Business Spotlight: Campbell and DiCenso Team at William Raveis Real Estate

In today’s red-hot real estate market, finding real estate experts who will fight for your best interest and have the experience and a proven track record of success can be daunting, but the team of associate brokers Nancy Campbell and Michelle DiCenso at William Raveis Real Estate stand ready to exceed expectations and assist with the sale or purchase of a home. 

The team provides real estate services and they also work with sellers in staging their home to prepare for professional photography and the ultimate sale of their home. They provide invaluable connections to contractors, mortgage lenders, and title services and sometimes navigate through some very sticky situations, such as failed septic systems, water treatment, and significant title or land disputes.

But through it all, Campbell and DiCenso’s clients benefit from their tenacity on every level of the real estate experience, and they work it through to a successful conclusion.

They equally serve sellers and buyers and both Campbell and DiCenso have diverse knowledge of many communities with their reach extending well beyond Windham. They specialize in real estate from Sebago Lake to Long Lake and everything in between, and they also have intimate knowledge of Greater Portland, including the very hot downtown Portland condo market.

“We truly care about our client’s needs and evaluate all aspects of their lives and determine what works best,” DiCenso said. “In some cases, we help folks develop a long-term plan, using an honest down-to-earth approach and ensuring each individual client’s unique needs is always in the forefront.”

According to DiCenso, the greatest misconception the public may have about her work is that real estate is an easy profession. “You have to know a lot about various aspects of home buying; from financing, the actual construction and systems of a home, environmental issues, the legal aspects of title and land ownership,” she said. “There are ever-changing federal, state and local regulations.  There are so many moving parts to every transaction. It is critical to have a team that is well rounded and informed on all levels and who are extremely resourceful.”

Campbell says they believe they are in the “people business” and always strive to be respectful to those who turn to them for guidance and help.

“In this challenging market right now, it’s our job to keep our buyers from getting discouraged and giving up on their dreams,” Campbell said. “For our buyers, this can be the great challenge right now. I believe my background lends itself to helping clients through this process.”

She said what distinguishes their team at William Raveis Real Estate from other companies is their approach.

“Yes, there are other teams out there, but we have been told our approach is a seamless process. Michelle and I communicate and coordinate every day,” Campbell said. “We recognize each other’s strengths, and we use this knowledge to our benefit. I’m not going to get in the way of Michelle being the one to attend an inspection, for example. She has extensive knowledge of the building process.”

DiCenso said she believes in Campbell’s ability to work through complicated transactions seamlessly and bring them to a close, helping people realize their dreams.

“We both strive to manage the stressful process in the background for our clients,” Campbell said. “That’s what our team is all about.”

In her life before real estate, Campbell managed and operated a successful psychotherapy practice before moving on as the co-owner of another successful clinical practice, Maine Neurotherapy Center. Her strong people skills and extensive business experiences provide tremendous value to her clients when navigating a complex transaction.

“Real estate is not about houses, but rather about people and their dreams,” Campbell said.

DiCenso has lived in Raymond for more than 30 years and has an in-depth knowledge of the southern Maine market. Prior to starting her storied career in real estate, her equally storied professional career stretched from Maine to Alaska and covered many aspects of business, management, and finance.

As a 25-year veteran of the oil industry, DiCenso brings incredible time management, client relations, and negotiation skills to the table. Past clients have praised DiCenso for her loyalty and her undying tenacity both during a transaction and outside of work.

Besides her business acumen, DiCenso shares with her clients her extensive knowledge of construction management and renovation. Having overseen these types of projects for many years, she often finds her free time filled with designing, orchestrating, and managing her latest project.

All of these skills prove to be invaluable for clients of the Campbell and DiCenso team as they look at different properties and evaluate each to find the perfect fit for them. They are based out of the William Raveis Real Estate office at 840 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. Call 207-892-3377 or visit campbellanddicenso.raveis.com. <

Business Spotlight: Fabulous! Cleaning Services

When you get right down to it, the purpose of cleaning is not just to make a room spotless, but also to experience the happiness that comes from being in that environment. Fabulous! Cleaning Services knows how much that feeling means with every job they take on and delivers exceptional results that exceed expectations.

Based in Casco, Fabulous! Cleaning Services provides commercial, rental/Airbnb and residential cleaning for its customers and offers customizable services to best match the client’s needs.

