While many are hesitant to put their home on the market during the winter months, there are actually some things working in your favor. Some benefits to selling in winter include less competition from similar homes on the market and first-quarter job relocation is in full swing since companies want their employees settled in for the new year. Let's dive into some tips on how to make your home even more appealing during the winter months and guarantee that sale.

Turn up the heat

Who doesn't love stepping into a warm and cozy home from the chill of winter? The tendency to try and save money by keeping the temperature cooler in the winter can work against you if your potential buyers don't even feel they can take their coats off. If you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, fire that baby up: a warm home is an inviting home.

Safety first

One of the absolute musts during the winter months is making sure your driveway and walkway are accessible and safe. Shovel your walkways and put down salt or sand when the ground is icy and make sure your driveway has been plowed recently, especially if there has been a recent storm. Your likelihood of a sale goes down exponentially if the buyers can't get into the house.

Front door clutter

A common tendency during the winter months is to kick off your boots and strip off your coat as soon as you walk through the door. Make sure these areas are neat when your home is on the market. Organize the coat closet and make sure the boots are lined up instead of scattered around. If you have hardwood floors, make sure no one left footprints behind from snowy boots.

Holiday decor

A home that is strung up for the season can be a big draw, but you don't want to overdo it. Having too many large or overly bright decorations can distract from what your home actually looks like. When indoors, feel free to add some cute holiday touches but go easy on things like scents from candles or air fresheners. Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers.

Photos

There are a couple of sweet spots for taking home photos during the winter months. No one wants to see a photo of the property when all the trees look dead and the grass is browning. Try taking pictures during peak fall or once the snow has already fallen, taking care to rake leaves or shovel the walkway. Photos in winter can have a magical affect if done correctly and can look like a winter wonderland.

Now that summer is over, you may be noticing fewer for-sale signs around. This is great news for buyers and sellers as the marketing is less competitive and you can take advantage of potential tax breaks and seasonal deals. 

Less Competition

There are generally fewer homes on the market in fall, but there are also fewer buyers competing for the house you want. An article from Forbes says, "Families on a mission to move into a new home before school starts are out of the picture. Competition for houses drops off in the fall, a time many people consider to be off-season in real estate. But there are still homes for sale - and in some cases, there's just as much inventory as there was during the spring and summer."

Tax Breaks

"Fortunately for home buyers, owning a home can yield great dividends in tax returns. For example, both mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible from gross income. Furthermore, if you have prepaid some interest before the due date of your first payment, and if you close your loan before the year's end, that interest can also be deducted." Deena Weinberg wrote for Realtor.com

Check out potential tax breaks for home sellers by clicking here.

Home Improvement

End-of-year sales on everything from appliances to home maintenance. Consumer Reports keeps track of the best times to buy what you need from lawn mowers in October to TV's and kitchen cookware in December.

Tiny Houses are becoming very fashionable in today's word. The absolute height of modernism and simplicity, a tiny home is meant to push the boundaries of living efficiently. Typically smaller than 400 square feet, these miniature abodes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Is this surge of small spaces a sign of things to come? Or nothing other than a fad? Tony Gilbert of The Real FX Group examined all of the pros and cons of the tiny homes and compared them to traditional homes and living expenses. 

 

It seems there are Tiny Homes popping up everywhere. Magazines, websites, and reality TV shows all praise the space-saving miniature houses that typically range between 180 and 400 square feet in size. Is it a practical lifestyle choice? Is it truly possible to live comfortably with another person in such a tiny space? Do people still enjoy living in tiny homes after the first year? How much do they cost? These are questions you need to ask before you consider purchasing a tiny home.

What Does A Tiny Home Cost?

When you start visiting tiny home builder websites, you quickly realize these miniature residences aren't cheap. Prices for tiny homes as small as 200 square feet of comparably cramped living space can start at nearly $70,000, and the prices can increase significantly, depending on quality of materials.

One thing many tiny home buyers sometimes forget to take into account is that the price of the home does not include the land the home will eventually sit on. And, when you consider the fact that bathrooms average less than 3 feet wide, often contain recreational vehicle toilets, and have little or no plumbing, and the kitchens may not include normal appliances, that's a pretty high price tag for such a tiny space.

Do People Live In Tiny Homes?

Research on the internet, and you'll find stories from people who lived in their Tiny Homes for a short period of time, as the reality of living in such tight quarters becomes apparent. Some owners build the homes and decide to rent them. A few people manage to live in a tiny home for a few years, but many other people discover tiny homes don't meet their lifestyle or family needs.

