Explore every episode of the podcast Real Estate & Elegant Maine Living - The Way Life Should Be
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 12: Real Estate From Naples to Maine — Second Homes, Smart Strategies & Lifestyle Transitions | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:25:41 | |
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:
Melinda also shares her journey to Naples and why she believes real estate should always follow lifestyle first. 🎙️ Part 1 of a 2-part series Connect with Melinda
Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 11: Protecting Your Maine Life, Part 2: Real Estate, Community & Smart Insurance with Tate Ficker | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:19:50 | |
“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 parts of the country are subtly but steadily influencing insurance costs in Maine, which—despite these pressures—still boasts some of the lowest premiums nationwide. Tate explains how local property owners can protect themselves by being proactive, conducting annual insurance reviews, and understanding what’s in (and out) of their policy. Tate also shares his two top recommendations for Maine homeowners this spring, and we wrap up the episode with some of his favorite podcasts, books, and what he’s working on to keep his own work-life balance in check. Highlights:
Whether you're buying your dream home in Maine or already living it, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to safeguard their lifestyle and real estate investment. Connect with Tate Ficker of the Ficker Insurance Group - fickerinsurancegroup@allstate.com Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 10 - Protecting Your Maine Life: Real Estate, Community & Smart Insurance with Tate Ficker | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:30:34 | |
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:
Elise also shares her personal experience with a devastating home fire and emphasizes the power of preparedness, neighborly support, and trusted advisors in navigating life's unexpected turns. Whether you're buying your dream home in Maine or already living it, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to safeguard their lifestyle and real estate investment. Connect with Tate Ficker of the Ficker Insurance Group - fickerinsurancegroup@allstate.com Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 9: May, 2025, Market Snapshot, National Trends and Maine Movements | 27 May 2025 | 00:19:10 | |
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 holding—in Maine real estate. 🔍 In this episode, Elise covers:
Whether you’re preparing to list, considering your first home, or simply keeping a pulse on Maine’s evolving market, this episode is rich with perspective, data, and lived experience. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 8: Financing with Confidence Part 2 - A Conversation with Greg Dauphinee of Androscoggin Bank | 20 May 2025 | 00:48:20 | |
“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-sense lending and local control made all the difference in getting deals done. From navigating unique title issues to helping clients purchase new homes before selling their current ones, this episode is full of smart strategies and actionable advice. We discuss:
This episode is a must-listen for anyone buying in Maine—whether you're a first-time buyer or making a lifestyle move to your dream home. 🔗 Links & Contact Info 💼 Learn more about Androscoggin Bank: Contact Greg: GDauphinee@androscogginbank.com (or just run into him at Standard Baking, where he loves to get his coffee!) Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 7: Financing with Confidence - A Conversation with Greg Dauphinee of Androscoggin Bank | 13 May 2025 | 00:25:24 | |
“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’s dynamic housing environment. With over 24 years of experience and an impressive track record of service, Greg brings both data and heart to this conversation. We explore:
Greg also shares his fascinating background as a U.S. Navy rescue swimmer and how that experience shaped his methodical, high-integrity approach to client service. This is a must-listen for buyers, sellers, and anyone curious about how lending fits into Maine’s evolving real estate story. 🔗 Links & Contact Info Contact Greg via his email - GDauphinee@androscogginbank.com, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdauphinee/ 💼 Learn more about Androscoggin Bank: Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 6: Leading in Luxury: A Conversation with Chris Lynch (Part II), Founder of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty | 06 May 2025 | 00:27:55 | |
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 lifestyle-driven buyers are still flocking to Maine, and the surprising national data that puts Maine at the top of the country for real estate appreciation since 2020. We also discuss:
Whether you're a longtime Mainer or considering a move, this episode is full of thoughtful reflections, practical insight, and heartfelt appreciation for everything Maine has to offer. 🔗 Links & Contact Info 💼 Learn more about Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty: 🎙 Subscribe & Share: Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal or real estate advice or create an attorney-client or real estate advisory relationship. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 5: Leading in Luxury: A Conversation with Chris Lynch, Founder of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:25:25 | |
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, community, and a new kind of professional purpose. Together, Elise and Chris reflect on the early days of building a real estate firm from the ground up—including founding during a market peak in 2006, navigating the crash of 2008, and leading through the unprecedented shifts of the 2020 pandemic. Chris also offers his perspective on what makes Maine’s real estate market so uniquely valuable and unrepeatable—and why savvy buyers know not to wait when a rare property speaks to them. Key Moments:
