Community Involvement
Deeply Rooted, Community Focused: Balsam Realty’s Commitment to Maine
Balsam Realty’s Commitment to Freeport, Casco Bay and Coastal Maine
At Balsam Realty, our commitment to community involvement is woven into the way we live and work. We are a boutique real estate firm with local roots and a strong record of public service, arts leadership and nonprofit collaboration. Whether representing a waterfront estate in South Freeport or preparing a coastal home for market in Falmouth, we bring credibility, insight and a deep connection to Maine’s communities.
We are proud members of the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®, Maine Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®. We hold professional credentials including the NAR Green Designation, Pricing Strategy Advisor and Senior Real Estate Specialist.
Balsam Realty: A Community-Centered Brokerage
Balsam Realty was co-founded by Kate Werner and Suzanne Watson to offer a higher standard of service to sellers and buyers of luxury homes across coastal Maine. With backgrounds in law, the arts and civic leadership Kate and Suzanne built a brokerage grounded in discretion, strategic guidance and long-term relationships.
We also proudly serve as the official listing brokerage for the Town of Freeport in handling the sale of town-acquired properties.
Kate Werner, JD, PSA, SRES
Associate Broker
Kate brings legal expertise and years of nonprofit leadership to her work with sellers and buyers. Her calm guidance and attention to detail are especially valued in complex or high-value transactions.
Community Roles
- Co-founder of Academic & Creative Education (ACE), an advocacy group for excellence in Freeport schools
- Vice President and Marketing Chair of the Board at Meetinghouse Arts
- Friends of Yarmouth Playmakers Board Member
Jonas Werner, Bachelor of Science, Business & Accounting
Associate Broker
Jonas co-founded Azure Café with Kate, a beloved Freeport restaurant that reflected their shared belief in community-first entrepreneurship. Like Balsam Realty, Azure emphasized local partnerships, consistent quality and deep ties to Freeport’s residents and economy.
Jonas brings early experience in financial services to his work at Balsam. His knowledge of markets, valuation and negotiation helps clients achieve strong outcomes in high-end home sales.
Civic Engagement
- Longtime board member of Freeport Community Services, where he chaired the Development Committee and served on the Finance Committee
- Active participant in local theater and cultural programming
Suzanne Watson, JD, LLM
Designated Broker and Co-Founder
Suzanne brings decades of experience in law, nonprofit governance and climate policy. She is currently Executive Director of Meetinghouse Arts, where she supports Freeport’s cultural life and downtown development. Suzanne helped launch Balsam to give sellers a boutique option rooted in professionalism and strong ethics. Her leadership continues to guide the brokerage’s growth.
Real Estate Grounded in Service and Strategy
At Balsam Realty, we believe that real estate is never just about transactions. It’s about trust, local knowledge and doing what’s right for our clients and our community. That’s what sets us apart.
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