As we roll into the month of December the search for the perfect present begins...This holiday season we challenge you to shop local and support Grand Isle County businesses. We have you covered with gift inspiration and great shopping spots right here in the Champlain Islands! 

1. Makers Market at Kraemer & Kin

To appease the beer lovers on your list, head to Kraemer and Kin’s tasting room in North Hero. Pick up a gift card or a four-pack of their beautifully packaged craft brews. We also recommend pairing that with some of their merchandise, such as the winter beanies. Make sure to stop by the ‘Maker’s Markets’ that they are hosting every weekend this year leading up to Christmas. Blue Heron Farm, Muriel’s of Vermont and Isle La Motte Vineyard are just a few of the local makers that will be there! Shop

2. Arbor Farm Market

The South Hero Village recently welcomed Arbor Farm Market this past Spring. The market has a variety of farm fresh products as well as many items from local makers. You can visit them Wednesdays-Sundays to browse the great gifts such as handcrafted jewelry and pretty pottery pieces. Shop

3. Grand Isle Art Works

The Grand Isle Art Works has a variety of fine arts and crafts ranging from glass, mixed media, clay, wood, photography and much more! While you're there, keep an eye out for Across the Grain Pottery and their raku fish sculptures. This South Hero pottery studio specializes in functional pottery and raku, they even offer classes as well! Surprise your crafty friend or family member with the gift of a private pottery lesson. Shop

4. Hero's Welcome General Store

When in doubt, head to Hero’s Welcome in the North Hero Village. This general store is an Island staple, packed with games, books, gag gifts, household items, clothing, and a wide selection of local goods! Whether you’re looking for your niece, nephew, or co-worker, this spot will be sure to have something for everyone on your list! Shop 

5. Viva Marketplace

Viva Marketplace while it is closed for the season they are holding annual holiday markets on Saturdays. You can expect to find curated gifts, jewelry, clothing, and many other items made right in Vermont . Shop

6. Dreamwalker Farm Country Store

The country store at Dreamwalker Farm in Grand Isle offers a variety of farm fresh products. During the holiday season, they have make your own Vermont Gift Baskets with their meats and local makers products. Shop

7. Savage Gardens Bijoux Jewelry

A local farmer, owner of Savage Gardens, and a jeweler?! Amanda Gervais does it all, including creating unique sterling silver pieces that are popular among many. Based out of North Hero, one of her most well-known pieces are her Lake Champlain pendants. To see more of Bijoux Jewelry’s designs visit her etsy shop or you can find her jewels at Arbor Farm Market. Shop

8. Doghouse Pottery 

Doghouse Pottery has an array of beautiful mugs to mixing bowls and even growlers you will be sure to find a special pottery item for someone on your list! All of their products are 100% handmade in South Hero, Vermont. Their shop is currently closed to foot traffic so check out their website to start browsing! Shop 

9. Champlain Islands Candy Lab

Is it really the holidays if you aren’t indulging in sweet treats? The Champlain Islands Candy Lab in South Hero, Vermont has an assortment of to die for Vermont artisanal chocolates and baked goods. They also offer holiday gift boxes and custom gift boxes, perfect for the chocolate connoisseur in your life. Shop

10. Meadow Lane Macrame

Meadow Lane Macrame is a Handmade Fiber Art shop out of South Hero that creates unique pieces from wall art to super fun earrings. These boho inspired designs are irresistible and their plant hangers are a great gift for those with a green thumb. You can view the different macrame collections on their website. Shop

That’s a wrap on our holiday gift guide folks! Don't see your favorite shop on our list? Please comment their name or website below. 

We are pleased to announce that Sam Rossetti-Thiels has joined Coldwell Banker Islands Realty as a licensed sales associate. Learn more about Sam below. 

Sam is a born and raised Vermonter who has been working at a large box retailer for the past 10 years. She worked her way up the ranks to management and gained many useful skills that will carry with her in her new career as a real estate agent.

