vermont home selling

Spring Gardening Tips to Refresh Your Home's Curb Appeal

Whether you’re preparing your home for the summer season or thinking about selling in Northwest Vermont, enhancing your curb appeal is a simple yet impactful place to start. A well-maintained garden and inviting outdoor space can instantly elevate your home’s first impression. With warmer days ahead, spring is the perfect time to refresh your landscaping and get your property looking its best.


1. Clean Up Your Garden Beds
Remove dead leaves, debris, fallen branches, and any weeds that have started to sprout. Add a fresh layer of mulch to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and give your garden beds a clean, finished look.


2. Plant Colorful Annuals
Add instant charm with colorful annuals that thrive in Vermont’s spring and summer climate. Look for native plants that will withstand Vermont weather conditions as well as support the local ecosystem. Plant them in clusters for a fuller, more eye-catching display.


3. Add a Container Garden
Container gardens are one of the easiest ways to brighten up a front porch, entryway, or patio. Choose planters that complement your home’s exterior and consider potted flowers, greenery, or hanging baskets.


4. Trim Shrubs & Trees
Overgrown landscaping can hide your home’s best features. Trim shrubs and trees back to their natural shape, remove dead branches, and cut back anything blocking walkways, driveways, windows, or entryways.


5. Add Window Boxes
 Window boxes add charm, color, and character to your home’s exterior. They’re especially great for smaller spaces, porches, balconies, or homes without large garden beds.


Spring in the Lake Champlain Valley Region brings a natural opportunity to refresh your home’s exterior and make a lasting first impression. Whether you’re sprucing up your yard for the summer or considering a move, simple updates to your landscaping can go a long way. As the season shifts, now is the perfect time to tidy up your outdoor spaces and enhance the overall look and feel of your property.


If selling is on your radar this season, having the right strategy in place can make all the difference. From pricing and timing, to marketing your home effectively, our real estate agents at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty can guide you through every step of the process. Contact us for personalized insight on the Northwest Vermont real estate market and how to position your home to stand out.


 

Why Social Media Matters When Selling Your Home in Vermont

In Vermont’s competitive real estate market—especially for unique properties and highly sought-after lakefront homes—how your home is marketed online can make all the difference. In today’s digital-first world, simply listing a property in the MLS isn’t enough. To sell quickly and at the best price, your home needs maximum exposure—and a strong social media marketing strategy plays a key role in achieving that.

Buyers Start Their Home Search Online

With the majority of homebuyers starting their search online, social media has become a vital tool for showcasing properties. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook offer unparalleled opportunities to reach thousands of potential buyers quickly.

In 2025 alone, our content reached over 6 million accounts, growing a community of more than 25,000 followers. We’ve seen firsthand how powerful a strong digital presence can be in connecting Vermont properties with serious buyers. Working with a brokerage that prioritizes social media ensures your home is seen by a wider, more engaged audience.

Captivating Content Captures Buyers

Basic photos aren’t enough to sell a home. Today’s homebuyers expect high-quality visuals and engaging video content. That’s why we utilize HDR photography, drone imagery, and professionally crafted short-form videos shared across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to highlight your home’s best features.

A recent lakefront home in South Hero demonstrates the impact. We created short-form videos to showcase both the property and the lifestyle, along with a full YouTube tour to reach buyers near and far. This listing had over 149K views across our video content, the property went under contract in just 5 days, and sold above asking. Each piece of content directed viewers back to the full listing, complete with professional photography and detailed information—helping potential buyers fully experience the home before ever stepping inside.

More Visibility Means Better Results

The goal of social media marketing isn’t just to generate likes and views—it’s to attract serious buyers ready to make offers. Our strategies are designed to connect your home with a wider audience, creating more opportunities to sell faster and at a competitive price.

When you list with us, you’re not just getting a listing, you're leveraging one of the most powerful real estate marketing platforms in Northwest Vermont designed to showcase your home drive meaningful interest. Don’t make the mistake of listing with a brokerage that overlooks the power of modern marketing. Today’s buyers are online, and your strategy should meet them there.

Ready to sell smarter? Let us guide you with a personalized marketing plan designed to help your home stand out in today’s competitive market. Contact us today to get started.

Most-Watched Real Estate Videos of 2025

Another year has come and gone, and we are reflecting on how our social media content at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty helped spotlight Vermont’s lifestyle, real estate, and natural beauty for thousands of viewers.

From local hotspots to breathtaking lakefront home tours, our most-watched videos captured the essence of life in Northwest Vermont while helping our clients’ properties gain meaningful exposure with engaged buyers. Here are the highlights: 

1. Island Line Trail Adventure — 442K views | 12.7K likes | 15K shares

Our video of the iconic Island Line Trail became one of our top performers of the year. Viewers connected with the sweeping lake views, bike-friendly causeway, and sense of outdoor adventure that truly defines life in Vermont.

2. Quaint Lakefront Cottage  — 397K views | 4K likes | 3.5K shares 

This cozy lakefront cottage in North Hero charmed viewers with its peaceful shoreline and classic Vermont camp feel. The video helped people imagine mornings on the water and what a summer spent by the lake in Vermont could feel like.

 

3. Vermont Farmhouse Tour — 265K views | 9K likes | 5.2K Shares

This beautiful farmhouse highlights what quintessential countryside living looks like in Vermont. Wide porches, open fields, and expansive views helped viewers imagine a slow-living lifestyle that deeply resonates online.

4. Private Waterfront Home— 222K views | 5.4K likes | 4.5K shares

This single-family home, located on a peaceful lagoon, stood out for its incredibly unique setting. Waterfront access, calm protected waters, and scenic views made it unlike anything else on the market.

