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New England Landmark Realty covers the Vermont real estate market 

from the inside — market data, buyer strategy, seller timing, land 

use regulation, and the policy decisions shaping what homes cost and 

who can afford them.

 

Tony Walton has been working Vermont real estate since 1978. 

The analysis here reflects that depth.

 

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Dec. 16, 2016

Super Easy DIY Tips for Saving on Winter Heating

Vermont winters are a force to be reckoned with. With mornings in the negative double digits, your home heating bill can shoot through the roof. This article, by Jaymi Naciri, points out some steps you can take to combat raising your heating costs. 

Have you taken steps to winterize your home this year? It's not too late to take a look at all the nooks and crannies (Seriously, you should start with the nooks and crannies since they're probably letting all that cold air in and the hot air out!) and make some easy, DIY changes.

Time Money reports that 45% of the average household's energy bill goes to heating. "According to the Department of Energy, heating is the largest expense in the average American home," they said. Have natural gas heating? The average cost of heating your home from October through March is $649. That number goes to $938 for those with electric heating, they said. A little time and effort can make a big difference in how efficiently your home runs - and how high (or not) your winter bills soar.

Change out your filters

You should be doing this on a regular basis, anyway, but, if it's been awhile, it's time to hit Home Depot. New filters help your HVAC system to run more efficiently, which can mean lower heating bills and a heater that lasts longer.

Close up leaks around doors and windows

"A one-eighth-inch" gap under a 36-inch-wide door... will let in as much cold air as a 2.4-inch-diameter hole punched in the wall," said Time: Money. That's a lot of air coming in and a lot of money going out.

Draft guards under doors can plug those holes for a minimal cost ($10–15). For doors and windows, weather stripping tape is cheap, easy, and effective at sealing holes. Still drafty? "Any remaining gaps in siding, windows, or doors can be filled with caulk," said Bob Vila. "For extra drafty windows and doors, caulk the inside too, pulling off moldings to fill all gaps in the insulation. Cost: $20 for a basic caulk gun and $5 to $10 for a tube of caulk."

Cover your windows

Taking care of the leaks around the windows is only half the battle. Heat loss through the windows themselves can also be costly. Insulated drapes can help, and so can insulation film applied directly to the windows. "It may not be the most fashionable tip, but window insulation film can keep up to 70% of your heat from leaking out of windows," said Bob Vila. "Cost: $20 to $35 per kit."

Switch your fans

Most fans come with a reverse switch, but many people don't know what it's for. Turns out, your fan can actually help you feel cozy in the winter and give your heater a bit of a break. "Most people think of fans only when they want to be cool, but many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades," said Popular Mechanics. "Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes, while switching to clockwise makes it warmer. Air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space—cutting your heating costs as much as 10 percent!"

Banish the exhaust fans

Do you usually flip on the exhaust when you're cooking dinner, taking a shower, or running your laundry? Eliminating this one action could save you money.

"An exhaust fan blows the warm air in your house outside, dropping the temperature of your home as that air is replaced with cooler air," said The Simple Dollar. "Even worse, exhaust fans are usually blowing out moist air, which does a better job of holding the temperature. Instead of flipping on the exhaust fan when you take a shower, just leave the bathroom door open. This allows the warm air to naturally flow into the rest of the house, bringing the warmth of your shower along with it."

Lower the temps

It's no secret that the higher your thermostat is in the winter, the higher your heating costs. But did you know just how much you can save by going lower? "Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees," said the Consumer Energy Center. "For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees or off at night or when leaving home for an extended time, saving 5-20 percent of your heating costs."

That goes for hot water heaters, too. "Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120-degrees Fahrenheit, unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting," they said. "Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs."

To read the original article click here.

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July 27, 2016

America's Love Affair with Bedrooms and Bathrooms

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.

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July 24, 2016

How to Beat Sellers' Stress

As exciting as moving can be it can also be one of the most stressful periods of your life. This is an article written by the Realty Times Staff about how to lessen your stress and have a better outlook on this time in your life. Vermont is known for having very tight knit communities that are very welcoming. You should take a breath as you realize you have decided to live in one of the most beautiful states with some of the most genuine people as your neighbors. Taking the time to read this article might just soothe any anxious thoughts you might be having. 

