Brisk activity, especially in southern Maine, made for the highest number of transactions in the 18 years the Maine Association of Realtors has been tracking sales.

The bus service said it had 1.8 million riders last year, a 15 percent increase from 2015.

Meanwhile, the firm sells off its restaurants to focus on its growing food processing business.

While the sale price was not disclosed, the City Assessor valued the property at $15.8 million in 2016.

As many as eight new hotel projects will create up to 650 additional rooms in 2017 and beyond.

Brokers at an annual conference said landlords are getting more relaxed about leasing to marijuana growers and sellers.

At the annual conference of the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, more than 700 people gather to hear bullish forecasts for 2017.