Guide to buying a rural home in Maine
Maine is actually a pretty affordable place to live in. Statistically, this is one of the safest places to live in the whole of the US. Actually, each year the state ranks in the bottom five in the terms of crime rates according to the FBI. Rural land in Maine is quite affordable compared to some of the more popular areas. If you graduated from any college or university from 2016 on, Maine can offer you some moving opportunities. What they are offering is a tax credit depending on your degree type. So, buying a rural home in Maine can be a great opportunity.
Living in Maine
If you are thinking about buying a rural home in Maine, there are a few things to know before you decide. This is not a pro and con list
just some basic info about Maine. The winters can be very cold but cold spells are rarely prolonged. The coldest month is January, the daily temperatures are below freezing usually. The most beautiful city in Maine is Kennebunkport. It’s just a five-hour drive up the coast from Manhattan. The safest city is Cumberland, two years in a row now. This is a very popular destination for seniors to retire and for a good reason too. Another thing, Maine has some beautiful beaches that are great for either swimming or surfing. There is a lot to do in Maine. But be careful, taxes in Maine are high so do some research.
Rural home in Maine
Rural real estate means real estate located outside of a city, town, village. So rural home means that it’s located outside of town, city, etc. It doesn’t need to be in the middle of nowhere where there are no people around. It just means there are less than 10,000 people nearby. So don’t worry you won’t be alone.
Building your own rural home in Maine
A way to own a home in Maine can be achieved on a less than substantial budget. It might take some time. But you will learn another life skill – you will learn how to build a house that’s cheaper than you can buy finished. Contact the local building code enforcement officer at your municipal office so you can get all the required building permits for your house that you will be needing. Since the land is quite cheap this can be a great option. But beware this can take time and lots of it, also a lot of your energy so if you are not up to in look into already finished houses that are on the market already. Surely you will be able to find a charming one that suits you just fine.
Buying a rural home in Maine
A piece of good news, the mortgage ratings are low. The best time of year to purchase property throughout the country is winter, or so the real estate agents say. Buyers are sparse and homeowners are willing to reduce home prices during cold months. Even though the overall cost of living in Maine is on the high side, housing is quite affordable. Homes sell for around $190,000 on average, which is nearly $30,000 less than the US median so this is another piece of good news. Make sure to find a lawyer to help you out before buying a house, to make sure all the paperwork is in order. This is not something easily done. Actually, if you want to be on the safe side, you can also hire a real estate agent to help you out in your quest of finding a nice home and to make sure that the price is right.
Fixer-upper or renovated
Another thing to consider while buying a home in Maine. Do you want to buy some fixer-upper and do the renovations on your own? Or do you want an already finished and furnished home you can move in right away? There are pros and cons to both versions so, it’s all up to you and what works best for you and your family. Renovating a house can take some time. Especially if you are starting the work during winter but the pros are that you can get a better price and do everything according to your taste. Buying an already finished house can be more expensive but hassle-free.
Moving to your rural home in Maine
When you find your perfect home, the next obvious step will be relocation. This is the boring part due to all the packing and planning. Also unpacking is dull but there are people that can help you out with this task and make this relocation hassle-free. You guessed it, it’s the local movers. If you find good ones, they will make this whole process easy and quick. If you are unsure where to find good local movers, browse verifiedmovers.com.
How they can be of help?
Let experts handle the transfer, since you will be doing so much on your own, they can help with your long-distance relocation. But the heavy lifting is not all they can offer. Usually, movers can offer a variety of additional services like packing, unpacking, storage, senior relocation, etc. So, look at that while you are looking for the best ones for you.
Good luck
Make sure to stay safe on your moving day. Leave the heavy lifting to professionals, they know how to do it best. You focus on your new upcoming adventure. Don’t worry if adaptation takes some time, this is pretty common especially if you are coming from a big city. Changing lifestyle is never easy but it can be very good and healthy for you. Hopefully, you will adapt in no time and start exploring Maine and everything that your neighborhood can offer
In more rural regions west and north, brokers can assist in narrowing your focus before you visit homes. The most common mistake buyers make is underestimating the size of Maine’s regions.