Three things are certain in life: death, taxes ... and undue stress caused by moving. Whether or not you use the services of a Realtor to help you wade through the uncertain waters of the buy-and-sell process, moving is stressful, period. And there's not much you can do to avoid it. And we're not just talking about packing and paperwork. Moving is an emotional process. If you're not calming down your nervous children, you're trying to reassure yourself that you'll meet people in your new neighborhood, that you bought the best house within your means, and that your kids' new schools will measure up.

It's easy to forget while we're dealing with all of these jitters that moving actually can represent an exciting adventure, a growth opportunity and the prospect of new beginnings. Once the dust settles after your move, you're entering one of the most memorable times of your life. With any luck, you've recruited a REALTOR® who's familiar with the obvious stresses as well as the insidious (and subsequently more detrimental) ones. Depending upon your relationship with your Realtor, you should be able to rely on him or her for more than just closing the deal. Your Realtor also should be able to calm your trepidations by giving you the support you need -- giving you the facts about that new school district, reassuring you that your jitters are perfectly normal, and giving you as much information about your new hometown as possible, increasing your familiarity with the previously unknown.

It's important to remember throughout the entire selling and buying process, however, to reserve time for yourself and your family. It's not a waste of time, but rather an insurance policy for your sanity and continued happiness. Stress is sneaky, as we've all discovered. It can eat away at us during what are supposed to be the happiest of times, because, after all, any major change in life is stressful. If it's suppressed, it can wreak havoc both emotionally and physically and spread throughout the family. And there's nothing worse than moving a grumpy family across the country. For the sake of your continued family unity, keep in mind the following stress-relieving measures:

First, remember that it's perfectly normal to feel unsure of your decision right now. You've just made a major commitment, and all of us experience those last-second "What on earth did I just do" worries after signing contracts and making life-changing decisions. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with "what ifs" and dread, reframe this decision as a prime opportunity to begin your lives in a new environment. The old saying "When one door closes, another one opens" definitely applies here. Trust that your Realtor is looking out for your best interests, ask as many questions as you need to throughout the entire process (that's part of what your Realtor is paid for), and look forward to the adventure that lies ahead of you.


If you can, keep an emergency fund in case you run into any unexpected costs. One example: If your buyer comes forward after a home inspection is completed and requests a series of repairs prior to move-in, you'll be prepared. Chances are good that you won't necessarily agree with the buyer's requests, but at least you won't face the additional stress of being short the money for repairs if you plan ahead and save some extra cash (no set amount -- just as much as you can handle. A goal you might try to shoot for would be in the range of $2,500). It's probably in your best interests not to try to guess what the buyer will want to repair and then fix it ahead of time. That's because buyers have a habit of isolating areas of your home that you never considered having repaired, and not even noticing the ones you expected them to pinpoint. So save yourself any expenses until you've determined their requests.

And while we're on the subject of finances, try to anticipate and prepare for the initial expenses you'll face upon move-in. Resign yourself to the fact that during the moving process, you're going to feel as if you're holding your wallet upside down, and everyone -- movers, contractors, buyer, etc. -- is sitting underneath, catching the windfall and demanding a larger share. Keep in mind that this is an investment for the good of your family, and that these costs are a one-time inevitability.

Remind yourself of why you're moving in the first place. A job transfer, or is it a voluntary choice? Obviously, whether or not you had some degree of control over the decision will affect your outlook. Regardless of your answer to that question, round up as much information as you can about your new hometown. What kinds of cultural offerings does the town/city offer? What are its landmarks and natural attractions? Research some possible day trips you might take with the family once you're settled. Is your new hometown near state borders, giving you the opportunity to explore different regions of the country without much effort?

Envision your new home. Where will you place the furniture? Remind yourself of the home's primary selling points. Will you have more space? More closets? A large backyard and/or swimming pool? What does your new street look like? Do a lot of young families reside there? If so, your children are likely to be reassured by that knowledge. As often as possible, try to picture yourself and your family fully adapted to your new environment.

Remember to have a little fun occasionally. You're still allowed, even if you feel as if you don't have a penny left to your name. Take the family out to dinner, to a movie or a picnic -- anything that gets all of you out of the house and away from boxes, paperwork, emotions and all of those pre-move concerns. Keep a regular "date" to get out together -- for example, every Friday night leading up to the move. Take your mind off your stress for a few hours, and remind yourself that your family members are experiencing many of the same emotions. Like misery, stress often loves company, so enjoy your time together and remember that this stress won't last forever. Regardless of what you're feeling now, the move will happen and everything will eventually fall into place. Journeying into the unknown is what makes life rewarding, so trust in your Realtor's expertise and in your family's resilience, and look forward to the journey ahead.

