Aubuchon helps the people in NY and NJ affected by Sandy.
The below is a Press release from Aubuchon Hardware to their Stores; I spoke to Tom in Ludlow store and he told me that money can also be contributed and receipts will be given. So stop in and donate what you can!
MANY TOWNS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE SANDY. THE DEVASTATION IS HISTORIC AND MANY FAMILIES ARE LEFT WITH NOTHING. AS YOUR HOME TOWN HARDWARE STORE WE WANT TO SHOW THOSE IMPACTED THAT OUR COMMUNITY CARES. AUBUCHON HARDWARE HAS PARTNERED WITH SPARKRELIEF. ORG TO PUT FAMILIES WHO WANT TO HELP IN TOUCH WITH FAMILIES MOST AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER. SPARKRELIEF.ORG IS A NON-PROFIT COMPANY THAT IMPROVES DISASTER RELIEF WITH A SIMPLE SYSTEM FOR POSTING AND FINDING RELIEF INFORMATION. THEY PROVIDE A PIPELINE OF PEOPLE IN NEED TO FOLKS WHO WANT TO HELP. AUBUCHON HARDWARE HAS OFFERED THEIR ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE LOCATIONS AS DROP CENTERS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF MATERIALS TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. PLEASE DONATE CANNED FOOD, GRANOLA BARS, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES, AND GENTLY WORN WINTER COATS TO YOUR LOCAL AUBUCHON HARDWARE STORE, THESE ITEMS WILL BE PICKED UP AND DELIVERED TO THE TOWNS HIT THE HARDEST BY THIS STORM. LETS SHOW OUR FRIENDS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY THAT OUR HOME TOWN CARES ABOUT THEIRS.
———————
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying Southern Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call at 802-353-1983 or email me at [email protected]
———————-
Irene Gaffigan
Broker, CRS, e-PRO
36 VT Route 30
Bondville, VT 05340
Direct: 802-353-1983
Toll Free: 800-659-1819
Fax: 802-779-0152
Web: www.isellvermontrealestate.com
Thank you Vermont and Maine
PRESS RELEASE
VSP Sends Troopers to Help in Sandy Recovery Efforts
Waterbury, VT – The Vermont State Police (VSP) will be deploying 11 troopers to New Jersey to provide law enforcement assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The VSP convoy will leave from the Williston Barracks tomorrow, November 4, 2012 at approximately 9AM for a seven day deployment.
VSP members will join with 15 troopers from the Maine State Police (MSP) to create a New England State Police law enforcement strike team to assist state and local law enforcement agencies. During the deployment, VSP members will work closely with the New Jersey State Police to provide law enforcement support and security teams in the areas of New Jersey affected by the storm. Members will be operating out of the Fort Dix area.
———————
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying Southern Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call at 802-353-1983 or email me at [email protected]
———————-
Irene Gaffigan
Broker, CRS, e-PRO
36 VT Route 30
Bondville, VT 05340
Direct: 802-353-1983
Toll Free: 800-659-1819
Fax: 802-779-0152
Web: www.isellvermontrealestate.com
Irene Joins the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber welcomed the following new member in September:
800 659-1819
Having been a Realtor® in NJ before coming to Vermont, Irene has over 20 years of experience bringing buyers and sellers together. Irene’s key to success begins with people skills and really listening to her clients and customers. Irene lives in the Okemo Valley area, but has gotten to know Southern and Central Vermont and happily services buyers and sellers in these areas, having experience with all types of properties.
Market Data for Ludlow Vermont Area!
Below is Market Data for closed sales in Ludlow, Mount Holly, Chester, Cavendish and Plymouth for July and August 2012.
Keep checking my blog for monthly updates for these towns and more from Southern Vermont Real Estate.
