Real Estate & Elegant Maine Living - The Way Life Should Be

Send us Fan Mail There’s something truly special about life in Maine — where being active and outdoors isn’t a hobby, it’s a way of life. In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I sit down with my friend Tom Ackerman , an incredible storyteller, guide, and fly-fishing travel consultant, to talk about what makes the Maine outdoors so restorative and how a life connected to nature brings balance,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I continue my conversation with Charlotte Miller about building an intentional, balanced life in Maine. Charlotte and her husband moved from Boston during the pandemic and chose Maine as their permanent home, and together we explore what it means to raise a young family here while pursuing rewarding careers. We talk about the daily rhythms...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to design a life around health, family, and the outdoors? In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I sit down with Charlotte Miller , a consultant, ski ambassador, sailor, and now proud resident of Cumberland, Maine. Charlotte shares her journey from growing up outside Boston to college in Colorado (where she spent as many days on the slopes as in the class...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Title: Maine Moves Differently Host: Elise Kiely, Global Real Estate Advisor with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Duration: ~20 minutes Air Date: September 2025 💬 Episode Summary: In this month’s market update, Elise Kiely reads between the lines—and the headlines—to explain why Maine moves differently . While national real estate trends point to cautious...

Send us Fan Mail Here’s a set of shownotes for Part 2 of your interview with John McArthur . I’ve kept them inviting, clear, and professional — highlighting the themes of artistry, community, and Maine lifestyle that shine through in the transcript: Show Notes – Elegant Maine Living with John McArthur, Part 2 In this second half of my conversation with John McArthur , co-owner of The Studio Portla...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I sit down with John McArthur , one of the owners of The Studio Portland , to talk about how creativity, connection, and community come together in the heart of Maine. John shares his journey from being a gigging musician to working in tech for 35 years, and then back into the world of sound and music through his son’s career as a composer...

Send us Fan Mail In this second half of my conversation with my dear friend and client Erika Gabrielsen Neumann , we continue exploring the unique beauty of life on Chebeague Island. Erika shares more about the close-knit community that defines island living and the extraordinary sense of belonging that comes with it. We also dive into The Log House —a truly iconic waterfront property on Chebeague...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to build a life on one of Maine’s most enchanting islands? In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I sit down with my friend and client, Erika Gabrielsen Neumann , to talk about the unique joys and challenges of living year-round on Chebeague Island . Erika shares her remarkable journey from California to Chebeague Island where she and her family settled...

Send us Fan Mail In this month’s Elegant Maine Living , Elise Kiely unpacks what the national real estate market is whispering to Maine — and why timing, strategy, and local insight matter more than ever. From national affordability challenges to Maine’s rising inventory, Elise explains how trends from other markets eventually make their way up the coast, giving Maine buyers and sellers a chance t...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of Elegant Maine Living , Elise sits down with her dear friend and co-leadership advisor, Timi Carter , to reflect on the impact of mentorship, community, and living a life of intentional service. A longtime resident of Yarmouth, Maine, Timi is known for her calm strength, generous spirit, and ability to quietly build community wherever she goes—from the...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring second half of Elise’s conversation with Elizabeth Moss, owner of the Elizabeth Moss Galleries , we explore the intersection of art, commerce, and community in Maine. Liz shares how her dream of building a cultural salon has blossomed into two vibrant gallery spaces—one in Portland and one in Falmouth—where visual art, music, and conversation create an elegant th...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Elise Kiely Guest: Elizabeth Moss, Founder & Owner of Elizabeth Moss Galleries in Falmouth and Portland, Maine Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | eliseKiely.com Episode Overview: In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , host Elise Kiely welcomes Elizabeth Moss, a central figure in Maine’s vibrant art scene and the visionary founder of Elizabeth Moss Galleries. With l...

Send us Fan Mail In the second half of my conversation with Margo Walsh—founder of MaineWorks and co-founder of United Recovery Fund—we explore how employment, structure, and community can change the course of someone’s life. Margo shares powerful statistics: if individuals can stay employed for just two weeks through MaineWorks, relapse and re-incarceration rates drop dramatically. We also share...

