Burlington Vermont Tops Bicycling Magazine’s List of Six Best Cities for a Bike Vacation

Burlington VT
On my Flipboard app on my IPad, I noticed this exciting news about biking or for you bike aficionados, cycling, in our fair city. Bicycling Magazine announced that Burlington is one of six top places to add to your cycling list of fun places to relax and enjoy! It's what we local bike maniacs up here have already known for a long, long time. In fact, I'd expand that list to include almost ALL of Vermont for both road and mountain. I know you're curious where the other places are so here you go: Banff Alberta Canada, Charleston SC, Healdsburg CA, Ketchum ID and Traverse City MI.
Quoting Bicycling Magazine, "Choose from among dozens of rides mapped by the Green Mountain Bicycle Club: a tour of covered bridges, a Cabot cheese tasting, or a loop through the quad-torching Greens. Recover overnight at the historic Willard Street Inn, a Queen Anne–style mansion with a marble-floor solarium and a bike rack near the front door. Nearby, hop on the Burlington Bike Path (a paved 7.6-mile route) and stop by the Skinny Pancake for crepes topped with Vermont butter and maple syrup. From there the pathway connects to 1,300 miles of the Lake Champlain Bikeways system, a network of routes that rolls through classic New England scenery all the way to Quebec."

If you are interested in buying a home, condominium or other property or considering listing your home, townhouse or other real estate in Burlington Vermont, please give me a call at 802.238.5256, visit my website: www.chrishurdvt.com or reach me by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

The Burlington Vermont Real Estate Market is Positively On Fire

Burlington VT
Moments ago, I checked the "pending" status for all residential/condo/townhouse listings since the first of the new year. Presently, there are ALREADY 114 properties in Chittenden County that have gone "pending", also known as "under contract" in 2013. What makes these numbers truly impressive is they are spread across ALL price ranges and there's strength in these numbers across many local markets. Prices range from $99,900 all the way up to $2,000,000.

What makes this VERY different is that in the past several years the market was hot for everything under $300,000. Those days appear to be in the past! Let's add up the numbers: 17 properties in Burlington, 4 in Charlotte, 8 in Colchester, 23 in Essex, 1 in Hinesburg, 1 in Huntington, 4 in Jericho, 8 in Milton, 2 in Richmond, 28 in South Burlington, 5 in Shelburne, 1 in St, George, 4 in Westford, 7 in Williston and 1 in Winooski all "pending". And we aren't even into the "Spring Market" yet. It's still winter in Vermont!

Today, I put a house in South Burlington "under contract". There were three other competing offers! Four in total including ours! Just amazing...

Interest rates remain at stunning low levels and encouraging news in the economy are helping to fuel confidence not seen so broadly in recent years.

We are off to an absolutely tremendous start!

If you are interested in buying a home, condominium or other property or considering listing your home or townhouse for sale in and around Burlington Vermont, please give me a call at 802.238.5256, visit my website or reach me by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Day Dreaming Of The Lake Champlain Bikeways Route

Burlington VT
It's snowing outside my window right now as I yearn for warmer weather and longer days...

I was daydreaming my love for cycling and the days when I was in such great shape propelled in large part by strong legs, lungs and heart. In recent years, something happened along that route that took me out of the proverbial saddle. Now that my kids are off to college and I re-evaluate my "me" time, it feels that an old friend is going to come back into my life again.
You see I LOVE riding bikes. I do. It is one of the activities I seriously enjoy. Mountain, touring, racing, tandem-ing, "latee-ing", being silly, wind in the face, errand-ing, jumping cracks in the sidewalk all of it brings me joy! Great for my health, fun seeing near and far way places, taking one's time, speeding things up, no gas, insurance and costly maintenance bills. Hell, I can actually handle much of my own maintenance for a guy who's far from being a do-it-yourself-er.
Vermont is such a great place to ride and Burlington has made great strides to continue improving upon her bicycle friendliness over the 34 years I've lived here. Inter-connected bike and recreation paths between towns has opened up all sorts of possibilities for travel incorporating bicycling into the fabric of daily life. I like this within our communities.
A few local organizations offer various ways to increase and support our love for bikes. Here are just a few:

• Local Motion
• Lake Champlain Bikeways
• The Green Mountain Club
• Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition

So many people from outside Vermont look inside Vermont as a mecca for cycling and they're right. I live minutes from a bike path here in South Burlington and fully intend to consciously start using my bike more and my car less for all sorts of great reasons.

