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Episode Summary

In this month’s market update, I take you through what I am seeing nationally, regionally, and here in Maine—and what these trends may mean for all of us as we head into 2026. Instead of charts and long economic analysis, I offer a clear, narrative look at the shifts underway: why buyers remain cautious despite relatively stable interest rates, why home prices continue to hold near record highs, and how inventory is finally showing signs of loosening.

I also dig into some of the most interesting demographic trends shaping today’s real estate landscape—including the rising average age of first-time homebuyers and the growing number of young adults living at home longer than ever before. These generational patterns influence who is entering the market, when they enter, and how they make decisions.

As always, Maine tells its own story. I break down which markets what is happening with inventory, price appreciation and recently enacted and proposed policy changes that could impact the market going forward. And, I share my perspective on how thoughtful buyers and sellers can position themselves strategically in the months ahead.

Key Insights & Market Themes

National Market Trends

• Buyers across the country remain hesitant, even though mortgage rates have settled in the low to mid 6% range. Confidence — is fluctuating and driving many decisions.
• The median U.S. home price is now around $415,000.
• Affordability remains the central challenge, especially for first-time buyers who continue to face elevated monthly payments.
• Homeowners have gained, on average, $140,000 in equity over the last five years, an important factor in seller's incentives and stability.

Who’s Buying Now

• The average first-time homebuyer is older than ever (40), a reflection of affordability pressures and delayed entry into the market.
• Roughly one third of young adults nationally are living at home—many waiting for stronger financial footing or more favorable mortgage rates.
• This creates pent-up demand, which I expect to begin re-entering the market as rates soften in 2026.

Regional & Maine Trends

• Maine remains what I often call the place where national trends come to take a breath. We feel shifts later, and differently, than many parts of the country.
• Statewide, inventory is finally improving, reaching levels we haven’t seen since 2020.
• Cumberland County
  • Homes sold increased by over 8% on a rolling quarterly basis.
  • Median sales price climbed to over $600,000—a healthy,

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
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Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

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In the second half of my conversation with Nicola Manganello, founder and principal designer of Maine's Nicola’s Home, we move from her early creative evolution into the heart of her current work: sustaining inspiration, building and leading a high-performing team, and navigating the complex process of designing high-end homes that are meant to be lived in, loved, and gathered in.

Nicola shares how she keeps her creativity vibrant after more than 25 years in the field—through collaboration with her all-women team, through travel, through magazines, gardens, and the tactile inspiration of materials in her design barn. We talk about the balance required to run a growing business while maintaining a creative soul, and the clarity she has gained from restructuring her company to free time for what fuels her.

This episode also turns toward the personal: the role of gardening, cooking, and time in nature; the grounding she found while caring for her mother who was her first business partner and inspiration; and the importance of making space for life, not just work. Nicola reflects candidly on leadership, responsibility, and the internal resilience required to navigate a very public design career in Maine.

And then, we dive into her signature new project: the full restoration of an 1858 Greek Revival home at 37 South Street in Yarmouth—a two-year endeavor that required vision, persistence, and enormous craftsmanship. Nicola shares how she purchased the home sight-unseen while on safari in Africa, the challenges of working within a historic district, and why bringing this property back to life—rather than tearing it down—felt important both for the village and for her own creative journey.

This conversation reveals the depth behind Nicola’s design philosophy: that homes are not simply beautiful objects, but places that keep people together, strengthen families, and anchor lives.

Key Themes

• Creative longevity: how collaboration and continual learning sustain her design perspective
• Leadership and growth: building a team with complementary creative strengths and expanding her firm’s capacity
• Personal grounding: the influence of gardening, cooking, travel, and intentional routines
• The emotional side of building homes: the weight of responsibility, client relationships, and the courage it takes to lead
• Restoring an 1858 gem: the vision, obstacles, and triumphs of her Greek Revival renovation in Yarmouth
• Elegance in Maine: her belief that Maine’s natural beauty, simplicity, and authenticity define its elegance

Featured Project

37 South Street, Yarmo

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

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• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

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In the first half of my conversation with Nicola Manganello, founder and principal designer of Nicola’s Home in Yarmouth, Maine, we explore the remarkable path that took her from a small retail shop on Marina Road to one of Maine’s most respected full-service design-build firms.

Nicola reflects on her early years growing up in a deeply entrepreneurial family—her father built Olympia Sports—and how being raised around creativity, risk-taking, and constant reinvention shaped her own instincts as a designer and builder. She shares the story of opening her first shop in her 20s, living in half the building and running her business out of the other half, and how a single customer’s comment—“I can get something for me, something for my home, and something for my soul”—sparked an entirely new direction for her career.

What began as a small, warmly curated store evolved organically into interior design consulting, then into full renovations, and eventually into Nicola’s signature aesthetic: creating homes that feel timeless, gathered, and deeply lived-in. Her early projects, including whole-house renovations she lived in and sold, became her first marketing portfolio.