Send us Fan Mail Host: Elise Kiely Guest: Margo Walsh, Founder of MaineWorks and Co-Founder of United Recovery Fund Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of Elegant Maine Living , Elise Kiely sits down with Margo Walsh—founder of the groundbreaking employment company MaineWorks and co-founder of the nonprofit United Recovery Fund . Together, they explore the intersection of Maine’s workforce...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful solo episode, Elise Kiely provides a comprehensive spring 2025 market update , starting with the national landscape and zooming in to Maine's distinctive market dynamics. Elise breaks down data on the Northeast region’s strong performance, and Maine’s county-level insights—focusing particularly on Cumberland, York, and Lincoln counties. She also explores wh...

Send us Fan Mail In the second half of this insightful conversation, Elise sits down again with Melinda Gunther of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty to talk all things Naples real estate. From $24 million sight-unseen purchases to lifestyle-driven second-home decisions, Melinda shares remarkable stories and strategic insights. They discuss the shifting luxury market, buyer psychology, and why...

Send us Fan Mail   Guest: Melinda Gunther, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty – Naples, FL In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , Elise sits down with Florida real estate powerhouse Melinda Gunther to explore why Naples, Florida is such an attractive destination for second home buyers and those seeking a future primary home.  They discuss: The lifestyle and tax benefits of owning in Naples...

Send us Fan Mail “Protecting Your Maine Life: A Continued Conversation with Tate Ficker” In Part 2 of Elise's conversation with Tate Ficker, founder of the Ficker Insurance Group, we dive deeper into the real-world concerns homeowners face when it comes to wind, rain, flooding, and rising insurance premiums—especially in today’s shifting climate. We explore how natural disasters in other part...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , Elise Kiely sits down with Tate Ficker, owner of the Ficker Insurance Group and a deeply rooted Mainer, to explore the role of insurance in Maine’s real estate landscape and lifestyle. Together, they discuss: Tate’s journey from growing up in Fryeburg to returning to Maine to raise a family after a decade in Boston. Why Maine’s unique sens...

Send us Fan Mail This solo episode offers a timely and insightful snapshot of Maine’s real estate market in spring 2025. Elise shares national trends and how they contrast with local realities in Greater Portland and across Cumberland County. From shifting buyer behavior to surging entry-level demand and once-in-a-generation coastal listings, this episode is your guide to what’s moving—and what’s...

Send us Fan Mail “Financing with Confidence: Local Lending Strategies with Greg Dauphinee (Part 2)” In the second half of my conversation with Greg Dauphinee, Senior Loan Officer at Androscoggin Bank, we explore how working with a local community lender can give buyers a meaningful edge in Maine’s competitive real estate market. Greg shares insightful stories from the field—moments where common-se...

Send us Fan Mail “Financing with Confidence: Navigating Interest Rates and Lending in Maine with Greg Dauphinee” In this episode of Elegant Maine Living , I sit down with Greg Dauphinee, Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Androscoggin Bank, to discuss financing options in today’s real estate market and how buyers—particularly those not purchasing with cash—can still be competitive in Maine’...

Send us Fan Mail In this second half of my engaging conversation with Chris Lynch, founder and president of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, we dive into what’s driving Maine’s residential real estate market—from explosive luxury appreciation to the deepening challenges in the entry-level housing segment. Chris shares powerful insights about the post-pandemic surge in demand, why...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring and insightful episode of Elegant Maine Living , Elise sits down with Chris Lynch, founder and owner of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, to discuss the origins of Maine’s premier luxury real estate brokerage. Chris shares his personal journey from a demanding Wall Street career to a deliberate and life-changing move to Maine to focus on family, c...

Send us Fan Mail In this solo market update, Elise Kiely summarizes trends from Q1 2025 in the real estate market as Q2 of 2025 begins. After years of intense seller leverage, the tide is beginning to turn. Elise shares what “growing buyer leverage” really means, and how both buyers and sellers can take advantage of today’s shifting dynamics. Nationally, home showings are on the rise, mortgage app...