GROWING VEGETABLES ON MY LAND

July 29th, 2010

Granted one does not need 78 acres to grow a vegetable garden; it is, however, an important use of my land.  We actually have 5 separate garden spots; there is the main garden which is approximately 70’ x 25’, a smaller 20’ x 6’ strip, a 10’ x 10’ winter squash garden and two 4’ x 8’ raised beds.  

 We grow a variety of produce which yields fresh veggies from early May to late October.  We start by planting one of the raised beds as early as possible with leaf lettuce, bibb lettuce, radishes, spinach, spring onions, Chinese cabbage and bok choy.  This bed can be covered to protect from frost and heavy rains.  We are eating from this spot first along with the perennial asparagus growing in part of the strip garden.  The other raised bed has dill and walking onions.  There is also additional space in the second raised bed to transplant lettuce, etc. from the first bed.

 The other gardens are planted, weather permitting, by the first week of June.  The main garden has edible pod peas, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, pole beans, bush beans, carrots, red beets, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.  The strip garden has summer squash, cauliflower, hot & sweet peppers.  There are 4 varieties of winter squash growing in their separate spot.

 We may also grow several varieties of each vegetable, for instance, there are three kinds of onions, two kinds of carrots, two kinds of potatoes etc.  We freeze, can, pickle, ferment and dehydrate our surplus veggies to carry us through until the next growing season.  Of course we are eating fresh produce as each comes into season.  Nothing like taking a stroll through the garden, picking what is ready and concocting a meal.  At this time of year (mid-summer) the possibilities are endless.  

 Even with all the preserving and eating, we still have extras.  This I give away to friends and family.  I know some people who sell the excess and make a little pocket change.  Others intentionally plant more than they can use in order to supplement their income. 

 Gardening is yet another viable use of MY LAND.

MAINE RIVERFRONT

July 22nd, 2010

The phones are ringing on these exceptional properties on the Mattawamkeag River in Haynesville, Maine.  We have four properties all 5 acres or more.  There are two on the East Branch and 2 on the West Branch.  River footage is in excess of 250’.  There is 3 season road access to each.

 These lots make a great getaway for camping, boating and fishing.  You can even build a recreational cabin.  The area is remote and out of the way.  Bring plenty of supplies because the nearest store is nearly 1 hour away.

 They are favorably priced in the low $20K price range.  The owner will even provide financing with 20% down.  With the recent interest and their attractive price, I do not anticipate these properties to be on the market for very long.  Call for an appointment.  207-947-7957.

BEAT THE HEAT

July 15th, 2010

Escape to Moosehead Lake where the days are cool and the nights are crisp.  While you are here check out the newly approved lakefront community—BURNT JACKET SHORES AT MOOSEHEAD LAKE in sleepy Beaver Cove, Maine.  We have available a limited number of oversized building sites with generous frontage on Maine’s largest lake. 

 Stop by the open house gazebo and say hi.  An agent will be on-site 10 AM to 2 PM, Saturdays and Sundays for the hot months of July and August.  You can also make an appointment for a personal showing at a time that is more convenient for you.

 We are easy to find.  Take the Lily Bay Road out of Greenville for about 6 miles.  Take a left onto the Burnt Jacket Road just over the Greenville town line.  Follow the signs for approximately one mile to the open house site on the right.   

 We have brochures and maps.  All properties have trails to the lake, so bring along a good pair of walking shoes should you want a guided tour. 

 Got some time coming to you?  Take a ride to Moosehead and cool off naturally.  Hope to see you this summer.

NEW LAND PICTURES

June 24th, 2010

Just updated the 198 acre Cornville, Maine property on our website.  Check it out at www.wildernessrealty.com for the new pics.  Nice summer shots with lots of greenery & scenery. 

 The Seller just finished making some really nice improvements to the land.  There is now nearly two miles of walking/ATV/snowmobile trail.  One trail bisects the property another winds its way to Devil’s Bog itself.

 One of the old fields has been reclaimed; stumps and woody debris have been removed from this site.  One quick mowing and this area will be growing grass in no time.  Another area at the end of the access road was also stumped and recently seeded.  The deer will be feeding here later this summer. 

 If you are looking for a large, out of the way land tract yet just minutes from town, this may be your answer.  Great investment with much opportunity.  Call for private showing!

MY LAND FOR HUNTING

June 11th, 2010

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, my property has frontage on the Penobscot River.  The river is very wide (1000’) and dotted with numerous islands; some are over 100 acres.  My land is separated by an approximately 100’ channel from one of the larger islands.  My land ends just downstream from the southern tip of the island.  This is where my duck blind is located.

