I am pleased to announce that my friend
I am pleased to announce that my friend Joe Milliken will be contributing to my blog weekly about local sports and happenings in Vermont…A bit about Joe; Joe Milliken is a freelance writer, music journalist and local sports writer, living in Bellows Falls, Vt with his wife Kelly, son Nate and daughter Erin. Visit Joe at http://www.jemwriting.com.
Celebrating Christmas In South Central Vermont
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
~ Burton Hillis
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally and is no longer viewed as a purely religious holy day. It is now a time enjoyed by people of many countries and faiths, and there are numerous universally recognized icons which we associate with the yuletide. In fact, these symbols have become so commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas that when we see Santa riding on a reindeer, a mantle hung with stockings, coniferous green trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments, or houses festooned with evergreen wreaths and mistletoe, we know that the magic spirit of the season is upon us.
The tradition of the Christmas stocking dates back to approximately 250B.C. in Asia Minor. There Nicholas, rich man who became a very generous Christian 
priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that “miracle,” neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings–or even put out shoes–to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. Find instructions for making your own Christmas fireplace stockings.
Along with the Christmas holly, laurel, rosemary, yews, boxwood bushes, and, of course the Christmas tree, mistletoe is an evergreen displayed during the Christmas season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we’re kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we’ve forgotten all about it (the plant, that is, not the kisses).
On the Move
Lang McLaughry Spera Rutland Office has moved to a new location. Please come and visit me at the beautiful new office location:
85 North Main Street, Rutland, Vermont 05701
Phone, Fax and e-mail stay the same.
New Listing: The Ultimate Cabin in the Woods!
Cute and Cozy single family on approx. 14 acres, with 1 bedroom, plus a finished upstairs that can be used for more sleeping room, game or family room. Updated bath, eat in kitchen, wood stove and very large wrap around deck with cedar hot tub,heated by woodburning unit.
Located across from the Black River surrounded by trees and a stream, only 9 miles from Okemo Mountain on the Shuttle Bus Route.
Own your own piece of Vermont with plenty of room for expansion!
Offered for: $199,900.00
New Listing – Come Home to Okemo Mountain Vermont!
Move-in condition ranch style home sporting 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, formal dining room, updated eat-in kitchen, full basement. All the rooms are large and airy. The living room has a corner fireplace for those cold Vermont nights. The kitchen has one of 2 double doors. There is an attached 2 car garage with heat – plus another detached 2 car garage with separate driveway, electric and bathroom – How about a guest cottage?.
The manicured front and back yard make you feel as though you were in your own private world, but you can walk to the stores, bakery and post office.
Proctorsville (part of the town of Cavendish) is only about 3 miles from Okemo Mountain in Ludlow. The Okemo shuttle bus will be happy to pick you up as it travels back and forth to the mountain.
This is truly a home worth seeing!
Offered for: $349,900.00
Ludlow VT Real Estate: Home Sweet Second Home
Summer has turned many people’s thoughts to second homes and Ludlow VT vacation homes. Unfortunately, though, encouraging statistics about the Ludlow VT vacation home market have been muffled under some of the negative news about the current economy and housing market.
According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2007 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, second-home sales accounted for one-third of all existing and new-home sales in 2007. A large portion of those purchases were vacation homes. So – why do families buy these “homes away from home?” The survey found that several factors go into the decision to buy a second home. Eighty-four percent of buyers wanted to use the home as a family retreat; thirty percent planned to use the home as a future primary residence; twenty-six percent want to diversify investments, and 25 percent plan to rent the home out to other families.
If you are ready to learn more about purchasing a Ludlow VT vacation home, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. Contact me for a complimentary e-book!
Ludlow VT Real Estate Tip: What Is Universal Design?
You may have heard buzz around the term “universal design” in recent years, but do you know what it is or how it affects the Ludlow VT real estate and construction markets?
According to Lowes.com, universal design is the creation of products and environments meant to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. The intent is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal Design benefits people of all ages and abilities.
Think this is some “far out” theory just now working its way into the “modern” world? Think again: if you’ve ever walked through an automatic door, you’ve experienced a version of Universal Design. Likewise, a ramp or curb cut is just as welcome to someone with a baby stroller as it is to someone in a wheelchair.
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Celebrating Independence Day in Ludlow VT
Happy 4th of July, Ludlow! Although this weekend is a time for fireworks and enjoying time with friends and family, it is also a time to remember what makes our country so great – our freedom. So as you gather with friends and neighbors on Friday, take a moment to thank our military—living and dead, at home and abroad—for the sacrifices they have made for us. Because, as we all know, freedom isn’t free!
Be sure to check out the events and activities happening this holiday weekend in Ludlow!
We’ll return to discussing Ludlow VT real estate next week; however, if you would like more information about Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com.
Ludlow VT Real Estate: Is The Price Right?
What do you think is the single most important factor that determines why one property sells more quickly than another?
In the real estate world, we always hear “Location, Location, Location,” but according to a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors, almost 2/3 of the respondents said price was the key factor.
The same results held true for sellers. “Getting the price right” was and is one of the most frequently cited challenges for sellers who are not represented by a Realtor®.
Other factors that were included in the poll were – no surprise here – location as well as condition of the property, staging, and upgrades.
If you are interested in learning about Ludlow VT real estate prices, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also begin searching the MLS!
Irene Earns Quality Service Certified Recognition!
I am pleased to announce that I have recently completed the requirements to earn Quality Service Certified professional recognition. What does this mean for you? Well, in a nutshell it guarantees that the service you receive from me will be consistent, reliable, responsive and exceptionally satisfying. It also means:
- I participate in a service process that results in the best real estate experience possible for you. To earn the Quality Service Certified designation I have met training and performance standards, and I maintain those standards on an on-going basis.
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My services are spelled out in the Quality Service Guarantee that shows you exactly what to expect—from an initial counseling session to after-sale service follow-up.
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I will remain accountable to you throughout the home finding or selling experience to do everything I promise. That includes giving you the opportunity to evaluate my service through a Quality Service Assurance Survey © conducted by an independent research firm.
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If you are contemplating buying or selling a home, you have a lot to think about, and the last thing you want is confusion and uncertainty. You can have greater confidence and peace of mind knowing that I will be with you every step of the way.
To experience the Quality Service Guarantee for yourself, or to find out more about Ludlow VT real estate, please visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com or give me a call at 800-659-1819, ext. 103. I’d love to show you what true quality service is all about!