Marie’s Residential Report

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GREATER PORTLAND REAL ESTATE TRENDS: CURRENT, EMERGING, …AND DEPARTING

FROM THE DESK OF MARIE FLAHERTY

EMERGING Trend: Suburban Swank over City Hustle

City or suburb?

It’s one of the first questions I ask of new house hunters. Immediate lifestyle and long-term plans play a role in how they answer, with resale value often top of mind as well.

For people on the fence, this Wall Street Journal article from last month makes the point that while raw census data shows an overall preference for urban homes, a suburban location is the most coveted spot for current and future Generation Y home buyers.

Community and neighborhood trends will always be closely watched, and the fact is, suburbs are thriving markets for future buyers.

Suburbs can be overlooked when city living is trendy, and certain suburbs can be overlooked in general… but smart buyers are seeking them out.

Let’s talk about Saco.

Just far enough away from Portland to get overlooked sometimes, Saco is a suburb with a lot  to offer.

The mid-sized coastal city on Casco Bay has a population that values its independence from nearby cities and towns, think: private neighborhoods, unoccupied nearby beaches, highly rated restaurants with no wait, local art galleries and coffee shops, a twice weekly farmers market, state parks and clean playgrounds.

A haven from the busy suburbs directly adjacent to the larger cities in New England, it’s earned  national awards for quality of life. Saco’s own Thornton Academy offers a top-rated private and diverse preparatory school experience to students in grades 6 through 12; and for Saco residents, tuition is free.

And for the grown-ups, there’s the nearby Saco Museum, which owns a rare collection of John Brewster Jr. portraits. These early 19th-century paintings of elite Maine society are a reflection of the Saco community — beautiful intricate images that underscore an idealized vision of the environment and land.

It’s a vision I experience each time I step onto the property of my listing at 12 Plymouth Drive.

Allow me to show you what I mean…

Convenience. Privacy. Panache. Go ahead, you can have all three.

12 Plymouth Drive is a gorgeous piece of real estate in a setting that allows for an easy commute to all the most popular local destinations: 30 minutes to Portland, 90 minutes to Boston, and a four-minute walk to the beach.

The location allows you to trade the sounds of the city for the ocean waves, and exchange the hassle of urban traffic jams for the scenic network of local trails that abut the property.

Enclosed by mature hardwood and evergreen forests opening up beside Ferry Beach State Park and other nature preserves, it’s a sanctuary for anyone looking to get the most out of their suburban investment.

Room to roam, inside and out.

The home is laid out well to accommodate a crowd– six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and over 6,000 square feet spread out across two main levels, plus a finished basement.

Imagine reclining on the deck while looking at the stars, enjoying the fresh sea breezes through the home’s many windows, warming up next to one of the four fireplaces, and spending time in the professionally appointed kitchen.

Private entertaining will come easily with a full built-in bar, ample natural light, lots of indoor and outdoor open spaces, as well as built-in comforts like window seats, intricate stonework, and contemporary fixtures. Take comfort in the chic yet classic features for decades to come, while settling into the peace that a home of this caliber has to offer.

If you’re ready to trade the hustle of the city for fresh air and privacy by the beach, call me for a private showing. And if you’re somewhere between the planning, saving, and daydreaming stages, check out the gallery on the 12 Plymouth listing page and plan away.

Either way, I hope to connect soon.

Sincerely,

Marie