Real Estate & Elegant Maine Living - The Way Life Should Be
Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s luxury real estate market, distinctive properties, and the lifestyle that makes this state such a special place to call home. Hosted by Elise Kiely, a top-producing real estate advisor and lifestyle connector with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with local leaders, creatives, and visionaries who embody the spirit of elegant living in Maine. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply Maine-curious, each episode offers insight, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the people and places that define Maine.
Maine’s Future Leaders: Reflections from 5 Recent High School Graduates of the Olympia Snowe Institute
In this special and heartfelt episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with five remarkable young women from Poland Regional High School who recently graduated after completing the three-year leadership curriculum through the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
For the past three years, my co-mentor Timi Carter and I have had the privilege of guiding these students—Autumn, Mabel, Olivia, Lily, and Shawna—through a journey of discovering their values, voice, and vision.
Together, we reflect on what they’ve learned about confidence, courage, and character—and how the Instit...
Maine Real Estate & Waterfront Business Part 2: Chris DiMillo on Family, Real Estate, and the Portland Waterfront
In this second half of my conversation with Chris DiMillo, owner of DiMillo’s Yacht Sales, we dive deeper into how he expanded his family’s Maine waterfront legacy — growing the yacht brokerage business beyond Portland to Long Island, New York and the eastern shore of Maryland — all while maintaining a culture grounded in hospitality, service, and relationships.
Chris shares his insights on:
🌊 Scaling with purpose: How a single boat sale led to multi-state expansion and a thriving 70-person company.
⚓ Company culture: The “hospitality DNA” inherited from his father that drives both employee loyalty and excep...
Maine Real Estate & Waterfront Business: Chris DiMillo on Family, Real Estate, and the Portland Waterfront
In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with my friend and client, Chris DiMillo, whose family name is synonymous with Portland’s waterfront. The word of the day is DiMillo—because that single name tells a story of hard work, family, entrepreneurship, and Maine grit.
Chris shares his father’s remarkable journey—growing up on Munjoy Hill, leaving school at age 12 to help support his family, and ultimately building an empire that would shape the heart of Portland. From running a grocery store to creating one of Maine’s most iconic restaurants, his father...
Maine's Still Waters & Strong Minds: The Healing Power of Fly Fishing & the Maine Outdoors
There’s something truly special about life in Maine — where being active and outdoors isn’t a hobby, it’s a way of life.
In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with my friend Tom Ackerman, an incredible storyteller, guide, and fly-fishing travel consultant, to talk about what makes the Maine outdoors so restorative and how a life connected to nature brings balance, joy, and adventure.
Tom’s career has spanned decades of helping people discover the beauty of Maine’s rivers, lakes, and coastlin...
An Intentional Maine Lifestyle, My Conversation with Charlotte Miller Part II
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 Charlotte’s little boy running to the door every morning, eager to get outside. From backyard adventures to preschools with direct access to acres of preserved wood...
An Intentional Maine Lifestyle, My Conversation with Charlotte Miller
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 event shifted her perspective, leading her to prioritize joy, balance, and the outdoors over the traditional “big city” care...
Maine Moves Differently: Maine Real Estate Market Update
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, Maine’s story is one of steady appreciation, lifestyle-driven decisions, and generational ownership.
From basketball courts in basements and Mahjong lounges in di...
Maine's Creative Community Through Stories, Sound & Music: The Studio Portland Part II, E:24
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 that make this creative hub such a special place in Maine.
John shares how The Studio Portland supports emerging and establis...
E 23: Maine's Creative Community Through Stories, Sound & Music: The Studio Portland (Part I)
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 business partners Amanda and Thorn Dickinson, John took ownership of The Studio Portland in 2024 an...
E 22: Maine Island Living: Community, Family, and the Beauty of Chebeague Part II with Erika Gabrielsen Neumann
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 Oestreicher of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.
Built with massive Canadian white pine timbers, this...
Episode 21: Maine Island Living: Community, Family, and the Beauty of Chebeague with Erika Gabrielsen Neumann
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 deeply woven into the island community. We talk about:
The magic of Chebeague — why the island itse...Episode 20: June 2025 Maine Real Estate Market Update: Reading the Tea Leaves
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 Market Trends: Why buyer jitters persist despite stable mortgage rates, how equity gains are shaping seller decisions, and why today’s market is nothing like 2008...Episode 19: The Power of Showing Up: Mentorship, Community & Quiet Leadership with Timi Carter
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 pantry board, and through her leadership role with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
Together, Elise and Timi reflect on:<...
Episode 18: The Art of Creativity, Community and Collecting with Elizabeth Moss
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:
How Liz curates exhibitions and builds relationships with artists and collectorsThe power of art as investment and how Maine-based artist Lynn Drexler's work has soared...Episod 17: The Art of Maine: Creativity, Community, and Collecting with Elizabeth Moss
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 has been curating and promoting both emerging and established artists—many with strong Maine connections—since 2004.
Together, Elise and Elizabeth explor...
Episode 16: Maine Recovery and Workforce Community Part 2: A Dignified Job Makes All The Difference
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 second chance and meaningful work, have rebuilt their lives, built families and become proud contributors to their communities.
We discuss:
The transformative power of a paycheckMisconceptions around criminality and ad...Episode 15: Maine Recovery and Workforce Community: A Dignified Job Makes All the Difference
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 shares her inspiring personal journey—from Wall Street to rehabilitation, and ultimately, to her calling in Maine. Learn how she turned a volunteer role at the Cu...