5. Expansive Lake House Retreat – 214K | 2.7K likes | 3K shares

Another favorite this year was a lake house feature that highlighted everything buyers love about Lake Champlain living — opportunities for swimming, big expansive windows, and sweeping lake views.

 

Our most-watched videos of 2025 proved something unmistakable: strategic social media marketing matters. From scenic bike trails to cozy lakefront cottages and classic farmhouses, lifestyle features help people feel what living in Vermont is really like. When viewers can imagine early-morning coffee by the lake, evenings on the porch, or snowy mountain days with family, they form an emotional connection long before scheduling a showing.

That emotional pull is exactly why being present on social media is so important in today’s market. Buyers are browsing on their phones first, and a thoughtfully produced video helps your property stand out, capture attention, gain more exposure, and resonate more deeply than photos alone.

If you’re thinking about selling in 2026, we’d love to put the power of our social media reach and storytelling to work for you — highlighting not only your home, but the lifestyle and emotion that make it unforgettable. Learn more about our proven marketing strategy

Comments

  1. No comments. Be the first to comment.

Preparing Your Home for the Spring Market: A Seller's Must-Have Checklist

If you’re thinking about selling your Vermont home, spring is one of the best times to list. As buyers resume their search after the slower winter market, demand picks up, and competition increases. Vermont’s blooming landscapes enhance curb appeal, and longer daylight hours provide more opportunities for showings. Plus, the timing aligns well for families with school-age children. Whether you're selling a seasonal lakefront cottage on Lake Champlain or a sprawling property with mountain views, these tips will help you prepare for a successful spring sale.

Meet with A local Real Estate Agent

Start by connecting with a Vermont real estate agent who specializes in your area. Having a local expert means they understand market trends, buyer demand, and the unique selling points of your property. They can guide you on where to focus your efforts—enhancing shoreline appeal, prepping for seasonal maintenance, or staging to highlight scenic views. They will also know how to craft a marketing strategy with professional photography, drone footage, and targeted listing exposure to attract potential buyers.

Tackle Essential Home Maintenance 

Vermont winters can take a toll on homes, so addressing key maintenance tasks before listing is essential. Clear out gutters and downspouts, inspect the roof for damage from ice and snow, test the sump pump, and check siding for cracks or wear. Taking care of these issues early helps preserve your home’s value and prevents surprises during the selling process.

Refresh Your Home’s Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial! Spring is the ideal time to refresh your home’s exterior before listing. Clean windows, touch up paint, power wash decks, and tidy up landscaping to enhance curb appeal and attract buyers to your Vermont property.

Deep Clean and Declutter

Before your home is photographed or shown to buyers, give it a deep clean and declutter to make a lasting impression on buyers. Remove excess items and furniture to open up your space, clean overlooked areas like baseboards and vents, and refresh floors with vacuuming or polishing. Organize storage spaces and eliminate any odors. Completing these tasks will ensure your home feels fresh, well-maintained, and move-in ready. 

Prepare for Listing Photos

Before your photo or video shoot, tidy up both inside and outside. Inside, focus on cleaning the floors, replacing any burnt-out light bulbs, and minimizing personal items. Clear clutter from countertops, surfaces, and bathrooms, and hide shoes, clothes, or pet accessories from common areas to create a clean, inviting space. Outside, remove distractions like cars in the driveway, trash cans, or miscellaneous items in the yard. Ensure the grass is freshly cut, and make sure decks or patios are cleared off. 

By leveraging the advantages of the spring market, you can increase your chances of a successful and timely sale. Looking for more selling tips? Download our free Home Selling Guide for a step-by-step breakdown of the process with expert advice to help you navigate your spring sale with confidence.

Why Social Media Matters When Listing Your Home

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a home seller is choosing a real estate brokerage that doesn’t effectively leverage social media marketing. In today’s digital-first world, simply listing a property isn’t enough. To sell quickly and at the best price, your home needs maximum online exposure—implementing a strong social media strategy is a key player to achieve that success. 

Buyers Start Their Home Search Online

With the majority of homebuyers starting their search online, social media has become a vital tool for showcasing properties. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube offer unparalleled opportunities to reach thousands of potential buyers quickly. In 2024 alone, our brokerage had multiple viral videos that helped us reach over 6 million accounts on Instagram and 1.2 million impressions on YouTube, demonstrating the power of a strong digital presence. Working with a brokerage that prioritizes social media ensures your property connects with a vast pool of potential buyers.

Captivating Content Captures Buyers

Basic photos aren’t enough to sell a home—today’s buyers expect high-quality visuals and engaging content. That’s why our brokerage utilizes HDR photography, drone imagery, and professionally crafted video reels shared across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to highlight your home’s best features.

This recent lakefront listing in South Hero, Vermont, is a prime example. We created multiple short video reels for social media to showcase the property’s features and lifestyle, along with a long-form home tour video on YouTube to reach buyers near and far. These videos linked to our website, where buyers could explore the full listing complete with stunning professional photos to get a true feel for the home.

More Visibility Means More Buyers and Better Results
The ultimate goal of social media marketing isn’t just to generate likes and views—it’s to attract serious buyers ready to make offers. Our proven strategies connect your property with a wider audience, creating more opportunities to sell faster and at a competitive price. When you list with us, you’re not just getting a listing—you’re getting a comprehensive 360-degree marketing plan designed to maximize exposure and deliver results.

 

Don’t make the costly mistake of listing with a brokerage that overlooks the power of new technology. With today’s buyers turning to digital platforms, you need a proactive marketing approach that meets them where they are.

Ready to sell smarter? Let us guide you through the process with a modern marketing strategy designed to deliver exceptional results. Contact us today to learn more about how our personalized home selling plan can help your property stand out and attract the right buyers.

1-5 of 15 Posts
Recommended Searches