One of my great weaknesses is the fixation with the real-estate classifieds in Down East magazine.

There is no reason this should be.

I can't afford any of the properties.

And though they are expensive, Maine has always drawn the very rich, from the Rockerfellers a century ago to Martha Stewart today. (Nelson Rockerfeller was born in Bangor, as the family doubted the competence of the doctors in Bar Harbor).

Plus, my specialty is supposed to be "cabin country" and there aren't many ads for two-bedroom shacks in the woods in this magazine.

But still, I read the back pages of this enormously profitable publication each month. You learn things.

The estate of Kenneth Roberts, the great author, is for sale in Kennebunkport. The main dwelling is 6,000 square feet, plus there is a stone guest cottage. All on 13 acres of land "in the center of Kennebunkport." No price but I am figuring $3 to $5 million (it is not on the water).

Also, Welliver Farm in Lincolnville is on the block. It is the estate of the late artist Neil Welliver, and this farm plus 765 acres is going for $2.5 million. Also, a "little house farm" which was part of the estate is going for $745,000. The term "starving artist" didn't apply to Welliver, clearly.

There is a "very private" 6,500 square foot French Country Manor home on Branch Lake (near Addison) on sale for $1.7 million. It isn't the price tag that intrigues me. Nor the fact it looks almost new. This does: Who comes to Maine and puts in a manor estate with four bedrooms, five baths, and a setting so private it is on its own private island?

And one that really has me thinking is a "new vacant building" on Rockland pier that will house a waterfront restaurant and host 400 feet of docks. It is listed for $2 million. Since I am a former bartender at the Samoset Hotel in Rockland, everything about the city brings back sentimental feelings. Of course, Rockland has too many restaurants as it is. And no one buys more than a cheeseburger from January until May. I wouldn't even daydream about buying it.

But back to my point: There are so many amazing homes and estates in Maine, most of which now are well above $1 million.

Who buys these properties?

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