The Champlain Islands boast small-town rural charm with breathtaking scenery and are located conveniently close to the lively cities of Montreal, Quebec and Burlington, Vermont. Its incomparable state parks, close-knit community and countless outdoor activities make the Champlain Islands region a wonderful place to enjoy year-round or seasonally. Check out these 10 must see places that are frequented by folks visiting and the local Islanders themselves! 

1. Island Line Trail 

The Island Line Trail is a 14-mile trail that spans across Lake Champlain from Colchester to South Hero. Part of the Burlington Bike Path, this is a can't miss activity when visiting the Champlain Islands Area. Hop on the Bike Ferry from South Hero to cut across the 200 ft gap in the causeway. Walk, run, or bike the beautiful and historic path while enjoying panoramic views of Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks. 

2. South Street, South Hero

Just 20 minutes from Burlington, South Hero's South Street has lots to offer making it the perfect place to explore! First, make sure to stop at Champlain Islands Candy Lab to grab a sweet treat and then head across the street to browse the jewels at Silver by Tish. South Street is also home to two very well-known family owned apple orchards, Hacketts and Allenholm. 

3. The Snow Farm Vineyard

Located in South Hero, Vermont, Snow Farm is a beautiful winery with stunning views. Stop in for a tasting or enjoy your vino outside by the vineyards. Additionally, they have a Summer Concert Series every Thursday evening with live music, local food trucks, and of course, wine! 

4. Bird House Forest

Don't forget your camera when visiting the Bird House Forest at White's Beach! You will find vibrant birdhouses scattered amongst the trees as far as the eye can see.

 

5. Champlain Islands Farmer's Market

Support local Island vendors, makers, and farmers who all gather twice a week throughout the summer and into the early fall months! On Wednesday's the evening farmer's market is located at Saint Rosa Lima Church in South Hero from 3 to 6pm. The Saturday market can be found at Saint Joseph's Church in Grand Isle typically from 10am to 2pm. 

6. Hyde Log Cabin

New England’s oldest standing log cabin, the Hyde Log Cabin, is a historical sight to see! Located in the heart of Grand Isle on U.S. Route 2 and is open on weekends during the months May through October. 

7. North Hero Village

The picturesque North Hero Village is located directly on City Bay of Lake Champlain and hosts a variety of shopping and dining options. The village is home to popular destinations such as Hero's Welcome General Store, The North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, Kraemer & Kin Brewery, and Shore Acres Inn & Restaurant!

8. Alburgh Dunes State Park 

Alburgh Dunes is one of the most beautiful natural sand beaches in the Champlain Islands and one of the longest beaches in Vermont! This park offers crystal clear water making for the perfect day trip to be enjoyed by all ages! 

9. Saint Anne's Shrine 

On the shores of Lake Champlain in Isle La Motte, the Saint Anne's Shrine is a very peaceful setting. This location is full of history it's a great place to explore the grounds, take time to reflect, or have a picnic by the water! 

10. Fisk Quarry Preserve

The Fisk Quarry is a part of the Chazy Fossil Reef, and is now recognized as a National Natural Landmark. This beautiful scenic area is located on Isle La Motte's West Shore Road where you will be able to find some of the oldest fossils in the world!

The beautiful landscape of close-knit communities, history, and countless places to explore are why so many are grateful to call this Island Paradise home! Thinking of making a move? Learn more about Life In The Champlain Islands or to begin your property search browse available homes in the Champlain Islands.

Source of all Images: Coldwell Banker Islands Realty

Looking to make your Vermont home more eco-friendly? There are many updates and changes you can make in your home to help you achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. Some of these changes not only will lower your energy costs but can also increase the value of your home.

1. Switch out your Light Bulbs

Swap your incandescent light bulbs for LED light bulbs. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional lights! These are more efficient and they will end up saving you money in the long run.

2. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances

Whether it’s your washer or refrigerator replacing outdated appliances with new more efficient models will help cut your home's energy consumption. However, finding the right model can be overwhelming. We recommend browsing online on Efficieny Vermont where they compare products and help you get the best deal.

3. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

If purchasing a new washer and dryer isn’t in your budget, you can still find ways to cut your energy use with the appliances you have. According to energy star, by adjusting your cycle temperature from hot to warm you can cut the energy use in half. Additionally, switching to the cold cycle will decrease the energy use even more! After washing your garments, consider skipping the dryer and line drying your clothes.

4. Insulate Walls, Ceilings, and Doors 

Make sure your home is sealed tight to retain heat in the winter and keep hot air out of the home during the warmer months. This, in turn, will help decrease the energy used to heat and cool your home throughout the year which will lower those associated costs as well! 