I'm going to set a goal for the warmer months ahead too. I'd like to ride the Lake Champlain Bikeways route. This circumnavigation of Lake Champlain takes into account Vermont and New York. Meadows, farms, sleepy lanes, bridges, rivers, blooming flowers, and yes a few hills here and there but a few downhills here and there too and funky towns and people all along the way. It's been on my mind for several years now and I've managed to let it slip between my fingers. Until now!
So, I'm setting a goal to ride the entire 363 mile route this summer! I feel good already just knowing, believing and feeling my joy within. The pace will sometimes be fast, sometimes slow depending. But always at just the right pace, whatever that may be. I'd even accept a few intrepid souls to join me. Any takers? Just call or email me via my contact information that follows, so we can discuss.
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in and around Burlington Vermont, please give me a call at 802.238.5256, visit my website or reach me by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

How To Measure A Car-Lite Lifestyle: Try Walkscore!

Burlington Vermont

For those of you looking to lighten your carbon footprint upon Mother Earth and have some fun along the way, WalkScore might just be the helpful tool you've been looking for.

Essentially, WalkScore is an algorithm enabling homeowners, would-be homeowners, renters, planners and researchers a methodology measuring the walkability of a particular address/location. It is a patent pending system awarding points based upon the distance to amenities in numerous categories we would include as necessary in our daily lives. It offers a way to gauge how living in a given location can reduce our use of cars and increase and enhance our ability to walk or bike instead. The results, of course, contribute to our reducing emissions from our automobiles into the atmosphere. Better health from increased exercise. Reductions in stress levels. And the joys of being outside in your neighborhoods getting to know neighbors you've been zipping past in your cars and feeling those intangible, touchy feely things about where we choose to live.

For some, WalkScore won't be of much interest. However, the great re-migration back to our city and economic centers is on in a BIG WAY. Walkscore provides a simple and fun way to see how certain locations "rate" in terms of their ease and accessibility propelled by foot power.

In the lefthand side bar of my homepage of this website (scroll down the page just a bit), you can utilize my WalkScore widget to see how your current address rates and, if you are considering a move in your near future, the widget will help you in finding a great location to meet your needs in this regard.
Every Property Search on my website automatically provides a WalkScore rating within the details of each listing/property. How 'bout that!

In the Burlington area, try focussing upon the following towns to give you greater traction with broader WalkScore reach: Burlington, South Burlington, Shelburne, Richmond, Essex Junction, Winooski, Bristol, Vergennes, Montpelier, Middlebury, & Stowe to name a few...

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Stowe Vermont, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.

Why Use a Buyer's Agent When Buying Vermont Real Estate in 2013?

To answer this question, let me begin by asking a question. When you are in a legal proceeding, would you have the lawyer representing the person sitting across the table from you represent you as well? The answer is so simple. Of course not.



Why then when buying a house or property which for many people represents one of the largest financial decisions of their lives would you utilize the Realtor who represents the Seller(s) to safeguard your best interests as the Buyer(s)?

In Vermont, we do not have “dual agency.” Some states do allow this (where one Realtor represents both sides of the transaction while maintaining “neutrality”) but for the life of me I do not understand why. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. There are simply too many places for conflicts of interest to rear their head.
In Vermont, Realtors must represent only one side of the transaction - either the Buyer(s) or the Seller(s). Often, Buyers aren’t clear on this point. They see a sign in front of a house for sale or a listing online. Call that Realtor and utilize that Realtor to facilitate the negotiations of price, terms and conditions when that Realtor represents the Seller(s). Do you see where this is completely problematic? Be sure to ask if the Realtor you are speaking to is the Listing Agent. If so, thank the Agent and tell them you want representaion, hang up and find another Realtor who can represent you and your interests. Keep in mind, good listing agents are experts in finding out information from prospective buyers without you even being aware of it. They can ask questions that ultimately compromise your negotiating position. Thank them politely. Hang up and find a Realtor to be your Buyer’s Agent.