Comparables Market Average
Average Days on Market: 716
Average List Price: $310,225
Average Sale Price: $274,988
Average Price Change: -11.36 %
Average Square Feet: 2,110
Price per Square Feet: $130
| MLS# | Address | List Price | Beds | Baths | Sqft | List Date | Sold Date | Sold Price |
| 4155920 | 3890 Rte 155, Mount Holly, VT 05758 | $139,000 | 2 | 1 | 1,347 | 5/12/2012 | 8/30/2012 | $105,000 |
| 4116464 | 18 Blue Ridge Rd, Ludlow, VT 05149 | $169,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,226 | 12/13/2011 | 7/31/2012 | $148,000 |
| 4154053 | 198 Maple Hill Road, Mount Holly, VT 05730 | $169,900 | 3 | 2 | 1,600 | 5/8/2012 | 7/2/2012 | $160,000 |
| 4036855 | 3715 Trebo Road, Chester, VT 05143 | $179,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,450 | 12/10/2010 | 7/11/2012 | $175,000 |
| 4157171 | 3572 Route 100, Plymouth, VT 05056 | $185,350 | 3 | 2 | 1,630 | 5/18/2012 | 7/11/2012 | $172,500 |
| 4151796 | 47 Main Street, Ludlow, VT 05149 | $249,000 | 3 | 3 | 1,785 | 4/27/2012 | 7/20/2012 | $242,000 |
| 4130004 | 614 Vt Rte. 11 West, Chester, VT 05143 | $259,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,856 | 2/4/2012 | 7/31/2012 | $228,000 |
| 4097527 | 45 Okemo Way, Mount Holly, VT 05758 | $269,000 | 4 | 3 | 1,789 | 10/6/2011 | 7/31/2012 | $257,000 |
| 3031208 | 839 South Hill Rd, Ludlow, VT 05149 | $324,900 | 5 | 4 | 2,430 | 8/13/2006 | 7/16/2012 | $267,450 |
| 4142481 | 69 White Loop – WP, Ludlow, VT 05149 | $337,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,350 | 3/23/2012 | 7/26/2012 | $295,000 |
| 4068068 | 4307 Route 103, Mount Holly, VT 05758 | $350,000 | 7 | 4 | 4,040 | 6/2/2011 | 8/2/2012 | $345,000 |
| 4121204 | 631 Dodge Road, Chester, VT 05143 | $420,000 | 3 | 3 | 2,460 | 1/4/2012 | 8/16/2012 | $412,000 |
| 4084494 | 89 Black Diamond, Ludlow, VT 05149 | $498,000 | 3 | 4 | 3,000 | 8/5/2011 | 8/24/2012 | $442,500 |
| 4065033 | 90 Dale Road, Weston, VT 05161 | $1,790,000 | 4 | 5 | 4,850 | 5/23/2011 | 7/20/2012 | $1,700,000 |
Unique, One-of-A-Kind Hawk Mountain Resort Condo For Sale!
2
2000 sq ft Ledges unit! Beautifully decorated, set over 2 levels with spectacular views, large sauna, large wet bar and 2 large field stone fireplaces that set this apart from other Ledges units! The unit has two living areas and offers an ideal location at the end of the road at the highest elevation!
Main Level: Large deck. Tiled mudroom inside front door leads to elegant entrance hall, half tiled bath. Bright spacious living room with magnificent field stone fireplace and sliders to deck. Open fully applianced kitchen with newer Bosch dishwasher adjoins dining room. Master bedroom and bath with large, round whirlpool tub and hand painted mural, separate shower and double sink vanity. Honey hardwood floors throughout. Double-door owner’s pantry closet. Deck, off living room, offers beautiful views of the valley and colorful fall foliage!
Lower Level: Comfortable den with queen sleep sofa, additional fieldstone fireplace and large tiled wet bar with refrigerator for entertaining friends and family. Library area with separate seating. Spacious bedroom with king bed, full bath and large sauna. Separate laundry/storage area featuring new Maytag washer with 5-yr warranty. Owner’s closet as well.
The unit is beautifully furnished and includes several televisions, DVD players and a fully equipped kitchen including dishware, cookware, coffee maker, toaster and utensils. Two living areas make this unit ideal for two couples to each enjoy private space or for children to enjoy a separate play area! Ready for immediate move-in! Priced to sell at $199,900.00
First Anniversary of Vermont’s Recovery from Tropical Storm Irene
On August 28th, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont. The flooding hit many parts of that state, some worse than others. The storm caused more damage than many here have ever seen.
While many people (and their communities) that weren’t affected have moved on, they’re not always aware that there are still many that continue to deal with the aftermath of Irene.
Vermont has made much progress in rebuilding. It’s been a lot of hard work. Almost immediately after the Irene hit, those that weren’t affected volunteered to help out their fellow neighbors salvage their personal belongings, clean up and rebuild. To this date there are still many volunteers helping out.
You can see more about what volunteers have done and volunteer yourself at: SerVErmont for Irene Recovery
The “SerVermont for Irene Recovery” facebook page is a place for people to share experiences about Irene in Vermont and what the experience has meant to them and also collaborate with other volunteers.