While the idea of living more simply or off the grid can be appealing in our hectic world, the reality is very often not what people expect. Moving into a tiny home means disposing of or storing most of your belongings because obviously, tiny homes aren't known for their ample storage space. And storage space costs money.

There may be only a couple of cabinets for food in the kitchen area. Refrigerators are usually very small and fit under a counter. Loft bedrooms are very low, and placing a mattress on the floor serves as a bed. You can also have seating downstairs that serves as a bed at night. Some loft stairs have built-in drawers below them for clothing. And for some people, having no separate space to go when they want to enjoy some alone time, can be a major problem.

Buying A Traditional vs. Tiny Home

Fortunately, there are cozy and small traditional homes which can house a family comfortably, provide storage, give them roots in a community, and allow the potential for the homeowner to build equity. You don't need to give up the conveniences of being connected to town water, electricity, and cable to live in a cozier space.

Either way, if living more simply, and with a smaller footprint is the goal, be sure to consider all smaller home or condo options before spending your savings on a tiny home. Don't jump on the Tiny House bandwaggon without carefully considering all of your home buying options, because doing so may save you many thousands in the long run, and will give you peace of mind when it comes time to make a final decision.

To read the original article, click here.

Green building practices and Energy Star ratings are growing in importance among home buyers and home builders, alike. Paul Arnot, of Arnot Development Group in Waterbury, is a respected builder who understands the importance of green design and technology. Arnot is well known for his Waterbury Commons village community, which meets the Energy Star criteria. It is a close-knit neighborhood that embodies the term "community."

"The Blue Energy Star on a new home means it was designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today. When Energy Star's rigorous requirements are applied to new home construction the result is a home built better from the ground up, delivering better durability, better comfort, and reduced utility and maintenance costs," according to Energy Star.

Not only do Waterbury Common homes earn the Energy Star rating, but other aspects of the community fit nicely in the sustainability category of being in close proximity to public transit, and walkable to many village amenities like shopping, restaurants, library, schools and recreational venues.

For more information on Waterbury Commons, visit waterburycommonsvt.com

We are continually working to keep on top of our industry's trends. But sometimes these trends have nothing to do with the preferred bath to bedroom ratios or predicting the up and coming neighborhoods; sometimes, it has everything to do with how buyers are finding what they want.

The keyword here is MOBILE!

This is why we just went through a website redesign to become mobile responsive. Not just mobile friendly, responsive. Our website will now realize the size screen you are on and determine the best view for you.

Pretty neat huh? So go ahead and try us on your phone vs tablet, laptop vs desktop. No matter where you are or what device you have, we'll always be ready and right at your fingertips with the most up to date information on all things VT realty.

Cindy got an email from the other day from Mortgage Loan Originator, Mark Erickson, out of South Burlington. "Interest rates have recently dropped!" he exclaimed, "Now is a great time for a mortgage checkup." So we looked into it.

This article by PJ Wade discusses the importance of refinancing before rates increase. Are your kids heading off to college? Does the roof need some extra TLC? Now might be the right time to save a little extra money for the things that matter in your life. 

If you currently have a mortgage, what should you do before interest rates significantly increase?

The "when" related to interest rate increases has been the subject of debate for a while, but there is wide-spread agreement that rates will slide up. Whether that's slowly or quickly represents another debate.

Does the certainty of rate increases call for action from savvy property owners with one or two existing mortgages on their real estate?
While rates are near historic lows, refinancing to take advantage of lower interest rates may make good financial sense, but act soon. Combining existing primary and second mortgages into one loan may improve your financial situation and probably lower payments.

Mortgage contracts, which outline how much must be repaid to the lender according to specific terms, vary from lender to lender and from borrower to borrower, so do not assume anything about your mortgage. Read the mortgage documents yourself or contact the lender to clarify your obligations, rights, and alternatives.

This is a time of transition for the mortgage industry, so changes outside of your mortgage document may influence your borrowing options. You'll never know until you ask. No one will come knocking on your door to bring you up-to-date.

Homeowners with existing mortgages will be protected from immediate rate increases unless they have a variable-rate mortgage, also known as adjustable-rate or floating-rate mortgage. With these loans, the interest rate is not fixed, but fluctuates against a reference standard. Vulnerability to rising interest rates depends upon specific terms set out in mortgage documents. Talk to the lender for clarification of any unfavorable effects of rising interest rates and to understand your options.

