Are you a 1st time home buyer? If so, attend our FREE workshop on Wednesday June 10th from 6-8pm at the Marriott Courtyard on Cherry Street in Burlington. The Burlington Free Press along with Northfield Savings Bank and Geri Reilly, top Realtor at at Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty, will be sponsoring a free workshop on how to prepare for this life changing decision. We'll cover all the basics and answer all your questions. We'll also focus on how to get the Federal Stimulus to work for you and details on the 1st Time home buyer tax credit. Join us! For more info, dont hesitate to contact me at 802.862.6677 or geri@buyvtrealetsate.com . Hope to see you there!

Buying a home is a rewarding experience, often afforded as a result of years of hard work. With this form of luxury, though, come some additional responsibilities. Due to the widespread use of asbestos throughout the 20th century, it is essential for those involved in real estate to take the proper measures in inspecting and removing the mineral. Asbestos exposure has resulted in the development of severe lung cancers such as mesothelioma. Although medical technology continues to improve, mesothelioma claims thousands of victims every year in the United States alone. Mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, making it extremely difficult for physicians to accurately diagnose this disease. The amount of asbestos-related incidents in the country has resulted in mesothelioma lawyer firms advocating and protecting victim's individual rights. The United States government and asbestos manufactures have been heavily criticized for concealing and not acting enough to inform the public of the dangers associated with asbestos exposure. The removal of asbestos must be undertaken by a professional abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous materials. In addition, most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs. Cellulose, cotton Fiber and lcynene are all green options to be considered. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be fireproof. The United Nations Environmental Program states that usage of recycled materials such as green insulation methods and lighting can reduce energy use by 25 to 25 percent! These new alternatives will allow for a healthy lifestyle, free and clear of any damaging substances.

Asbestos in the Home

Courtesy of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center - www.asbestos.com

During rough economic times crime tends to increase. We've seen it firsthand even in Vermont, which in the past has been dubbed one of the safest states in the nation. Last week, a few days before Thanksgiving, Citizen's Bank in South Burlington was robbed! And as far as we know...we don't think the culprit has been caught yet. We've also had several home invasions including one in which the residents were home and were threatened with a weapon! Yikes! Pretty scary stuff. Thankfully, these criminals were caught! To ensure your family's safety this holiday season and beyond, here are a few tips:

Keep doors and windows locked at all times - even when you are home and awake.

Be cautious of unexpected visitors. If a stranger knocks on your door, you don't have to open it! You must also beware of scam artists selling fake products/services.

Install motion sensor lights outside of your house to deter potentials burglars.

Let your neighbors know if you go away on vacation and keep and eye out for each others' homes. Also register with FrontPorchForum.com! It's a great online tool to get connected to people in your community and keeps everyone posted on neighborhood activities, whether good news or bad.

Now, if your home is on the market for sale, you should also take extra precautions! Here are some tips to keep your home safe during showings and/or open houses:

Keep small valuables either out of plain sight or invest in a safe to keep passports, jewelry, cameras, laptops, iPods, and other valuable personal items locked up.  Remember, potential buyers may be opening drawers and closets while looking at your property.

Keep pathways to and from the house clear. Don't give anyone a place to hide when approaching your home. Trim trees and shrubs that are near entrances to deter criminal activity.

Some potential buyers like to check out homes when no one is home, peeking through windows and trying to open doors. So keep your doors (including the garage door) and windows locked while your home is on the market.

Hopefully these tips will help. If anyone has anything to add - please feel free to comment!