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Welcome

HOME FABULOUS HOUSE TOURS

KID-FRIENDLY SPACES

GARDEN IDEAS for every age & interest

GETTING THE BEST DEAL

ON YOUR NEW HOME

THE STATE OF MAINE REAL ESTATE Experts weigh in on Maine’s hot markets and trends

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS

2017

Welcome

HOME Publisher RICHARD J. WARREN Senior Editor, Special Sections MATT CHABE Print Sales Manager TODD JOHNSTON Advertising Sales advertising@bangordailynews.com Art Director AMY ALLEN Creative Services Manager MICHELE DWYER Creative Services CORALIE CROSS, BEN CYR, JOCELYN DAVIS, CALLIE PICARD, CAROLINA RAVE Cover Image JOEL HOLCOMB To advertise in our next edition, please call 990-8134 or email advertising@bangordailynews.com. © 2017 Bangor Daily News. All rights reserved.

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renting

When renting can be a SMART DECISION C

onventional wisdom suggests buying a home makes more financial sense than

renting. In many cases, this is true. However, renting is sometimes a smarter approach than buying.

As with any financial decision, all of the options and circumstances need to be weighed before jumping in. Making a major purchase requires doing your homework. The following are some reasons why renting can be more beneficial than buying.

YOU ARE YOUNG. The National Association of Realtors says the typical first-time home buyer is 31-years-old. People who are younger than that and uncertain about their futures should not feel pressured into buying simply because it is presumed to be the “adult” thing to do. Renting and feeling your financial way, which can include seeing how a job pans out or where your budget lies after paying off debts, might make more financial sense than buying.

THE PRICE-TO-RENT RATIO IS TOO HIGH. Buying may seem like a wise idea, but it could be causing you to spend more than necessary, particularly if you check the price-to-rent ratio and find homes in your area are not fairly priced. Figuring a P/R ratio includes finding two similar houses (or condos or apartments) where one is for sale and the other is for rent.

Divide the sale price of the first place by the annual rent for the second. The end result is the P/R ratio. So if a home sells for $300,000, and there is a house around the corner renting for $1,200 a month, divide $300,000 by $14,400 (the annual cost of renting). The ratio would be 20.8. A rent ratio above 20 means the cost of home ownership will exceed the cost of renting. The higher the P/R ratio, the more sense it makes to rent instead of buy.

Subscription!

SURPRISE SOMEONE WITH A

HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE. Some people find themselves being priced out of certain neighborhoods or cities. RealtyTrac recently analyzed median wage and home-price growth between 2012 and 2014, ultimately finding that, while the typical worker’s earnings increased a meager 0.3 percent during the study period, median house prices were up by 17 percent. Wages have not recovered from the Great Recession as quickly as home prices have, and some people may need to rent out of necessity.

YOU DON’T MEET THE BUYING CRITERIA. Don’t buy a home based on market conditions or pressure from others. Instead, buy when you’re financially ready. This means being out of debt; having between three and six months of expenses in an emergency fund; enough cash for a 10 to 20 percent down payment on a fixed mortgage; and when your mortgage payment will be no more than 25 percent of your monthly take-home pay, according to financial expert Dave Ramsay.

2 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

PHOTOS: XENI4KA, GRINVALDS/THINKSTOCK

A MARKET SHORTAGE MAKES IT HARDER TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE HOME. The number of homes available for sale in many areas of the country has fallen below the number that realtors say is required for the market to be in balance. Therefore, even when a home becomes available, demand drives the price up to where it may not be affordable or fiscally smart to purchase. In such instances, renting may be the best option.

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The state of



buying

MOST POPULAR STYLE OF HOME IN 2016

MAINE REAL ESTATE

COLONIALS

Experts weigh in on Maine’s hot markets, home types and trends.

BY JODI HERSEY/SPECIAL TO WELCOME HOME

more people are choosing to plant roots here and call Maine their home.

Statewide, home sales were up nearly 12% last year, according to Maine Listings, a subsidiary of the Maine Association of REALTORS. Cumberland County saw the largest number of home sales in 2016 with 4,252 total units, an increase of 6% from 2015, followed by York County with 3,122 homes sold, and Penobscot County with 1,672 homes.

Angela Levesque, regional sales manager for Better Homes and Gardens in Bangor, said any time home sales increase it’s important to look at the numbers.

“If we are looking at year-over-year [data] and we look at Penobscot County, it says it’s up 20% [from last year],” she said, “but then you look at volume and see the median sales price of $133,000 only went up 2%. So that’s important when you’re talking to homeowners. They’ll see stuff like the national average [of home sales] is up, and we always want to bring it back to local [sales].”

Although the median sales price only increased slightly in Penobscot County, Levesque says home sales in the region have been phenomenal.

“Last year we had a killer winter— and this winter too— because there are people looking all year round. We always tell people, ‘If you get a buyer in the colder months, they’re a serious buyer,’” explained Levesque.

Levesque says most people shopping for a new abode last year were in the market for a three-bedroom home. That’s exactly what Lisa Sturgeon snatched up in her hometown of Brewer in 2015.

“We looked at 32 homes in four months,” said Sturgeon.

