It is that wonderful time of year when blueberries are in full production. The fruit is exquisite. The blueberries are about two weeks behind this year and I venture to guess it was the absence of a sunny and warm spring. Remember, this summer came in full force after the 4th of July!
I pick blueberries from the bushes at my neighbor’s home two houses away. I like to make blueberry muffins and blueberry cake with cream cheese frosting. My husband is an expert at making blueberry margaritas and he feeds my yellow labs blueberry pancakes. My dear neighbor planted the blueberry bushes many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He said that he lived until 93 because he ate blueberries every day. It is amazing that he continues to exist in our lives with his blueberries after he has been gone for two years. I miss him.
I mention my neighbor and blueberries because it once again defines what it means to LIVE and to be a part of a community with so much to appreciate. There is much to nourish the soul, the brain, the body and community in Kittery.
Like blueberries, the real estate market is doing well. Sales continue to reflect increasing prices and will remain that way as inventory remains relatively low. The median sale price in Kittery for 2019 through July 31st was $430,500 compared to last year at the same time period of $365,000. Additionally, the number of homes on the market as of July 31, 2019 was 113 as compared to the same period in 2018 which was 97. If inventory continues to climb, then we may see buyers pulling back from some of the heady offers we see in a low inventory market. Median days on the market YTD through July were 19 days compared to 15 days in 2018 year-to-date. Finally, months of inventory, a good indicator of the strength of the market was 3.83 months on 7/31/2019 versus 3.82 through July 2018 – that’s a good number and speaks to a healthy market.