August 21, 2025

SALES AND VALUES UP IN JULY:

In a press release to the media today, Maine home sales increased 5.02% comparing July 2025 to July 2024. The median sales price (MSP) was $419,950, a 5.25% increase in that same time period but a decrease from June’s historic high of $425,000. NAR reports that existing home sales and prices were up nationally and in the northeast comparing July 2025 to July 2024. Read the full release here.

MAR CONVENTION REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Save the dates! Team Maine – Achieve Together (the MAR Convention) will be an in-person only event October 7-9 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. Less than 90 full registration slots remain available. You can view the preliminary convention schedule, registration details and deadlines here

REASONS TO ATTEND:

Earn up to 15 hours of Maine continuing education credits including national educator Kimberly Allard, attend the MAR Annual meeting and trade show, get hands-on training with FlexMLS and Maine Listings’ suite of products, celebrate our 2026 officers and local Board REALTORS® of the Year, and network with your colleagues and industry partners!

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS:  

Confirmations for registrants who received a hotel room in the Holiday Inn By the Bay room block were sent via email on August 20 (email from bonnie@mainerealtors.com). Registrants who did not request a hotel room will receive convention confirmations on August 21 via email from Bonnie.    

HOTEL ROOM BLOCK UPDATE:

The initial hotel room block at Holiday Inn By the Bay is sold out, however, we have a hotel room wait list and are working to secure additional rooms at the block rate (reduced cost) based on availability. All Holiday Inn By the Bay hotel rooms for the MAR Convention room block rate are distributed through the registration process.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS!

Only a few exhibit spaces left!. Thank you to our convention sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners! Contact Tanya for exhibit and sponsorship opportunities. 

SHOUT OUT TO THESE EARLY CONVENTION SPONSORS!

Join the list for maximum exposure!

Gold:

-Aerus – ASB Enterprises

-Great East Title

-Treworgy & Baldacci

Silver:

-CMG Home Loans

-Gateway Title of Maine

-Tides to Pines Vacation Rentals

Bronze:

-Maine Community Bank

HOW TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT TO BE MAILED TO YOU: 

Ballots for Maine’s November 4 Referendum Election become available 30 days prior to the election but can be requested now. To learn about absentee voting and electronically request your own ballot to be mailed to you in advance of the November 4 Election, click here. Learn more about absentee voting here

NOVEMBER 4 REFERENDUM ELECTION:

Learn more about what’s on the November 4 ballot

ARE YOU INVESTIGATING ALL LEADS?

Use your Forewarn app (a NO-COST member benefit provided by Maine Listings).

--Conduct a reverse lookup of the telephone number in FOREWARN and if it comes back with anything other than the expected person – investigate further. 

--Conduct a reverse name search in FOREWARN and call the number(s) provided to confirm the person’s identity and whether they did indeed contact you to list the property. 

In addition, you should verify information about the listing property and owner with the town/municipal tax records and the registry of deeds. 

For prospective sellers who are not physically located near you/the property, ask them to Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime with you for a first meeting – and ask them to show their identification on the screen. While scammers may also have fraudulent identification, they are likely to be unwilling to show their face on a screen. If they’re unwilling, likely a red flag. It is not enough to receive identification via email since scammers are using fake passports and/or drivers licenses.

Recently we have been notified that 99 Eastside Trail in Oakland is NOT for sale by its lawful owners.

SEPTEMBER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:

LUNCH AND LEARN SEPTEMBER 3:

FEDERAL TAX UPDATE:

MAR is pleased to be joined by NAR’s Director of Tax Policy, Evan Liddiard, CPA alongside Ryan Rusbuldt, Director of Government Advocacy and Operations on September 3 from noon – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Evan and Ryan will provide a comprehensive analysis of H.R. 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This wide-reaching federal legislation includes several important tax provisions impacting real estate professional and real estate transactions. Register via the button below.

PLANNING & ZONING: ADVOCATING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE Less than 10 spots left!

DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025

LOCATION: Augusta Armory, Augusta (Western Avenue)

TIME: 8:30am Registration; Course 9am - 5pm (includes morning coffee & lunch)

COST: $25/person (approved by the MREC for 6 hours of Maine CE credits)

Instructor & Course Sponsor: EJ Demers of Real Estate Institute of New England

Approved by the Maine Real Estate Commission for 6 hours of continuing education credit and also fulfills NAR’s ABR designation elective requirements for current or future ABR designees for a period of 3 years. To learn more and register:

LUNCH AND LEARN SEPTEMBER 22: INSURANCE UPDATES AND EMERGING TRENDS

On September 22 from noon – 1:00 p.m., Cale Pickford, Compass Group Director at Allen Insurance and Financial, joins Maine REALTORS® via Zoom to provide an update on essential insurance industry happenings and what lies on the horizon as it relates to real estate. He will provide insight into what emerging issues to prepare for and how you can best support your clients for the future Register via the button below.

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