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

Elise Kiely

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.

  1. 6d ago

    Maine Real Estate Market Update Spring '26 Part 1: Why Buyers Are Still Buying in 2026 (Part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail Is the housing market slowing, evolving, or heading toward a downturn? In Part 1 of my May 2026 Maine Real Estate Market Update, I explore what is happening nationally, why Maine continues to behave differently than many markets around the country, and why thoughtful buyers are still entering the market despite mortgage rates in the mid-6% range. We discuss: • Why today's market looks very different from 2008 • The growing divide between regional housing markets across the country • Why homeownership continues to be one of the most powerful long-term wealth-building tools available to families • The increasing role of women in homeownership and wealth creation • The Great Wealth Transfer and its impact on real estate • How parents and grandparents are helping younger generations purchase homes • The opportunities—and potential emotional complexities—when family money enters a real estate transaction Whether you are a first-time buyer, helping an adult child purchase a home, considering a move to Maine, or simply interested in understanding today's housing market, this episode offers practical perspective on ownership, wealth creation, and long-term planning. In Part 2, we'll shift our focus to Maine-specific trends including ADUs, multigenerational living, luxury buyer preferences, wellness amenities, privacy, and the evolving definition of luxury living in Maine. For more information about Maine real estate or to connect with Elise, visit Elegant Maine Living. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    19 min
  2. Jun 2

    Elegant Maine Living with Shana Cook Mueller: A Maine Family Sabbatical Through Africa & Europe Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when two middle school girls leave behind their friends, sports teams, school routines, and familiar lives in Maine to spend nearly a year living in Africa and Europe? In this second half of Elise Kiely’s conversation with the Cook Mueller family, Jasmine and Sydney Mueller share their family sabbatical experience from their perspective. When their parents first announced the plan to leave Maine for nearly a year, neither daughter was enthusiastic. In fact, both wondered what they would miss—from friends and school traditions to sports, activities, and everyday routines. But over time, what began as uncertainty evolved into an experience that neither would trade. Jasmine and Sydney discuss: Their initial reactions to learning about the family sabbaticalLeaving friends, school, sports, and familiar routines behindAttending an international school in TanzaniaMaking friends from around the worldLearning and living in a new cultureFamily adventures throughout Tanzania, Cape Town, Switzerland, and EuropeHomeschooling while travelingThe challenges and rewards of spending so much time together as a familyWhat surprised them most about living abroadReturning home to Maine after a life-changing yearThis episode offers a rare glimpse into a family sabbatical through the eyes of children and explores how travel, cultural immersion, international education, and shared experiences can shape confidence, perspective, resilience, and lifelong memories. Whether you're considering a family sabbatical, worldschooling, homeschooling while traveling, living abroad with children, or simply looking for inspiration to step outside your family's comfort zone, this conversation is filled with practical insights and heartfelt reflections. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    45 min
  3. May 26

    Elegant Maine Living with Shana Cook Mueller: A Maine Family Sabbatical Through Africa & Europe

    Send us Fan Mail What would it look like to step away from everyday life for nearly a year and experience the world together as a family? In this first half of Elise Kiely’s conversation with Shana Cook Mueller, Shana shares how she and her husband, Fortunat Mueller of ReVision Energy, made the bold decision to pause work, leave Maine, and take their two daughters on a year-long family sabbatical through Tanzania, Cape Town, Switzerland, and beyond. Together, Elise and Shana discuss:  The decision-making process behind a family sabbatical  Raising children with global perspective and cultural awareness  Leaving behind routines, school schedules, and professional obligations  Building community while living abroad  Parenting through uncertainty and adventure  Life in Tanzania and the experience of international schools  Homeschooling while traveling through Europe  The impact of slowing down and living more intentionally as a family This episode is a thoughtful conversation about family, purpose, courage, and creating a life aligned with your values. And in Part 2, Jasmine and Sydney Mueller join Elise to share the experience from their perspective — from leaving friends behind and starting new schools to unforgettable adventures, family dynamics, and what it felt like to finally come home to Maine. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    33 min
  4. May 19

    Returning to Maine with Molly Platz (Part 2): How and When to Come Home & Build a Lifestyle

    Send us Fan Mail In the second half of my conversation with Molly Platz, we move from the decision to return to Maine… to what it actually looks like to build a new life here as an adult. After years living in Austin, Texas, Molly and her partner Nick made the intentional decision to return to Maine and create a life that balanced community, independence, family, and lifestyle. Together, we discuss how they chose the Willard Beach neighborhood in South Portland, what they were looking for in a community, and why they intentionally wanted to build something that felt like their own—not simply recreate Molly’s childhood experience in Maine.  We also talk about:  Purchasing a home remotely without ever seeing it in person  The emotional reality of relocating while preparing to welcome their first child  Building community intentionally as new parents while both working remotely  The importance of walkability, neighborhood connection, and access to nature in the greater Portland lifestyle  How Maine’s culture of friendliness and community surprised both Molly and Nick  Balancing closeness to family with independence as adults  What younger generations may prioritize differently about work-life balance, community, and lifestyle Molly also shares thoughtful reflections on Maine identity, community involvement, and how she and Nick are intentionally designing a life that reflects who they are now—not simply who they were when they left Maine years ago.  And of course, we end with some favorite Maine places, including walks around South Portland, Willard Beach, Scratch Bakery, and what makes Maine such a special place to call home. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    35 min
  5. May 12