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July 6, 2016

7 Smart Renovations Under $500

We recently found this article written by Jaymi Naciri that highlights some ways you can improve your home without breaking the bank. Some of these are a no-brainer, while some are a little harder for those of us living in Vermont. Curb appeal might be easier if the weather wasn't so unpredictable. Regardless, here are some ways that you can spruce up your home to enhance a buyer's interest.

If you're thinking about selling your home, you may be stressed out about all the things you need to do to get it market ready, and all the costs associated with those updates. Renovations don't have to cost you a fortune. By thinking smart about some of the updates that will have the greatest impact, you can minimize your spend and maximize your investment.

1. Give your kitchen some attention

If there's one spot that can make or break your home sale, it's this. You could spend thousands on new countertops and cabinets - and your agent may advise you to do some of these larger updates depending on the age and condition of your current kitchen and the competitiveness of your local market. But, for many of us, attention to a few key areas can help detract from the negatives and highlight the positives.

"Naturally, there are limits to what you can do on a budget. But many home remodeling experts stress that moderately handy homeowners with just a little cash to spend can make a big difference in their kitchen," said Bankrate. "And if the work looks good, you're adding equity to your home," Erin Davis, lead designer for Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland, Oregon, told them.

For under $500, you can paint your kitchen cabinets - use white for a classic yet updated look - and add hardware. You'll be surprised how much impact these two changes can have in an outdated space. Finish it off with a fancy new faucet that can be swapped out for under $100, like this brushed chrome single handle pullout.

2. Get a new appliance

It's not likely that you'll find a new appliance package for under $500, but you may be able to find a great deal on a new fridge or dishwasher if yours is a bit ratty by looking at scratch and dent items. Sometimes, the scratch is in a place that will be obscured by a wall, meaning you can save tons of money and not ever see the issue. If you can only afford one, think about the fact that you can take the refrigerator with you to your new place.

3. Bring in the light

One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for sale is to fill it with natural light. That means opening drapes and pulling blinds for showings—and making sure your windows are clean behind them! If your home doesn't offer a lot of natural light, careful placement of mirrors can help bounce whatever light there is around. Painting lighter colors can also keep the space airy, and is recommended by stagers as well.

Bringing in new light fixtures to replace anything that is outdated or builder grade can help give the home a modern feel for little financial output. Hanging two of these pendants over an island or peninsula captures one of the hottest trends in lighting today and will only set you back $104.

4. Refresh the bedrooms

Making sure the bedrooms have just the right amount of furniture - not too much, not too little - is key. Remove unnecessary pieces to emphasize the space and add key pieces like nightstands in a master (if you don't currently have them) to highlight function. You can pick up a pair at IKEA for under $30. Style them with a lamp and a book or stylish accessory and no one will know they cost less than dinner. Don't forget to add a new comforter for another modern touch. This three-piece set is just $49 from Wayfair.

5. Create some architectural interest

Crown molding can make a room look elegant and is also one of the features that can woo a picky buyer. Having a pro come in to install it can get expensive, but if you can use a saw and are somewhat adept at math, you can do it yourself. Materials should cost you about $1.20 a foot at Home Depot. You can get some DIY tips here.

Creating interest in a space that needs it doesn't have to involve power tools. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is one of our favorite tools for dressing up a wall without the hassle of working with paste and now it comes in textured looks we love, like this reclaimed wood version.

6. Create some curb appeal

Some of the most important things to do in the front of your house won't cost you a thing outside of elbow grease: mow, rake, and clean up. Next, lay down a new layer of mulch, which will cost you a couple bucks per bag, and plant some fresh flowers or bring some flowerpots close to the door.

If your front door has seen better days, a fresh coat of paint will keep buyers from wondering what else needs work on the inside.

7. Throw some accessories at it

You may not have money to make large changes to your home, but you can make it look freshened up with a little smart staging. Make sure furniture arrangements in living spaces make sense—it costs you nothing to move stuff around or store an extra-large chair that's impeding the flow of traffic in the garage while the home is for sale.