When Sellers agree to list their property they agree to a commission which is paid to both the Realtor who lists the Seller’s property and the Realtor who brings the Buyers to the table. A typical Realtor commission these days is either 5 or 6%. Thus, this commission is split in half (i.e. with either 3 or 2.5% going to the buy side Realtor). Buyers should not think because I am represented by a Buyer’s Agent I am incurring an additional expense to pay their commisssion. The commission is already taken into account by the Seller(s) in their Listing Agreement with their Listing Agent. All Sellers are willing to split the commission between the Realtor representing them and the Buyers Agent representing the Buyer(s). Sellers do this to facilitate the transaction and in this market they are happy as can be to have buyers brought to them.

Let me further clarify. If there is no Buyer’s Realtor involved, the Listing Agent consumes the entire commission of 6 or 5% with no split whatsoever. Now do you see why listing agents so love it when buyers call them directly? On a house that costs say $300,000 with a 6% commission, the Listing Agent would receive an $18,000 commission. If there is a Realtor representing the buyer(s), the listing agent would have to split their commissions.

There are many other reasons why you would want to utilize a Buyer’s Agent when buying real estate in Vermont. Here they are:

• Full Access To Our Now Unified, Statewide MLS - Until you have made it clear to your Realtor you want to be represented by a Buyer’s Agent and entered into that Agreement in writing the realtor you are communicating with is ALWAYS representing the Seller(s). They cannot give you information that otherwise comprimises the Sellers ability to get the most money for the sale of their home or property. This could include the number of days on the market as a great example. These days this is a critical number to know. Further, listing agents have this game they play when the “re-list” thier listings it sets the odometer back to zero for “days on the market” accuracy. Only a Buyer’s Agent representing your interest will research the history of the property you are interested in buying to let you know exactly how many days that property has been on the market and with whom.
• Negotiating Power - As your Buyer’s Agent, I will run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine a prospective home’s Fair Market Value (FMV). In simpler terms, as your Realtor I will look at similar homes in the same neighborhood that have sold recently. This way, you will know whether or not the seller has their home priced fairly. If the home is priced over Fair Market Value, your Buyer’s Agent can present your “under asking price” offer with plenty of firepower – and a greater chance that the offer will be accepted. In addition, the terms and conditions of your offer are important as well.
• Representation - As your Buyer’s Agent, I am there to make sure YOUR best interests are accounted for. With your Buyer’s Agent in your corner, you can rest assured that you’re on, at least, even ground with the home seller. Similarly, Listing Agents enter into a legally binding agreement that require them to ALWAYS act in the best interest of their seller(s). They are the seller’s “coach” and will make sure that their clients’ best interests are looked after.
• Industry Contacts - It takes a lot of people to close a real estate transaction – Buyer’s Agent, Listing Agent, Loan Officer, Home Inspector, Property Appraiser, Insurance Agent, General and Sub-Contractors, and sometimes more! A good agent will come with a strong, professional closing team that has performed in the past, and will continue to perform. A transaction is only as strong as its weakest link – with your Buyer’s Agent & their closing team, you can rest assured that you will have plenty of support to make the buying process as smooth as possible.
• Maximize Your Time - While driving neighborhoods is an excellent idea to help you decide which locations you prefer, it’s not a very efficient way to find your new home. Gas is expensive, and your time is valuable. Your Buyer’s Agent will listen to your needs, make fantastic suggestions based on your likes & dislikes, and provide you with a list of homes and communities that ALL match your wants & needs. Your Buyer’s Agent has helped MANY new homebuyers through MANY purchases, and will help you better organize your search & decision making process – saving you valuable time.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont, please visit my website, give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Vermont Achieves #1 Ranking as Healthiest State in the Country (Again!)

The United Health Foundation's (UHF) ranking of each state's overall health based upon a detailed accumulation of factors and risks has named Vermont as the #1 healthiest state in the country for 2012. Vermont achieves the top ranking four years running having earned the honor in 2011, 2010, 2009. Vermont's Governor, Peter Shumlin said at a recent press conference in the state capital "We are doing well compared to the other 49 states, but we are not doing well enough."



The rankings derived from 15 different “determinants” and eight different “outcomes” that United Health Foundation takes into account. Determinants include people’s behavior (the percent of people who smoke, for example), environmental factors (such as violent crime rate), policies (such as the rate of health insurance coverage), and clinical care factors (for instance, the number of preventable hospitalizations). Outcomes include cancer deaths, infant mortality rates, cardiovascular deaths, and the percent of the adult population with diabetes, among others.