    Returning to Maine with Molly Platz (Part 1): How and When to Come Home & Build a Lifestyle

    Send us Fan Mail Molly Platz’s story is one that will resonate with so many young adults who grow up in Maine, leave to explore the world, build careers and relationships elsewhere—and then eventually begin asking themselves an important question: What would it look like to come back to Maine and build a life here as an adult, on my own terms? In this first half of my conversation with Molly, we talk about the experience of leaving Maine to discover who you are outside the expectations and familiarity of home. Molly shares how moving away gave her the freedom to grow independently, create new communities, and better understand the kind of life she ultimately wanted to build. After years living in Austin, Texas, Molly and her partner Nick began thoughtfully considering a return to Maine—not out of nostalgia, but out of a desire for a different kind of lifestyle, stronger connection to family, and a more intentional way of living as they thought about their future and starting a family of their own. Together, we discuss:  Why leaving Maine can sometimes be an important part of ultimately returning  Building identity and confidence away from home  Creating community as a young adult in a new city  The push and pull many people feel between opportunity, lifestyle, family, and belonging  How relationships and priorities evolve in your late 20s and 30s  The early conversations Molly and Nick had about moving back to Maine Molly grew up in Auburn, Maine, in a multigenerational Maine family with deep roots in design, community, and philanthropy. She attended Connecticut College, later studied design through Parsons School of Design, earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas, and built a career blending communication, design, and social impact work before returning to Maine. In the second half of our conversation, we discuss what happened next: choosing the Willard Beach neighborhood in South Portland, purchasing a home remotely without seeing it in person, building community while working from home, and what surprised her most about returning to Maine at this stage of life. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    28 min
  6. May 5

    Maine’s Front Line, Part 2: Inside Life Flight, Emergency Medicine, and Resilience with Dr. Mike Baumann

    Send us Fan Mail In the second half of her conversation with Dr. Mike Baumann, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Maine Medical Center, Elise Kiely dives into what it truly means to lead and practice emergency medicine in Maine. Dr. Baumann shares how Life Flight of Maine operates in one of the most rural states in the country, what a typical day looks like for an ER physician, and how a recent health scare gave him new insight into patient care and personal balance. This episode offers a powerful look at the human side of healthcare — from clinical coordination to compassion under pressure. 🎧 Highlights include:  How emergency teams prepare for rural trauma care  What happens behind the scenes in an ER shift  Reflections on vulnerability, leadership, and showing up fully in both work and life Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    29 min
  7. Apr 28

    Maine’s Front Line, Part 1: Dr. Mike Baumann on Leading the Emergency Department at Maine Medical Center

    Send us Fan Mail In this first half of a two-part conversation, Elise Kiely sits down with Dr. Mike Bauman, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Maine Medical Center and Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. With warmth, clarity, and candor, Dr. Bauman offers a behind-the-scenes look at the structure and role of Maine’s flagship teaching hospital — from the residency match process and medical student education to what it means to be a Level 1 trauma center. You’ll learn about:  How Maine Med trains and attracts top medical talent  What happens behind the scenes when you walk into the ER  How seasonal surges and hospital capacity affect emergency care  Why Monday is the busiest day in emergency medicine  And how the hospital fits into the broader health landscape in Maine Whether you’re curious about emergency care in Maine, thinking about a career in medicine, or simply wondering what to expect when walking into the ER, this episode offers insight with compassion and clarity. 🎧 Be sure to catch Part Two, where Dr. Bauman shares what it’s like working with Life Flight of Maine, describes a day in the life of an ER physician, and reflects on how his own recent health scare changed his view of care, leadership, and what matters most. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    34 min
  8. Apr 22

    Maine Real Estate Market Update – April 2026: Strategy, Stability & Opportunity with Elise Kiely

    Send us Fan Mail In this April 2026 market update, Elise Kiely shares a clear and grounded perspective on what is happening in Maine real estate today—and how buyers and sellers can respond strategically. The data points to a market that is stabilizing, not declining. While national headlines highlight uncertainty, Maine continues to move at its own pace, with moderate appreciation, limited inventory, and strong long-term fundamentals. Elise discusses why waiting for a market “crash” is not a strategy, the growing influence of single women as a powerful buyer segment, and why preparation and condition are once again critical for sellers. She also outlines practical guidance for navigating today’s market—whether you are buying, selling, or planning ahead. Key takeaways:  Maine’s market is stabilizing with moderate price growth  A crash is unlikely; demand remains strong and building  Preparation and pricing strategy are essential for sellers  Buyers should act strategically and not wait for perfection  Real estate remains a powerful tool for long-term wealth creation Related Episodes & Conversations 🎧 Market Update with Chris Lynch https://www.elegantmaineliving.com 🎧 Amelia Dow – The Great Wealth Transfer & Its Impact on Real Estate https://www.elegantmaineliving.com 🎧 Sandra Stone – Investing, Entrepreneurship & Maine Angels https://www.elegantmaineliving.com 🎧 Elizabeth Carper – The Styled Home: Preparing Your Home for Market https://www.elegantmaineliving.com Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestateFacebook: 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. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship.  Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    17 min

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About

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.