You can also contribute to the efforts by buying a Vermont Strong licence plate, which sell for $25. You can find a retail location here: Vermont Strong Licence Plate Retailers.
The “One Year Stronger: A Commemorative Gathering on the First Anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene” will take place on August 28th at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. The free event will be from 7–8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited.
“This event is a celebration of how far we’ve come in recovering from one of the worst storms in this state’s history, thanks to the commitment of Vermonters to their neighbors and communities,” Gov. Peter Shumlin said. “It is also a recognition that there are still people who need assistance and work that remains for those struggling to recover from the devastation of the storm.”
The commemortive gathering will include speaches from the Governor, flood survivors, recovery heroes and volunteers. There will be musical performances by Vermont musicians such as Diane Martin, Shyla Nelson and Jon Gailmor as well as by the VYO Chorus and Vermont Youth Orchestra.
There will also be an exhibit of photography and artwork expressing the impact of Irene on Vermonter’s lives displayed at the Chandler from 4-8:30 p.m.
Other Irene Anniversary events will be happening statewide this month. Many local Irene events should be posted on the Vermont Strong website.,
More Vermont Irene Recovery Resources:
- Vermont Strong – Official Vermont Portal for Irene Recovery efforts in Vermont
- June 2012: VT Recovering Stronger Report
- “One Year Stonger” Commemorative Gathering Event Press Release
- VPR Coverage of Irene in Vermont
- Vermont Strong Licence Plate Retailers
Five Habits of Highly Productive Real Estate Agents
I’ll let you in on a little secret. You could take the title of this blog and replace “Real Estate Agents” with your profession and you would increase your productivity! But Real Estate is my business and time management is a real challenge that I want to address from the perspective of being a Real Estate Agent.
With so many distractions, it is a wonder that real estate agents are productive at all. Working to become a highly productive real estate agent is an ongoing process. Creating habits that produce consistent results allows you to achieve your maximum potential. Between phone calls, emails, listing presentations, prospecting calls and buyer appointments, how do I stay productive?
I keep myself focused, alert and on tract with these five habits:
- Focus on the Most Important Tasks. Be mindful to focus on income generating tasks and tasks that produce results. Schedule time on your calendar and list out everything you will work on. Number each item and work through your list. Complete what you can during your scheduled time without any interruptions or distractions (see #2). Do this every day.
- Remove Distractions. The day can quickly get away from you between the phone, email, Internet and any other interruption. Turn it all off and stay focused on your task at hand. Don’t allow yourself a quick vacation on Facebook or getting off track by answering emails. Cut yourself off from all distractions, work down your list and take a break once you are complete.
- Use Positive Affirmations. Crazy, I know but they actually do work! They can take a negative attitude and turn it around just by repeating a few constructive, upbeat words.
- Take a Cat Nap. Making time and grabbing a few z‘s might seem like an odd productivity tip, but studies have shown that feeling refreshed after a nap can significantly improve concentration and performance. 30 minutes is all it takes.
- Set Daily Goals. Wake up each morning with your goals outlined. These should be incorporated into your daily tasks. Setting your sites on a goal each day offers clarity and promotes a more sustained drive.
Here’s a bonus. Break out of the norm. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something that makes you a little uncomfortable. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be an amazing place that offers growth potential you never believed possible. Whatever your profession, these habits will contribute to your productivity.
Until next time, Irene
Is the Economy Encouraging Home Buying?
There seems to be a shift in several key housing market indicators, according to Fannie Mae’s March 2012 consumer attitudinal National Housing Survey. More Americans now expect both home rental and home purchase prices to increase over the next year. In addition, confidence in consumers’ views of their own finances is stabilizing. Are these trends providing Americans with an increased sense of urgency to buy a home?
73% of Americans now believe it is a good time to buy a home. This is up from 70% in February. “Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes,” says Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist of Fannie Mae. “With an increasing share of consumers expecting higher mortgage rates and home prices over the next 12 months, some may feel that renting is becoming more costly and that homeownership is a more compelling housing choice.”
A number of factors seem to be contributing to Americans’ Expectations:
- Home prices are expected to increase over the next year.
- Mortgage rates are expected to go up over the next year.
- People feel “it is a good time to buy”.
- Home rental prices are expected to increase over 4% – a significant increase.
There appears to be good news about the economy in general and Americans’ household finances. There was a rise in confidence in the overall economy this month. 35% of respondents think the economy is on the right track. A very low (12%) of respondents think their personal financial situation will worsen in the next 12 months. This is good news for everyone.
