Summer is over, and now is the time to take care of a few important chores and get home ready for Vermont winter. Those cold nights and mornings seem to arrive quickly, so it’s nice to have a these essential items checked off before the first snow. Your future self will thank you for taking care of them now, helping prevent unexpected problems and keeping your home comfortable through the winter.

Here are a few things worth adding to your October to-do list.

Check for Air Leaks

As the first cold mornings arrive, take a walk around your home and check for drafts around exterior doors and windows. Those small leaks may not seem like much in October, but you'll notice them a lot more when the temperature drops and the heat is running around the clock. Some fixes are relatively simple, such as adding weatherstripping or caulking around windows. Larger gaps or areas that are difficult to identify may be worth having a contractor evaluate.

Have Your Chimney Cleaned & Inspected

Many Vermont homes have a fireplace or woodstove, so now is the time to make sure it's ready for another season. For many homeowners, a woodstove is essential for getting through the colder months. A professional chimney cleaning and inspection can remove built-up creosote and identify potential problems before you start using the fireplace regularly.

Schedule Your Annual Furnace Service

Whether your home is heated by a furnace, heat pump, boiler, or another system, fall is the time to make sure everything is ready for the colder months. Nobody wants to discover a heating problem when temperatures drop below zero. Having it professionally serviced in the fall gives you a chance to catch potential issues before they become a midwinter emergency.

It's also a good time to check your filters. Many filters should be replaced about every three months, although the right schedule depends on the type of filter and your home's system. A clean filter helps your system operate efficiently and can contribute to better indoor air quality.

Check Filters and Vents

Your heating system isn't the only thing in the house that relies on a clean filter. Fall is a good time to work through the filters, vents, and exhaust areas throughout your home.

Depending on what you have, your list might include:

• Furnace or heat pump filters

• Refrigerator water filters

• Dishwasher filters

• Air purifiers and humidifiers

• Vacuum filters

• Dryer lint filters and exhaust ducts

• Range hood and over-the-range microwave filters

Some need regular replacement, while others simply need a good cleaning. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for each appliance rather than assuming everything follows the same schedule.

Clean Your Gutter and Downspouts

Once the leaves start falling, gutters can fill up quickly. Clear out leaves and debris so rainwater and melting snow can drain properly and help prevent ice buildup and roofline problems. Check that downspouts direct water away from your home and aren't leaking or loose. If your gutters are difficult to reach or you're not comfortable on a ladder, leave this one to a professional.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors don't require much attention, but they're among the most important systems in your home to keep in working order. Test your detectors regularly and replace batteries according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If a detector is nearing the end of its recommended service life, replace it rather than waiting for it to fail. It's a small task that can be easy to overlook, but definitely one worth keeping on the list.

A Little Fall Maintenance Goes a Long Way

Vermont winters have a way of putting our homes to the test. Taking care of a few maintenance items in the fall can help you avoid scrambling for repairs in the middle of January, when the weather is less forgiving and local service providers are often busy.

And you don't have to tackle everything yourself. If you need a furnace technician, chimney professional, contractor, or another local service provider, our Coldwell Banker Islands Realty agents are happy to point you toward trusted local resources. Reach out to our team for recommendations and get your home ready for the season ahead.

Fall is in full swing, and we’re loving every minute of it. The changing leaves, crisp air, and cozy sweater weather have made for some beautiful days around the Islands. October is also bringing plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the season, from harvest festivals and Oktoberfest to haunted trails and Halloween fun. Here are a few local events to add to your October calendar.

CIFM Harvest Fest | Saturday, October 1

The Champlain Islands Farmers’ Market is celebrating the season with its annual Harvest Fest at Allenholm Farm in South Hero from 10 AM–3 PM. More than 52 local vendors will be there with fresh produce, baked goods, maple, honey, wine, and artisan crafts, and more. Enjoy prepared foods, live music from Bramblewood, apple picking, family activities, and a free needle-felting workshop. Learn more about Harvest Fest here.

Emmons Island Haunted Trail | Saturday, October 10

Looking for a little Halloween excitement? Head to the Emmons Island Haunted Trail at 1 Island Meadows Lane in Grand Isle from 4:30–10 PM. Tickets are $20 or 12 non-perishable food items, with all proceeds and donated food going directly to the Champlain Islands Food Shelf. Expect plenty of scares, surprises, and spooky fun. Visit their Facebook page for more info and updates. 

Harvest Festival at Snow Farm Vineyard | Sunday, October 11

Celebrate the 2026 grape harvest at Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery from 12–4 PM. The afternoon will feature wine, spirits, live music, more than a dozen local artisans, delicious food, specialty fall cocktails, campfires, and free wagon rides. If you’re up for a little adventure, take the short hike to Fox Hill Scenic Overlook for beautiful views of the fall foliage. Learn more about the Harvest Festival.

