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
Improvement on the real estate front!
After several months blogging about the Vermont towns that I know and love and after a reminder about how important your own life should be as we enter 2012 – well, it’s time to get back to business! Let’s talk about real estate.
It will come as no surprise to anyone that it wasn’t a breakout year in 2011 for residential real estate sales. In my opinion however, there was slight improvement. While the percentage increase in residential home, condo sales and second home buyers vary from county to county and town to town, the real estate market has been positively affected by the following:
- 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.
This does not mean that we will all enjoy easy and quick real estate transactions. Clients will be cautious, as they should be. Many home prices remain depressed and are well below their replacement value that it would take to build a new home – which is not necessarily good for builders – but good for qualified home buyers. There are great buys to be had out there and with interest rates where they are right now, the average person still has a great opportunity to own the “American Dream”.
Due to the financial hardships that many of the American people have endured in recent history and the country’s Financial Institution’s past lending policies – in my opinion a good credit score and adequate down payment are most important for your future real estate transactions. There are programs out there for first-time home buyers who qualify so if you are in the market to buy a home, it would be foolish not to look into it now.
I’m happy to live in Vermont in a 4-season resort area. I believe we will remain a strong second-home market and also a destination supported by our local tourism based partners who continue to focus on that economy and add to their year-round amenities. If you’ve been thinking about buying property in this area – well, now is the time to do so!
Until next time, Irene
For all your real estate needs in South Central Vermont, contact me at:
802-353-1983
2012 is a Brand New Year!
Happy New Year to you! As most of us do at this time of year, we reflect on what has happened over the past year and what we want to have happen in the coming year. I find that my own behavior contributes to the success that I enjoy, whether it is a personal success or a professional one.
So I wanted to take a moment and outline some of the thoughts that I hope to keep close this year. Consider these some great ideas to improve your life in 2012!
- Wake up each day thankful for your life. No matter how good or bad you have it, someone, somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you are missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing and be grateful.
- Take Responsibility for your life. The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. Blaming people or circumstances gives others power over that part of your life.
- Don’t follow the path of least resistance. Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary!
- Face your problems head on. It is much easier to run! Know that there is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. It’s okay to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. The purpose of living is to face problems, learn, adapt and solve them over the course of time. This will help mold you into the person you eventually become.
- Be yourself. One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Someone might always be prettier, smarter or younger – but they will never be YOU! Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
- It’s okay to make a mistake. Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing! Every success has a trail of failures behind it and every failure leads you toward success. Don’t regret any of your life experiences.
- Be ready for a challenge. Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zone, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first. But when you overcome that challenge – what a feeling!
- Be sure to look at the beauty of small moments. Enjoy the little things because one day you may look back and discover they were really the big things. The best part of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
Here is wishing you the best year you can possibly have!
Until next time, Irene
Ludlow Tent comes down!
Shaw’s Supermarket in Ludlow will be closing it’s temporary (tent) location at 7 p.m. on MONDAY January 16th and will celebrate it’s Grand Reopening at 7 a.m. on FRIDAY January 27th. During this 10 day closure the temporary store will be removed from the parking lot, making way for a totally renovated and expanded store.
We look forward to getting back into our permanent location and hope to see all of you there on opening day.”
This month’s featured town – Weston, VT
Weston Playhouse on the Green
Weston, Vermont is a beautiful village and never more so than during the Holidays. Originally part of Andover and called “West Town” it was incorporated in October of 1979 because Markham and Terrible mountains blocked travel between the town’s halves. Route 100 South out of Ludlow to Weston has always been referred to as Terrible Mountain – most people don’t know there is an actual mountain named as such!
As beautiful as Weston is while driving through town, there are hidden treasures as well. Vermont’s oldest professional theater, The Weston Playhouse Theater Company was founded in 1935. This non-profit organization serves a community of artists and audiences through a broad spectrum of dramatic works and educational programs. Visit www.westonplayhouse.org for the exciting shows scheduled for next season.
The Kinhaven Music School is celebrating 60 years next July! They offer four classical music programs each summer providing a music making experience where friendship, mutual support, learning and community are always present. Find out more about the music classes and workshops for both youths and adults at www.kinhaven.org.
Do you know about the Benedictine Priory on Priory Hill Road? Founded in 1953 and inspired by a monastic tradition reaching back to the earliest centuries of the church, a community of Benedictine Monks have created their own community about four miles north of the village. All are welcome to visit and the Chapel, Visitor’s Center and grounds afford an atmosphere in which quiet reflection and prayer are accessible to all. More information is available at www.westonpriory.org.