For more information, visit http://www.fanniemae.com.
Until next time, Irene
Real Estate Agent – or – Expert Advisor
Real Estate Agent – or – Expert Advisor
Spring is a great time to look at the business landscape. My business is Real Estate so naturally, I’m interested in what’s happening in my industry – and the real estate industry is changing. Anthony Robbins says, “Success leaves clues”. Well, I am determined to follow those clues and remain successful in this business I love – and navigate this changing environment!
Remember when you used a travel agent to book your vacation? Or walked into your neighborhood Hardware Store and said hello to the owner by name? How about your local coffee shop? Okay, I still have a local coffee shop but you see where I’m going. Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline are your “travel agents”! There are 2,248 Home Depot big-box format stores that have become your neighborhood Hardware Store. The same thing that happened in these industries is happening in the real estate industry and it requires all of us to look for the clues to remain successful. That is good for our industry, good for us and very good for our clients and customers.
A Real Estate sale is more than putting a sign in someone’s front lawn, loading the listing onto the MLS and running an ad. I was a very early adapter of using the internet to market myself and communicate with others and I continue to use these tools for the common good. Many traditional real estate agents don’t want to share their best practices, but as an “expert advisor” sharing knowledge and information helps everyone grow. Sharing best practices, leadership and standards helps build consistency in our industry. You can be committed to your own success and also to the success of others.
In addition to being committed to sharing and helping others as they help themselves, expert advisors are what their name implies – experts who give good counsel to clients and colleagues alike. Being an expert doesn’t come easily but being an expert in real estate – understanding people, business, marketing, sales and relationship building is the only true way to create rock-solid and long lasting success. Expert advisors are 100% committed to doing whatever it takes to get their sellers’ homes the exposure they need to drive up the demand on the home, which will ultimately result in a top-dollar offer.
Expert advisors look to foster strong personal and professional relationships with the agents in their area. Well-managed relationships help expert advisors collaborate and cooperate with other agents in such a way that they’re able to drive demand up on their listings. It makes sense that if agents like and want to work with you, more agents will show your listings to potential buyers.
So I encourage you to find someone who has grown beyond the “traditional” real estate agent role and has become the Expert Advisor. That person is open to sharing the best and brightest ideas – and has a network of others just like them – and that is good for selling or buying a home. I will leave you with one last thought:
Compare buying or selling a home with booking a hotel room in Boston. One decision can be made with a few key-strokes, and one is a significant life decision. Which one requires an Expert Advisor?
Until next time, Irene
Warren Buffett’s thoughts on Real Estate
Well, spring has descended upon us! I am trying to enjoy the 70 degree weather here in Vermont in March – and trying not to think about how this over-the-top spring like weather is affecting the local economy.
While the weather patterns dictate our local travel and tourism based economy, there are some general economic factors that support a healthy real estate forecast for 2012 and beyond. Recently, Warren Buffett – the so called “Oracle of Omaha” was interviewed on CNBC. He recommends buying real estate over investing in a diversified group of leading companies.
It has been a long time since buyers and sellers heard that kind of good news!
Buffett said that along with stocks, single-family homes are cheap and attractive investments. In contrast, investments in Treasury bills, gold or simply keeping money in cash are not as attractive. He also said that if he had a way to buy “a couple hundred thousand single-family homes” and easily manage them, he would “load up on them” and “take mortgages out at very, very low rates”.
In reality, managing “a couple of hundred thousand single-family homes” is an impossibly Herculean logistical task. In my last blog I mentioned several reasons for the real estate market improvement:
- Interest rates are at a historic record low.
- Baby Boomers are nearing retirement and have the ability to snap up high end properties at lower than usual prices.
- Some people who watch the real estate market feel we won’t see further drops in value.
- Some buyers who have been on the side-lines for the past several years are ready to re-enter the market.
Let’s face it – it is much easier to buy stocks with a few keystrokes and mouse-clicks.
So while this news is good for investors and Warren Buffett followers – who really will benefit? When asked if a young individual should buy stocks or his first single-family home, Buffett recommended buying a single-family home with a 30-year mortgage. “It’s a terrific deal,” he said. “It’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now and I think that’s probably as an attractive an investment as you can make right now.”
Are you looking to complete the “American Dream” and own your own home? Are you interested in the second-home market? There are great buys to be had out there and interest rates make an attractive investment. As I’ve mentioned before – if you are thinking about buying property in this area – now is the time to do so!
Until next time, Irene
Recent Comments