Jim lived the dream that many people have of leaving the hustle-bustle of the big city behind and moving to Maine. Many years ago, he traded the congestion of the New York City area and the long commute by train to Manhattan for a 100 acre lakeside “farm” complete with apple orchard, trout stream and horse barn. Sounds great, but the move turned up a few funny missteps and some hard lessons along the way—all good things to know if you’re planning a similar move. Just ask him.

Jim’s background is an interesting patchwork of magazine publishing, construction and all things related to boats. In his younger days, a stint as an equipment operator and house carpenter coupled with a penchant for journalism landed him a job as an editor with a construction magazine. A passion for sailing and the desire for a more laid-back lifestyle brought him to Maine and a job with National Fisherman magazine. Years later he added WorkBoat magazine to his resume. For the past decade or so he’s been editor of Marine Electronics Journal in his spare time.

All of this, he says—an insider’s knowledge of construction, a love of boats, fishing and the sea, and good communication skills—prepared him well for selling real estate along the coast of Maine, both residential and commercial. Over the years he has represented sellers of unique properties as well as buyers with very specific requirements.

“Whether someone is looking for a single-family house, investment property or a business, communication is the key,” Jim says, “and it starts with the first telephone call, email or face to face meeting. You have to be a good listener and you have to ask plenty of questions. Finding the right property is a process, sometimes a lengthy one. Staying in close touch and getting and giving feedback are the best way to reach the goal.”

When he’s not talking real estate, Jim is usually up to his ears in projects around the small farm (no, not the same farm that brought him to Maine) that he shares with his wife Jeanne and assorted dogs, cats and horses—and, oh yeah, a classic motorcycle and car and an original strip-built sailing dinghy. But even then shop talk is often the order of the day—Jeanne is marketing director of Camden Real Estate Company.

Jim Fullilove may be contacted at jimf@camdenre.com
or at Camden Real Estate (207) 236-6171.