Making a Move?

If you're considering making a move, you've probably already searched the Internet to see what's available.


According to the 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, nine out of ten buyers use the Internet as one of the information sources in their home search process.

Here are just a few of the leading-edge techniques and strategies I provide to make your home buying and home selling process as seamless and rewarding for you as possible:

A free e-mail service that sends out daily alerts about new home listings that meet your unique needs.

Detailed Maine neighborhood information, including school ratings, home values and crime statistics, proving you insight into your next neighborhood, or the value of your current home!

Through the Keller Williams Listing System, my listings are automatically syndicated to the largest real estate search Websites--making your home impossible to miss!

If you or someone you know is considering making a move, I would be happy to help! Call or visit my Website johnhatcher.us to see if I might be the right agent to help you in your next real estate decision.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

How to manage holiday stress and enjoy the season

As if the daily stressors of work, family, and heavy traffic don’t already merit establishing healthy coping mechanisms, the holidays have arrived. Couple extensive party preparations with runny noses and winter storms, and you have the perfect recipe for a stressful season. Unlike other forms of stress, the type that accompanies the holidays is completely expected and even dreaded by some. Avoid being caught in a hurricane of anxiety and approach the next couple of months with practical and positive enthusiasm.

Stay HealthyPrioritize, Simplify, and Balance


Our bodies are often put on the back burner when there is so much to accomplish; however, for the presence of mind and energy to complete your to-do list, make sleep, eating well, and regular exercise a priority. A full night of shut-eye will keep your body and mind more alert and less susceptible to holiday stress attacks. Rich food, desserts, and alcohol are staples of most holiday festivities, and while a bit of indulgence is expected, remember that these party foods can leave you feeling sluggish. So be aware of your intake, practice mindful eating, and keep consuming energy-boosting foods. At the same time, maintain your regular workout routine for surges of endorphins. Don’t push your body too hard, though. Retrieving a heavy box of decorations from the attic isn’t worth an injury that could sideline you for the holiday season.
 



With countless social events, school performances, your own family celebrations, and pressure to make lasting memories, having fun can turn into a chore. To curb an excess of stress, learn to simplify your commitments, traditions, and expectations. Identify the most important activities for you and your family and eliminate the extras. It is OK to veer from tradition if it means making the season more enjoyable. For example, if holiday crafting is important, choose one project and give that as a gift. Strike a social balance with friends and family and avoid spending too much time alone or with too many people. In general, think of ways to simplify the holidays; if you’re buying gifts, purchase everything from the same store. Don’t spend a week window-shopping at the mall—that sort of experience is bound to cause stress for even the calmest creatures.
Read more tips here: http://article.yourhomeandlifestyle.com/pages/article/YHL_NOV_11_04/18979/index.html
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Urban Condo with a New Price!

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Retire Here, Not There

by Catey Hill, Sunday, November 20, 2011, provided by Smart Money http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retirement/article/113765/underrated-retirement-havens-smartmoney?mod=fidelity-livingretirement&cat=fidelity_2010_living_in_retirement

Portland, Maine


Northampton, Mass., lands at the top many "best places to retire" lists. And for good reason: It's a scenic, mountain town with lots of Berkshire culture. It's also home to Smith College and close to four other name schools. But the charm comes at a price — it costs nearly 20% more than average city to live there.

Head about 200 miles north and you'll hit Portland, Maine, where the culture and natural beauty rivals Northampton thanks to miles of coastline, the popular fishing area of Sebago Lake, which is only a short drive from the city, and a smattering of islands around the coast. "Portland is known for its natural beauty," says travel blogger Lee Abbamonte.

Foodies also take note: Bon Appetit recently rated the city as one of the top small towns in America, due in part to some notable chefs. Hugo's, for example, is run by French Laundry chef Rob Evans and the chef at Fore Street is a James Beard Foundation Award winner, one of the most prestigious culinary awards.

Portland offers all this and incredible values. Homes here are about 44% less expensive than in Northampton — and right around the median price for a home nationwide. Unemployment is well below the national average, with many big employers such as Maine Medical Center, the largest hospital in the state, TD Bank and, of course, clothing company L.L. Bean. With its steady population growth and relatively low commercial real estate costs, Portland often and deservedly ranks as one of the best places to start a small business.

Medical and travel information: There are two major hospitals in the Portland area. A major airport offers flights to most U.S. cities.

Portland, ME
Cost of living compared to national average 10% higher
State tax rate 2% - 8.5%
Median home sales price $179,500
Unemployment rate* 5.2% 5.3%
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Local Spotlight: West End Restaurants - Caiolas

Nestled into Portland’s Historical West End, Caiola’s is truly a great Portland neighborhood restaurant. The dining room features antique lighting fixtures, and lots of atmosphere. The food is fantstic - it's fine dinging  American food. Try it! Support local places, not chains...

http://caiolas.com/

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

10 ways to winterize your home

10 ways to winterize your home


Don't forget about exterior grading, indoor air quality
By Paul BianchinaInm an News™

Fall is in the air already, which means that another chilly winter can't be too far behind. So before the cold weather arrives, here's your annual checklist of things to do to get your home ready for the change of season.

