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:

• [01:30] Chris’s transition from Wall Street to Maine and the pivotal family moment that inspired the change
• [05:15] Why Portland stood out among global coastal cities as a lifestyle destination
• [07:00] How Legacy Properties Sotheby’s was born—and the early uphill climb
• [10:30] What it took to build a new real estate firm in a fragmented market
• [13:00] Reflections on the 2008 crash and the founding team that helped weather it
• [16:00] Leading through the COVID-19 pandemic: crisis management and communication
• [19:00] The power of the Sotheby’s global network and national peer collaboration
• [20:15] Chris’s favorite transaction: how a couple’s bold move in 2008 turned into a fivefold return
• [22:45] Why buying in Maine is about timing, not speculation
• [23:30] Elise and Chris on the accessible, authentic lifestyle that defines Maine living

Quotable Moments:

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It 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
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

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:

• 🏡 Buyers are regaining leverage. Increased inventory and more negotiable terms like inspections and seller occupancy are giving buyers more room to maneuver.
• 📈 Sales and prices are still rising. In Maine, single-family home sales rose 6.5% year-over-year in February 2025, while median prices are up 9%.
• 💡 Life events are driving purchases. Buyers are adjusting to the new normal of interest rates between 6–7% and acting on long-term lifestyle goals.
• 💸 Luxury buyers remain a force. While global volatility affects some high-end markets, Maine’s signature properties still command attention—and action.
• 🏘️ Investors: take note. Opportunities exist in overlooked entry-level homes that can be transformed into valuable long-term rentals.
• 🔍 Success hinges on strategy. Whether buying or selling, working with a knowledgeable, trusted advisor is more important than ever.

Quote of the Episode:

Subscribe & Share:
Elegant Maine Living is available on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps others discover the beauty of Maine real estate and lifestyle.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute legal, investment, or real estate advice, and no advisory relationship is formed through this episode.

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.

Host: Elise Kiely
Guest: Christina McAnuff, Executive Director, Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute

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:

• Statewide fall and spring conferences that unite all program participants
• The alumni network supporting graduates into college, careers, and beyond
• A behind-the-scenes look at the mentor experience and its personal rewards
• The importance of meaningful feedback and emotional affirmation
• Real stories of impact from mentees and mentors
• Ways to volunteer—from long-term mentorship to one-day support roles
• How businesses and donors can support the Institute’s continued success

📍 Episode Highlights:

• [01:30] – What happens at the statewide leadership conferences
• [06:00] – How seniors graduate and become part of a growing alum network
• [08:00] – A defining moment at their Fall Forum that brought the network to life
• [13:00] – Elise’s personal journey as a Leadership Advisor
• [17:00] – Why stories and lived experiences are essential to growth
• [20:00] – A poignant story of mentorship and seeing someone’s true potential
• [24:00] – How to get involved: mentor, speak, donate, or support events

Whether you live in Maine or are just moving here, the Olympia Snowe Institute offers countless ways to engage:

• Volunteer as a Leadership Advisor
• Support one-day conferences in fall or spring
• Become a guest speaker or networking mentor
• Donate to support a girl’s full three-year journey (approx. $2,500 per participant)

💡 Learn more about the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute: www.snoweinstitute.org
💬 Consider becoming a mentor, volunteer, speaker, or donor.
🗓️ Attend one of their statewide events and see the mission in action.

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 of beauty, leadership, and purpose in our great state.

Connect with Elise

🌐 Website & Listings: Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
📸 Follow Elise on Social Media:

• Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate
• Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate
• LinkedIn: Elise Kiely

Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at

• Elise@EliseKiely.com
  
  

Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived.