Preservation Sales

Maine Preservation is your partner in selling your historic property.

Our Protect & Sell Program works with sellers of historic properties who want to safeguard their property’s future to secure preservation-minded buyers committed to maintaining and (if necessary) rehabilitating historic buildings. We’re a unique resource to owners of challenging properties in particular, as our focus is on preservation and rehabilitation, diamonds in the rough are our specialty. We partner with homeowners, commercial property owners, land and conservation trusts, environmental and agricultural organizations, historical societies, and municipalities to ensure the long term safeguarding of historic buildings.

The Benefits

Distinguishing itself from the traditional real estate market, the Protect & Sell Program provides access to a niche market of buyers across the country who are seeking to buy and rehabilitate historic properties. These buyers are attracted to the rich and unique quality of place afforded by historic properties in Maine. The buyers and sellers we bring together view our engagement and the use of a preservation easement as a seal of authenticity, and view our ongoing partnership role and technical assistance a distinct benefit of participating in the program. We take on the future responsibility to provide ongoing technical assistance and property stewardship – and even legal defense if necessary.

We also can provide expert technical assistance on often complex rehabilitation projects to help ensure economically practical, long-lasting outcomes. Our years of experience help us clearly answer prospective buyers’ questions and resolve any uncertainties. This expertise is extremely valuable in selling houses needing substantial rehabilitation.

How we do it

In partnership with you, we facilitate the marketing, sale, and the protection of your special place. We act as your liaison to the real estate marketplace, providing you with a turnkey sales experience. We'll develop with you the protective preservation easement and an option to purchase and determine the listing price in consultation with a local real estate professional. We typically engage a local real estate agent to assist with showings, and we manage the property marketing process on your behalf, connect with all interested buyers to outline the history of the property and explan how the protective preservation easement works, and the rehabilitation requirements (if any). We're your partner throughout the entire transaction, including closing. Upon the sale of a program property, a preservation easement is recorded with the deed and the buyer commits to any required rehabilitation in a separate legal agreement.

Maine Preservation Easement Portfolio
Use tools in map header to expand map and view more detail.

Approved properties can be offered for sale at market price, or the owner may choose to generate charitable donation tax benefits by donating the property or offering it to us at a discounted price. A charitable contribution given at the time of sale funds our engagement in the sale and the easement monitoring and protection in perpetuity.

Program Cost

The Protect & Sell Program is supported by charitable easement stewardship contributions. The easement stewardship contribution covers the development, documentation, and recording of the easement, perpetual annual easement monitoring, rehabilitation oversight, and a legal defense fund in the event Maine Preservation must defend the easement in court. For properties in our sales program, the contribution also covers our legal fees for the option-to-purchase agreement (see below) and if rehabilitation is contemplated, the cost of the rehabilitation agreement, post-sale review of the rehabilitation plans, and construction monitoring. The amount of the stewardship contribution is typically $25,000 but each situation is singular and the actual amount is based on a number of factors and is customized for the property.

For properties that we sell, Maine Preservation typically develops an option-to-purchase agreement with you for an agreed-on price. That option is exercised at the time of closing with a new purchaser. The sale price in our option-to-purchase agreement with you can be market rate, or you may choose to generate charitable donation tax benefit by offering it to us at a discounted price or donating the property - you decide based on your needs. Maine Preservation secures an easement stewardship contribution from the sale proceeds, or you can make an outright donation to cover the cost of easement protection.

For some endangered properties that meet certain qualifications, Maine Preservation can apply for supplemental support through the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund administered by Maine Historic Preservation Commission. These funds are limited, but can subsidize the easement stewardship contribution and other transaction and protection costs for qualifying properties.

Contact us to learn more about how Maine Preservation can help you transition and protect your special place.

