Mainebiz

19 A P R I L 7 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G boosted Vacationland's popularity as a place to buy homes to renovate — which Eldridge blames in part for driving up real estate prices. His tip for flippers: "I was told to buy the worst place in the nicest neighborhood you can find." Flipping the script in southern Maine Meanwhile in southern Maine, renovators like Chris Low are still finding bargains to upgrade and sell at a profit. e Portland-area contrac- tor and serial flipper bought a historic home on Munjoy Hill last July for $680,000 and spent seven months renovating with a crew. ey were still at work in late February when this journalist visited, treading carefully on a slippery snow- covered driveway to enter a house abuzz with the sounds of hammers and saws. "We'll be back later in the spring once the ground thaws and firms up a bit to do some exterior work," he says a few days after closing an off-market transaction for $1.48 million. Like Low, Maine Real Estate's Parent prefers to stay close to home with his projects, doing business as House of Dogs LLC in homage to his pets. Recent flips include 67 Mast Hill Road in Saco, a three-bed- room Colonial home he bought for $435,000 in August 2024 and spent 90 days spiffing up with fresh paint, new flooring and updated fixtures. He listed the house for $675,000, touting it as a "move-in-ready stun- ner" conveniently located near shop- ping, dining, schools and the "stun- ning Maine coastline." It sold within six days for $700,000. "at's just the market right now," says Parent, with a half-dozen flips under his belt. "It's great income, but it also gives me the opportunity to learn and use the process to better serve my clients," Back on Haven Road in South Portland, LaBauve looks forward to the day she can hand the key to the next owner and start planning her next endeavor. "We saw one last week that would be a really good project," she says, "but I can't afford to buy the next one until I sell this one." at shouldn't take long. As this article went to press, the house was already under contract. Renee Cordes, Mainebiz deputy editor, can be reached at rcordes @ mainebiz.biz P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Laurel LaBauve prepares for the first showing of a house she renovated on Haven Road in South Portland. W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z

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