Spring has sprung in the Champlain Islands! Your local guides are here to ensure that you stay in the know about all of the great activities going on during the month of May. We have gathered just some of the top events to look out for this month. Check them out below!

Kraemer & Kin Expands to Alburgh Golf Links

In April, the local Brewery, Kraemer & Kin, expanded their operations to the Alburg Golf Links where they recently opened a public taproom and restaurant. Be sure to stop by and check it out this May! 

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Green Up Day with South Hero Land Trust

Grab your friends and family and join South Hero Land Trust’s annual Green Up Day on May 7th for a community clean up. There are many volunteer opportunities and there will be a free barbecue afterwards. 
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North Hero House Mother's Day Brunch

The North Hero House Inn & Restaurant will open its doors again on May 6th with a special Mother’s Day Brunch on May 8th. Additionally, the Steamship Pier Bar & grill will be open Memorial Day Weekend.
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The Champlain Islands Farmers Market is Back

The first market of the season will take place on May 21st! It will be located at St. Joseph's Church in Grand Isle from 10am-2pm. Mark your calendars and go out to support local farmers, makers, as well as many other vendors

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Artisan Market at Shore Acres

Shore Acres Inn & Restaurant is hosting an outdoor Artisan Market the weekend of May 21/22. Shop small, support local vendors, and enjoy a cocktail at their beautiful lakefront  property. They will also have live music on Saturday!

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May's hidden home is a Champlain Island Lakefront Compound. This secluded lakefront paradise includes a Custom Contemporary Home, a Pottery Barn inspired Guest Cottage, and a finished detached garage. The west facing gradual sandy beach offers breathtaking panoramic sunset views, easy Lake and Dock access for boats, paddle boards and jet skis.

(This home is NOT for sale)

Nationally, existing home sales recently dropped to a 6-month low, falling 7.2% as buyers struggled to find a home amid rising prices and historic low inventory. Pending sales are also down, declining 4.1% as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS^®. Builders are working hard to ramp up production—the U.S. Census Bureau reports housing starts are up 22.3% compared to a year ago—but higher construction costs and increasing sales prices continue to hamper new home sales, despite high demand for additional supply.

New Listings decreased 12.7 percent for single-family homes and 12.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 7.7 percent for single-family homes and 21.9 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 38.2 percent for single-family homes and 33.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties. The Median Sales Price was up 20.7 percent to $420,000 for single-family homes and 21.0 percent to $337,500 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 26.3 percent for single-family homes but increased 14.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.5 percent for single-family homes and 25.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

Across the country, consumers are feeling the bite of inflation and surging mortgage interest rates, which recently hit 4.6% in March, according to Freddie Mac, rising 1.4 percent since January and the highest rate in more than 3 years. Monthly payments have increased significantly compared to this time last year, and as housing affordability declines, an increasing number of would-be homebuyers are turning to the rental market, only to face similar challenges as rental prices skyrocket and vacancy rates remain at near-record low.

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

New construction opportunity coming to North Hero. Located on the site of the Historic North Hero House Inn and Restaurant on Lake Champlain's City Bay in the center of North Hero Village. The project consists of nine new construction luxury residential condominiums designed in a manner consistent with the architecture and character of this picturesque village. The Steamship Pier Condominium Residences will offer commanding views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains and offer shared use of a sandy beach, the 150 ft Pier and private Marina with Boat slips available on-site. Various finish options are available including appliances, flooring, paint, cabinets and countertops. Construction to be completed by Hayward Design Build.

Available Units:

Homestead Unit #3

Southwind Unit #2

Southwind Unit #3

For more information about the Steamship Pier Condominiums please contact us. 

 

The days are getting longer and the weather is starting to warm up. Which means it's time to come out of hibernation and assess the toll the winter weather had on your home. Here are a few home maintenance tips to consider each spring season:

1. Visit the Attic and Basement

Take a trip down to your basement and up to your attic and do a visual inspection for mold or moisture build-up. Keep an eye out  for any evidence of critters that may have made themselves at home over the winter. If you spot any issues that require further inspection, consider hiring a professional to assess the damage and the best plan of attack.

2. Inspect your Roof & Siding

Take a look at the roof to see if there are any missing or damaged shingles. Also, check the flashing on your chimney and skylights. Inspect your siding and look for any cracks, warping, rot and pest invasion. There could be underlying problems that could lead to damage inside your home so it's best to get a professional opinion if you’re unsure. 

3. Service your furnace and AC Unit

Ask a professional to clean and service your outside air conditioning system. On top of that, it's important to check the furnace and have it maintenanced. This is critical especially after a long winter of heating your home to make sure it is in tip top shape the next time you need it.  

4. Spruce up Landscaping

Give your landscaping some TLC. Dig out or cut back any species that might be overflowing onto your walkway or driveway, and/or blocking any windows. Take this time to also give your garden a facelift and start planning those planting projects!

5. Examine Driveways and Walkways

Look for cracks, potholes, or divots in your driveway and walkways and get them repaired. Smaller cracks are usually easier and less costly to repair, so take care of these once they are visible. If you have a dirt driveway, make sure to fill in any potholes and regrade with a fresh layer of gravel each spring.

Looking for more home maintenance tips for Spring? Read the rest of the checklist here.

Does your Home Need Some Sprucing Up?

Get a second opinion before starting your next home improvement project. Our real estate experts can help you. Learn more about this free service here.