Current Projects

completed protect & sell projects

yarmouth deport.jpg — Grand Trunk Railroad Depot

The iconic 1906 depot is located on Main Street in the heart of Yarmouth Village and is a delightful reminder of our transportation heritage. The building retains many original station features including beautiful bead board walls, light fixtures, fireplace, and ticket window. It had been owned by the Yarmouth Village Improvement Society for more than 50 years and it had been leased as a florist shop since the early 1970s. After many years of faithful caretaking, the owner decided the time was right to sell the property to a new steward and worked with Maine Preservation to find a preservation-minded buyer.
Ford Reiche, an enthusiastic support of historic property rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, purchased the deport for use as commercial office space. A branch of Gorham Savings Bank will open in the depot in 2019.

Cosmopolitan Club

Flanked on both sides by similar homes, this 2.5 story Greek Revival sets directly on the town green across from the library. Constructed in 1841 during the middle of the boom time for the City of Ships, it was the home of Dr. Israel Putman, a graduate of Bowdoin Medical School. Dr. Putnam had an extensive medical practice in Bath and served as the Cities mayor eight times between 1859 and 1867.
The property had served as the headquarters of the Cosmopolitan Club since 1915 but was purchased in April 2017 by an individual who is rehabilitating the house for his private residence.

Patricia Scott Photo.jpg — George washington lodge

George Washington Lodge, No. 123 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), was instituted March 26, 1890 in Pembroke. Six years later, master builder Nathan Foster of Calais erected the Italianate-style building specifically for the organization on what is now Old Route 1/ Old Country Road. The two-story building sits at the old village center of West Pembroke. The property has been well preserved – both on the exterior and interior – and retains virtually all of the original floorplan, plastered walls and original varnished paneled ceilings, wooden floors and doors, window casings and hardware.
The property was purchased in June 2017 to host the library of Greenhorns, a nonprofit that works with young entrepreneurial farmers. The lodge will also function as a gallery and community space, bringing back community activity to the village of West Pembroke.

Abijah Buck House

One of the finest rural examples of the Georgian-style in Maine, the Abijah Buck House sits on property settled by this French-and-Indian-War veteran and his wife Phebe Tyler Buck in 1777. They were the first family to settle "Bucktown," which became known as Buckfield, named after Abijah. The house retains many of its original elements, including raised panel woodwork in 6 rooms, a corner cupboard and two types of interior shutters, doors, latches, flooring, and stenciled walls by Maine 19th century artist Moses Eaton. The house also contains a 9 foot fireplace--the largest known in Maine.
The home was purchased in May 2016 by new owners who are rapidly rehabilitating the property.

James o. crooker house

Located in downtown Norway, the James O. Crooker House stands as a well-preserved example of late vernacular Greek Revival style. James O. Crooker, a noted tinsmith and hardware dealer, built the house about 1865. In 1864, he purchased a hardware business on Maine Street from Thomas Higgins. Shortly thereafter, he built a brick hardware store in its place, similar in style to his home. The house retains many original features and decorative elements such as its Doric pilasters and entablatures which frame both the house and the main entry, and the corner block trim that decorates the interior window and door frames. Decorative painted tin adorns the ceiling in the living room and parlor, likely a legacy of the builder’s profession. The structure comprises the house, an ell, and a two-story attached barn with a gabled roof that contains a circular window and faces the street.
The home was purchased in January 2016 by a local couple who are rehabilitating the property.

Robbins-Anderson House

The Robbins-Anderson House was built by South Thomaston’s founding family, Oliver and Chloe Robbins, who settled in 1762. The current house was the family’s second house on the property, built circa 1795 and was renovated about 1870 to include Greek Revival details. About 1900, Isaac and Rosa Anderson, natives of Finland, purchased the property and in the early 20th century donated a small piece of their land for the Finnish Congregational Church. The house and 5 acres had remained in the Anderson family until the sale.
This house was purchased in June 2015, and the new owner, who has local ties, is working to rehabilitate the main house for use as an art gallery, the back sheds for craftspeople and the foundation of the former barn as a sculpture garden.