 This is a good location for pass shooting at wood ducks.  I get quality shots at ducks flying into the channel as well as those flying by the point.  I have a commanding view of the main stem of the river.

 I can ride my ATV from my house to my blind.  What a comfy setup; roll out of bed onto my 4-wheeler and I am hunting in about 10 minutes.  Life is grand!

 Many of our listings have similar attributes.  It just takes a little time to get to know the property and its many intricacies.  Please visit our website from time to time for new listings.  If you see something that looks interesting, give us a shout.  We know our properties well and would like nothing more than to tell you about them.

NEW LISTINGS!

May 28th, 2010

Check out our new listings in Solon on our website www.wildernessrealty.com

 There is the 80 acres with private road access.  This property is a combination of hillside and flat terrain.  There is a beaver pond on the north portion.  Quiet location and wooded landscape makes this property a great place for hunting cabin or private homestead.

 The 108 acres has all the attributes of the 80 acres plus there is a beautiful mountain stream, two ponds and it has frontage on a groomed snowmobile trail.  The 108 acres lies directly across the access road from the 80 acre parcel.  Combine both for a large tract of land in a very private setting.

BURNT JACKET SHORES AT MOOSEHEAD LAKE

May 5th, 2010

Seven more lots have been approved in this lakeside community.  There are 4 shorefront properties and 3 woodland parcels.  All 7 properties are accessed by their own private road called Otter Slide Lane.  This group of lots is connected to a private beach, a common green, a picnic area/playground and the other properties via a walking/biking trail.  The beach can also be reached by a gated roadway.

To find out more about this exclusive development, contact a broker at Wilderness Realty, 207-947-7957 or visit the website www.burntjacket.com.

MOOSEHEAD LAKE ICE OUT

April 28th, 2010

The newly approved Burnt Jacket Shores at Moosehead Lake experienced its first ice out on Maine’s biggest lake which was on tax day, 2010.  This was the second earliest since records have been kept dating back to the 1800’s.  It missed tying the record by one day.

 This early ice out on Moosehead coincides with the early spring that we have been experiencing in Maine.  Winter really lost its grip here in early February and the weather has been the nicest in years.

 Because of this, Wilderness Realty is excited about the long season and beautiful weather to promote this unique lakeside community.  We are in the preliminary stages of planning an open house or two.  The roads and trails are all constructed, the snow is melted and brokers are now taking appointments for those who plan to be in the area or may have scheduling conflicts with the open house dates.

 In addition, if you would like to be on our mailing list and receive special notices, kindly contact us by phone (207-947-7957) or e-mail (matt@wildernessrealty.com).

 This should give folks plenty of time to plan a visit.  Hope to see you this year!

BUSH TAX CUTS EXPIRE

April 12th, 2010

George W. Bush’s tax cuts implemented in 2003 are set to expire at the end of this year.  President Obama has indicated that he will let them expire and not extend them. 

 One aspect of Bush’s plan is the long term capital gains tax which was lowered to 15%.  At the end of this year this rate will increase to 20%.

 What does this mean for land prices?  Most likely sellers will recoup this tax increase by passing it along to buyers in the sales price.  It is expected that land prices next year could be at least 5% more than they are currently.   

 This can be a tempting time for those who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for something to happen.  That “something” can very well be higher prices next year. 

 Wilderness Realty has an inventory of prime Maine land properties ready for sale.  Call today and make an appointment for a showing, 207-947-7957.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY?!

April 1st, 2010

Some points to ponder regarding the economy:

  • The market is up 75% on average one year since the stock market lows of March, 2009.  The DOW  is poised to break 11,000 for the first time since the end of September, 2008.

 

  • Personal spending is up for the 5th straight month.

 

  • Manufacturing is growing faster than expected.

 

  • Home values are increasing.

 

  • Consumer confidence increased in March.

 

  • Foreign markets are on the rise too, especially in Europe and China.

 

 This is all good news.  Does this mean that demand for land is on the rise?  From our experience, phone calls are up over 100% in March when compared to February and January of this year.

 Couple this with some of the most unbelievably favorable weather in central Maine this year.  We escaped the big snowstorms that socked southern New England and the mid Atlantic.  Temperatures have been mild since early February.  Most lakes shed their ice last week, a phenomenon that rarely occurs before April 1st.  Even though we did get some heavy rain in the past two weeks, it was far less than southern Maine and points further south.

 The bottom line is our snow is gone, grass is starting to green and we have incredibly warm temperatures.  We have not seen this kind of weather pattern for 30+ years.

 This is the perfect time to look at land.  Prices are low and interest is increasing.  If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for improvement, now is a good time to look around.

 Brokers at Wilderness Realty are available weekdays and weekends to show property.  Give us a call and make an appointment, 207-947-7957.