I chose to write about Weston in December because of its small town beauty during the Christmas season. What could be more beautiful than shopping during the Holidays?! The Christmas Shop has the best selection of Ornaments you’ll find. Artistically placed and decoratively arranged, this shop provides an experience you won’t want to miss.
Then take a walk across the street to the Vermont Country Store. This is the original store founded by the Orton Family in 1946 along with their first catalogue. Think of catering to a farmer’s wife back in the day – they still adhere to old fashioned values set forth by Vrest and Ellen Orton. The Vermont Country Store takes pride in being purveyors of the practical and hard to find. When you check out their website at www.vermontcountrystore.com you’ll find their Customer Bill of Rights – including a 100% guarantee. The Vermont Country Store is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts with superior customer service!
There are many Inn’s and places to dine and I couldn’t do justice to them all by naming them here. If you have never been to Weston, visit the Village of Weston Website for more detailed information. www.westonvt.com
The entire village of Weston is listed on the National Register of Historic Places so the “prettiest village in all of Vermont” will be preserved for future generations. Weston is magical under a blanket of snow! I hope to see you on a Sleigh Ride in Weston soon!
Vermont Country Store
Until next time, Irene
This month’s featured town – Cavendish, VT
Cavendish, Vermont is full of surprises. Located in Windsor County and named after William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, Cavendish also includes the village of Proctorsville and saw its first settlers in June of 1769.
Cavendish is a very unassuming town. As you drive around the beautiful Vermont countryside of Cavendish and Proctorsville, at first glance you don’t realize the history and thriving businesses located here. Would it surprise you to know that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian writer, historian and Nobel Prize winner called Cavendish his home for many years?
How many times have you driven past Mack Molding, a leading supplier of contract manufacturing service and injection molded plastic parts to companies in a range of industries? Founded in 1920 and a family run business with headquarters in Arlington, Vermont, it might surprise you to know they have 1,800 employees at 10 locations with annual sales of $300 million. This is a company with no long term debt and a 5A1 D&B rating – the highest available! Learn more about them at http://www.mack.com.
Do you know where the Cavendish Canine Camp is located? If you visit their website at http://www.cavendishcaninecamp.com you’ll find an excellent description of where they are; “nestled within the green mountains of Vermont and just outside the village of Ludlow”. This wonderful canine boarding facility prides itself on the quality and conscientious care they give your pets while you are traveling or working. Their canine guests have supervised social playtime and a “quiet time” mid-day. The feline campers also get playtime to roam and socialize in their very own “cat room”.
I am so proud to live in Vermont that even three months after the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Irene I feel compelled to mention just one or two storm related items. First, if you go to their website you’ll never know how my friends at the Cavendish Canine Camp were affected by the storm. They were closed during the months of September and October and while open now, the main entrance from 103 was washed away by the storm and it is very exciting to see excavators rebuilding now!
There is another business that deserves storm-related mention; The Village Clipper in Proctorsville. While a huge section of Route 132 was being repaired by the Army National Guard, several Guardsmen came in for haircuts. Julie and Paula would not accept their money, thanking them for the amazing job they were doing for us here in Vermont.
I don’t think that you can blog about the Cavendish/Proctorsville area without talking about Singleton’s General Store. Located just past the junction of Route’s 103 and 131 on Route 131 Singleton’s is known for its Vermont smoked meats, cheeses and other Vermont products. They also have a great selection of clothing and footwear suited to this area and a sporting-goods section for all of your hunting and fishing needs.
That doesn’t tell you half the story! A family owned business since 1948 when Bud and Mary Singleton with their six kids opened Newton’s Store in Reading, it took until 1978 for them to buy the land and open in their current location. Tom Singleton joined them in 1976 with his brother John – and Sheba – their Doberman Pincer. All of the children contributed to Singleton’s but only Tom and his wife Linn remained to take over in 1999 when Bud retired. The Singleton’s take pride in Customer Service – whether it’s servicing the local’s needs or those visiting from out of state. Visit http://www.singletonsvt.com, or come into the store – you won’t be disappointed.
I love Cavendish and currently make it my home! I have so much more that I could say so I’ll settle with – come and experience what I have known and come to love! Looking forward to seeing you in town!
Until next time, Irene
This month’s featured town – Chester, VT
Chester Town Hall
Chester is an amazing town in Vermont. It is a town of churches and some of the most interesting and colorful vistas in New England. You can enjoy the quaint town of Chester with the historic Village Green and the Stone Village, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places – livable structures made from local granite.
