Looking for a unique adventure in Vermont? Visit the iconic Island Line Trail! This 14-mile trek takes you from Burlington, Vermont up to the beautiful Lake Champlain Islands located in the Northwest region of Vermont. Run, bike, or even rollerskate on the path while enjoying captivating views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains.

Historically, the trail was not meant for recreational use. It was built in 1899 by the Rutland-Canadian Railroad for coastal market connections from New England to the Great Lakes. Eventually, in the 1980s, the railroad was converted for recreational use. 

The historic path attracts around 150,000 visitors per year! There are three major entry points for folks to begin their trek. Enter from Oakledge Park in Burlington, Airport Park in Colchester, or Allen Point Access in South Hero. 

Shortly after passing Airport Park you will reach Causeway Park in Colchester. This portion is four miles long with a ten foot wide compact stone path that runs across Lake Champlain. There is a 200 foot gap near the end of the causeway, locally known as “the cut”.

The local motion bike ferry takes passengers across this gap and connects you to Allen Point Access in South Hero. The Bike Ferry welcomes all passengers and just asks for a small donation. However, do note, the ferry operates seasonally. See the bike ferry schedule before you plan your trip. 

The Island Line Trail is a great way to explore the outdoor recreation opportunities that Vermont has to offer. Whether it’s with friends, family, or your furry friend, all will be certain to love this Vermont adventure. 

 

Learn more about the Lake Champlain Islands here. 

 

 

As we begin to welcome summer, don't forget to find a home for your boat this season! Grand Isle County offers some of the best marinas to make your summer boating experience better than ever. From the top of North Hero to the bottom of South Hero, check out our top spots so you can enjoy some time out on Lake Champlain.

1. Ladd’s Landing Marina

412 US-2, Grand Isle, VT 05458

Located at the Grand Isle - North Hero drawbridge is Ladd's Landing Marina. As a full service marina, Ladd's Landing has a variety of ways to improve your summer experience. They offer rental boats, complete boat services, temporary and seasonal slips for power boats and sailboats, a ship's store, and gathering areas inside and out. The season begins May 15th and lasts until October 1st with their fuel dock and ship's store open daily from 8am - 6pm and when the season is over, winterization is available so you don't have to worry about anything.

2. North Hero Marina

2253 Pelots Point Rd, North Hero, VT 05474

Out on Pelots Point is where you'll find North Hero Marina. If you're looking for a mooring you can have one as soon as May 1st and a dock space by May 15th. The season runs through October 1st. Fueling is available daily and winter storage is also an option so your boat will be ready for you when you come back next year. Rental boats, a variety of services, and a ship's store are included along with amenities at all docks, a pool for members, and even the Island Tiki Bar. The Tiki Bar is a great place to enjoy a meal after a long boat day while looking out at Lake Champlain. 

3. Apple Island Marina

6 Featherbed Ln, South Hero, VT 05486

At the entrance of the Islands sits Apple Island Marina in South Hero. They are located just off of Route 2 where they're open a full 5 months from May 15th to October 15th. The Boathouse is open everyday for your convenience with daily, weekly, and seasonal dock slips available. They have a fuel dock and rental boats but what's even better is that the marina is part of the Apple Island Resort. The resort provides a general store, golf course, RV campground, and indoor/outdoor gathering areas for guests. So when you're putting your boat in at the Apple Island Marina, you might want to consider staying a while and taking a little vacation at the resort too.

4. Keeler Bay Marina

466 US-2, South Hero, VT 05486

Down off of Route 2 is Keeler Bay Marina in South Hero. Open from May 15th to October 15th, they offer 92 seasonal dock slips. Keep your boat in the bay and also get the chance to grab food on your way in or out. Located at the entrance to the marina is a food truck with a brand new vendor offering a variety of delicious options. There is also the Keeler Bay Variety convenience store just half a mile down Route 2.

5. New England Power Boat Marina

98 Bride Rd, North Hero, VT 05474

The New England Power Boat Marina is located by the North Hero - Alburgh bridge. With the recently installed docks you're sure to be a satisfied customer. A gas dock was also installed with access to town water and a pump out station. So get your boat in the water and cruise around the islands. 

Learn more about life on Lake Champlain on our website and don’t forget to always be safe out on the water!

 

February's hidden home sold this past July and it is an adorable abode nestled among the cedars, maples, and pines that offers privacy and seclusion. This lakefront retreat is sited on an amazing 2.3 acre peninsula with 670 ft of direct shoreline down a ½ mile private drive! Complementing this hidden home is a detached two-car car heated garage/shop with covered boat storage and a 2 bedroom apartment with full kitchen and a massive 2nd story deck overlooking the water. 

There is frontage with moorings on protected Holcomb Bay with awe inspiring views over the broad lake, Mount Mansfield, and the Green Mountains. It even has footpaths to secret swimming spots and a lakefront deck along with easy waterfront access and a semi-private boat ramp. The property owners through careful stewardship and preservation of the natural shoreline were awarded the Lake-wise Designation by the State of Vermont! 

The interior of the main house oozes with warmth and rustic charm and includes the living room overlooking the water with fieldstone hearth,Vermont Hearthstone stove, and cherry and walnut hardwood floors. The eat in kitchen has custom-built cabinets, fieldstone fireplace, and an island.The backsplash is composed of polished slabs of Isle La Motte limestone with embedded fossils. The 20x16 three season porch feels like a treehouse with vaulted ceilings, custom cabinets, and cedar floors. 

We hope you enjoyed this exclusive look inside this covert home located in Isle La Motte! 

(Note: This home is NOT for sale) 

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Happy New Year to our readers! As we begin a new year we are reflecting on 2020 and even though it was a difficult year with many changes we reached many milestones and are grateful to have had another successful year. 

After 26 years we moved into a new office, we rebranded, we launched a social mission to give back to our community, and we welcomed three new people to the CBIR team. The real estate market has kept us on our toes with shutdowns, stay at home orders, and embracing technology to offer virtual services. Despite these changes we have adapted and have continued to provide real estate services safely. 

We could not have reached these accomplishments without the support of our team, clients and community. We are grateful for all of your support. We look forward to the new year!

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See the latest Northwestern Vermont real estate market report presented by NVBR below.

The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) has released its market statistics for November 2020. The information is derived from data contained in the New England Real Estate Network and covers Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

November saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average top 30,000 for the first time, while mortgage rates reached new record lows again. These new records have provided encouragement for buyers to move forward on home purchases, which continued to remain strong overall for the month.

New Listings decreased 2.2 percent for single-family homes and 38.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 21.5 percent for single-family homes but decreased 9.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 52.2 percent for single-family homes and 55.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 17.2 percent to $358,500 for single-family homes and 7.0 percent to $259,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 30.2 percent for single-family homes and 48.1 percent for
townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 55.6 percent for single-family homes and 56.5 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

Showing activity remains higher than the same period a year ago across most of the country, suggesting that strong buyer demand is likely to continue into what is typically the slowest time of year. With inventory remaining constrained in most market segments, sellers continue to benefit from the tight market conditions.