Some fresh flowers, a few throw pillows, an inexpensive new rug to anchor the seating area, and maybe a few modern knickknacks scattered around can make the space feel inviting.

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June 14, 2016

Welcome Home: 3 Entry Door Options

We found this article by Joseph Truini that addresses the importance of having the right front door for your home. Vermont, as we all know, has very intense seasons and it’s important to have a door that not only looks good but will last through extended exposure, especially through the winter months.

Installing a new entry door is a great way to improve the curb appeal of your home and create a warm, welcoming first impression for visitors. And while entry doors should certainly be attractive and architecturally interesting, they must also be resilient, weathertight and able to withstand exposure to the elements all year round.

If you’re interested in replacing your entryway door, you’ll first have to decide which type of door to purchase. Entry doors are readily available at home improvement centers in three different types: wood, steel and fiberglass.

All three types come in a wide range of sizes, styles and prices, so you won’t have any problem finding a door to fit into your budget and existing doorway. The more difficult decision is choosing which door type best suits your home, personal taste and lifestyle. To make that decision a bit easier, below you’ll find detailed descriptions of each door type, including benefits, drawbacks and important features to consider. 

Wood Doors

The natural beauty and warmth of wood is captured in this pre-finished mahogany door.

Wood doors are commonly available in a variety softwood and hardwood species, including fir, pine, hemlock, mahogany, oak, cherry and walnut. Most wood doors feature frame-and-panel construction, and can be ordered with or without “lites,” or windows.

Solid wood doors are constructed entirely out of solid pieces of wood. Veneered doors have a solid wood frame that’s covered with a wood veneer. Solid wood doors are often heavier and more expensive than a wood veneer door, but they’re also stronger and more durable.

Homeowners love wood doors because it’s hard to beat the natural beauty and warmth of real wood. Plus, they can be painted, stained or finished with a clear topcoat. However, wood requires a certain amount of maintenance to keep a fresh, like-new appearance.

When exposed to the elements, wood can swell, shrink, crack and warp. Paint and clear topcoats will eventually blister and peel. That’s why wood doors are best suited for recessed doorway openings, where the door is protected from the weather by a large overhang or deep alcove.

If you’re planning on painting your new wood door, order it with a factory-primed finish. That’ll save you the time and trouble of priming the door before painting. Also, it’s very important that you paint the entire door: top and bottom ends, left and right edges, and front and back surfaces. That’s the very best way to seal out moisture and deter warping.

Steel Doors

This steel entry door has a decorative glass panel and is available pre-finished in six paint colors.

Steel doors are popular with homebuilders and homeowners alike, and it’s easy to see why: They are extremely strong and secure. They’re durable and weather-tight, especially when fitted with magnetic weather stripping. Generally speaking, steel doors are also the most affordable type of entry door.

Steel doors come primed ready for paint, but many home improvement centers now offer pre-finished steel doors in a wide choice of factory-applied paint colors. And while most steel doors have a smooth surface, some models feature an embossed wood-grain finish.

The two main drawbacks to steel are that it dents and rusts. You can fill dents with auto-body putty, but rust must be completely removed to prevent the corrosion from spreading. Scrape or sand away all the rust to expose bare steel. Then, apply a primer coat followed by two coats of paint.   

Fiberglass-Composite Doors

Don’t be fooled by its rich cherry wood finish. This resilient door is made of fiberglass.

There’s no such thing as a maintenance-free door, but a fiberglass door comes pretty darn close. Fiberglass is extremely tough and resilient, and particularly well suited for harsh, humid climates. It’s also highly resistant to warping, splitting and cracking. Fiberglass doors won’t dent or rot.

Most fiberglass doors have a realistic wood grain texture that can be stained to resemble a wooden door. In fact, if you like the rich look of a solid mahogany door but not the price tag, buy a fiberglass door and apply a mahogany stain. If you’d rather paint your entry door, that’s fine, too: fiberglass accepts paint beautifully.

The main drawback to fiberglass doors is that they’re relatively expensive. Only high-end solid-hardwood doors cost more.

Door-Buying Tip: Sizing Matters

It’s easy to make mistakes when ordering new doors because of the somewhat confusing way that manufacturers specify door sizes. For example, a 36-inch door is sold as a 3-0 unit (pronounced three-oh), meaning that it’s 3 feet, 0 in. wide. A 2-8 door isn’t 28 in. wide; it’s 32 in. wide.

