Articles Tagged "Buying a Home"

5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies of 2021
BY MAYRA PARIS ,  JOAN PABÓN AND JOSÉ OMAR RODRÍGUEZ
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 24, 2021 5:17 AM ET | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 18, 2021

"It doesn't matter if you're a first time home buyer or already have a home, making a decision on having homeowners insurance policy may save you money in case something happens in the future.
And because not all options are created equal, Money.com has an in-depth article on the best Home Insurance companies in the market.
This includes insights into how they work even now during COVID-19 and some scenarios that a policy can or can't cover."

Click here to read the article.

There's a mystique about Maine that those of us "from away" are intrigued by. It's beautiful, and it's located way up there by Canada, with open spaces and a small population. Many newcomers find Maine, and especially Augusta, the capital city, a great place to live, especially if you're looking for a family-friendly city with lots of other bonuses.

While you're pondering Augusta's fine points, you might want to go online and take a virtual tour of some exceptional Augusta homes for sale. Be sure to contact our REALTORS® and let us help you find the right home for you and your family.

Being family-friendly is just one of the great things about Augusta. Here are some others.

1. Public Institutions
   Augusta has many public institutions that help to enrich local culture while also furthering education beyond the high school level. There's the University of Maine, which not only educates but promotes valuable research by faculty and students. Other resources are the Lithgow Library, the Children's Discovery Museum, and the Maine State Museum. 
   
   
2. Location
   Augusta is located in central Maine, conveniently near Portland to the south and Bangor to the north. It's an easy drive to the woods to the west or to the coast to the east. Feel like venturing to Canada? Augusta is not far away.
   
   
3. Affordability
   The cost of living in Augusta is very affordable, with a median home price of $142,500 and relatively low property taxes. Recent studies show Augusta's cost of living is 18.5 percent lower than the rest of the country. Recently, the University of Maine architecture students joined in a project to design more affordable housing for Maine.
   
   
4. Jobs
   Augusta has an unemployment rate of 3 percent. There are jobs available locally, including state jobs, since Augusta is the capital city. Healthcare jobs are also prevalent, as are jobs in the service industry. The median income is $38,263.
   
   

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If you want a home filled with charm and lush with history, Maine has plenty of options for you. Historic homes do have a few needs that you may not face a more modern home. Before you start looking at Augusta homes for sale, here are a few things to consider when looking at antique homes in the area. 

1. The Condition of the Home
   Since these homes are on the older side, they often require repairs to modernize the basic components (like the roof, septic tank, electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating system). These repairs can add up! Make sure to have a home inspection so that you understand the true, current condition of the home and know what items will require replacement in the future. 
2. Your Ability to Obtain Financing
   If you need to finance your purchase of a historical home, know that it's harder to secure a loan for a property that requires a lot of repairs. Check out home loans that are specifically designed for properties that need a lot of renovations. These loan programs allow you to roll some of the costs of the home's renovation into your mortgage.

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