“The house we ended up buying was the third house we looked at, and the only one I could envision us raising a family in. It was close to family, I was familiar with the school system, and it was convenient to our work.”

Brewer’s next door neighbor, Bangor, happened to be named one of 2016’s Top 20 Hottest Towns in Maine in 4 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

PENOBSCOT COUNTY

aine may be known as Vacationland, but more and

1,672 HOMES SOLD IN 2016

CUMBERLAND COUNTY 4,252 HOMES SOLD IN 2016

RAISED RANCHES

 LARGEST NUMBER OF HOME SALES IN 2016

YORK COUNTY 3,122 HOMES SOLD IN 2016

PHOTO: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/THINKSTOCK

M

RANCHES

a list compiled by The Rob Edgerley Real Estate Team at Maine Life Real Estate Company. To be considered for the list, municipalities had to have a minimum of 150 house sales last year.

According to the compilation, Bangor ranked number seven due to its emerging role as an event destination, thanks to attractions like the Cross Insurance Center, the Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion concert venue, and Hollywood Casino & Raceway.

As it turns out, all the other towns on the Top 20 Hottest Towns in Maine list are located in central, mid-coast or southern Maine, with the top three being Bath, Biddeford and Auburn.

Levesque is not surprised by those findings since southern Maine saw the largest increase of home sales in 2016.

“Southern Maine is now more of a bedroom community to Boston,” she said.

“Housing is tough down there and with the train you can commute, so people are filtering up through New Hampshire and Maine [to live].”

Colonials, ranches and raised ranches were all popular buys in 2016, according to Levesque, and as such were some of the higher-priced homes in Maine. Over 200 homes sold for over one million dollars. The highest-priced home at time of writing is located in Ogunquit for $12.6 million dollars.

“The whole jam we had in the upper inventory seemed to give way,” said Levesque. “On the coast, some of those higher-priced homes that had been sitting started moving and waterfront had a nice year, too. Even locally, some of the higher-

priced stuff started moving again.”

Because each buyer is as unique as each home, Levesque’s advice is to always meet with a local realtor before placing a “for sale” sign outside your door.

“Talk to your local realtor, because your local realtor will know what’s going on in your market before you decide to paint a room silver and gold or something you saw on HGTV,” she said. “They’ll give you an idea on what it would sell for as-is, what it would sell for if you decluttered, cleaned and repainted, and what you’d get if you did a new bathroom or kitchen.”

“We also tell people if you know you want to sell, don’t wait,” she added. “Put it on the market now, because there’s an inventory shortage so anything that’s priced right is selling right now.” bangordailynews.com • 5

buying

Things to consider

BEFORE BUYING AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY R

eal estate can be an incredibly fruitful investment. Buying a property at the right time can provide investors with a substantial return when they decide to sell, and that opportunity compels many men and women to consider investing in real estate.

While there’s no denying real estate

can yield a great return on buyers’ initial investments, there’s more to making money in real estate than simply buying a property and waiting for its value to rise. Buyers who are thinking of investing in real estate should consider a host of factors before purchasing an investment property.

TAXES

SCHOOLS

LOCATION

Recent sale activity in a given town or neighborhood is something prospective real estate investors should study before buying an investment property.

Would-be real estate investors can explore real estate websites such as Zillow.com for recent sale information, which may also be available through local government agencies. Such data can be invaluable, showing potential investors which neighborhoods are in demand and which may be in decline.

Investment properties are not eligible for as many tax benefits as primary residences. However, landlords can write off repairs, management costs and other fees associated with rental properties. But it’s not just their own tax bill prospective investors should consider before buying an investment property. Many potential buyers down the road may prefer a property in an area where property taxes are relatively low, so even if you can afford the tax on the investment property, you may find buyers are unwilling to assume that burden when you put the property up for sale in the future.

School systems should be examined even if you do not have children.

In a recent Trulia.com survey of American home buyers, 35 percent of respondents with children under age 18 indicated they want to live in great school districts. GreatSchools. org has profiles of 200,000 public, public charter and private preK12 schools. Investors can use the GreatSchools.org search engine to find information about local schools and school systems so they can better position themselves to buy properties in areas that will appeal to buyers down the road.

If you can’t afford to buy in a neighborhood that’s currently hot, that does not necessarily mean you can’t still capitalize on that area’s popularity. When a town becomes popular, its property values rise, and many buyers find themselves just barely priced out. When that happens, the surrounding towns tend to become the next hot neighborhood, as these areas are nearly as close to the attractions that make the initial neighborhood so desirable. Buying on the outskirts of a hot neighborhood can set you up to benefit nicely when that area gets too pricey.

6 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

PHOTO: BRIANAJACKSON/THINKSTOCK

PRICE TRENDS

bangordailynews.com • 7

buying

Getting a

GREAT DEAL Local advice on how to get the best real estate deals possible.

B

PHOTO: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/THINKSTOCK

uying

8 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

BY JOHN HOLYOKE

real estate can be stressful for the most experienced among us; for those who are relatively inexperienced, the practice can be downright terrifying.