Episode 14: Real Estate Now: Navigating the Crosscurrents in National, Northeast, and Maine Markets
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 seller’s market in Maine, and the growing impact of private, off-market transactions in the high-end segment. Elise shares two real-life stories from recent private sales to illustr...
Episode 13: Real Estate From Naples to Maine — Second Homes, Smart Strategies & Lifestyle Transitions
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 precision than during the pandemic rush. You’ll also hear how trends in what is happening in other markets often foreshadow what’s coming in Maine, and why having an experienced advisor on the ground is more critical than eve...
Episode 12: Real Estate From Naples to Maine — Second Homes, Smart Strategies & Lifestyle Transitions
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 NaplesWhy Naples and Maine complement each other as luxury marketsThe appeal of club culture, gated communities, and outdoor livingSmart strategies for second-home ownership in FloridaHow different buyers are navigating insurance issues in Flo...Episode 11: Protecting Your Maine Life, Part 2: Real Estate, Community & Smart Insurance with Tate Ficker
“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 insurance costs in Maine, which—despite these pressures—still boasts some of the lowest premiums nationwide. Tate explains how local property owners can protect themselves by being proactive, c...
Episode 10 - Protecting Your Maine Life: Real Estate, Community & Smart Insurance with Tate Ficker
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 estate and business.How Tate built a client-centric insurance firm that blends old-fashioned service with modern technology.The importance of ann...Episode 9: May, 2025, Market Snapshot, National Trends and Maine Movements
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, Elise covers:
Why the national market is hesitant—and how Maine is writing its own storyHow interest rates and equity trends are impacting sellers and buyersThe surge in entry-level demand ($500K–$...Episode 8: Financing with Confidence Part 2 - A Conversation with Greg Dauphinee of Androscoggin Bank
“Financing with Confidence: Local Lending Strategies with Greg Dauphinee (Part 2)”
In the second half of my conversation with Greg Dauphinee, Senior Loan Officer at Androscoggin Bank, we explore how working with a local community lender can give buyers a meaningful edge in Maine’s competitive real estate market.
Greg shares insightful stories from the field—moments where common-sense lending and local control made all the difference in getting deals done. From navigating unique title issues to helping clients purchase new homes before selling their current ones, this episode is full of smart st...
Episode 7: Financing with Confidence - A Conversation with Greg Dauphinee of Androscoggin Bank
“Financing with Confidence: Navigating Interest Rates and Lending in Maine with Greg Dauphinee”
In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I sit down with Greg Dauphinee, Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Androscoggin Bank, to discuss financing options in today’s real estate market and how buyers—particularly those not purchasing with cash—can still be competitive in Maine’s dynamic housing environment.
With over 24 years of experience and an impressive track record of service, Greg brings both data and heart to this conversation. We explore:
The current interest rate landscape and how it’s...Episode 6: Leading in Luxury: A Conversation with Chris Lynch (Part II), Founder of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
In this second half of my engaging conversation with Chris Lynch, founder and president of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, we dive into what’s driving Maine’s residential real estate market—from explosive luxury appreciation to the deepening challenges in the entry-level housing segment.
Chris shares powerful insights about the post-pandemic surge in demand, why lifestyle-driven buyers are still flocking to Maine, and the surprising national data that puts Maine at the top of the country for real estate appreciation since 2020.
We also discuss:
The evolving definition of “luxury” in Maine real estateHow mu...Episode 5: Leading in Luxury: A Conversation with Chris Lynch, Founder of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
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...
Episode 4: April 2025 Market Update: Growing Buyer Leverage in Maine Real Estate
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, an...
Episode 3: Mentoring Maine’s Future (Part II): A Conversation with Christina McAnuff of the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute
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 p...
Episode 2: Mentoring Maine’s Future: A Conversation with Christina McAnuff of the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute
✨ Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, Elise sits down with Christina McAnuff, Executive Director of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, to explore how this transformative organization is raising the confidence and aspirations of high school girls across Maine. With a presence in 37 schools and over 1,400 alumnae and active Olympia Leaders currently in high school, the Institute offers a unique three-year leadership curriculum—My Values, My Voice, My Vision—rooted in the personal ethos of Senator Olympia Snowe.
Elise and Christina discuss the origins of the program, how it selects and mentors students, and why ment...
Episode 1: Maine’s 2024 Real Estate Market & Predictions for 2025
📌 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, host Elise Kiely, Senior Vice President and Luxury Real Estate Advisor with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, takes a deep dive into Maine’s real estate market in 2024 and shares her predictions for 2025.
Elise explores key market trends, shares insights from real buyer experiences, and discusses how Luxury Active Baby Boomers (LABS) and Luxury Empty Nesters (LENS) are reshaping Maine’s real estate landscape. She also addresses the common question: Where are all these...
Introduction to Elegant Maine Living
🎙 Episode Title: Welcome to Elegant Maine Living – The Way Life Should Be
📌 Episode Summary:
In this inaugural episode of Elegant Maine Living, host Elise Kiely, Senior Vice President and Real Estate Advisor with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, introduces listeners to the heart and soul of Maine’s unique lifestyle and luxury real estate market. She shares her personal journey from practicing law in Washington, D.C., to Maine, her passion for real estate, and the inspiration behind launching this podcast.
This episode sets the sta...