The study found that relative to the rest of the nation, Vermont has a very low percentage of people leading sedentary lifestyles, a high rate of health insurance coverage, low rates of infectious diseases, and a low rate of low birth weights.
A detailed analysis from the UHF can be found here.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in and around Burlington VT, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.

Stowe Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Stowe Vermont Year End Data 2012

Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for all of 2012, there were 112 single family residential and condominium units sold within Stowe Vermont with a total sold volume of $50,304,279. Compare that number to a total of 97 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $53,701,020. These numbers indicate an increase in the actual number of sales from 97 to 112 from 2011 to 2012 (an increase of 15.46%) and a decrease in total sold volume of -6.32%. The average sale price was down in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Stowe VT was $449,145.35 down from $553,618.76 in 2011 a decrease of -18.87%.

Average days on the market  in 2012 was 331 compared to 269 in 2011 or an average increase of 22.74%.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Stowe Vermont, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments right here on Hurd’s The Word.

(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Stowe VT only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN which supplies these figures.)

Chittenden County Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Chittenden County Vermont Year End Data 2012

Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for all of 2012, there were 1,604 single family residential and condominium units sold within Chittenden County Vermont (the towns comprising Chittenden County Vermont include these towns: Bolton, Buels Gore, Burlington, Charlotte, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Hinesburg, Huntington, Jericho, Milton, Richmond, Shelburne, South Burlington, St George, Underhill, Westford, Williston, Winooski) with a total sold volume of $454,916,899. Compare that number to a total of 1,342 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $375,695,790. These numbers indicate an increase in the actual number of sales from 1,342 to 1,604 from 2011 to 2012 (an increase of 19.42%) and an increase in total sold volume of 21.08%. The average sale price was up in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Chittenden County VT was $283,614.03 up from $279,952.15 in 2011 an increase of 1.30%.

Average days on the market  in 2012 was 101 compared to 99 in 2011 or an average increase of 1.39%.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Chittenden County Vermont, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.

(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Chittenden County Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) which supplies these figures.)

Burlington Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Burlington Vermont Year End Data 2012
Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for all of 2012, there were 298 single family residential and condominium units sold within Burlington Vermont with a total sold volume of $87,286,774.00 Compare that number to a total of 210 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $57,414,416.00 These numbers indicate an increase in the actual number of sales from 210 to 298 from 2011 to 2012 (an increase of 41.90%) and an increase in total sold volume of 52.02%. The average sale price was up in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Burlington was $292,908.64 up from $273,401.98 an increase of 7.13%.
Average days on the market  in 2012 was 75 compared to 86 in 2011 or an average decrease of -13.33%.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Burlington VT, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com
As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.
(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Burlington, VT only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN which supplies these figures.)

Shelburne Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Shelburne Vermont Year End Data 2012
Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for all of 2012, there were 76 single family residential and condominium units sold within Shelburne Vermont with a total sold volume of $34,830,415. Compare that number to a total of 67 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $31,105,114. These numbers indicate an increase in the actual number of sales from 67 to 76 from 2011 to 2012 (an increase of 13.43%) and an increase in total sold volume of 11.97%. The average sale price was down in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Shelburne was $458,294.93 down from $464,255.43 a decrease of -1.28%.
Average days on the market  in 2012 was 132 compared to 127 in 2011 or an average increase of 4.17%.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Shelburne VT, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com
As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.
(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Shelburne, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN which supplies these figures.)

Charlotte Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Charlotte Vermont Year End Data 2012
Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN for all of 2012, there were 77 single family residential and condominium units sold within Charlotte Vermont with a total sold volume of $21,012,360. Compare that number to a total of 90 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $16,702,906. These numbers indicate a reduction in the actual number of sales from 90 to 77 from 2011 to 2012 (a decrease of 14.44%) but with an increase in total sold volume of 30.73%. The average sale price was up in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Charlotte was $677,818.06 up from $535,763.53 an increase of 26.51%.
Average days on the market  in 2012 was 214 compared to 198 in 2011 or an average increase of 8.21%.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Charlotte VT, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com
As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.
(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Charlotte, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN which supplies these figures.)

Vermont's Unemployment Rate Drops in September

The Vermont Department of Labor recently released its figures for the month of September 2011 which showed a drop of one tenth of 1 percent in the unemployment figures for our mighty little state. The rate decreased from 5.9% to 5.8%. Compare this statistic to the national figures which are currently reported at 9.1%.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont, please utilize my website: Burlington Vermont Real Estate, give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, Vermont Real Estate buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local Vermont market.