If your goal is to make the best possible deal, what should you do? Or, for that matter, what should you avoid? We’ve asked two knowledgeable local sources—broker Mark E. Quinn and title attorney John M. Kirk III, to share some tips that could make a real difference.

Quinn, designated broker at Quinn Agency Real Estate in Bangor, said he’d skip over the most obvious sources of great bargains—foreclosures and short sales—and focus on more traditional transactions.

And as you might guess, his first tip is a time-honored one.

“Location, location, location,” Quinn wrote in an email.

In this case, being willing to move outside the urban center will allow buyers more flexibility and better deals.

“You can purchase a similar-built home for less in an outlying town than in the ‘city,’” Quinn wrote. “Towns with no high school and little infrastructure costs are going to have lower property taxes. Values tend to decrease as you head further out of town.”

In addition, “fixer-uppers” or older homes are often available for lower prices than those that will need less work. The key, according to Quinn: “Buy the cheapest home in the most expensive neighborhood.”

The number of homes on the market also matters.

“Increased inventory means a decrease in price, generally,” Quinn wrote. Another key: days on market. “The longer the home is on the market, the more likely the seller is to negotiate.”

That willingness to negotiate can fluctuate toward the end of months, or at the end of the year, he said.

“The seller is usually more motivated at these times, due to having to make another mortgage payment [or tax or utility payment],” Quinn wrote. “Figuring out the seller’s motivation is helpful. The more motivated the seller is, the more likely they are willing to negotiate. Is the seller relocating out of town/state? [Is the sale a result of] divorce or death? With social media these days, I have heard of buyers looking up sellers to figure out their ‘motivation.’”

Kirk, the vice president and general counsel of Gateway Title of Maine, comes at the equation from a different side.

As a title attorney, he has seen the myriad ways a seemingly good deal can go sour.

“The old adage [holds true],” Kirk said in an email.

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. This is particularly true when looking at the purchase of real estate at far below what would seem the fair market price, or even the value assessed by the municipality.”

Not that Kirk is saying buyers should run away from such opportunities. Instead, he says approaching a potential deal with eyes open and a cautious demeanor can save headaches later on.

“It is still possible to get really good deals on foreclosure properties around Maine,” Kirk wrote. “If you are willing to put in some sweat equity, you can pick up properties in need of some—or a lot of—TLC for a modest price. However, prior to making an offer on one of these properties, make sure to have the title searched by a Maine attorney who is familiar with Maine foreclosure law.”

Kirk’s firm advice: “Never, ever accept the title insurance offered by the seller at no cost on one of these properties; you will be getting exactly the coverage you paid for in most instances.”

Selling

3 tips to

PREPARE TO SELL YOUR HOME A

ccording

to Realtor.com, spring is the busiest and best season to sell a home. While a good home can find a buyer any time of year, homeowners might find the buyers’ pool is strongest in spring and into

A more age-friendly

summer. The reasons for that are many, ranging from parents wanting to move when their children are not in school to buyers wanting to move when the weather is most accommodating.

PLACE TO LIVE

1. ADDRESS THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME.

Community initiatives develop in Bangor and beyond.

I

Winter can be harsh on a home’s exterior, so homeowners who want to sell their homes should make an effort to address anything that might negatively affect their homes’ curb appeal. If it’s in the budget, hire professional landscapers to fix any problematic landscaping or address any issues that arose during the winter. Homeowners with green thumbs can tackle such projects on their own, but hiring professionals is akin to staging inside the home.

n

2. CONQUER INTERIOR CLUTTER.

3. ELIMINATE ODORS.

A home’s inhabitants grow accustomed to odors that might be circulating throughout the house. Pet odor, for instance, might not be as strong to a home’s residents as it is to guests and prospective buyers.

Because windows tend to stay closed throughout the winter, interior odors can be even stronger come latewinter than they are during the rest of the year. A thorough cleaning of the house, including vacuuming and removal of any pet hair that accumulated over the winter, can help to remove odor.

PHOTOS: TAB1962, SOLOVYOVA, VICNT, FEVERPITCHED/THINKSTOCK

Clutter has a way of accumulating over the winter, when people tend to spend more time indoors than they do throughout the rest of the year. Homeowners who want to put their homes on the market in spring won’t have the luxury of waiting until spring to do their “spring” cleaning, so start clearing any clutter out in winter, even resolving to make an effort to prevent its accumulation throughout winter. The Appraisal Institute suggests homeowners clear clutter out of their homes before appraisers visit, and the same approach can be applied to open houses. Buyers, like appraisers, see cluttered homes as less valuable.

COURTESY OF JANE MARGESSON/AARP MAINE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

an age-friendly community, residents benefit from an environment that encourages them to remain active and socially engaged in an enjoyable setting. By adopting features such as safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, and more opportunities for residents to participate in community activities, cities and towns can become great places to live for people of all ages.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, a national initiative, is designed to support the efforts of neighborhoods, towns and cities to adopt these and other age-friendly practices. Well-designed, livable communities promote health and sustain economic growth, making for happier and healthier residents whether young or old.

Last year, it was announced that the city of Bangor had become the 100th community in the United States to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities (NAFC), and the 17th in Maine at that time. Bangor always rates high in studies of livability and best places to retire, and this is another positive step toward making the city an even greater place to live. By joining the NAFC, Bangor became part of a global network of communities engaged in this initiative and Bangor is already serving as a potential model for other Maine cities and towns to follow.