Two Heroes Oktoberfest | Saturday, October 24

Oktoberfest is coming to South Hero! Two Heroes Brewery is hosting its first-ever Oktoberfest with special menu items, friendly competitions, and live music from German band Inseldudler. You can even pre-order a custom Two Heroes stein to take home. Get the details here.

Trunk or Treat In the Islands | October 24 & 31

Halloween is almost here! Several communities around the Islands will be hosting family-friendly Trunk or Treat events, with costumes, decorated cars, and plenty of treats.

• Grand Isle: Saturday, October 24 at The Grand Isle Fish Hatchery. Learn more. 

• South Hero: Saturday, October 31 at Folsom Elementary School. Learn more. 

• Alburgh: Saturday, October 31 hosted by the Alburgh Fire Department. Learn more.

Halloween Weekend at The North Hero House | October 30 & 31

The North Hero House is getting into the Halloween spirit with a full weekend of fun. Friday night features a family-friendly costume contest and dancing, while Saturday brings a Murder Mystery interactive dinner experience. Add in gourmet food, cocktails, costumes, and special weekend room rates, and you have a festive way to celebrate Halloween in the Islands. Check out their facebook page for updates or visit their website for reservations and event details. 

Enjoy Fall in the Islands

Whether you're looking for a family-friendly afternoon, a little Halloween excitement, or simply a reason to get outside and enjoy the foliage, there’s plenty happening around the Champlain Islands this October. Grab a sweater, invite a friend, and make the most of the season!

As summer winds down, the Northwest Vermont real estate market appears to have hit a seasonal pause. Across Grand Isle, Chittenden, and Franklin counties, August brought a lull in activity, with closed sales essentially flat from July and new listings down 17.2%. With fall approaching, the market may see renewed activity as buyers and sellers consider their plans before winter.

The median sales price was $512,000, down 2.5% from July and 2.9% year over year. Home sellers are still receiving close to asking price, with a median of 98.9% of list price, while homes took a median of 18 days to sell, up from 16 days in July. For people thinking of selling their home this year, pricing and preparation remain important as homebuyers have somewhat more time to evaluate their options.

For buyers, active inventory in Northwest Vermont remains significantly higher than a year ago, with 733 properties on the market, up 38% year over year. While fewer new listings came on the market in August, the overall inventory level gives buyers more choices than they had at this time last year. Interest rates also remain an important consideration when planning a purchase and evaluating monthly costs.

At Coldwell Banker Islands Realty, we’re watching the fall market closely, particularly for lakefront properties where timing can be an important part of a purchase or sale before winter. Thinking about buying or selling in Northwest Vermont? Contact our local team to learn what the latest market data means for your specific property or real estate plans.

There’s something about apple-picking season that makes fall in Vermont feel official. The cooler mornings, the changing leaves, the first cider doughnut of the season, and wandering quaint orchards for fresh apples all make this fall activity a favorite for many.

Northwest Vermont is home to some wonderful orchards, many of which have been family-run for generations. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pick-your-own experience, a farm market stocked with fall favorites, or simply a reason to spend an afternoon outside, these six orchards are worth a visit.

Hackett's Orchard | South Hero, VT

A South Hero institution since 1967, Hackett's Orchard covers 50 acres of farmland and grows an impressive 50 varieties of apples. During September, visitors can pick their own apples or stop into the farm market for some of the orchard's other fall favorites.

Fresh cider doughnuts, apple cider, cider slush, and apple crisp are all available at the market. And if you’re visiting later in the season, keep an eye out for pumpkins and other sweet treats, too. Pick-your-own starts September 12th and ends in early October. Visit their website for more information. 

Allenholm Farm | South Hero, VT

On South Street in South Hero, Allenholm Farm has been part of the local landscape since 1870. The Allen family has operated the farm for seven generations, and according to the South Hero Land Trust, it is the oldest commercial apple orchard still operating in Vermont.

Pick your own apples, then stick around for some of the farm’s best-known treats, including Papa Ray’s Pies and maple creemees. The Hive Cafe is also on-site, making Allenholm an easy choice when you want to turn apple picking into a full afternoon in the Islands. Make sure to check out Allenholm’s Facebook page for updates about pick-your-own apples.

Adams Apple Orchard | Williston, VT

For a classic Vermont orchard experience, Adams Apple Orchard in Williston is a longtime favorite. It’s known for its wide selection of apple varieties and its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Visitors can pick their own apples and browse the farm market for fresh cider, cider doughnuts, baked goods, and local produce. It’s the kind of place that appeals to both longtime locals and visitors looking to spend a fall day in the Vermont countryside. Pick-your-own begins September 11th. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information. 

Chapin Orchard | Essex Junction, VT

Family-owned Chapin Orchard has been a community favorite in Essex Junction for decades. The orchard offers pick-your-own apples along with freshly pressed apple cider, cider doughnuts, and other seasonal favorites.