5. Compost

The average family produces about 18 pounds of trash a day which adds up to 6,570 pounds of trash a year! If you compost, you will help to decrease the amount of solid waste your household generates. If you live in Vermont, then you should have already hopped on the composting bandwagon. However, if you need assistance on how to compost the Vermont Department of Energy Conservation has a great guide on the do's and don'ts of composting. 

6. Install Solar Panels

While these can be costly, solar panels will be the most effective to combat greenhouse gas emissions. In Vermont, the solar prices are down 45% over the past 5 years! Plus, to help offset costs you can get a 26% federal tax credit for projects that begin before 2023. 

7. Use Eco-Friendly Household Products 

Try using green plant-based products and eco-friendly paint to reduce the release of toxins that pollute the air pollution. We recommend using databases such as the EPA Safer Choice Program to see how your current household products size up and to how to search for cleaner products.

 

Making these lifestyle changes and upgrades to your home will help immensely to reduce your carbon footprint. These improvements will also increase your home's value which will put you in a great position when you decide to sell your home! 

The Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors has released the latest real estate market report for March 2021.

Normal spring increases in sales activity, coupled with relaxing COVID-19 policies, created a very busy March real estate market as buyer demand continued largely unabated in the face of rising home prices and mortgage rates. Existing home seller and new construction activity continue to remain below levels necessary to bring the market back into balance, pointing to a busy and competitive buyer market in the coming months.

New Listings increased 11.0 percent for single-family homes but remained flat for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 38.8 percent for single-family homes and 4.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 59.1 percent for single-family homes and 64.2 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 14.4 percent to $350,000 for single-family homes and 3.5 percent to $279,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 30.1 percent for single-family homes and 60.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 60.7 percent for single-family homes and 68.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

While many homebuilders are working to increase their activity, the cost of lumber and other materials and a backlogged supply chain continue to limit new home construction and have increased costs substantially. New methods of construction, including 3d printed homes, could speed construction and reduce costs in the future, but realistically are several years away from making a measurable impact in the market.

In the past year, the reliance on technology has increased immensely and the real estate industry is no exception to this dependence. Incorporating cutting edge tech trends such as drone photography, virtual tours, and HDR photography into a home's marketing plan will ensure that your home gets noticed fast. 

1. Drone Photo and Video

Aerial photography is changing the real estate game! Drone photography is crucial to fully capture unique lakefront homes. According to MLS, Homes with aerial photos sold 68% faster. Whether it's a waterfront home or a unique inland property, aerial shots ensure that your home will get noticed. 

2. Virtual Home Tours

Popularity among home tour videos has increased immensely due to buyers not being able to physically go to showings. Walkthrough virtual tours give buyers detailed information about the property to give you a realistic layout of the space and offerings. This also allows buyers to preview multiple homes in a short amount of time to decipher which homes they would like to go see in person. 

3. HDR Photography 

High Dynamic Range photography is a technique that involves shooting multiple images of the same scene at different exposure values and then merging them together to create a seamless scene. Photos are the first impression of your home so it is paramount to have great images that capture the character, main features, and layout of your home. This, coupled with light editing, makes homes stand out online while maintaining its true depiction!

Every home is unique and the marketing efforts must reflect that. At CBIR, we stay on top of the latest real estate trends and create a personalized marketing plan to ensure that your home stands out. Learn more about our 360 Marketing Plan. 

We are pleased to announce that Paul Habersang has joined Coldwell Banker Islands Realty as a licensed sales associate. Learn more about Paul below. 

Paul has enjoyed living in the Green Mountain State since 2011, when he relocated from his native state of Connecticut for a new career opportunity. He is a seasoned professional with many years’ experience in sales, customer service, and relationship development. Throughout his career both in corporate and non-profit settings, Paul has always believed that timely responsiveness to client inquiries and consistent follow through on commitments are two key elements that drive customer satisfaction. In the business of transacting real estate, both timely responsiveness and following through on commitments are key when striving for a successful outcome!

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. He worked in the electrical industry for nearly twenty years with both General Electric and Square D Companies. During that time, several job transfers around the country required the sale and purchase of a number of homes. As a result, Paul understands and appreciates the purchase and sales process, particularly by recognizing that the sale or purchase of a home is often the biggest transaction of one's life! 

In 2008, Paul earned a Masters of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary, New York City, and has served in several capacities within The Episcopal Church USA. Paul is a believer in giving back to the community and dedicates some of his time to serving on a Professional Advisory Team at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington while also serving on the Board of Trustees for the Brookhaven Treatment and Learning Center, Chelsea, VT. Paul enjoys staying physically active and working outdoors. He is the proud father of two adult sons and currently resides in South Burlington. 

Connect with Paul Habersang today!