Sam's positive attitude, excellent customer service and organizational skills have made her successful in her career thus far, however she was looking for a change. Due to her love of HGTV home remodeling shows and enjoyment from working with people, Sam decided that a career in real estate would be the perfect next step in her journey.

Sam recently went through the home buying process herself and was fascinated by the moving parts involved and all the work that goes into a real estate transaction. She understands how being on the other side feels and can give you the guidance and confidence needed to navigate this large investment purchase.

When Sam isn't selling real estate, you will catch her walking and exploring trails, enjoying the lake and hosting girls night for her closest friends. She loves spending time outdoors but she can't wait to come home to her cats and snuggle on the couch. Sam also enjoys doing renovations to her own home and creating equity through finishing touches and design.

Connect with Sam today!

The U.S. housing market remains robust, with strong activity reported across both rental and residential housing fronts. Single-family rent prices are increasing rapidly, as demand for single-family housing and inventory constraints forces some buyers to rent, increasing competition and pushing rents up across the nation. Meanwhile, sales of new construction single-family homes recently hit a six-month high, rising 14% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 800,000, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

New Listings decreased 20.6 percent for single-family homes and 19.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 1.9 percent for single-family homes and 17.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 43.3 percent for single-family homes and 43.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 16.5 percent to $396,000 for single-family homes and 2.7 percent to $285,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 25.0 percent for single-family homes and 31.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 43.5 percent for single-family homes and 36.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

As temperatures drop, existing home sales continue to be plentiful, buoyed by strong demand, low interest rates, and a slight uptick in new listings in recent months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. With interest rates inching upward, and experts expecting further rate increases on the horizon, motivated buyers are hoping to lock in their home purchases to take advantage of what are still historically low rates.

Wondering what your home is worth in your current market? Get a free market analysis today! 

The fall has proven to be a busy time at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty! We celebrated an anniversary, welcomed some new faces, and attended the CB annual conference. In October, we celebrated our 25th anniversary with Coldwell Banker!

25 Years with Coldwell Banker

We feel fortunate to be able to serve the real estate needs of Northwestern Vermont and owe a big thank you to all of our clients who made this possible. We appreciate the recognition and are proud to be a part of the Coldwell Banker family. Being a part of Coldwell Banker has elevated our business and allowed us to grow through brand recognition, new tools, tech and learning opportunities to provide the best possible service to our community.

 

The Coldwell Banker Gen Blue Experience

The Coldwell Banker 2021 conference, Gen Blue Experience, took place at Radio City Music Hall in early October. Joy Gess represented CBIR in New York City while the rest of the office enjoyed many impactful learning sessions, workshops, and inspirational speakers virtually from our office together at 38 Community Lane! Gen Blue is just one example of some of the serious advantages from affiliating with one of the industry’s largest names. 

 

New Agent Welcome

Over the past couple of months we welcomed some new faces to the company. Please join us in welcoming licensed sales associates Paul Habersang, Susan Kaminski, Deborah Unica, and Sam Rossetti-Thiels as well as a training & education coordinator Sue Arguin to Coldwell Banker Islands Realty! 

Champlain Islands CROP Hunger Walk

The CBIR team took steps to help families who are struggling with hunger. This was the 8th Champlain Islands CROP Hunger Walk. All of the contributions went to help to provide more meals for the growing number of people in our community who need them, as well as greater food security in communities around the world. In total, $3,534 dollars were raised and it was a great event that we look forward to participating in again next October!

  

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November's Hidden Vermont home is a beautifully updated 4 bedroom Lakefront Cottage secluded on gradual west facing frontage on Savage Point. Located right across from the cut to the Broad lake and opposite North Hero Marina this Island retreat is sited directly on Lake Champlain. The interior has been recently updated and features vaulted ceilings, oak floors, lots of bead board, pine, and shiplap, giving it that Lakefront charm and feel without sacrificing modern conveniences. Enjoy the well appointed kitchen with quartz countertops, farmhouse apron style sink, Kraftmaid cabinets, stainless french door fridge, and a Fischer and Paykel Commercial range. Get Island Insights in your inbox! Subscribe today.