One of the clear strengths of Bangor’s age-friendly work is that organizations, community leaders and local entities are effectively partnering together. After

conducting focus groups and analyzing results from a survey of local residents, the age-friendly team has agreed that an increase in public transportation service should be a top priority for Bangor.

Of note is the fact that 87 percent of Bangor respondents in the 2015 survey indicated that affordable, reliable and well-maintained public transportation is a highly important community feature.

Other neighboring towns and communities also have exciting age-friendly initiatives underway. Aging Well in Waldo County, for example, is choosing a highly innovative way to complete an assessment and engage residents in the work they are starting.

Even though Belfast is technically the NAFC participant, the Aging Well team determined that the age-friendly assessment should include all of Waldo County. This means they are reaching out to 26 communities!

Through a network of volunteer teams, Aging Well will be able to conduct surveys in multiple towns through church groups, local organizations and businesses. One of the agefriendly team’s methods is to find one or two “community connector” volunteers in select locations. These volunteers are then asked to gather a group of five or six older residents who will meet over coffee and donuts with the entire team. This will ultimately facilitate a more broad-based sense of age-friendly needs and opportunities across the entire county.

Already, Belfast Community Radio has started to talk about the age-friendly work on

the air, and the Aging Well team is working to increase volunteerism of older adults through Penquis and the Belfast Community MakerFixer Group. These are wonderful examples of growing partnerships that will have longterm benefits in Waldo County.

In the town of Ellsworth, the agefriendly team has invested in a very successful intergenerational community center. One of the most inspiring projects involves music lessons for older and younger people together, plus mid-day concerts for young professionals who work in the downtown area. This is truly an innovative and unique age-friendly approach. Direct community involvement is such an important focus of building successful age-friendly initiatives, and Ellsworth is off to a remarkable start!

As part of our effort to encourage other towns and communities to develop and advance their own age-friendly ideas, AARP Maine provides a free guide, The Maine Guide to Building Age-Friendly Communities. The guide can help citizen activists and municipalities work together to make changes that benefit residents of all ages. Written by local age-friendly experts, the guide can serve as a wonderful resource for communities of any size. To order your free electronic or paper copy, please send an email to me@aarp.org or call 207-7766306. Find us on Facebook @age-friendly maine or visit www.aarp.org/livable for more resources and helpful tools.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT FOR AARP MAINE 10 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

bangordailynews.com • 11

protect

How to protect a

COASTAL PROPERTY M

any people dream of owning coastal properties.

Some aspire to have a home away from home for vacations or long weekends, while others move to the coast to be nearer to family or when they reach retirement age.

PRIVACY AND SAFETY

Living by the ocean can be great, but coastal towns are often a magnet for tourists. Homeowners with seaside homes or homes in popular tourist areas may want to take extra steps to create privacy and security. Fencing and natural windblocks can block the view of backyards and other outdoor spaces.

An alarm system can offer peace of mind in areas close to resort towns. Adequate lighting can deter trespassers as well.

Living close to the water can be relaxing, and it’s hard to beat the fresh air and the relaxing sound of the waves. However, coastal homes require some unique upkeep that prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with before buying a property.

Salt buildup is one of the pitfalls of living close to the ocean. Salt is corrosive to metal components, so homeowners are advised to avoid metal parts in various areas of construction on their homes.

Windows and doors are particularly at risk because they face the constant onslaught of Mother Nature.

Fiberglass, vinyl and aluminum are less corrosive than other metal parts and should be considered in window framing. Homeowners may need to apply lubricant to moving parts, locks and fasteners to keep them moving smoothly.

Consult with a lawn and garden expert about which coastal plants thrive with high levels of salt in the air. Professionals can make recommendations on low-maintenance landscapes that will not be damaged by the sun and salt.

Humidity and salt concentrations also can cause concern indoors. Mold likes damp, dark conditions, so homeowners should do their best to keep their homes dry and well-ventilated. Rely on dehumidifiers to take moisture out of the air. Install more vents to draw air outside and create fresh air flow.

12 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

PHOTO: LEEKRIS/THINKSTOCK

SALT WATER

COASTAL FLOODING

Coastal flooding is another concern for homeowners who live close to the water.

Prospective buyers should first determine if the house they want to buy is in a flood zone or an evacuation zone. This is information that may come up when applying for homeowner’s insurance, as flood insurance is a separate policy.

Individuals may have to take special measures to protect their homes from incoming tides or high waters during storms. The National Flood Insurance Program provides a flood damage simulator to predict the total cost of flood repair based on the height of the water. For one to four inches of water, the estimated repair cost is $7,800. For nine to 12 inches, the estimate is $18,930. At 18 inches, the estimated cost is $26,285. Homeowners may want to invest in lifting their homes or taking other preventative measures if coastal flooding is common.

bangordailynews.com • 13

backyard

DESIGN A BACKYARD

TASTE

for all senses

Gardeners can expand their gardens to include fruit-bearing trees and rows of vegetables. Produce can be harvested from early spring through late fall depending on the crops planted.