Quotable Moments: “You don’t find your dream property in Maine twice. When you see it, buy it. That’s how this market works.” — Chris Lynch“Maine offers access—to nature, to community, to opportunity—in a way that’s almost impossible to replicate elsewhere.” — Elise Kiely Connect with Us: Subscribe & Review: Disclaimer: Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 4: April 2025 Market Update: Growing Buyer Leverage in Maine Real Estate | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:14:20 | |
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 applications are climbing—even without a major rate drop—and buyers are no longer waiting on the sidelines. Elise provides context on national trends, then zooms in on Maine’s performance: rising inventory, increasing buyer activity, and continued year-over-year price appreciation. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or simply tracking the market, this episode offers insight into navigating the months ahead with confidence and strategy. Key Takeaways:
Quote of the Episode: “The longer you wait, the more expensive the property will be. Life doesn’t pause for interest rates.”Subscribe & Share: Disclaimer: Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 3: Mentoring Maine’s Future (Part II): A Conversation with Christina McAnuff of the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute | 19 Apr 2025 | 00:31:23 | |
Host: Elise Kiely In the 2nd half of this inspiring conversation, Elise reconnects with Christina McAnuff to explore the deeper impact of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute on young women in Maine. From statewide leadership conferences to alumni chapters and lifelong mentorship, this episode reveals how the Institute sustains a culture of empowerment, confidence, and connection well beyond high school. Elise and Christina reflect on unforgettable moments, including the power of a single compliment, the ripple effect of positive regard, and why so many mentors—like Elise herself—find the experience to be just as transformative for themselves as for the girls they support. 🗝️ Key Topics Covered:
📍 Episode Highlights:
Whether you live in Maine or are just moving here, the Olympia Snowe Institute offers countless ways to engage:
💡 Learn more about the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute: www.snoweinstitute.org Donate to the Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute: https://snoweleadershipinstitute.org/your-support/ Follow Elise on social med Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 2: Mentoring Maine’s Future: A Conversation with Christina McAnuff of the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:24:03 | |
✨ Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, Elise sits down with Christina McAnuff, Executive Director of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, to explore how this transformative organization is raising the confidence and aspirations of high school girls across Maine. With a presence in 37 schools and over 1,400 alumnae and active Olympia Leaders currently in high school, the Institute offers a unique three-year leadership curriculum—My Values, My Voice, My Vision—rooted in the personal ethos of Senator Olympia Snowe. Elise and Christina discuss the origins of the program, how it selects and mentors students, and why mentorship—especially from women to young women—matters now more than ever. Elise also shares her personal journey as a Leadership Advisor and reflects on the lifelong connections formed through this deeply meaningful work. 🗝️ Key Topics Covered:
📍 Highlights by Segment:
💬 Favorite Quotes: “You may not know the impact you have ever. You might know it immediately, or it might come years down the road.”– Christina McAnuff“We’re all in. We’ve got your back. We are in your corner.” – Elise Kiely, to her Olympia leaders 🎧 Call to Action: Feeling inspired? Donate to the Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute: https://snoweleadershipinstitute.org/your-support/ Follow Elise on social media (links provided below) and subscribe to Elegant Maine Living for more stories o Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Episode 1: Maine’s 2024 Real Estate Market & Predictions for 2025 | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:15:31 | |
📌 Episode Summary: Elise explores key market trends, shares insights from real buyer experiences, and discusses how Luxury Active Baby Boomers (LABS) and Luxury Empty Nesters (LENS) are reshaping Maine’s real estate landscape. She also addresses the common question: Where are all these buyers coming from? If you're buying, selling, or simply curious about the Maine real estate market, this episode provides essential insights to help you navigate an increasingly competitive and evolving market. Key Topics Covered: ✅ Maine’s Real Estate Market in 2024 – Key metrics, price trends, and buyer behavior
Notable Quotes: 📍 “If there’s one word that describes the real estate market in 2024, it’s uncertainty.” Next Episode Teaser: Coming up next: A two part discussion with Christina McAnuff, Executive Director of The Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Thank you for listening to Elegant Maine Living—where elegance isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s a way of life. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||
| Introduction to Elegant Maine Living | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:13:24 | |
🎙 Episode Title: Welcome to Elegant Maine Living – The Way Life Should Be 📌 Episode Summary: This episode sets the stage for upcoming conversations about Maine’s vibrant communities, market insights, hidden gems, and the people shaping the state’s future. Key Topics Covered: ✅ Elise’s Journey to Maine – From a one-year move in 1996 to falling in love with the Maine lifestyle Notable Quotes: 📍 “Elegance isn’t about exclusivity or extravagance—it’s about living with intention.” 📢 In the next episode, Elise takes a deep dive into Maine’s real estate market—what happened in 2024, what to expect in 2025, and how buyers and sellers can navigate this unique landscape. She’ll also share insights on one of Maine’s most stunning recent waterfront sales. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! 🎧 Thank you for listening to Elegant Maine Living—where elegance isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s a way of life. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at
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. | |||