Mortgages with fixed interest rates are not vulnerable to rate increases during the term or contractual length of the loan, which can be 6 months, 1 year, or decades long. However long the term is, eventually, the mortgage comes due and payable. That's when property owners and their mortgages are vulnerable to higher interest rates. If you must re-qualify for refinancing, significantly higher interest rates could pose qualification restrictions and limit the size of mortgage available to you.

Usually, re-qualification is low threat because, as the existing mortgage ages, the principal, or original amount borrowed, is paid down or reduced. Refinancing for a smaller mortgage at a higher rate should be affordable unless the property owner has had a change of employment or income.

Even if you expect to refinance with your current lender, shop around for the best rate and mortgage terms. Your current lender may decide to match the best offer you receive from a new lender to retain your business.

When comparing lenders with the help of a mortgage broker or contacting them yourself, ask questions about fees and terms like prepayment to be sure you are improving your situation by moving lenders. If you gain a half point or a point in interest, but face higher fees or less flexible terms, moving lenders may be an expensive decision. Real estate professionals are often excellent resources when dealing with mortgage issues.

Don't miss the chance to maintain your mortgage at a reasonable interest rate. Contact your lender if you are unsure about your vulnerability to rate increases. Once rates move up, "if only I'd…" recriminations will get you nowhere.

To read the original article click here.

Interested in talking to Mark about your mortgage? Click here.

We recently found this very insightful article from Lawnstater.com about the amount of homes with more bedrooms and bathrooms. While the kitchen might be considered the center of the home, bedrooms and bathrooms are just as important. You're not going to buy a home with less space than you and your family needs. While it's no secret that houses are getting bigger you might be surprised by some of the statistics shown below. The cost of living in Vermont, in particular, is very high and there is a trend towards multigenerational if not multifamily ownership. 

We love our bedrooms and bathrooms.

In 2015, the share of new single-family homes sold that had at least four bedrooms and at least three bathrooms hit a more than three-decade high. And one expert suggests this bedroom and bathroom trend is being driven by a fundamental change in American living arrangements.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows 53 percent of new single-family homes sold in 2015 had at least four bedrooms and 41 percent had at least three bathrooms. Back in 1978, just 27 percent of new single-family homes sold had at least four bedrooms and just 8 percent had at least three bathrooms.

Of course, in order to squeeze in more bedrooms and bathrooms, the average American home has grown bigger. In 1975, the average new single-family home took up 1,975 square feet, the Census Bureau says. Today, that number exceeds 2,600 square feet. That's a four-decade jump of more than 30 percent.

Multigenerational Ownership

Daren Blomquist, senior vice president of RealtyTrac, which specializes in housing data and analysis, says the trend toward larger homes — featuring more bedroom and more bathrooms — reflects the "increasing acceptance" of at least two generations of a family living under one roof.

"Part of this acceptance is brought about by cultural changes influenced by a higher percentage of foreign buyers who are open to multigenerational homeownership," Blomquist says, "as well as millennials who put more value on their social network than their personal space.
"Blomquist says multigenerational homeownership is being spurred by the overall lack of affordability and inventory in the housing market. According to RealtyTrac data, up to 14 percent of home sales last year in the U.S. involved multigenerational buyers.

In 2012, a record 57 million Americans (18 percent of the U.S. population) lived in multigenerational family households, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data. That compares with 28 million in 1980 (12 percent).

In this infographic, we examine the growing number of bedrooms and bathrooms in American homes — a development being fueled in large part by the rise of multigenerational households.

To see the original article click here. 

We recently found this article from the staff of Realty Times. There are a few things you might want to look into to have your home looking its best for potential buyers. Take advantage of the natural beauty of Vermont by planting new trees and shrubbery or clean up the yard a little by raking or weeding out your front garden. Check out more tips below.

When you are hosting an open house or showing your property to potential home buyers, you want them to see it as a home they could live in. That's where staging comes in. According to Coldwell Banker, homes that were staged spent half the time on the market than homes that were not, and they also sold for about 6 percent more. There are several ways you can stage the home you're selling without spending a fortune on a decorator or doing any major renovations. Here are a few to consider.

Don’t Underestimate Curb Appeal
The outside is the first thing buyers see when you show them a house, and if they don’t like it, it can turn them off to the entire property. Updating the curb appeal of your home will draw house hunters in immediately and may even attract buyers you wouldn’t expect from simply driving by. Fixing the outer aesthetic of the home doesn’t have to be pricey or time-consuming, either. Houzz suggests some simple upgrades you can do yourself around the property, including power washing the sidewalks and sides of the house, cutting the lawn, planting new flowers and shrubs, and repainting house numbers so people can easily find it. A fresh coat of paint on the front porch or door is another good way to refresh the outside of your home.