G

ardens

add visual appeal to a yard, but gardens also can appeal to individuals’ senses of smell, taste, touch, and sound. Gardeners who want to create gardens that appeal to various senses can do so in the following ways.

SOUND

The lively sounds of the garden are created by the wildlife that come to pollinate and enjoy the environment gardeners have created. By choosing indigenous plants, gardeners can be sure that insects and small critters will seek refuge within the foliage.

Songbirds also will add character to a yard. The Audubon Society suggests including a water source and a songbird border of shrubs along your property’s edge. Provide food sources and make sure they are located a fair distance from the main action of the yard so as not to scare off birds. Wait for musical chickadees, goldfinches, orioles, and cardinals to arrive and enjoy the accommodations.

SIGHT

SMELL

Gardeners can dot their landscapes with aromatic trees, shrubs and flowers that will make stepping out into the garden that much more special. Some of the more fragrant plants include gardenia, dianthus, calendula, lavender, and jasmine. Shrubs such as fragrant pineapple broom, Anne Russell viburnum and Christmas box can add fragrance as well.

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PHOTOS: JULES_KITANO, ALEXRATHS, FOTOLISM_THAI, TRINETTE REED, EUNIKASOPOTNICKA, SIRAPOB/THINKSTOCK

Aesthetic appeal is one of the most sought-after benefits of gardening. However, many homeowners put in so much effort planting for one particular season that they may not give thought to ensuring the garden looks vibrant no matter the time of year.

Gardeners can research planting zones to find plants that will blossom at different times of the year so they can enjoy impressive, aesthetically appealing gardens year-round. Spring bulbs can bloom early on, while annual and perennial summer favorites will thrive under the summer sun. Beautyberry and caryopteris will fill out in the autumn, while holly or mahonia can look lovely in the winter.

TOUCH

Apart from including trees and shrubs of various textures in the garden, look for other ways to stimulate a tactile response. Water features add relaxing sound and beauty. Stones, moss, mulch, and other accents have varied textures that can stimulate the sense of touch in various ways. Don’t forget to include a sitting area so that you can immerse yourself fully in the garden.

bangordailynews.com • 15

backyard

Things to know before

BUILDING A DECK tatistics

from the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey indicate that homeowners annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas.

One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are beneficial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and a table and cook for family and friends. Those who simply love being outdoors find decks the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun or idle away the evening hours.

But homeowners who want to build a deck should know a few things before that process begins.

• PERMITS ARE NECESSARY. Unless the deck is going to be especially small, you will likely need a permit to build it. Before buying any materials or consulting any contractors, make certain you know which permits you need and how to get them. If the proper permits are not secured before the project begins, you might have to tear down the whole project and start all over again.

• DECKS DON’T HAVE TO GO ON THE BACK OF THE HOUSE. If the back of your house sits in the blazing sun all day, then it’s probably best to build the deck elsewhere, and that’s perfectly alright. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable.

• DECKS DON'T HAVE TO BE MADE OF WOOD. It’s easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. However, decks can be made out of a wide variety of materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure treated wood is 16 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

perhaps the most popular material for decking because it’s not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoying the deck to wear shoes.

multi-level deck can break up those long flights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day.

• YOU WILL WANT TO PROTECT THE DECK. Decks are a costly investment, and you will want to protect that investment. If you’re building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the material. Once you’ve finished painting, apply sealant, whether it’s oil- or water-based.

• EXPECT TO DO SOME DIGGING. If you’re going to build your own deck, expect to do some serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the deck’s weight. Just how deep you’ll dig depends on your climate’s specific frost line, but it’s safe to assume you’ll get a workout in when digging.

• THE DECK CAN HAVE MULTIPLE LEVELS. Though many people associate decks with one level, it’s possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply don’t have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A

PHOTOS: TRISH233, DSCHNARRS, OFFSTOCKER/THINKSTOCK

S

• DON'T FORGET FASTENERS. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not all woods and fasteners are the right fit, as certain woods are only compatible with certain fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fit ahead of time. Because fasteners conceal the screws, they also make it possible to go barefoot on the deck. bangordailynews.com • 17

play

Create a safe and enjoyable

SITE

Look around the landscape for an ideal place to locate the playset. There should be no obstacles that children can hit while sliding or swinging. Avoid overhanging branches and do not place equipment too close to trees or fencing. Try to keep the set out of direct sunlight, which can make components heat up and scald young bodies.

BACKYARD PLAY AREA W

hen young children are part of a household,

STRUCTURE

homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorporating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both big and small backyards.

As children run off to enjoy a playground, safety is the last thing on their minds. Kids are most interested in scaling ladders to treehouses or coasting down slides. That’s why adults must take it upon themselves to keep injury prevention in mind.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states 70 percent of children’s injuries occur on home playgrounds. When considering playground equipment for the yard, parents need to make safety a priority. The Canada Safety Society advises parents to follow the “5 S’s of Playground Safety”: Surface, structures, site, supervision, and safety.

