Welcome to my blog!

March 18, 2025

I’m On the Radio! Excited (and a little nervous) about my new adventure with Kelly & Coast 93.1

I can hardly believe I’m saying this… but I’m officially on the radio! If you’re driving around Portland, Maine, and tuning in to Coast 93.1, you just might hear my voice popping through the speakers. It’s such an exciting moment for me as I launch this radio promotion for my Real Estate business. But I won’t lie — along with the excitement comes a healthy dose of nerves!

When I first decided to take this step and record my message for Coast 93.1, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Real Estate is all about building personal connections, and I’m used to doing that face-to-face, sitting with people at their kitchen table or walking through homes together. But talking into a microphone in a quiet studio, knowing my words would soon be broadcast to thousands of people? That felt totally different! There’s something a little surreal (and vulnerable!) about putting yourself out there like that, hoping your message lands in the ears — and hearts — of people you’ve never met.

That said, I believe in stepping out of my comfort zone, especially if it helps me connect with more of you. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling your longtime family house, or just curious about the market, I want people to know I’m here to help make the process easier and less intimidating. I still remember when I was studying for my real estate license, how confusing and overwhelming the language and steps could feel. That’s why I approach every transaction with the goal of simplifying things and helping you feel confident and supported.

So if you hear me on the radio, give a little wave (even if I can’t see it!). And if you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home, I’d love the chance to chat. Thank you for being part of this new adventure with me — it’s a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also so exciting, and I’m glad you’re here for it!

March 17, 2025

Part of being a realtor is figuring out how to balance homelife, family, and work, because real estate never sleeps. No really — I can’t tell you how often I’m working after the boys go to bed, and my husband has fallen asleep on the couch. This always poses the question: Is there such thing as “balance”? Experts say no — and I agree. A recent experience at my local grocery store has brought some perspective for what balance and priorities have been going on as an undercurrent within our household for many years.

Picture this: It’s the week before February school vacation and I’m at Hannaford, buying fun and different foods the boys haven’t had before, in an effort to mix things up a bit, as my husband was out of town and I knew I’d be working a lot. I bought Pizza Bites. Such a strange thing, I thought, to have never heated up for the boys before — this was a cool item I ate while growing up — a treat, a novelty! When I was checking out, I was talking with the person bagging my groceries. I commented that I felt like a bad mom, that I’d deprived my children of the pizza bite experience over the last 12 years.

Now here’s where perspective comes in. That individual said something I’d never considered. They said, “My mom was never around when me and my siblings were younger because she worked nights. We ate pizza bites and other frozen foods all the time, because we didn’t have a parent to cook for us. I think that the fact that your kids have never had Pizza Bites is awesome, because it shows that you’re there, making them dinner every night — you’re a present parent.”

Dang. If that doesn’t hit you in the feels, I don’t know what does. Perspective is really powerful when it’s served right up to you.

About a week later, I was back in line with that individual and I gave them an update. “The kids thought that the Pizza Bites were fine — certainly not a home run — but the Pizza Bites didn’t get the thumbs down.” They reiterated their sentiment before that my boys were lucky to have been able to have them as a fun food, not as a staple, as they had growing up. That being said: There’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeding your family what is within your means, easy, and convenient; there are so many nuances when it comes to meals and food availability, as well as food insecurity. We all have to do what’s best for us and our family. Side note: Our brokerage holds a food drive annually; I’ll be sure to post about that when it’s happening. If you’re looking for a local food bank for assistance or places to donate, please check here: Food Map | Find Maine Food Pantries | Good Shepherd Food Bank

A couple weeks later, I’m at my local Hannaford again and this same individual helps me at self check-out. “How do I know you?” they ask. “I’m Pizza Bites Mom!” which elicits a laugh, a fist-bump, and a “great to see you — how are you?”

Fast forward to yesterday. I’m at the store grabbing a couple things for dinner at about 5pm. I’m checking out, and me and my new friend give each other a big wave. I walk by, and they say, “Hey Involved Mom! What’s for dinner tonight?” I open my bag and point: Salmon, potatoes, and green beans. “Your kids are pretty lucky to have you.” It was all I could do to put my hand on my heart and say, thank you.

My husband and I are very blessed to be able to cook for our kids most nights, and we all have dinner together at least 5 out of 7 nights a week. Sometimes there are sleepovers or late work nights, but it’s something that has become a tradition in our family.

So for all the times I think that we’re not doing enough, and for the times my husband or I get frustrated that one of us needs to pick dinner yet again (who knew that adulting would include a daily question: “What’s for dinner?”) I think we’re doing ok with this whole “balance” thing.

Dinner tonight - steak, potatoes, asparagus

March 16, 2025

Today was a long, foggy day of showings. That being said, the views were absolutely worth it!

March in Maine is, as we all know, “MUD SEASON”. It’s this weird in between nebulous area of winter/spring that involves warmer days with melt, colder nights with freeze, rain instead of snow (which melts snow), and frozen ground that keeps water from penetrating it, so water just remains on top and freezes overnight, creating icy conditions. AWESOME! Not.

I had the privilege of showing some out-of-state clients four homes today. We’ve been on the home search for five or six months now, and I’ve logged, dare I say, over 2,000 miles for them for facetime showings. They’ve been up to Maine four times to see multiple homes and we’ve made a few offers that haven’t landed. These folks are so dedicated to finding the right home, but not settling, so we’ve explored many communities that offer different benefits to them professionally and socially.

Here’s a photo I snapped while passing through on my way to China. I love how the photo looks black and white, but the fog creates the image and it’s in real time — no edits made. Maine can be gross and inconvenient this time of year, yet also create some beautiful sights.

March 10, 2025

Hello everyone! Welcome to my new blog. This is a place I’ll be sharing updates, market information, and buying and selling tips. I’ll also be talking about what it’s like to live and travel throughout our beautiful state! Plus, I’ll be sharing about me and my family, as we navigate being a realtor, a carpenter, and students! FYI there will be a lot of selfies, since I travel alone, so here’s one to get started!

If you ever have any real estate questions, or questions in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to answer all your questions and help along the way. Let’s make big moves — together. Remember, I won’t stop working until you’re home!

Warm Regards,

Kristin Rofe