Vermont Has Lowest Foreclosure Rates in the United States in September

According to RealtyTrac, in the month of September Vermont had the lowest foreclosure rates of any state in the country. Our entire state had 17 foreclosures!! Chittenden County lead the way with 4 followed by Windham, Rutland and Franklin Counties with 3 each. There were new foreclosure filings for every 1 in every 18,485 housing units in Vermont in September. Compare that to Nevada 1 in every 118. Arizona had 1 in every 305. Florida had 1 in every 368 and New York had 4,202.

These numbers suggest Vermont was far from being entangled in the mortgage & foreclosure mess besieging many other states.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Vermont Real Estate: Mortgage Rates Reach Historic Lows

For many of you, the season to buy a house has come and gone for 2011 with kids back in school and colder weather and snow on our doorstep. That's just traditionally how the seasonality of the Burlington VT Real Estate Market cycles.\

But this is no typical year! Time to think again!!

Last week, the Federal Reserve announced they were lowering rates, once again, and the result has been a new milepost for mortgage rates. Never before have rates been so low. Forget about when your Mom and Dad or Gramma and Gramps told you about their "unbelievably low home loan they got when they bought their first home".

TODAY'S VERMONT MORTGAGE RATES FOR A HOME LOAN ARE LOWER THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN. SOME RATES ARE UNDER 4%!

IF YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING PURCHASING A HOME, IT'S TIME TO GET OFF THE FENCE. NOW IS THE TIME TO GO FOR IT. GIVE ME A CALL TO DISCUSS OPTIONS. I WORK WITH SEVERAL LOCAL LENDERS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont, please utilize my website: Burlington Vermont Real Estate, give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, Vermont Real Estate buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local Vermont market.

My Son Helping Flood Victims in Waterbury Vermont

Recently, my son returned from college in North Carolina to "pitch in" and help his fellow Vermonters by volunteering to assist those in need and in distress in any way possible. He and I showed up at an anonymous homeowners house in Waterbury VT I'd been helping previously and she led us to a Serbian family across the street from her. There we were essentially gutting the inside of their home to redo everything destroyed by the rising waters from the Winooski River. Hammers, crowbars, dust and debris. Everything all busted up. Clothing. Toys. Carpets. Photos & keepsakes. What a scene!

Displaced. Stressed. And deeply appreciative that we were there with the only intention being to help and be of service. These folks were so humbled and touched by our "showing up". As were we...

I have been volunteering at the American Red Cross Shelter in Barre Vermont when it was open and secured a local baker in Burlington to donate loaves of his delicious fresh breads to bring with me whenever I went to Waterbury and Barre so I wouldn't arrive empty handed. When I handed out the bread to random people, I remember one woman hugging me and sobbing in gratitude.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, Vermont Real Estate buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local Vermont market.

This Is No Bull...

Well okay... Actually it is!

I saw this monster while showing property in Charlotte, Vermont yesterday afternoon. We guessed he must've weighed 1,200 pounds. He was enormous and he had quite a set of vocal chords as he beckoned to all who would listen.

Ferdinand Lives!! And he's in Charlotte!

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont, please utilize my: Burlington Vermont Real Estate, give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, Vermont Real Estate buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local Vermont market.

Six Best North American Cities for a Bike Vacation

This month, Bicycling Magazine selected Burlington Vermont as one of their six best cities in The United States and Canada as cycling hotspots where "you can use your time off to get more time on two wheels". In addition to the numerous rides outlined by the Green Mountain Bicycle Club (GMBC), there is the Lake Champlain Bikeways network that connect more than 1,300 miles of classic New England scenery through Quebec and New York State. For maps of bike routes in Burlington contact Local Motion.

See you on the roads!

Just in case you were interested... The other five cities were Banff, Alberta in Canada, Charleston SC, Traverse City MI, Healdsburg CA and Ketchum ID.

