Brunswick development? (real estate, houses, landscaping)

[Spamela H]

Pre-pandemic I was looking online at an energy-efficient development near Brunswick called Douglas Ridge. I see news stories about how many people are moving to Maine, yet this development doesn’t seem to be catching on. Is that right? Photos on real estate sites show a lot of empty lots there. What’s happening?

[Mark S.]

No idea. Last time I drove past there, I think there was one house up.

I don't know much about the development, but it looks to me like the developer sells you the lot and expects you to build to suit with lots of rules in place. It looks to me like a "Only the Rich Need Apply" type of place. But again, I don't really know anything about it.

[Spamela H]

Thanks for the reply. I wonder how many people might be interested if there were a few model homes with landscaping. Don’t know how these things work, but who signs on to live alone on an empty dirt road?

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by Spamela H

Thanks for the reply. I wonder how many people might be interested if there were a few model homes with landscaping. Don’t know how these things work, but who signs on to live alone on an empty dirt road?

I would live alone on an empty dirt road, but not one that has a development pending.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Spamela H

Thanks for the reply. I wonder how many people might be interested if there were a few model homes with landscaping. Don’t know how these things work, but who signs on to live alone on an empty dirt road?

There are lots of other homes and a similar community on that road.

[roadrat]

Originally Posted by Spamela H

Thanks for the reply. I wonder how many people might be interested if there were a few model homes with landscaping. Don’t know how these things work, but who signs on to live alone on an empty dirt road?

There are hundreds of developments in Maine like this, road, water/sewer, electric is all there but only 1 or 2 houses built.
And yet you can drive around anywhere in the state and find developers putting in hundreds of new roads and utility's for yet more empty neighborhoods.
Many times there are onerous (IMHO) restrictions like 2000sft minimum build size, no out buildings etc, etc.

Sad to see this happening.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by roadrat

There are hundreds of developments in Maine like this, road, water/sewer, electric is all there but only 1 or 2 houses built.
And yet you can drive around anywhere in the state and find developers putting in hundreds of new roads and utility's for yet more empty neighborhoods.
Many times there are onerous (IMHO) restrictions like 2000sft minimum build size, no out buildings etc, etc.

Sad to see this happening.

yes. Where I own it is 12 lots sold (all of them, but most sold in the last 2 years after sitting for over 10) and only 3 homes built so far.

[Spamela H]

Originally Posted by svband76

yes. Where I own it is 12 lots sold (all of them, but most sold in the last 2 years after sitting for over 10) and only 3 homes built so far.

Interesting. Is this because the buyers are just holding the property, or because builders are experiencing supply issues?

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Spamela H

Interesting. Is this because the buyers are just holding the property, or because builders are experiencing supply issues?

Not sure but you're probably partially right. And maybe lack of builders (too busy?)..