With its scenic setting and friendly atmosphere, Chapin is a great place to slow down and enjoy one of the best parts of fall in Vermont: a little time outside, a bag of apples in hand, and no particular reason to hurry home. Visit their website to learn more. 

Shelburne Orchards | Shelburne, VT

Set in the picturesque town of Shelburne, Shelburne Orchards is a destination for apple lovers and anyone looking to take in some beautiful Vermont scenery. 

Along with pick-your-own apples, the orchard offers pick-your-own peaches, fresh-pressed cider, cider doughnuts, and a variety of apple products. There’s also an on-site distillery producing apple brandy, giving visitors another way to enjoy the orchard’s harvest. Pick-your-own starts September 11th. Visit their website for more information.

Yates Family Orchard | Hinesburg, VT

Yates Family Orchard sits among the rolling hills of Hinesburg and offers a welcoming, family-friendly setting for a fall outing. The orchard grows a variety of apple types, all cultivated with care.

Visitors can pick their own apples and stop at the farm stand for fresh produce, local honey, and homemade preserves. If you’re looking for a quieter way to spend a fall afternoon with family or friends, Yates Family Orchard is a lovely place to take in the season. Visit their website to learn more.

From the Lake Champlain Islands to the hills of Chittenden County, Northwest Vermont has no shortage of ways to enjoy apple season. These orchards are part of what makes fall here so special, combining generations of farming tradition with the simple pleasures of picking apples, eating something fresh from the farm, and spending time outdoors.

So grab a basket, bring home a few more apples than you planned on, and make the most of fall in Northwest Vermont.

Four out of 10 (41%) people with homeowner’s insurance policies made no change to their policy in over a year, according to a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll in June of this year.

Another two out of 10 (20%) said they hadn't touched their policy since the day they bought it.

The numbers on the provider side tell a similar story:

• 56% of policyholders say their insurance provider hasn't reached out to check in on their coverage in over a year

• 21% say that kind of check-in has never happened at all

• 88% say they'd want their provider to flag it when their coverage no longer fits their life

Insurance companies aren't required to call and ask whether your coverage still fits your home, and most homeowners aren't opening that file until something forces them to. Life gets busy.

So, consider this our friendly annual reminder to give it a look, and we’ll share how to do exactly that. 

Because without an annual update, the odds of your insurance not actually covering what you think it does are greater than you think. 

The coverage you think you have vs. the coverage you actually have

The Hanover Insurance Group's 2025 Homeowners Coverage Awareness Report, based on a Harris Poll of homeowners age 30 and up, found a wide difference between what people believe they're covered for and what their policy includes.

Here's what that difference looks like for three common types of coverage:

• Umbrella coverage: 83% have heard of it. Only 39% have discussed it with an agent.

• Valuables coverage: 87% know it exists. Only 26% carry it.

• Cyber coverage: 46% know it's an option. Only 7% have it.

Knowing a coverage type exists isn't the same as being protected by it. The Hanover report also found that 66% of homeowners said they'd want to add umbrella coverage once someone explained what it does. 

So, we’re looking at a knowledge gap. People aren't skipping coverage on purpose; they don't know it applies to them until someone walks them through it.

What it looks like when the gap catches up with you

The Harris Poll survey found that one in three homeowners who filed a claim said their coverage fell short of what they needed. 

Within that group, 14% said none of their claim was covered.

There’s no convenient time for this kind of news, but it’s especially stressful when you’ve filed a claim after a pipe bursts or a storm tears off part of the roof, only to find out the policy you've paid into for years won't cover the repair.

The same survey found that 67% of policyholders said covering a surprise $1,000 expense would be hard for their household. 

A coverage shortfall means money you may not have, at the moment you need it most.

A five-minute check you can do this week

A policy review doesn't have to turn into a research project. Pull up your current policy and check these four things:

1. Your dwelling coverage limit, and whether it reflects what it would cost to rebuild your home today (not just what you paid for it)

2. Any named endorsements on the policy, like added coverage for jewelry, art, or water backup

3. The date your policy was last reviewed or updated

4. Any changes to your home or life since that date, a renovation, a new roof, a home office, a big purchase

If any of those raise a question you can't answer off the top of your head, that's your sign to take a closer look. A policy review is about knowing where you stand before you need to.

Five Minutes Now Beats a Bad Surprise Later

None of this means your policy is wrong. Coverage is built around the home and the life you had when you bought it, and both of those change more than most policies do.

The homeowners in that recent survey who found out their coverage fell short didn't do anything unusual. They hadn't looked at their policy in a while, just as most people haven't.

A five-minute check now costs you nothing. Finding out your coverage isn’t enough after a loss costs you money and a load of stress you don’t need. Taking the time to check your policy this month puts you ahead of the curve before anything happens.