“Our company works with local businesses and homeowners to provide customized solutions to their cleaning requirements, and it all starts with relationships,” said Melissa Teer, Fabulous! Cleaning Services owner. “We look forward to meeting with our clients in person, to walk through their properties, ask questions and provide consultation on how we can best meet their cleaning needs. The time we spend meeting one on one with our clients demonstrates we’re more than just a contractor, we’re a trusted partner.”

Teer said that two of their most popular services for rental clients are their Linen Service and Stock & Shop Service.

“Having our in-house Laundromat allows us to offer our rental and Airbnb clients fast and affordable turnover of their unit’s linens,” she said. “This is a huge convenience and cost savings for our clients. Additionally, our Stock & Shop service goes one step further and eliminates rental clients from having to keep their units stocked with basic goods. We provide everything from toilet paper, trash bags to dish soap.” 

According to Teer, the core of business for Fabulous! Cleaning Services lies in the Lakes Region, but their actual service area covers a lot of ground, extending from Augusta to Old Orchard Beach.

“We understand clients have a choice when it comes to hiring a cleaning contractor – and it’s about more than just professional cleaning. Trusting the individuals to deliver on their promises and having comfort with them in your home or business is critical,” Teer said. “We know it’s important for clients to know who we are, so our company is founded on the following core values: Passion, Integrity, Accountability and Responsibility.”

Fabulous! Cleaning Services defines those values as follows:

Passion – we are passionate about our work. Cleaning just isn’t our job; it’s our passion and exceeding expectations is our goal. We created this business not just to bust dirt but to create smiles.

Integrity – We understand our clients’ homes are their sanctuary. We treat our clients’ homes and businesses with dignity and respect. Our employees are professional, friendly, and of course we think they’re fabulous.

Accountability – Our business has high standards, but we know our clients’ standards are higher. We employ customized checklists for each client to ensure those standards are realized prior to leaving each appointment.

Responsibility – Cleaning is a tough business but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard on your health or the environment. We only use 100 percent safe and eco-friendly cleaning solutions for our residential clients.

The company offers highly competitive rates and regularly canvasses their competition to ensure their pricing remains between 5 to 10 percent below competitors.

Family owned and operated and fully insured, Fabulous! Cleaning Services uses state-of-the-art technology and best practices to deliver on their promises and never loses sight that business done the “old fashioned way” of being genuine, honest, and reliable are the keys to success.

“We believe our clients are the best voice to speak about our services. Almost every day, we receive a note, a text or a voicemail thanking us for making their space feel Fabulous! Just this weekend we received a thank you note from a client who was in town for the week,” Teer said. “We had cleaned her property prior to her arrival, and she was thrilled to arrive to a sparkling home. We dedicate an enormous amount of time to the detail work of a clean home. We thoroughly wash down appliances and give them a full-face lift, often making them look brand new. Although most clients immediately notice the shiny countertops, polished sinks and faucets, it’s the work we do in nooks and crannies and hard to reach areas that sets us apart. We ensure the whole home receives the same attention as the kitchens and bathrooms.”

For more information about Fabulous Cleaning Services, visit them online at www.fabulouscleaningme.com, find them on Facebook @FabulousCleaningMe or call them at 207-240-7451. <

Business spotlight: Shamos Paving and Sealcoating

This marks the 21^st year that Shamos Paving & Sealcoating has been in business.  Established by Andy Shamos when he was 18 years old, the company’s growth and stability are not only a sign of success but is indicative of delivering quality work and earning the trust of the community at large.   

As a result, you will see an addition to their all too familiar logo as you travel through the southern Maine area, the tag line -  Delivering Quality. Earning Trust.

Their mission is simple on the surface, to be the most trusted pavement maintenance company in the industry but achieving this means delivery quality at a superior level.  “The success has always been in the details,” says the company’s head of operations, Levi Robbins.  “We’re never satisfied and as a result, we’ve continued to build training programs and processes for improvement and quality checks to ensure we are delivering what our customers want.”

Delivering quality and earning trust is not just a mantra for their customer base, it’s also one Shamos applies internally as well.  “Our employees are the key to our success, they are the tip of the spear, and it’s important to us that we deliver a quality work environment and earn their trust just as we would our customer base,” says founder/owner Andy Shamos.  As a result of this philosophy, Shamos Paving & Sealcoating now operates with 15 employees across its paving and pavement maintenance divisions and is aggressively looking to expand further. Shamos sums it up by adding “simply put, we hire great people to do great work and we are always looking to add to our team.”