This episode also traces the bold leap that led to Maeve’s Way, her signature 12-acre neighborhood in Cumberland Foreside—conceived and built during 2008, one of the most challenging real estate markets in recent memory. From lifting and relocating an original farmhouse to investing in full landscaping and furnishings, Nicola describes the risks she took and the vision that guided her: building new homes that look and feel as though they have always been there.

Throughout the conversation, Nicola speaks with candor about the work ethic instilled by her parents, the emotional realities of building homes for families, and her belief that the right space can keep people together. Her philosophy is rooted in intention, comfort, and a desire to create gathering places where memories can take root.

💬 Key Themes

• Entrepreneurial roots: how growing up in a retail family shaped Nicola’s approach to design, business, and risk-taking
• From shop to studio: the unexpected moment that propelled her from retail into interior design
• Design as storytelling: creating spaces that feel familiar, warm, and “broken-in”—never precious, always welcoming
• The leap to Maeve’s Way: building a signature neighborhood during a recession, moving a historic home, and shaping a cohesive aesthetic
• Spaces that gather and hold: why Nicola believes thoughtful design can keep families connected across generations
• Craft, comfort, and memory:

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
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• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

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In the second half of my conversation with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Hearts of Pine, we explore the deeper story of how Maine’s first professional soccer club became a symbol of connection, identity, and shared purpose throughout the state.

Gabe reflects on how Hearts of Pine continues to be built “from the inside out,” grounded in community input, Maine values, and a belief that soccer can serve as a common language—one that connects generations, cultures, and counties.

We discuss the thoughtful intentionality behind the club’s culture, including the importance of recruiting “good people,” how team dynamics mirror Maine’s ethos of humility and hard work, and why fans from all 16 counties have gravitated toward the club with such extraordinary enthusiasm.

The heart of this episode is Gabe’s moving account of how the club found its name: a fusion of the Valentine Bandit’s decades-long tradition of anonymous kindness in Portland and Maine’s identity as the Pine Tree State, symbolized by the strength and resilience of the heartwood at the center of a pine.

We also talk about what elegance means to Gabe—his reflection on the “lack of pretension,” the ease of living, and the ability to experience world-class food, nature, and community all within minutes of one another. His answer offers a uniquely Maine definition of elegance: grounded, authentic, and deeply connected to place.

💬 Key Themes

The culture behind Hearts of Pine: why the club values character as deeply as skill, and how team identity reflects Maine’s work ethic and humility.

Fan magic: why every home match feels like a festival, and how the club has become a “third space” for Mainers seeking belonging and connection.

The story behind the name:

The legacy of the Valentine Bandit

The symbolism of Maine’s pine forests and the strength of the heartwood

How Hearts of Pine captures hope, resilience, and generosity—core Maine traits

Elegance in Maine: Gabe’s definition rooted in authenticity, openness, natural beauty, and “the way life should be.”

A vision for the future: expanding the club, building a larger stadium, adding a women’s team, and becoming one of the top lower-division soccer clubs in the country.

Episode Links

Hearts of Pine (USL1) – https://www.heartsofpine.com

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

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In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Hearts of Pine, Maine’s first professional soccer club. Gabe shares the remarkable five-year journey—part vision, part endurance, and part community movement—that brought professional soccer to Portland.

From a childhood shaped by both the game of soccer and a deep commitment to social impact, Gabe describes how his upbringing, professional experience, and connection to Maine converged to create the conditions for Hearts of Pine. He reflects on the spark that came in 2018 when the United Soccer League announced plans for a new professional division and how he realized that Portland was, in his view, “the best untapped market for pro soccer in the country.”

Gabe walks through the entrepreneurial path: capitalizing the company, navigating franchise negotiations, securing stadium agreements, raising capital, and building a grassroots community long before a single match was played. He also shares candid insight into the most challenging moments, the personal toll of the work, and the moments of encouragement that kept the project alive.

We discuss how Hearts of Pine has become much more than a sports team—it is a cultural connector, a place where Mainers of every age and background see themselves reflected on and off the field. And we explore why players from around the world now view Portland as a top destination within the league and what this means for the future of the club and the state.

💬 Key Themes

• The origins of Hearts of Pine: how soccer and social impact shaped Gabe’s worldview and guided the creation of the club
• Portland as a soccer market: why Maine’s identity, culture, and community pride made Portland the ideal city for a professional team
• The five-year startup journey: raising capital, working with city officials, negotiating with the League, and engaging thousands of supporters
• Building community from the inside out: the watch parties, youth programs, and public events that formed the club’s early foundation
• Team recruitment: how the club attracted top coaching and global players—and why Maine is now one of the most desirable markets in USL1
• What this means for Maine: the cultural, social, and economic ripple effects of a professional sports franchise in our state

If You’re New to Hearts of Pine

The club will continue its home matches at Fitzpatrick Stadium in 2026. If you haven’t yet attended a game, add it to your calendar—you will feel the energy, connection, and community that Gabe and his team have built.

🔗 Episode Links

• Hea

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
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Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

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In this second half of my conversation with Chris Lynch, Founder and Designated Broker of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
, we go beyond the headlines to discuss the real forces shaping Maine’s high-end real estate market today.