Create A Scene
The National Association of Realtors suggests creating lifestyle vignettes to show potential buyers what their life could be like in specific rooms. This can be especially helpful in houses with odd spaces, as many buyers do not have the imagination to see how an empty space can be used. Think about what demographic the home appeals to and create scenes that way. For example, a young couple might appreciate a game room with a bar area, whereas an older crowd might appreciate a library with a reading corner. Professional stagers often research the cultural and community interests in a neighborhood and stage according to their preferences. Buyers want to see what their life would look like in each room.
Be sure to use lifestyle elements throughout the house everyone is familiar with, such as subtly scented candles, freshly arranged bouquets or a tray of drinks and baked goods for guests.

Clear Out The Clutter
While staging may make you want to decorate the entire house the way you would want it, a common mistake is to use too many items throughout the house. It can make the home seem smaller and dirty, as well as distract from some of the better features of the property. Pack up about 90 percent of what is in the home before showing it. Kid’s toys, personal photos, and mementos and anything worn out or broken should be put away.

Go Neutral
While bright purple might be this season’s color, it won't be the most appealing design approach for everyone. The same goes for decor that is too masculine or too feminine. You want people or families to see themselves living in the home, so using neutral colors and decor can help them imagine their own stylish touches throughout each room — especially the master bedroom. Make sure the walls and bedding are a neutral color and use clean linens and modern artwork to create a fashionable space with potential.

To read the original article click here.

What's happening around here? We're glad you asked! We compiled a list of what's pending, closed, and newly listed in the Waterbury-Stowe area and neighborhoods. Have any questions or want to know more? Reach Out.

Pending:   30 N Lakeview Terrace. Waterbury $190,000 - listed price 1 story, 3 bdr, 1 bath 735 Upper Pinnacle Rd. Stowe $795,000 - listed price 3 stories, 4 bdr, 5 bath 685 Cottage Club Rd. Stowe $225,000 - listed price 3 stories, 3 bdr, 3 bath 1944 Pucker. Stowe $249,900 - listed price 1 story,6 bdr, 4 bath     Closed:   257 Cady Hill Rd. Stowe $270,000 - listed price $286,000 - closing price 1.5 stories, 4 bdr, 3 bath 198 Weeks Hill Meadows. Stowe $1,069,000 - listed price $1,050,000 - closing price 1.5 stories, 4 bdr, 5 bath 41 Grandview Heights. Waterbury $290,000 - listed price $288,000 - closing price 1 story, 3 bdr, 2 bath 1209 Book Rd. Unit #16, Stowe $350,000 - listed price $325,000 - closing price 2 stories, 3 bdr, 4 bath   Newly Listed:   4234 Wentworth Rd. Bolton $99,000 - listed price 1 story, 1 bdr, 1 bath TBD Farrell Farm Rd. Stowe $345,000 - listed price 17.03 acres, on-site electric Lot 5 Wood Farm Rd. Waterbury $199,900 - listed price 10 acres, LDR Zoning See more Newly Listed!

 

The following is an outline of some of the factors that prospective buyers should consider before purchasing a lot on which to build their new home. This outline has been prepared as a reference for those interested in building in Vermont. The information in this outline should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal, environmental, economic and other professional advice before making your decision to buy land.

Lot and lot improvements are a major portion of the costs involved in building a new home.

Many financing institutions consider and limit the ratio of lot and lot improvements to the total construction cost of your home.

Choosing and purchasing the land, on which you are going to build your new home, is as important as choosing the home.

1. Budget
2. Location
3. Permitting
4. Septic
5. Soils
6. Power
7. Water
8. Driveway
9. Impact Fees

10. Other

 

1) BUDGET

Time and energy can be saved, as well as avoiding disappointments if you determine your total construction budget before searching for land.

• The most prudent first step in constructing a new home is determining what you will, or are able to spend for each major portion of the total construction package.
• The major cost components are the lot, the lot improvements, and the home.
• By doing this you know how much is planned in your budget for the purchase of land and land improvements, allowing you to aim your search at lots that meet your budget requirements.

2) LOCATION

You can speed your search by determining:

• The distance from a particular focal point that you are willing to locate
• Particular towns in which you desire to build
• Towns in which you do not wish to build
• The size of the lot you desire.

