First impressions are everything and the exterior of a home can set the tone for a potential buyer. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, spend some time boosting your homes curb appeal. Making these small changes can have a big impact in the eyes of home buyers. 

1. Maintain your landscaping

Make sure to regularly prune any shrubs against and around your home. As they become overgrown they can block your windows and can take away from its street appearance. Additionally, this will put your windows on display and allow more natural light to shine through. Another tip is to keep an eye on the landscaping leading up to the house. Dig out or cut back any species that might be overflowing onto your walkway. 

2.  Hide Unnecessary Clutter

An easy way to spruce up your front yard is to remove items that are not necessarily meant to be on display. Relocate your gadgets and equipment such as any tools, lawnmowers, or toys that may be laying around in plain sight.

3. Clean your Gutters

While cleaning your gutters may be a dreaded chore, it is necessary. Not only is it important to clean them for the exterior, but also for general maintenance.

4. Freshen up your Front Door

 Throw a fresh coat of paint on your front door to drastically improve the appeal of your home from a distance. Maintenance is often required with painted doors, so whether you are touching up an existing color or you are introducing a vibrant new hue both will achieve a sought after exterior appearance. 

5. Add Finishing Touches

These can be as simple as hanging a seasonal wreath on your front door or maybe it's just throwing a couple of planters onto the front porch or the steps. Other ideas are to buy new house numbers, or add solar lights to your walkway. 

Now you have five easy and affordable ways to spruce up the exterior of your home to get it ready to sell! If you would like a professional opinion of ways to improve your home please contact us for a personal home consultation with no cost or obligation.

January's hidden home was an exclusive in-house listing that sold this past December. Built in 2008 and renovated in 2014, this 3 bedroom and 2 and half bath home is sited on a bluff with acreage and 240 ft of easily accessible lakeshore. You will be sure to enjoy this unreleased virtual home tour of this adorable Champlain Islands Lakefront Cape!

(This home is not for sale) 

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Happy New Year to our readers! As we begin a new year we are reflecting on 2020 and even though it was a difficult year with many changes we reached many milestones and are grateful to have had another successful year. 

After 26 years we moved into a new office, we rebranded, we launched a social mission to give back to our community, and we welcomed three new people to the CBIR team. The real estate market has kept us on our toes with shutdowns, stay at home orders, and embracing technology to offer virtual services. Despite these changes we have adapted and have continued to provide real estate services safely. 

We could not have reached these accomplishments without the support of our team, clients and community. We are grateful for all of your support. We look forward to the new year!

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See the latest Northwestern Vermont real estate market report presented by NVBR below.

The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) has released its market statistics for November 2020. The information is derived from data contained in the New England Real Estate Network and covers Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

November saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average top 30,000 for the first time, while mortgage rates reached new record lows again. These new records have provided encouragement for buyers to move forward on home purchases, which continued to remain strong overall for the month.

New Listings decreased 2.2 percent for single-family homes and 38.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 21.5 percent for single-family homes but decreased 9.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 52.2 percent for single-family homes and 55.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 17.2 percent to $358,500 for single-family homes and 7.0 percent to $259,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 30.2 percent for single-family homes and 48.1 percent for
townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 55.6 percent for single-family homes and 56.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

Showing activity remains higher than the same period a year ago across most of the country, suggesting that strong buyer demand is likely to continue into what is typically the slowest time of year. With inventory remaining constrained in most market segments, sellers continue to benefit from the tight market conditions.

 

 

1. Toys for Kids

Toys for Kids is a volunteer program sponsored by Vermont Marine Corps League. They collect toys for kids in need and have numerous drop off locations right in Grand Isle County. Some of these locations include our Coldwell Banker Islands Realty office, Keeler Bay Variety, Emmons Supermarket, Hero’s Welcome, Harborside Market, and the Isle La Motte Town Office. You can also donate through a virtual toy barrel and order items to be shipped to JeriHill Hardware. Donate here

Image source: Toys for Kids

 

 

2.  Voices Against Violence - Laurie’s House

Voices Against Violence serves Franklin and Grand Isle County and as many of us know domestic violence is on the rise due to the pandemic. This organization would greatly appreciate any help to continue their work educating and providing safe housing for members of our community. They are currently looking for items such as disposable razors, cleaning supplies, baby monitors and many more items. Donate here

Image source: Voices Against Violence

 

3. South Hero Land Trust

Join South Hero Land Trust in their Grow for a Neighbor campaign! You can volunteer as a gardener or donate to buy seedlings. The produce yielded will be donated to a local food shelf and the seedlings are bought from local farms and will be used for the volunteer gardeners and to create potted plant packets for families at risk. Donate here.

Image source: South Hero Land Trust

4. C.I.D.E.R.

Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources provide services with older sults and persons with disabilities. Their Neighborhood Meals program delivers an average of 650 meals a month to around 45-50 recipients. They bring "home-cooked" meals to residents of Grand Isle County with a team of volunteers. They would greatly appreciate any involvement whether it is volunteering or donating! Donate here

Image Source: Annie Gardiner 

5. Donate to a Local Food Pantry 

Food pantries accept dry and canned food donations, so nonperishable items that might be in your pantry. They often are looking for goods such as peanut butter, canned soup, whole grain pasta, and canned beans. Grand Isle County has a number of food pantries; such as the Saint Joseph’s Church in Grand Isle and the United Methodist Church of North Hero. For more information call them today at 802-372-4092 or (802) 372-6638.

Image Source: United Methodist Church

Have any other donation recommendations? Comment below!