Just a month after the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene, Chester held the 37th Annual Fall Festival on the Green, sponsored by the Chester Rotary Club. Over 60 Vermont and New England Artisans, Crafters and Food Concessions gathered in booths spread over the Green in the center of town. Mark your calendars for next year -this is a great fall event to attend!
New Businesses are opening too. The Inn Victoria expanded their business by adding a retail outlet, “Ye Olde Shoppe at Inn Victoria” which will focus on Vermont foods, Vermont made jewelry and other types of goods their guests are looking for while staying in Vermont. There is a new gallery, museum and art school in Chester as well! The Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts (VTica) hosted an open house at the beginning of this month. Located on Depot Avenue across from the Jiffy Mart just off the Chester Village Green, there was a timely photographic essay of 50 images from professional and amateur photographers chronicling the destruction and rebuilding of south/central Vermont in the aftermath of the storm.
There are well established businesses also contributing to Chester’s charm. Bill Austin’s Antique Store has the largest collection of Antiques around and he refurbishes many items himself. It’s quite an experience walking through all the rooms of his store! After antiquing at Austin’s, step into MacLaomainn’s for lunch!
MacLaomainn’s is a Scottish style pub located at 52 South Main Street and Deb and Alan Brown opened their doors in 2008. Their Scottish style menu is unique to this area featuring traditional fish pie, haggis, mince and tatties and steak pie. They also offer pizza, Angus burgers, hot dogs and more! The atmosphere is just what a pub is intended to be – a community living room where everyone can feel at home.
This year the Browns added to their offerings by opening the Great Hall – a conference room, event and music hall which can seat up to 95 people comfortably and is located directly behind the pub. Their hope is that the Great Hall becomes a place where people will comfortably gather with family and friends.
Chester is a delightful town to visit and I’m sure you will discover the warm and inviting atmosphere coming from the local businesses and local people. Come see – you can’t get away from that Vermont spirit!
Chester Depot
Until next time, Irene
This month’s featured town – Ludlow, VT
Main Street, Ludlow Vermont
When I decided to write about the town of Ludlow this month I envisioned a completely different blog from the one I am writing.
I would have told you about the 250th celebration of Ludlow’s charter and posted a picture of the new flag designed to represent the occasion. I might have mentioned the two kinds of coffee from the Vermont Coffee Company in Middlebury that Java Baba’s sells. I could have told you that the Ludlow Shipping and Copy Center has relocated to 100 North next to Bella Luna and introduced you to Pam Timmerman. I might have mentioned that the Coleman Brook Tavern is one of four Vermont Restaurants to receive the Wine Spectator Best of Award Excellence in 2011.
I could have given you the basic information about Ludlow. It is a town in Windsor County, Vermont with a population of 2,449 in the 2000 census. The village was well developed before anyone thought of skiing on Ludlow Mountain. Now Ludlow is proud to be the home of Okemo Mountain, a very popular skiing area.
Ludlow is a town of natural and historic wonders, self – reliant and community – spirited people and shops and galleries that feature local favorites. On Sunday August 28th, Ludlow was hit very hard by Tropical Storm Irene. The Black River could not hold the steady and constant rain over a 24 hour period and overflowed its banks quickly and devastatingly in many parts of town. You’ve seen the devastation to homes, businesses and our roads on television in the newspaper and on the internet.
What you don’t see is the community spirit, the banding together and the progress that has been made so quickly! Neighbors checked on neighbors and assisted when needed. Second – homeowners called upon locals to check on their property – by car or on foot. DJ’s opened their restaurant on Monday night offering a free buffet for anyone who needed food. Knight Tubs was open for business on Wednesday even though their parking lot was destroyed and their basement flooded. Shaw’s supermarket opened just one week after they were flooded – in a temporary tent set up in the parking lot. The Ludlow Health Center made the Dental Center its temporary home. There are many businesses that didn’t flood and remained open. The Local Ski Shops traditionally open on Labor Day weekend and so they did – business as usual in Ludlow!
These resilient and spirited people of Vermont are moving quickly to get their businesses open to be able to serve the community and return the town of Ludlow to the vibrant little village it is. Kudos to everyone for working hard and fast, finding creative and temporary solutions and keeping the Vermont spirit alive! Come visit!
Until next time, Irene
Ps: and I’m NOT taking the name of this tropical storm personally!
Land on Twenty Mile Stream Road; Close to Okemo!
First time on Market – parcel has stone wall around 3 sides, private road along the 4th side. Just look across the road (paved) to see what may be a view. Power and phone on property, Approx 800 feet of frontage on 20 Mile Stream Road – Cavendish Vermont. 199,900.00