The structure of the play equipment should be built from sturdy materials. Pressure-treated lumber was once the standard, but it’s not adviseable for kids’ playgrounds, as the chemicals used in the lumber can leach and young children may actually bite or pick at the wood. Use cedar or another wood that resists decay. Once the structure is built, inspect it frequently for damage.

SUPERVISION

Do not leave children alone while they are playing.

Prevent children from using the playset in an incorrect manner.

SAFETY

PHOTO: HERREID/THINKSTOCK

Follow the directions for installation. Make sure all posts are anchored into the ground securely.

Railings should be spaced so that children cannot get stuck between them. Check that metal components have not rusted and that there is no additional excessive wear.

18 • BDN WELCOME HOME • 2017

SURFACE

Parents should assume that children will fall.

To lessen the blow of falls, choose playground equipment with a perimeter of six feet of a softer surface, such as sand, pea gravel, rubber pieces or wood chips. This material should be between six and 12 inches deep.

bangordailynews.com • 19

Creating

play

6 steps

TO CREATING FAIRY

GARDENS

M

G

aintaining a home that is welcoming and kid-friendly

ardening can be an enjoyable activity for adults and

children alike. Gardening encourages creative thinking and can make for an eco-friendly activity as well.

Adding a touch of whimsy to gardening can make it that much more attractive to children. Perhaps that is why fairy gardens have become so popular among youngsters. Fairy gardens can be designed in outdoor gardens or in containers that children can nurse and enjoy indoors. Here are six steps to get your fairy garden up and running.

CHOOSE A THEME. Fairy houses can take on any theme their creators prefer. Themes help children decide what to include in their gardens. For example, a seaside retreat may work well with little reclining chairs, sea grasses and succulents.

You can then complete the theme by adding some seashells and colored stones.

3

DRAW UP YOUR DESIGN. Before securing anything in the container or digging into your garden bed, sketch out a garden design. This gives you an idea of how the finished product will look. Even before planting, gently place plants and other components in their spots and move them around accordingly until you find the desired look.

4

INCLUDE SIMILAR-NEEDS PLANTS. Mixing plants that have different requirements can make it challenging to care for the fairy garden, so select plants that require similar levels of sunlight, prefer similar soil conditions and require roughly the same amount of watering. Herbs are a smart choice because they stay small and are easily maintained.

Upholstery will need to stand up to the abuse kids can dish out.

Sofas and chairs with slipcovers can be advantageous because many slipcovers can be easily removed and laundered.

Patterned fabrics will hide some stains, while treated fabrics may resist liquid spills for easier cleanup.

5

CREATE A CATCH-ALL SPOT. Special bins or other organizational tools in the entryway can help to cull clutter when children come in the house from school or play. Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.

3

LOOK FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC RUGS. Rugs designed for high-traffic areas will be more forgiving when children march across them several times per day. There are no rules that say you can’t bring an outdoor rug inside, and these rugs tend to be easier to clean.

THINK OUTSIDE PINK AND BLUE. For children’s rooms, make sure they’re colorful, but consider other hues to give the rooms some personality. Focus on a hobby or activity and borrow the color scheme from the accessories used for decorating.

4

HANG WHIMSICAL ARTWORK. Employ framing and lighting to make kids’ artwork look like professional pieces. Routinely change the pictures when a new look is desired.

6

INVITE THE FAIRIES. Children can invite fairies to take up residence (fairies often show up at night and tend to remain unseen), or children can create their own fairies using craft materials.

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DESIGNATE A PLACE FOR PLAY.

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5

DON'T FORGET A FAIRY DWELLING. You will need to add a house for the fairies to inhabit. Small bird houses can work, but you also can consider old teapots, bird-nesting boxes or even homemade houses assembled out of bark and twigs. Use your imagination and the garden will take on a life of its own.

CHOOSE WASHABLE FABRICS.

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Devote an entire room or a nook in a house for imaginative play. Store toys here so these items will not create clutter in individual bedrooms.

PHOTO: FAMILYLIFESTYLE, 5THSTREET, ZUZULICEA, JUSTAHOBBYMOMMY/THINKSTOCK

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can be challenging. Kids are full of energy and oftentimes put fun ahead of tidiness. But no matter how energetic their youngsters are, parents can still employ several strategies to ensure their homes are both sophisticated and child-friendly.

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CHOOSE YOUR CONTAINER OR LOCATION. Decide where to place the fairy garden. Hollowed-out tree stumps are both contained and outdoors, and kids may feel like the fairies inhabited this neglected area of the yard and made it their own. Otherwise, use containers you already have, such as old pots, hanging baskets, picnic baskets or cookie tins. Wooden birdhouses with their roofs removed also can make for clever places to house the gardens.

KID-FRIENDLY SPACES

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design

Make the most of

Quick & cheap ways to

UPDATE A ROOM

SMALL LIVING SPACES T

iny houses are a recent phenomenon and have spurred many businesses – from

builders to decorating experts – looking to connect with consumers who want to go small. The small house movement advocates for living simply in small homes, some of which can be as small as 100 square feet or less.

Although living in a tiny house is not for everyone, many people prefer small-space living to living in larger, more spacious homes and apartments. For those looking to make the most of their small living spaces, there are ways to make such living arrangements feel larger.

