Happy New Year! Coldwell Banker Islands Realty had another exciting year in Vermont real estate. It was a year of guiding people home, growing and strengthening our team of Realtors and improving our services and knowledge to better serve our clients and professional partners. We could not have reached these accomplishments without the support of our office, clients and community. We are grateful and look forward to another year of guiding people home!

 

3 Viral Videos from 2022

Check out our top videos from 2022. These short-from videos are used to highlight listings, grow our brand and reach thousands of users on social media. 

 

Top Hidden Home of 2022

In 2022 we shared some spectacular Hidden Homes. The top Hidden Home of the year was this beautifully updated waterfront cottage located in North Hero, Vermont. This video was viewed +608 times, had +9 hours of watch time and received over 1,900 impressions. Take a look back at this updated cottage.

One of our main marketing channels at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty is social media. Short-form video has taken over social media and we are leveraging this to highlight listings, the area, and more. These videos reach a broader audience, have higher engagement, and lead to more views on the listing page maximizing the listing's exposure. Check out our top-performing videos of 2022 below.

1. Just Sold: Isle La Motte Farmhouse

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Coldwell Banker Islands Realty (@cbislandsrealty)

This first video was shared on Instagram to celebrate a recent closing. It highlights a charming farmhouse in Isle La Motte that was very popular among viewers. It reached over 11,000 people and received 307 likes.  

2. Farmhouse Appreciation

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Coldwell Banker Islands Realty (@cbislandsrealty)

This Farmhouse Appreciation video was meant to highlight a listing. This home was extensively renovated and it came out beautifully while maintaining the original character of a Vermont farmhouse. It reached over 10,000 people and received 197 likes. 

3. Wait Till You See The Waterslide

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Coldwell Banker Islands Realty (@cbislandsrealty)

The last video is another listing video to highlight a feature of the home. This unique home is an outdoor recreation enthusiast's dream with an in-ground pool with a waterslide, recreational trails, a pond, and a rec cabin. The video reached over 7,000 people and received 184 likes. 

 

Make sure to follow us on our social media platforms to see beautiful homes and all other things Vermont real estate related!

 

Holiday Hoopla At Coldwell Banker Islands Realty

Kick off the season of giving in The Islands! Coldwell Banker Islands Realty invites you to our second annual Holiday Hoopla on Saturday, December 3rd, from 10am-1pm at our office in South Hero, VT. 

We are grateful to be a part of The Champlain Islands community and to have another year guiding our clients home. To show our appreciation, we’ll be hosting a Holiday Hoopla with a wreath giveaway, hot cocoa bar by Let's Pretend Catering and pictures with Santa. Wreaths are from Northeast Kingdom Balsam and are first come, first serve so arrive early!

In the giving spirit? We will be accepting donations for the NVRA Winter Coat Drive. Please bring a new or used coat. All coats collected will be donated to Spectrum Youth & Family Services. We also have are accepting donations for Toys For Kids.

All are welcome to join this cheerful community event. We look forward to seeing you! Visit the Facebook event page for updates.

Champlain Islands Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? There are plenty of options right in the Champlain Islands! This holiday season we challenge you to shop local and support Grand Isle County businesses. We curated a list of 7 Island Businesses To Shop At This Season.

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As the cold weather sets in, you should take several steps to prepare your home correctly. Doing routine home maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs as well as prepare and budget for updates that might be needed. Save yourself the headache in the spring, and take the steps below to winterize your home.

1. Remove window screens and screen doors and seal any cracks.

This will help the longevity of your screens. Also, consider installing storm windows and doors. Also seal any cracks to prevent drafts and keep the heat shut inside.

2. Clean your gutters.

Cleaning your gutters every fall has numerous benefits. This task prevents water damage and rot, a place for pests to nest, plus it helps the overall lifespan of your roof and foundation. 

3. Inspect your roof.

Make sure to examine your roof. Look for any damage such as missing shingles or cracks and get them repaired before the snow falls. If you ignore these issues, the harsh winter months could exacerbate what was once minor damage. 

4. Trim trees and bushes.

Cut back any overgrown bushes or large unsteady branches that could break off near the roof or home. 

5. Have your chimney or fireplace serviced.

Before the cool weather sets in, it is best to have your chimney and fireplace cleaned before running. Not only is this good fire safety practice, it will clear out any critters that may have found their way in.

For more home maintenance tips or advice on what to do before you list this fall, get in touch with a Coldwell Banker Islands Realty Agent.

Happy Fall! Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit the Lake Champlain Islands. As the leaves begin to change, local farmers gather their crops and invite members of the community to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Here is a lineup of the activities in October that you will not want to miss!

 Weekend in the Islands

Head to the Champlain Islands for a weekend celebration of community, food, and local goods. On October 8th and 9th many local businesses will be partaking in the towns of South Hero, Grand Isle, and North Hero. There will be fun events, promotions, and great local products available during this fall festival. Check out the map below to learn more! 

See map 

Farmers Market Harvest Fest 

The Champlain Islands Farmers Market will be holding its annual Harvest Festival from 10am to 3pm on October 8th at the Saint Rose of Lima Church in South Hero. Stop by to support your local farmers and makers while enjoying music and games! 

Learn more

Emmon's Island Haunted Trail

The annual Emmons Island Haunted Trail  will take place on October, 8th in Grand Isle. Tickets are sold the night of the event. The children's walk is free from 4:30pm - 6pm with a costume contest at 5pm. The main event will take place from 6:30pm to 10pm. Entry is $10 a person or bring seven non perishable goods to donate to the food drive.

Learn more

Community Harvest Fest at Snow Farm Vineyard

On Sunday, October 9th Snow Farm Vineyard is inviting the community to join them in harvesting their grapes from 9am to noon. Following the harvest, they are hosting a festival from noon to 4pm. This fun event will include live music, food trucks, and wine tastings!  

Learn more

Green Mountain Marathon

The Green Mountain Marathon and Half Marathon will be held at the Folsom School on South Street. On October 16th at 8:30am runners will take to the West Shore of South Hero and Grand Isle. 

Register here

Champlain Islands CROP Hunger Walk

The CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, October 16th, at 1pm at the Congregational Church of South Hero. A quarter of these proceeds will stay in the Champlain Islands Community and the remaining funds will be distributed to the CROP foundation and help fight hunger and poverty around the world. 

Register here

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