We explore how cash and generational wealth transfers are driving demand, the enduring truth of Chris’s “three-legged stool”—price, condition, and location—and the growing threat of real estate fraud in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Chris shares striking examples of how scammers are infiltrating the industry and explains what steps he and his team are taking to protect clients. Together, we unpack why experience, relationships, and collaboration among brokers remain Maine’s strongest defense—and why, despite market noise, Maine continues to be one of the most stable, desirable, and values-driven markets in the country.

💬 Key Takeaways

• Cash is king—and often gifted. A new wave of first-time buyers is entering Maine’s market with gifted cash from parents, allowing them to compete in multiple-offer situations.
• The three-legged stool still stands. A property’s success ultimately depends on price, condition, and location—if one leg is weak, the value equation changes.
• Fraud is the real threat. AI-powered scams are growing more sophisticated, making vigilance and personal verification more critical than ever.
• Relationships are Maine’s safeguard. In a small, trust-based market, knowing your colleagues, title agents, and clients personally remains the best protection.
• Outlook: steady and strong. Chris predicts Maine’s market will continue to “bump along the top”—moderate appreciation, limited inventory, and a surge of buyers if interest rates drop below 6%.

Episode Links

• Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty –
• Episodes 5 & Episode 6 When Chris Lynch and I discussed the state of the market in the spring of 2025.

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

Send us a text

Phrase of the Day: “Multiple truths can coexist.”

In this episode, I am joined once again by Chris Lynch, Founder, Owner, and Designated Broker of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty. Chris first appeared on Elegant Maine Living in Episodes 5 and 6, Leading in Luxury, and returns to share his perspective on Maine’s real estate market—where trends arrive last, if at all, and stability continues to define the landscape.

Highlights from This Episode

Maine’s market moves to its own rhythm
While national headlines often point to volatility, Maine experiences changes later than most markets—and sometimes not at all. Shifts that begin on the West Coast and travel east frequently lose momentum before reaching Maine. This lag has historically protected our state’s real estate values and contributed to long-term stability.

The data tells a balanced story

• Statewide home sales are up more than 5 percent year over year.
• The median sale price dipped slightly—about 1.3 percent—to around $402,000, only the second year-over-year decrease since 2019.
• On a rolling-quarter basis, median prices rose 4.5 percent in Cumberland County and 4.3 percent in York County, reflecting continued strength in southern Maine.

Maine’s fundamentals remain strong
With limited inventory and steady demand from both in-state and out-of-state buyers, neither of us expects home prices to decline. Instead, we anticipate moderate appreciation through 2026. Should mortgage rates fall into the 5 percent range, we expect more buyers to reenter the market, which could lead to renewed price increases.

A buying window has opened
There is a unique opportunity for buyers through the end of 2025 and into the first half of 2026. Those who act now will face less competition and may secure favorable terms before a potential influx of buyers when interest rates drop. Waiting could mean higher prices and more competitive conditions.

Cash and lifestyle continue to drive Maine’s luxury market
The definition of “luxury” has evolved. Properties in the $2 million to $2.5 million range and above now define the high end, and most of these sales are cash transactions. Today’s luxury buyers are motivated by lifestyle and quality of life, not speculation.

Generational wealth and real estate
Baby boomers and Gen X buyers remain powerful forces, often helping their adult children purchase homes. Real estate continues to be one of the most reliable long-term wealth-building strategies.

Maine’s enduring appeal
Every property in Maine is unique—there is little “com

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

Send us a text

In this special and heartfelt episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with five remarkable young women from Poland Regional High School who recently graduated after completing the three-year leadership curriculum through the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
For the past three years, my co-mentor Timi Carter and I have had the privilege of guiding these students—Autumn, Mabel, Olivia, Lily, and Shawna—through a journey of discovering their values, voice, and vision.

Together, we reflect on what they’ve learned about confidence, courage, and character—and how the Institute’s curriculum has shaped their outlook as they step into the next chapter of their lives at colleges across Maine and beyond.

You’ll hear candid reflections about:

• What it means to discover your values and how that clarity shapes relationships and decisions.
• The power of using your voice—from classroom discussions to addressing 650 people at the statewide Leadership Luncheon.
• How developing a vision for the future builds resilience and purpose.
• The role of mentorship, community, and showing up—one meeting, one conversation, one small act at a time.

This conversation is full of hope, laughter, and the authenticity that defines the next generation of Maine women leaders.

💬 Key Takeaways

• Leadership starts with self-reflection. The “values” year helped each student understand what drives them—and why authenticity matters.
• Courage grows in community. Through monthly meetings and statewide forums, these young women learned to speak up, support one another, and stretch beyond comfort zones.
• Mentorship multiplies impact. Each story reminds us that showing up—consistently and with care—can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
• Maine builds strong, grounded leaders. Whether they’re off to Wellesley, Duke, Fort Kent, or Southern Maine, these students carry with them the grit and humility that define Maine’s spirit.

🌟 Special Mentions & Links

• Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute – https://www.olympiasnowe.org/
• Annual Leadership Luncheon – Learn more and register here
• Follow the Institute’s work empowering Maine’s next generation of women leaders on Instagram and Facebook.

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.