KNOBS & PULLS

CREATE DUALPURPOSE ROOMS.

LIGHT IS YOUR FRIEND.

Establish adequate lighting in a room that includes at least three working lights. Varied light sources from different angles will eliminate dark corners and shadows that can make a space feel smaller. Lighting also can draw the eye where you want it and distract attention from the room’s flaws.

Lack of space means getting creative with the space you do have. A nook in your bedroom can be devoted to a miniature home office. Perhaps you can establish a crafting center in a portion of your laundry room.

Garages have long served as catch-all spaces in homes.

Apart from storage, they can be subdivided for home gyms or even a place to gather and watch a ballgame.

MAKE USE OF VERTICAL SPACE.

Homes where space is at a premium may have limited storage areas. An oftenoverlooked storage option is vertical space. Space above doors, shelving, and areas above cabinetry are ideal places to store items. Use hooks on walls to keep belongings off the floor.

Choose lighter hues for your home furnishings and wall colors. You do not have to limit this to white. Pale colors will help reflect light and can make the room seem larger than it really is. Using a dark color on the flooring can make other lighter shades really pop in contrast.

CONCEAL THE CLUTTER.

If you cannot keep personal belongings to the utmost minimum in a home, experiment with clever ways to keep items out of sight. Furniture that serves dual purposes can help with this task. Storage ottomans will conceal small toys or linens and also provide seating options in a room when guests come over. A dresser can be used as a dining room buffet piece, and the numerous drawers can hold knickknacks or silverware. Furniture with built-in, hidden storage is well worth the investment when living spaces are limited.

THINK ABOUT BUILT-IN FURNITURE.

Traditional furniture may not be practical for small spaces and can waste a lot of room. Custom-built furniture is often the way to go to maximize the area you do have. Employ a little do-it-yourself initiative as well, customizing items for the perfect fit.

PHOTOS: JODIEJOHNSON, SCOVAD, NAPHAT_JORJEE, JZHUK, TOTALPICS, SIRAWIT99, KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ/THINKSTOCK

CHOOSE LIGHT-COLORED PAINT.

USE MIRRORS TO “EXPAND” ROOMS.

Mirrors can trick the eye into believing there is more space in a room. Mirrors melt away room borders and can accelerate the flow of light. Hanging them throughout your home can make spaces seem larger.

WORK WITH A DESIGNER.

If you’re having difficulty making a small space work for you, consult with an interior designer or a contractor for some ideas.

Many times furniture comes with standard brass knobs that can look dated over time. Sleeker, more streamlined knobs can make traditional furniture look more modern, while metal to wood can make a room look more earthy or country.

PAINT OR STAIN

Many times older furniture is made from quality wood, which means finishes can be stripped and replaced with new stains. Turn a dated dresser into something that looks brand new with a new stain color or a coat of paint. Think about painting or staining using foam sponges to reduce the appearance of brush lines.

SWAP IT

Swapping out curtains, throw pillows and wall art can quickly and cheaply transform the look of a room.

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design

HOUSE Fabulous The inside scoop on what makes a house stand out.

BY MATT CHABE

DECK:

The house is appointed on the lot in such way to capture both the sunrise and the sunset. This enclosed deck area is a great place to enjoy it—“It has a little insert so it be glassed in or screened in [depending on the weather],” said Fish, “and you have access into the kitchen from the garden without going through the house.”

O

n

a recent cold winter day, I pulled my truck up to a tidy white house not far off outer Union Street in Hermon. I was being treated to a tour of the property by Carolyn Fish, team leader with The Fish Team at Better Homes & Gardens/The Masiello Group in Bangor. The property was a day away from officially going on the market. Spring hadn’t yet sprung, and it was bitterly cold outside.

Fish greeted me at the door with a warm smile. A radio played faintly in the background. When I originally asked Fish to show me what makes a house “fabulous”—that is, what makes it stand out from a buyer’s perspective—she said she had just the place.

The cape-style house was built in 1994, she said, and occupies 2,500 square feet on five acres of land. That’s enough space for comfortable suburban living, for sure, but she said it’s the way this particular property uses the space that really makes it fabulous—“It’s on the larger side, but it’s got a great flow and doesn’t feel overwhelming.” Over the course of the tour, she showed me how.

GARDENS:

A well-manicured property goes a long way to making a house fabulous. The original owner, said Fish, was an avid gardener and developed the property with detailed, wellorganized gardens, complete with maps.

“Another thing that makes this a fabulous house is that it has some character for a new home,” said Fish. “From the outside, it almost looks like a country cape in the early 1900s country style. But when you get inside, there's been a graceful blend of some country and some contemporary. I really am pleased to see how classy and graceful that blend has been.”

OPEN SPACE: Lots of open space means you can personalize the room’s layout. Fish said the original homeowners had a dining table central to the kitchen and living room; when the kids grew up and out of the house, they moved the table to a cozier corner of the room. bangordailynews.com • 25

design

Let’s EAT IN Take a tour of some stand-out local kitchens with Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary’s annual fundraiser.

“This awardwinning kitchen reflects a contemporary flair enriched with vintage finishes, such as the beamed ceiling and transom window accents,” said Currier.

