In a stunning display of innovation and efficiency, crews recently assembled an entire condo building—four three-bedroom units—on Portland’s Congress Street in just one day. This milestone for Dougherty Condos, located at Park Avenue and Congress Street, demonstrates how modular construction can meaningfully expedite homebuilding in Maine’s tight housing market.
Every condo arrived in giant factory-built sections, complete with kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures, cabinets, and countertops—much like putting together a car, but for houses. It cuts down construction time and protects workers from cold weather delays, fewer mistakes, and unpredictable jobsite conditions.
I often liken traditional onsite construction to “building a car in your driveway.” Modular building flips that script—now you build efficiency in the factory, then quickly assemble it at the site. This model aligns perfectly with Maine’s goals: more housing, built smarter and faster, without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship.
After the day’s big installation, crews will next focus on finishing touches like roofing and siding over the next few weeks.
At Maine Cooperative Development Partners, we see how this approach can power affordable, durable housing solutions across communities. With modular methods, we can scale timely construction, support workers year-round, and deliver homes that work harder—without wasting time or resources.

When you’re considering your next move—literally—deciding whether to rent or buy is more than just a financial choice. It’s about your lifestyle, your flexibility, and your long-term plans. At Maine Cooperative Development Partners, we believe this decision deserves clarity and confidence.

When Buying Makes Sense
Buying can be a powerful way to build equity, stabilize housing costs, and shape your living space over time. It often works best when:

• You plan to stay in the home for at least 3–5 years, which helps offset upfront costs like down payments, closing fees, and maintenance responsibilities.
• You have a solid financial foundation and steady income, sufficient down payment saved, and manageable debt levels.
• You value growing your home base through ownership, controlling your space visually, and investing in a long-term asset.
  

When Renting May Be Smarter
Renting often offers more flexibility and affordability—especially when:

• You’re unsure of your long-term location or prefer the option to move easily.
• Your short-term finances are tight, or monthly buying costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, upkeep) significantly exceed local rents.

Check the Numbers Yourself
Every situation is different. That’s why I recommend using the NerdWallet Rent vs Buy Calculator. Enter your rent, home price, down payment, and tax details—then compare the short- and long-term costs to see when you might break even. 

Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you're financially stable, planning to stay put, and focused on building future value, buying could be the right path. If you need flexibility, lower upfront costs, or you're still saving up, renting might wisely serve you now. Use the calculator above to see which option makes sense for you.

At Maine Cooperative Development Partners, we’re thrilled to be working with Backyard ADUs to build our condos at Dougherty Commons. Their innovative, modular approach to housing is helping us meet Maine’s urgent need for quality, attainable homes—faster and smarter.
Backyard ADUs recently reached an exciting milestone: they’ve now placed their 100th home here in Maine! It’s an incredible achievement that speaks to their dedication, creativity, and the hardworking team that is literally building solutions to our housing crisis box by box.
You can see the celebration and learn more about their work in this WMTW news spot: Made in Maine: Backyard ADUs delivers solution to Maine’s housing crisis, box by box.
At Dougherty Commons, we’re proud to be part of this momentum. Together, we’re creating not just homes, but communities where families, workers, and neighbors can thrive.

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