Looking for something to do during the colder winter months? From extreme winter sports to tranquil lower impact exercises, the Champlain Islands have an abundance of recreational activities waiting for us to try. When heading out on the ice always take precaution and check conditions before.

1. Skating on Lake Champlain

When the weather sets up just right, the ice on Lake Champlain becomes glass perfect for skating (especially on the Sandbar)! Whether you are figure skating or out playing pond hockey this serene scene takes skating to the next level.

2. Stroll the Island Line Trail
Bundle up and head to the Lake Champlain Causeway for a serene winter stroll. Walk the beautiful and historic path while enjoying panoramic views of Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks. Better known as the Bike Path, you can access this trail from Colchester or South Hero.

3. Ice Fishing
Lake Champlain is home to Vermont’s premier fishing destination and has many ice fishing opportunities. The shallow waters near the Sandbar are a hotspot for northern pike. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just out fishing for fun, this family fun winter activity is enjoyed by all ages.

4. Trek out to Knight Island
Looking to get your steps in? Knight Island is just about a 40 minute walk from the North Hero Village. Carve out your own path on frozen Lake Champlain. You can walk, grab your snowshoes, or strap into cross-country skis to reach the destination!

5. Snowkite on the Sandbar 

Weather permitting, snowkiting is an epic winter sport with opportunity for major air!  Feeling extra adventurous? Try kitewinging! Kitewings are handheld wing sails used for sailing on low friction surfaces such as ice or snow. Strap on skates or skis and get ready for an epic workout. The ice and wind conditions near the Sandbar make for the perfect spot to try out this new extreme winter sport.

Looking for more fun activities in the Champlain Islands? Read more. 

Commissions for Community Annual Donation Program

This past month we donated $1000 donation to the Grand Isle Food Shelf through our Commissions for Community annual donation program. We are grateful to have such wonderful volunteer organizations that support our community and neighbors in such an impactful way. Thank you Judy Ayers and all of the Food Shelf volunteers for all you do!

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The 2022 real estate market begins where 2021 left off, in which existing home sales reached their highest level since 2006, with the National Association of REALTORS® reporting sales were up 8.5% compared to the previous year as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. Home sales would’ve been even greater were it not for soaring sales prices and a shortage of homes for sale in many markets, forcing a multitude of buyers to temporarily put their home purchase plans on hold.

New Listings decreased 27.4 percent for single-family homes and 32.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 7.9 percent for single-family homes and 32.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 50.9 percent for single-family homes and 45.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties. The Median Sales Price was up 16.5 percent to $395,000 for single-family homes and 17.5 percent to $275,750 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 16.7 percent for single-family homes and 57.7 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 50.0 percent for single-family homes and 42.9 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

For many buyers, 2022 marks a new opportunity to make their home purchase dreams a reality. But it won’t be without its challenges. Inventory of existing homes was at 910,000 at the start of the new year, the lowest level recorded since 1999, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, and competition remains fierce. Affordability continues to decline, as inflation, soaring sales prices, and surging mortgage interest rates reduce purchasing power. The sudden increase in rates and home prices means buyers are paying significantly more per month compared to this time last year, which may cause sales to slow as more buyers become priced out of the market.

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

Please join us in congratulating Coldwell Banker Award Winners, Franz Rosenberger, Evan Potvin, and Joy Gess! These agents are ranked among the top sales professionals in the Coldwell Banker global network. Their exceptional performance exemplifies the best and brightest in real estate. Well deserved and a big congratulations to al. Learn more about their individual awards below. 

Franz Rosenberger received the International President's Elite award. This award is given to agents who rank among the top 3% of individuals in the Coldwell Banker network worldwide. Franz continues to go above and beyond in his business and we are fortunate to have his leadership. Congrats on this outstanding achievement!

Evan Potvin for received the International President’s Circle award. This award is given to agents who rank among the top 7% of individuals in the Coldwell Banker network worldwide. He continues to innovate his business and be an invaluable resource to his clients. We wish you continued success in 2022. 

Joy Gess who has received the International Sterling Society award! This award is given to agents who rank among the top 18% of individuals in the Coldwell Banker network worldwide. We look forward to another year working along side you and watching you go above and beyond. 

Whether you are buying or selling Lake Champlain real estate, our distinguished experts at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty can help you achieve your goals. Get in touch with one of our agents here. 

 

 

 

 

Before you list your Vermont property there are several things to-do before. Taking the time to do these things will help you be better prepared when your home goes on the market. This can also make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run. Here are a few items to take care of before you put your home on the market. 

1. Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean.
Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that will need to be replaced soon? Find out how much it will cost to repair an older roof or replace worn carpeting, even if you don’t plan to do so. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and they’ll be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Locate warranties.
Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. It may seem like this task can be left until closing, but you don’t want lost paperwork or last-minute scrambling to cause the deal to fall through.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Walk out to the front of your home, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a prospective buyer seeing the property for the first time. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? What do you see framing the entrance, if anything? Is the walkway free of cracks and impediments?

 

Selling a home is a complicated process, but Coldwell Banker Islands Realty will guide you every step of the way. To get a better idea of the value of your home fill out a comparative market analysis form and one of our experienced Realtors will give you an evaluation. 

When selling a property, photos are the first impression a buyer will have so it is paramount to have great images that capture the character, main features, and layout of your home. With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, these high-resolution listing photos and video home tours are a must. Here are some tips on how to make your Vermont home shine on camera.

• Understand the camera’s perspective.

The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online.

• Make it spotless.

Cameras also tend to magnify grime. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a spot on a rug might be overlooked during a regular home showing, but it could become a focal point online.

• Know what to leave.

You want to avoid clutter, but try to have three items of varying heights on each surface. On an end table you can place a tall lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low).

• Snap practice pictures with your own camera.

This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera before the photographer shows up. Examine the photos and make changes to improve each room’s appearance, such as opening blinds to let in natural light, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art.

• Pare down.

Removing one or two pieces of furniture from each room, even if just for the shoot, can make your space appear larger on screen.

• Rearrange.

Spotlight the flow of your space by creating a focal point on the furthest wall from the doorway and arranging the other pieces of furniture to make a triangle shape. The focal point may be a bed in a bedroom or a china cabinet in a dining room.

• Accessorize.

Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves greenery. Energize bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch.

• Keep the home in shape.

Buyers who liked what they saw online expect to encounter the same home in person.

 

At Coldwell Banker Islands Realty, we use High Dynamic Range photography to captivate buyers. This technique involves shooting multiple images of the same scene at different exposure values and then merging them together to create a seamless scene. This, coupled with light editing, makes homes stand out online while maintaining its true depiction. HDR Photography is just one of the many marketing strategies we use to get you home noticed and sold. Learn more about our marketing services or reach out to a Realtor for a personal consultation.