The community has continued to respond well to the company’s growth in both it’s paving and pavement maintenance divisions through 5-Star reviews and a multitude of public endorsements with one customer eloquently describing their paving division as “a ballet of badasses with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.”  And other customers cite the company’s communication, professionalism and responsiveness as reasons for their decision in choosing Shamos for their sealcoating or paving needs.

As the company continues to expand its footprint in Southern Maine, it finds itself increasing the services offered to residential homeowners, commercial property owners and anybody in facilities or property management.  “The goal is for our customers to trust us to take care of the pavement,” says Robbins, “whether you are managing properties or spending time with family, if we can take the responsibility on for getting a project completed for you, we are very happy to do so.”

For more information or to receive a free estimate, call 1-800-DRIVEWAY, visit www.shamossealcoating.com or call 207-749-7058.<

Business Spotlight: Luchador Tacos

Connoisseurs of genuine Mexican food know that authenticity plays a major role in distinguishing
between mass-produced fast food and a savory dining experience that emphasizes quality, taste, and ingredients above all else. At Luchador Tacos in Windham, that authenticity is evident in every meal served. 

Featuring a menu reminiscent of the street scene in Los Angeles, with tacos, burritos and quesadillas made locally and prepared daily with carne asada, fresh onions, cilantro, corn tortillas, lime, green salsa, hot chile sauce, nacho cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo, Luchador Tacos delivers flavor and authenticity with every delicious bite.

According to Nick Moody, Luchador Tacos general manager, the restaurant doesn’t use ground beef in meals, preferring carne asada, a type of grilled beef which is marinated in orange juice, garlic, and lime juice. Luchador’s green salsa blend is comprised of six secret spices and its red salsa has a blend of dried Japones chiles for robust flavor and Arbol chiles to give it a bit of authentic heat.

“The secret to making an authentic taco is to start with perfectly prepared meat and then adding just the right toppings,” Moody said. “It’s what we do every day at Luchador Tacos.”

Street tacos served at Luchador Tacos are carne asada placed in a corn tortilla, topped with your choice of red or green salsa, garnished with onions and cilantro and served with a side of beans and rice. The Cali burrito is a 12-inch burrito filled with fries, steak, cheese, cilantro, onions, a mild tomato salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

Located at 781 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Luchador Tacos opened June 25 and joined other Luchador restaurants in South Paris and in Conway, New Hampshire. With a staff of 14 friendly employees, the Windham restaurant has quickly become a local favorite serving the best tacos and burritos in the area.

“Our freshly prepared Mexican food tastes like it came right from Los Angeles. We make street style tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, and salads,” Moody said. “We also carry specialty items like carne asada fries; the Cali burrito, the quesarito, and churros. We also carry Jarritos, a Mexican soda, and you can find every flavor carried here.”

With competitive pricing and some of the most generous portions available in the area, Luchador Tacos takes great pride in that the Windham restaurant is not a franchise, rather it is a locally owned and operated small business with a devoted following.

“The best thing about what we do is being able to make authentic Mexican food for our customers,” Moody said. “To experience authentic Mexican food in New England is rare.”

The original Luchador Tacos launched in South Paris in May 2017 as a way for its founder, Katherine Mitchell, to bring West Coast flavors to the East Coast. Mitchell grew up in Los Angeles and wanted to have diners experience authentic Mexican food. The concept took off and what started as a small take-out taco shack has led to four years of successfully introducing the taste of genuine and authentic Mexican food to a wider audience, including now right here in Windham.

“We try to accommodate everyone without sacrificing the integrity of our featured items and to stay true to our authentic recipes,” Moody said. “We’re not Taco Bell though and we do not sell hard shell tacos with hamburger in it.”

Along with an array of burritos, burrito bowls and tacos, Luchador Tacos also offers a vast vegan friendly menu, fresh salads, nachos, chips and salsa, and churros, a tasty cinnamon sugar pastry.
Dining is available in a casual setting or orders can be called in ahead and then picked up when ready.

“We’re all about fast, fresh and friendly,” Moody said. “While some restaurants struggled in the last year, we’ve streamlined the ordering and pick-up process and are continuing to grow.”

Luchador Tacos is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and closed on Sundays and Mondays. More information and a detailed menu can be found on Facebook and Instagram at luchadortacosme with phone orders taken at 207-893-8916. <