If you’re not paying close attention, it’s easy to order a 3-0 door for a 30-inch-wide opening, and then discover that the door is six inches too wide. Avoid these costly, time-consuming mistakes by double-checking the dimensions before ordering the door.

When shopping for entry doors, keep in mind that price is a good indicator of quality. A high-quality door will cost more, but it’ll last longer, perform better and be much more energy efficient.

No matter which door you choose, make sure it suits your home’s climate. It’s also important to practice regular maintenance in order to keep your new door looking its best.

To see the original article click here.

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June 2, 2016

5 Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades

Now, more than ever, people are looking for energy efficient homes and buildings when making a new real estate decision. Living in Vermont, we all know the high cost of heating during our volatile winters. While solar panels are an excellent way to help the environment and save on your heating and energy bills it can be a big, and costly commitment. We found an article by Gold Metal Service that highlights some different ways to upgrade your home or building that won't break the bank. 

Did you know that the energy used by homes in the U.S. accounts for almost one-quarter of the country's overall energy consumption? Or that the average household spends upwards of $2,200 a month on utilities?

Improving your home's energy efficiency can be accomplished in several ways, ranging from inexpensive upgrades to out-of-bounds costly overhauls.

"From whole-home energy audits to simply swapping out a water-guzzling toilet, there are dozens of ways homeowners can make their homes more energy-efficient," says Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of New Jersey-based Gold Medal Service. "Even a few small changes can have a big impact on energy consumption, helping the Earth and helping to lower energy bills at the same time."

Agugliaro recommends homeowners start with these five upgrades:

1. Ceiling Fans

Installing ceiling fans in your home is a low-cost way to reduce energy consumption. On hot days, ceiling fans can cut cooling costs by up to 40 percent, and on colder days, they help circulate air, saving you up to 10 percent on heating costs.

2. LED Lights

Swap out incandescent light bulbs for ENERGY STAR®-qualified LED lights--you'll consume a whopping 75 percent less energy! LED lights also last up to 50 times longer than incandescent ones, and up to five times longer than fluorescent ones, saving you the expense of replacement.

3. Smart Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can instantly make your heating and cooling system more efficient. The latest models allow you to set temperatures for different times of day, so you aren't paying to heat or cool your home when no one is there.

4. Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters--sometimes called "on-demand"--heat water as needed. ENERGY STAR® tankless water heaters can reduce your annual water costs by up to 30 percent. They last nearly 20 years--double the lifespan of a traditional hot water heater.

5. Whole-Home Energy System

The average home is hit with over 20 energy spikes each day. These can wreak havoc on your energy bills. Prevent them from occurring with a home energy management system with surge protection.

For those who want a hand improving the energy efficiency of their homes, an HVAC, plumbing and electrical professional can assess current energy usage and recommend ways to make the home more efficient.

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May 18, 2016

Curb Appeal - A Home's Smile and Handshake

Sellers think once their home is listed online there's little left to do but wait for offers to pour in. Wrong! We found this article by PJ Wade with 5 great tips to working on your home's curb appeal.

Especially if you're selling your home in the Perry Hill, Blush Hill, Shaw Mansion, Kneeland Flats, Loomis Hill, and many other Waterbury/Stowe neighborhoods, curb appeal is king. The work of drawing prospective buyers out of their cars and through the front door has just begun. Most buyers want to get inside a property before they'll make an offer, but if they don't like the home's exterior, they won't easily be enticed inside.

Properties that look great online — descriptions, dimensions, and video — still have to deliver curbside to be sold.

Homeowners must become their own "Curb Appeal Police," ready to be hyper-critical of every detail so the house shines in all respects — from the buyer's perspective!

#1. Target Buyers

Sellers want to attract those who will pay the most, but sellers do not automatically have a clear picture of this "who" they must win over. Ask your real estate professional to provide a profile of the buyers they are targeting in marketing and advertising campaigns. These details should help with curbside decisions of what to accent/minimize, and how to accomplish both efforts on a budget and timeline.

#2. Forget Your Personal Style

This can be a challenge for sellers who used their home as a canvas for their creative expression. Real estate professionals have learned that to attract significant interest, buyers must see the home as a welcoming canvas for their own creative expression — often very different from the current sellers'. Input from the listing and staging teams will help transform exterior surfaces and landscaping into a "buyer magnet." Check out design publications and sites, and drive by new homes and you'll discover that it's all about neutral shades, clean lines, and mimicking luxury properties.