PHOTOS BY JOEL HOLCOMB

For the past 13 years, the Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary has treated guests to tours of outstanding kitchens in the region. Local vendors treat guests to delicious food samples, and this year, money raised will benefit the Auxiliary’s five-year, $400,000 pledge to EMMC’s “Remarkable Begins with You” campaign benefitting EMMC’s new NICU. The Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary’s 13th Annual Kitchen Tour is scheduled for September 23, but you don’t have to wait: Jan Currier, a 29-year veteran real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northeast Real Estate in Bangor and the president of the Auxiliary, was gracious enough to give us a tour of 2016’s showcased kitchens.

Feast your eyes on these beautiful kitchens, and get inspired.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Highly functional, this kitchen’s white finish with brushed steel finishes and contrasting cabinetry and countertops reflects some of today’s in-vogue design trends.”

This lakeside home’s kitchen blends comtemporary cottage and elegance, featuring painted maple and cherry cabinets. The two large islands are topped with wood and maintenance-free Zodiac quartz in nutmeg color. The color of the backsplash tile changes in different light, giving the feeling of motion.

The coffered ceilings and distinctive wood-look porcelain tile flooring complete the look. The homeowners found many of their design ideas using the Houzz app.

design

SPECIAL FEATURES: This newly built home features a colonial blue kitchen with wide plank oak flooring, painted white beadboard cabinets, Absolute Black granite, Viking appliances and a Sub-Zero beverage center (which is the owner’s favorite, along with the Kitchen-Aid trash compactor).

The kitchen also offers a large pantry.

“Clean, classic and elegant lines (with lots of light throughout) allow homeowners to punch color highlights into different locations to change the statement over time,” said Currier.

“Practical and stylish design featuring abundant storage and ample, well-placed countertop workspace allow easy food prep for families to crowd-sized events.”

“Wide woodplank floors warm up the space. Colored cabinets, especially white, are the numberone color trend for kitchens again.”

design “The redesign of this early twentieth-century home’s kitchen allows natural light to stream in from both ends to brighten and unify the kitchen and dining area with contemporary flair,” said Currier.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room in this 1910 home made the style comtemporary and open, capturing modern design with traditional elements. The kitchen features modified Shaker style cabinets with glass uppers classic to the 1930s, painted white with subtle nickel glaze. The peninsula is gray with black granite countertops. Porcelanosa ceramic tile and GE Monogram stainless appliances complete the look. The flow into the dining room is accented by the original two and a quarter inch maple flooring and an original leaded glass exterior window.

“Accents such as the backlit, glassfront cabinets topping the shaker-style cabinetry (finished with colonial-style crown molding) retain a traditional dining style.”

“This redesign transformed the space and maximized functionality and value without sacrificing original character.”

design

The relationship between

PAINT AND MOOD P

ainting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a

space. The colors homeowners choose for their walls can give rooms their own unique feel and even affect the moods of the people within them.

Home decorators should keep in mind that colors can be blended to create the desired environment. A color scheme based on complementary colors, or those opposite on the color wheel, may fit. Otherwise, analogous color schemes, or those colors that are next to one another on the color wheel, can create a variation that suits your design needs.

BLUE

To create a spa-like environment and a more serene space, look to shades of blue in soft variations. Cool blues are soothing colors that can help lower stress levels and promote sleep. That’s why blue is a frequent fixture in bedrooms and bathrooms. Just be advised that too much blue can make a room appear cold and stark, so balance out blue with some warmer accents.

ORANGE

Many people do not immediately consider bright orange for their homes, but when used as an accent shade, orange can really brighten up a home. Orange is considered a shade that expands creativity and imparts a youthful appeal to a space. Consider an orange accent wall or a burst of color with orange throw pillows. If pumpkin orange is a little too bold for you, tone it down by choosing a more pastel, peachy hue, which is equally warm and energizing.

RED

Red stimulates energy and appetite, which is why the shade is so popular in restaurants and dining spaces. Red is a good choice for gathering rooms but may not be the wisest choice for a bedroom, as the color may prove overstimulating.

GREEN

PURPLE

People have long related purple to royalty, and this dramatic color can add a formal, regal aspect to a home depending on the hue. Purple also may help stimulate the creative side of the brain. In paler shades of lavender, purple can seem almost ethereal and spiritual. Some designers suggest avoiding purple in a bedroom because that is a place you want your brain to rest rather than be stimulated.

YELLOW

Few colors are more vibrant than yellow, which can help stimulate conversation and make thoughts more focused.

A luminous shade of yellow is an ideal way to make any space more welcoming and bright. Just use it sparingly, as too much yellow may not be a good thing. Yellow accents mixed with touches of purple can offer the balance needed to prevent yellow rooms from overwhelming residents and guests.

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PHOTO: JANSSENKRUSEPRODUCTIONS/THINKSTOCK

Green can evoke composure and tranquility and works in any room of the house. Since green is the primary color of nature, it also works well for those people who want to bring some of the outdoors inside and work with the fresh starts and new growth that green can inspire. To make green feel less subdued and sleepy, work with its complementary opposite, red, by using a few bold red accents here and there to balance out the tranquility of green.