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Burlington Vermont Real Estate: Upcoming Events In or Near Burlington VT

My upcoming picks in and around Burlington VT. Be sure to mark your calendars:

1. Leef Peeping: Grab you bike, kayak, hiking boots, walking shoes, kids, dog, wife, sweetheart, chubby hubby, camera, ipod, book, blanket, picnic okay you come up with a couple on your own. But it's time to be out and about and with Indian Summer upon us this weekend we'll have to make this blessed warmth last a loooooooong time. So go for it!!!!! Come back in on Sunday wiped out from being out and about in our lovely state. I'll see you out there...

2. Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. 200 Exhibiting Artists & Artisans. Craft Demonstration. Vermont Craft Brewed Beer, Wine & Food. Live Music on Saturday (10/8) and Sunday (10/9). 10am - 5pm Topnotch Field 4000 Mountain Road Stowe Vermont

3. Friday's Art Walk. Friday, October 7th 5-8pm. Check out the openings in the South End during this Friday's Art Walk including: the Art Hop Original Juried Show, Winner's Exhibit at the South End Arts + Business Association SEABA Center at 404 Pine Street in Burlington VT.

4. Apple Picking. Hackett's Orchard 86 South Street in South Hero Vermont. Hand picked apples. Pick your own apples. Picnic and children's play area. Fresh pressed cider. Homemade cider donuts & apple crisp. Pumpkins, gourds and mums. Weekend tractor rides. Open Daily 8am until dusk. 802.372.4848

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If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate or Chittenden County, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market, schools and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

Burlington Vermont Real Estate: Outside Magazine Names Its Top 19 Perfect Towns List...

Guess who made the list? Okay, i'm a little giddy about this one. I mean Burlington Vermont has been piling these things up for more than twenty years now. Year after year, someone else says this place is the greatest. And guess what? It really is. Here are some fast facts:

POPULATION: 42,417

MEDIAN AGE: 27

MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY: $38,598

MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $249,900

"Stop us if this sounds familiar: a college town anchored by a left-leaning ­university, with enough bars in a four-block radius to slake the thirst of an army of frat boys and a pedestrian-only main drag full of crepe vendors, retail outlets, locally sourced restaurants, bike racks, and street performers. We thought so. But what sets Burlington apart from other U-towns is its ­affordability and, more ­important, its Green Mountain State sensibility. What’s that mean? Smart grassroots ­organizations like the alt-transportation group Local Motion; great local food and beer like the pizza at American Flatbread, Farmhouse Tap and Grill, and (of course) Ben and Jerry’s. And there’s one really, really big lake.

Staying Power: Burlington’s waterfront has been revitalized in the past two decades as the city cleaned up derelict industrial sites to make way for parks, restaurants, a seven-mile rail-to-trail bike path, and the city’s Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center. The recession took a toll on Vermont’s economy, but Burlington ­businesses, such as Web developer Dealer.com and Green Mountain Roasters, ­continue to expand. On the food front, there’s an ­innovative cooperative that allows citizens to own a stake in a 350-acre farm outside of town.

Playgrounds: Thirty minutes from downtown, you’ll find a backcountry ski paradise in Bolton Valley, with its ­famous Bolton-Trapps trail. The ­rolling roads outside the city are perfect for cycling, while Stowe, home to one of the eastern United States’ best ski resorts and a growing ­network of mountain-bike trails, is only 45 minutes away. Then there’s Lake ­Champlain and the city’s Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, the perfect place to base your catamaran, canoe, or sea kayak and launch for the 30-minute paddle north to Lone Rock Point.

The Voters Speak: “Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe on Church Street, still one of the best places to grab a beer and a burger after a day outside.” “I love the fact that people cross-country ski to work ­after a big snowfall.” “Brew pubs, boating, biking, blue skies, Ben and Jerry’s. It ain’t B-Town for nothing.”

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If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate or Chittenden County, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market, schools and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

Burlington Vermont Real Estate: Creating Videos That Go Viral

Today was the final day of the Vermont Real Estate Conference at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center here in South Burlington Vermont. It was a day I was looking forward to as I had enrolled in a course entitled, "Volcanic Video Ideas to Make Your Messages Go Viral". The course instructor, Doug Devitre, taught us one of the most powerful tools for connecting with prospects can be the use of video on social media! He taught us how to use the web to build our authority in our niche and craft an online community of fans on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He also taught us how to move our content on other blogs and websites using RSS, status updates and widgets.

I have long recognized that my next major commitment was to begin to learn how to implement a solid video strategy on this website. As was said by Doug, "if a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million...".

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If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate or Chittenden County, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market, schools and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com