#3. Not "Tart Up" But "Smarten Up"

Curbside views should not be cluttered or over-grown. Garish colors and over-done front gardens send the wrong message. Striking a balance between standing out for buyers and not being radically different from the neighborhood is key. Enticing buyers out of their car and in the front door is the objective.Which curbside details or impressions will speak to the quality and opportunity of the house? Understanding the target buyer viewpoint is key here.

4. Squeaky Clean Impresses

Particularly in grimy urban areas, sparkling clean building facades and windows are impressive. Manicured gardens and well-maintained driveways are also stand-outs. Keep touching up and polishing until a firm offer is signed and sealed. Until then, there’s no such thing as being too clean and fresh.

5. Curb Appeal: Up To and Thru The Front Door

The curbside first impression should continue to impress and welcome up to and through the front door to open on an immaculate, well-presented foyer.

The welcoming first view into the home should speak to the home's quality and to the loving-care the home has received.

With a clear idea of the "who" you wish to attract and professional knowledge of how to make your home appear a welcoming creative canvas from curbside, you and the property are now ready. Ideal buyers will want to make an offer on real estate that reflects their dreams — not the sellers'.

Click here to read the original article.

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May 4, 2016

Being Credit Wise

Your credit score is one of the most valuable things you own and it can quickly turn into a nightmare for you. A low credit score will directly affect your ability to borrow money and may get you turned down for that mortgage loan you have applied for. Or, you may be offered a higher interest rate because the lender sees you as a risky borrower. This may prevent you from buying your Waterbury or Stowe, Vermont dream home!
 
Many people either don't understand the ins and outs of their credit score, or they have inaccurate information on the subject. If you are currently looking for real estate, you should prepare yourself ahead of time and work to increase your credit score. Hopefully, this will enlighten you! 
 

1. Credit reports aren't always accurate. Most have a big error or mistake: 80 percent, actually. Regularly check your credit report. Every day we hear about thousands of credit cards being compromised through the hacking of large retailers' security and payment systems. These breaches can ruin your credit and be a large and seemingly endless headache for you. 

If your personal information gets compromised, a thief will open up financial accounts in your name. However, they will not pay the bills, and this will ruin your credit. Those unpaid bills will be reported to the credit agencies and will affect your ability to buy a car, rent a nice place, purchase a home or even get employment. So keep a close eye on your credit scores and your credit card accounts and report suspicious charges and credit cards immediately.
 
2. Pulling your credit score may lower it. A "soft" pull is done yourself for personal reasons; it will have zero effect. A "hard inquiry" is when a lender pulls it up for loan approval. It will have a negative impact, but small.
 
3. A higher income does not equal a higher credit score. Income is not relevant to credit score; paying bills on time (or not) is what matters.
 
4. Credit scores and credit reports are not the same. Credit reports are just one piece of the equation. Many factors go into calculating your credit score. What matters is your credit managing skills and making sure all three large credit bureaus have similar information and scores. The three big credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, and you can get one free credit report a year from each. Take advantage of this to protect yourself.
 
5. Debt settlement will not remove debt from your credit report. Debt settlement doesn't fix bad credit. Late payments, bad information, and other smears remain for up to seven years following the first "infraction" date.
 
6. Cash-only payments will not help you build credit. You can't build good credit unless you use credit, and use it wisely. Get a couple small loans or credit cards and pay them off as you use them.
 
7. Closing your credit card accounts will not improve your credit score. Closing a card lowers your amount of disposable income: the ability to pay off other debt. You don't want to lower "credit utilization" by closing out a card.
 
8. Smart management of your various banking accounts is not reflected in your credit score. These are not reported to credit bureaus and thus have no impact. But hopefully, your smart management means you are paying your bills on time!
 
9. Dispute inaccurate information to remove it from your credit report. You can dispute only mistakes. A valid dispute will result in deletion of inaccurate information. A dispute of negative, but accurate, information will be a waste of time.
 
10. Missed payments will affect your credit score. Any missed or late payment can be reported to a credit bureau and probably will be.
 