Inside your home

Check smoke detectors: Don't neglect that smoke detector any longer! Take some time right now to check the operation of detectors, and to change the batteries. If you have an older house with a limited number of smoke detectors, install additional ones at each sleeping room, and make sure there is one centrally located on each level of the home as well.

Install a carbon monoxide detector: As houses get closed up for winter, the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning gas appliances increases substantially. If you have a furnace, fireplace, water heater, or other appliance that's fueled by propane or natural gas, or if you have an attached garage, install a carbon monoxide detector. They're available inexpensively from many home centers and other retailers, and offer easy, plug-in installation.

Service your heating system: Perform a complete system check of your furnace annually, either by yourself or by a trained furnace technician. Check for worn belts, lubrication needs or other servicing that might be required; refer to your owner's manual for specific suggestions, and follow any manufacturer safety instructions for shutting the power and fuel to the furnace before servicing. Check the condition of duct joints and insulation, and of course, change the filter.

Upgrade your thermostat: An older thermostat that's a couple of degrees off can result in a lot of wasted energy, and so can forgetting to set the thermostat down at night. You can take care of both of those problems with an upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are digital and typically very accurate, and they allow for easy, set-and-forget programming of temperatures for different times of the day, including energy-saving nighttime and workday setbacks.


Outside your home

Trim trees: Trees that are overhanging your home can be a real hazard. They can deposit debris on your roof, scrape against shingles during wind storms, and, worst of all, snap off with potentially devastating results. Have a professional tree trimming service inspect the condition of overhanging tree limbs, and safely cut them back as needed.

Check the gutters: Clear the gutters of leaf and pine needle debris, and check that the opening between the gutter and the downspout is unobstructed. Look for loose joints or other structural problems with the system, and repair them as needed using pop rivets. Use a gutter sealant to seal any connections where leaks may be occurring.

Break out the caulk: A few hours and few tubes of caulking can make a big difference in both your heating bills and your comfort levels this winter. Caulk around windows, doors, pipes, exterior electrical outlets, and any other exterior penetrations where cold air might enter. Use a good grade of acrylic latex caulk, either in a paintable white or, if you don't want to paint, use clear.

Drain sprinkler systems: In colder areas, now is the time to be thinking about having your sprinkler and irrigation systems blown out. You can rent a compressor and do this yourself, or contact a landscape or irrigation system installer and have them handle this for you. This is also the time to shut off outdoor faucets and install freeze-proof faucet covers as needed.

Adjust exterior grade: Fall is also a great time to look at the grade around your home, and make sure that everything slopes away from your foundation to avoid costly problems with ground water. Add, remove or adjust soil grades as necessary for good drainage.

Change light timers: If you have exterior lights that are controlled by timers, including low-voltage ones, check the timer settings. Change the "on" times to an earlier hour to reflect the earlier winter darkness, so that you always have adequate outside light available.
 
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

First Home Program & Operation New Home

The Maine State Housing Authority has decreased their interest rates!
 Effective November 1, 2011,  To view more info go to: http://www.mainehousing.org/Charts/current-interest-rates

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Scarborough Condo for Sale

Townhouse style condo, 15 min. to Portland, 10 min. to beaches, near shopping & airport. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen & 1/2 bath on 1st floor. Large master bedroom & 2nd bedroom on 2nd floor. Full basement!
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

West End 2 Family Listing

West End 2 family offering 2 townhouse style units with seperate heat & electric. Exterior well maintained, owners unit offers large private court yard & garden.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Maine Beer Week Nov 10-17

Remind yourself how lucky you are to have so many amazing Maine beers to choose from! New this fall is Maine Beer Week, the celebration of craft beer and good food.
Reserve a seat at the table

Maine Beer Week features pairing dinners by the culinary teams at David's, David's 388, Farmer's Table, Sea Glass Inn by the Sea, Back Street Bistro, and Pairings at Penobscot Bay Brewery. Check out each of the dinners and the schedule here: http://enews.gbritt.com/q/8H4Yq_TaeUplaXjtxvwqTBDN5VaGIIJXmGWEl0yPPudo_KZGcFtbI561y

Up the coast, Solo Bistro, Lily Bistro, Le Garage, 40 Paper, Newcastle Publick House, Lilee's Public House and others will be celebrating. The same is true of bars and restaurants in Saco, Lewiston, Bangor, Kennebunk and Portland. Check out the roster of participating bars and restaurants here.

Maine Beer Week is the celebration of craft beer and good food. Dates are Thursday, November 10 to November 17. Details are online at mainebeerweek.com and at facebook.com/mainebeerweek

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Join us for the First Friday Art Walk Nov 4th

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us

Are you supporting local artists this season?

The Center for Maine Craft is now offering the work of local Maine craft artists at the Maine Mall. These beautiful products are perfect for the holidays and I invite you to come shop!


Support local economy: We carry handmade fine craft and products from artists and small businesses throughout the state including: Baskets, Ceramics, Jewelry, Specialty foods, Cards, Prints, Books, Furniture, Wood, Glass, Wearables, Fiber, Stone, Metal, Children's Toys, Photography and much more!

The Center for Maine Craft is conveniently located immediately inside the Food Court entrance and open all regular and extended Maine Mall hours.

John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us