home, land, land buying, maine, new construction, new england, winter construction
Recent Tax Re-Evaluation in Scarborough
Have you recently received a letter about the assessed value of your home increasing as a result of the recent re-evaluation? Should you sell your house before it takes effect? Is your house worth more now than it was two…
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: home seller, home value, maine, market value, re-evaluation, scarborough, tax
Sustainable Home Improvements Before Selling
With sustainable home improvements, it’s hard to decide what to do before selling a home. Many home buyers are enticed by the idea of sustainability. Moreover, home improvements that address concerns about energy savings and efficiency can give your home a huge…
Posted in For Sellers, Uncategorized Tagged with: energy efficient, home improvements, lead abatement, lead paint, real estate, return on investment, ROI, sellers, solar panels, sustainability, sustainable
Short-Term Rentals as Investment Properties
Short-term rentals are an up-and-coming way for travelers to stay in places that are not the conventional hotel or resort. For a generation looking for “authentic experiences,” it’s a fun and exciting market to tap into. However, there are many things…
Posted in For Buyers Tagged with: investment, investment property, short-term rentals, travel, vacation