Based on an article By Robert Siciliano
Real Estate Services with IDTheftSecurity.com Inc

 

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March 23, 2016

Feng Shui For Beginners

Whether you believe in it or not, if you're planning on spring cleaning or decorating why not try rearranging? Who knows, the energy of your home could very well change. We found this cool article written by Reality Times about using feng shui three different ways in your home.

Rearrange Your Living Room

As the heart of your home, the flow of energy in your living room is essential to your family's overall energy. To create a cozy, nurturing space, start with a seating area where you can connect and relax together. The couch and chairs should be arranged close together for easy conversation, without having to talk loudly to be heard.

Place your couch against a wall if possible. Feng shui tradition says this anchors the piece, providing a feel of security and safety. If floating in the center of the room is your only option, mimic the anchoring effect by arranging a console and a pair of robust floor lamps behind your couch.

Keep the Romance Alive

The master bedroom should be a safe haven — a place for intimacy, relaxation and sleep. Maximize the romantic energy by decluttering the space. Leave devices in the living room or kitchen to avoid late-night screen time and the danger of bringing work to bed with you.

Aim for a minimalist look in your apartment and eliminate any unnecessary furniture in your bedroom. Place the bed as far from the door as possible. This offers a commanding position with a clear view of the entrance, which helps you feel safe and secure. Not having a lot of clutter and items in the room also helps you keep the space clean and tidy, which prevents pests. If you find signs of pests when you're rearranging your room, be sure to call an exterminator immediately.

Baby on the Way

Pregnancy and nesting go hand in hand. Which room will be the nursery? What's your color scheme? Do you want a theme? The questions are endless. If you're overwhelmed, feng shui can help you narrow down the options.

When choosing a room for your child, feng shui tradition favors the baby's room at the heart of the house, so choose a bedroom toward the center. Make sure it's not over a noisy area of the house, like the garage, or facing a noisy street. When choosing where to place the crib, it's more favorable to place the headboard of the crib against a wall than the side of the crib; this allows for better flow and balance of energy. It should be at the farthest point from the door, though not under a window or floating in the middle of the room.

As far as colors go, avoid using bright, energetic colors like red or yellow. Gray and black are also no-nos. Instead opt for soft, soothing shades of blue, green, plum, pink or beige. Avoid excessive use of patterns and garish cartoon characters, as these can hinder the calming energy in your baby's sleeping sanctuary.

Click here to see the original article.

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March 16, 2016

Closing the Deal

Article by Cindy Lyons, Owner and Principal Broker at NELM

You spend months marketing your property, cleaning the house for showings and then you get an offer and work through all details (negotiating, inspection, appraisal, financing, other contingencies), looking forward to closing. Or, you spend months looking at multiple properties, reconfiguring your expectations, narrowing down the prospects, making an offer and working through the same details as above.

Everyone patiently waits for that hopeful "Clear to Close" from the lender. You are thrilled when you get it and usually it is clear sailing from there. But that is not always the case. What can go wrong at the closing table? Let's see...

Some unexpected things can happen either at closing, or the days just prior. There are some things you can do to avoid a delay.

Take care of all inspection items early on. You may find yourself at the mercy of contractors' schedules or waiting on ordered parts. If you are the Buyer, do not wait until the walk-through to make sure the items have been done.

Look over your closing statement very carefully. You want to make sure all pro-rations, commissions and deposits are accounted for. Were the utilities, association fees, and taxes (town and/or village) all taken into account? A missing item can cause disruption at the closing table.

If you are wiring money, make sure the process is started in a timely manner in relation to your closing day and time. If the money is not there, you won't close.

If needed, set up a Power of Attorney (POA) ahead of time, so your attorney (or other appropriate person) can sign the papers for you if you cannot be there. If you are the executor of an estate, make sure you qualify to have POA to sign the paperwork. Recent laws preclude those who benefit from a sale to have POA to sign the closing documents.

All Buyers should do a final walk-through to ensure all personal property has been removed, all appliances/items that were to remain are still there, and the home is broom clean. This is also an opportunity to make sure all work that was promised to be done has been completed.

If you are the Seller...don't save your packing for the week before closing. Moving always takes longer than you think and Buyers rightfully expect a final walk through with the home cleared of all the Seller's personal belongings and clean. It is in the contract.

One last tip. It is not advised to allow a Buyer to move personal property into the home prior to closing. If the closing is held up or does not happen, it can lead to a very awkward and possibly contentious situation. We all want to play nice...but it is still really good advice to heed!

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