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

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 of life that come so naturally in Maine—like Charlott...

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 classroom!) and eventually back to New England. A sudden life...

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 buyers, rising inventory, and flat pricing, M...

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 Portland, we explore the artistry, business, and community tha...

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 and sound engineer. Along with his wife Reva Tankle and...

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 that I am proud to co-list with my colleague Alexa Oes...

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 in the signature Log House, raised children, and became...

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 to prepare and act wisely.

You’ll learn:

• National Ma...

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 halls of Portland High School to her church and food pa...

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 third space for connection.

Elise and Liz discuss:

• Ho...

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 locations in Falmouth and Portland, Elizabeth ...

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 deeply personal stories of individuals who, with a se...

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, real estate, and recovery communities.

Margo...

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 what’s driving the luxury market, why it remains a selle...

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 many are still choosing Naples—just with more preci...

 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
• Why Naples and Maine complement each other as lux...

“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 i...

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 sense of community plays a vital role in both real estat...

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, Eli...