In addition, consider if you want your lot:

• wooded
• open
• on a dirt road, or paved road
• in a village, or would you prefer a more rural setting.

The more you define what you would like in a lot provides you, and anyone searching for a lot for you a quick reference in determining if you are going to follow up on a lot lead.

Remember, rarely do people find a lot with all of the attributes they have outlined. Compromise is almost always a necessity in making your final choice.

Get a Google Earth shot of the parcel and you can actually have a "bird's-eye view."

Get a topography map of the parcel. It will tell you how the elevation changes and where a good building site might sit.

An experienced real estate agent will also have a tax map, which can demonstrate topography, a bird's-eye view, and soils information.

3) PERMITTING

This is a very important consideration before purchasing a lot.

The realtor, legal counsel or the landowner should be able to provide you with what permitting is required before you can build on the land.

However, this does not replace the need for you or your representative to investigate the need for any local and state permitting. In addition, you should determine if there are any deeded restrictions, the right of ways or environmental concerns relative to the parcel of land that you are considering.

For instance, a 10-acre lot might have 3 acres of wet lands. This would mean that there are state restrictions relative to what you can and can not do in and near the wet lands.

For additional wetland permitting information please check out the Vermont Land Owners Guide to Wetlands

Always consult with legal counsel relative to permitting and other restrictions, before purchasing any land.

Most lots on the market are permitted to the point where only building and curb cut permits are required before construction can begin.

Permitting requirements are of crucial importance. They can be expensive in both time and money.

Effective July 1, 2014, the Vermont Legislature passed the Shoreland Protection Act (Chapter 49A of Title 10, §1441 et seq), which regulates shoreland development within 250 feet of a lake's mean water level for all lakes greater than 10 acres in size. The intent of the Act is to prevent degradation of water quality in lakes, preserve habitat and natural stability of shorelines, and maintain the economic benefits of lakes and their shorelands. The Act seeks to balance good shoreland management and shoreland development.   Also for additional information please access the Vermont Shoreland Protection Handbook.

4) SEPTIC

If you consider purchasing a lot that does not have access to a municipal sewer system, you should be certain that the lot can support an on-site system, the type of that system and the cost associated with its construction.

Most lots will have had soil testing done to determine if a septic system can be built. In addition to the type of system required, you should determine if a septic plan design has been prepared by a Vermont licensed engineer. If not, the cost associated with having an engineer design a system will become part of the lot improvement cost.

Even though there are other considerations that will effect the construction cost of a septic system, the major difference in cost is related the type of system.

The system requiring the least cost is a conventional system.

If the soils do not support a conventional system, a mound system  or pre-treatment system is usually required. A mound system will cost as much as four times what a conventional system will cost.

In most instances, the septic system is part of the permitting. If required, be certain that a permit and design exists for the septic system.

5) SOILS

In addition to septic consideration, the nature of the soils can impact the cost of construction.

For instance, the existence of ledge that requires blasting can add thousands of dollars to the construction cost.

We suggest discussing this issue with your contractor before purchasing a particular lot.

6) POWER

The cost of extending electric power to the location of your new home is a major consideration that can be a substantial cost.

You should discuss this with the provider of electrical service to the area and with you contractor, to determine what the installation of electric power to your home will cost. Will it be over head or under ground electrical.  Off grid or solar.

7) WATER

If the lot you are considering does not have access to a public water system, you should check with your contractor or a well company to determine

• what is the average depth of wells in the area
• and what is the expected cost of a total water system, including pump and installation.

Regardless of the depth wells are averaging in the area, it is not a guarantee that a well on the lot you are considering will be the same depth.

8) DRIVEWAY

The distance that a driveway needs to be constructed will affect the cost of lot improvement.

Obviously, the longer the driveway the more the construction cost, as well as the cost of plowing, sanding and upkeep.

9) IMPACT FEES

Some cities and towns impose an impact fee on any new construction within the city, or town limits.

There may be one fee or a fee for the impact on each municipal service.

In some instances, these fees total several thousand dollars, which in turn increases the cost of a new home by the same amount.

You should always check with the town, or city clerk to determine if there are impact fees associated with the construction of a new home in the area you are considering building.

10) OTHER

Other factors will have an effect on the lot improvement costs, including:

• Topography
• How much area must be cleared of trees and stumps
• Water drainage and Storm Water Run Off

Contact us at New England Landmark Realty and we would be happy to help you begin your land search or start your Waterbury or Stowe, VT land search here.