Ludlow VT

Encouraging News For Ludlow VT Real Estate Vacation Home Buyers

According to the latest research by the National Association of Realtors, 1/3 of all real estate transactions in 2007 involved second or vacation homes. Although sales declined overall when compared to 2006, the proportion of vacation home sales was still near-record.

Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said lifestyle factors and strong demographics remain positive for the vacation home market. “Investment considerations are secondary for vacation-home buyers, so there is some dormant underlying demand,” he said. “A peak of population is moving through the prime years for buying recreational property. It is welcoming to see investment sales returning to pre-boom activity.”

To learn more about investing in Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also begin receiving automated emails containing Ludlow VT real estate that matches your criteria here!

What You Need To Know About Ludlow VT Tax Rebates

Congress’ recent $170 billion economic stimulus plan is centered around new tax rebates; unfortunately, the details of the plan are foggy at best, leaving Ludlow VT real estate owners and taxpayers with questions about the rebates and how they will benefit. The details are still being worked out by the Treasury Department and the IRS, but here are some facts that have been made available:ISellVermontRealEstate.com or begin searching for homes here. For more personalized service, please call me at 802-353-1983.

– To be eligible for a full rebate, single tax filers must have 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000. These filers will get rebates up to $600.
– Joint filers must have AGI below $150,000 and are eligible to receive rebates of up to $1,200.
– Parents will receive $300 rebates per dependent child and there is no cap on the maximum number of children eligible.
– Filers who do not owe income taxes because of various credits and deductions but who do have at least $3,000 in income (can include Social Security or disability payments) will get $300 rebates per person or $600 per couple.
– The rebate is a one-time tax cut – an advance on a credit you’ll receive on your 2008 return.

If you make the IRS deadline and file your taxes by April 15, you can expect to receive a rebate check in the mail sometime between May and July.

Why not put your 2007 tax rebate toward the purchase of a new home? To learn more about Ludlow VT real estate, please visit

The Bumpy Streets of Ludlow VT

What do potholes, mud season, and black flies have in common? They are all “indigenous to Vermont,” jokes Ludlow Municipal Manager Frank Heald. Along with the blessing of our snowy white winters comes the inevitable result of less-than-smooth roadways.This article from the Rutland Herald is a half-serious look at the trials and tribulations we all face as we navigate the [sometimes bumpy] streets of Ludlow every day, and addresses what is being done to help relieve the problems. Check it out and let us know what you think is the most infamous road hazard in Ludlow!ISellVermontRealEstate.com. To request a complementary market analysis of your home, please click here!

 

To learn more about living in Ludlow or Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit

Ludlow VT Real Estate Update

Attention, potential residential or vacation home buyers! CNN.com is reporting that now is the best time since 2004 to purchase a home.this article show that, overall, prices are dropping across the nation as interest rates remain low.ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also sign up to receive automated emails of new listings that match your criteria here!

The research and statistics compiled in

To learn more about Ludlow VT real estate or market trends, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit

Add Some Green To Your Ludlow VT Home

It seems like everywhere we turn these days, products and services we use every day are “going green.” With so many ways available now to help the environment, it may be overwhelming to figure out how exactly you as a homeowner can make changes. This article from RealEstateJournal.com details five ways homeowners can add “green” upgrades to their home, saving money and increasing their homes’ values at the same time. Below is the list of suggestions, check out the article for full descriptions of each item:ISellVermontRealEstate.com, or call me at 802-353-1983. You may also begin searching the MLS here!

– Washers that save energy and water
– Toilets that conserve water
– No-VOC paints
– Smart thermostat applications
– Low-flow faucets and showerheads

To learn more about owning a Ludlow VT home or Ludlow VT real estate, please visit

2008 Ludlow VT Real Estate Predictions

Happy New Year, Ludlow! I hope that everybody enjoyed a very happy holiday season and that 2008 is off to a great start for you and your family.The National Association of Realtors

has published its predictions for the 2008 housing market, and the data looks positive so far. Most noteworthy is the trend toward improving existing home sales.

Lawrence Yun, senior NAR economist, said “Now that mortgage conditions have improved, some postponed activity should turn up in existing-home sales over the next couple of months, and I expect sales at fairly stable to slightly higher levels.”

Existing home sales are expected to rise to $5.7 million in 2008 – making it the fifth highest year on record. Existing home prices, which declined 1.9% to a median of $217,600 in 2007, are expected to go back up about .3% in 2008. As Yun noted late in 2007 “even with a modest decline in the national aggregate price this year, it’s important to keep in mind that nearly two-thirds of the metro areas in the US are showing price increases … the apparent disparity results from fewer sales in high-cost areas, so a change in the mix is dragging down the national median home price.”

To find out the latest trends in Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. To begin searching for Okemo Mountain VT homes, please use my complimentary MLS search.

Ludlow VT Real Estate Update

Attention, home sellers! Even in an uncertain real estate market, there may be good news for you – depending on where you live. The National Association of REALTORS® has published the results of its quarterly sales survey and found that the median home price continues to rise in most metropolitan areas. The median is a typical market price – meaning half of all homes sold for more, and half of all homes sold for less.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the data underscores the fact that all real estate is local. “Some metro areas are hot, while others are experiencing localized problems,” he said.

Moving into 2008, we will keep a close eye on the Okemo Mountain area market trends to see how prices affect sales volume. Since the market changes month to month and neighborhood to area, please contact me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com to get the latest information on Ludlow VT real estate. To receive a complimentary home value analysis, please click here.

~Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!~

Make Your Ludlow VT Vacation Home Pay For Itself!

According to this MSN.com article, it could indeed be possible for a vacation home to pay for itself in the long-run.ISellVermontRealEstate.com. Or, click here to sign up to receive automated emails of new listings that match your criteria.

Investor Christine Hrib Karpinski offers these three basic rules for purchasing and managing a vacation home:

– Vacation homes need to be rented 15 to 17 weeks a year in most areas to break even.
– Internet advertising is essential. Karpinski recommends advertising your home on 3-5 web sites to ensure the maximum amount of exposure.
– Consider cutting out the middle-man and being your own rental agent.

Karpinski also suggests asking yourself these four questions before jumping into vacation home ownership:
· Are you ready to do the research to find the right home in the right area for you?
· Are you willing to give up the use of your property during peak season?
· Are you willing to put in the necessary work, including advertising and maintenance duties?
· Can you hold on if things get tough?

If you are ready to begin your search for a Ludlow VT vacation home, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit

How to Add Light to Your Ludlow VT Home

We’ve all rolled our clocks back an hour and are beginning to adjust to the earlier onset of evening. In the winter months our homes can seem darker than usual, but there are ways to use the natural light that is available in your home to brighten things up. Money Magazine has published a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for adding light to any home – among the topics covered are:click here. For more information about Ludlow VT real estate, please visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com or call me at 802-353-1983.

Skylights (pick ones that open and choose carefully where to put them)
Big windows (install them to showcase your best views, but don’t forget to add small windows above or below them that open)
Window height (put windows high on the wall, but not tight to the ceiling)
Window grouping (group several windows together, but don’t separate them with fat supports)
Window shades (install shades in windows that face east, west, and south; avoid using UV-inhibiting coating)

Following these tips for adding light to your home will help to increase your home’s value. To receive a complimentary comparative home value analysis,