• Thinking about waiting till the spring to sell your Burlington or Vermont home? Think again, the winter provides a different market which provides some great reasons for taking action now! Here are some great reasons not to wait until the spring from Neighborhood Real Estate:

   

  • Less competition: there is less inventory in the winter because of the very people who are all waiting until the spring to list, therefore less competition. This gives your listing a wonderful advantage.
  • Higher price points: less competition can often correlate with better selling price and terms! You are more likely to catch buyers in a "bidding war" when there are less homes on the market.
  • Corporate Relocations: Historically in the first 2 months of the year relocations for corporations are high, which equals motivated buyers. Because they are encouraged to move quickly and start their new positions as soon as possible. Which makes these buyers focused, ready and willing, to make an offer on the spot! 
  • Lower Interest Rates: currently you can lock in an interest rate around the 4% range, which is historically low.
  • Winter can bring out the best: Most homes show and stage better in the cold winter months. Holiday decor and cozy fireplaces add to the ambiance and cozy feeling of your home.
  • Serious Buyers: Buyers who are taking the time to brave the winter weather or busy holiday time are often very serious, and are usually pre-qualified and motivated to make a decision.
  • Timing your new home purchase: if you do choose to list and sell your home in the beginning of the year and are looking to buy you will then be ready and available for the first pick of the spring market inventory. Especially if you need to sell to buy.
  • Quicker Transactions: Attorneys, lenders and home inspectors will be less busy and have less to process during the winter months compared to the spring. Which, for you, will mean a quicker transaction and less stress when trying to close.
• Regardless when you do decide it's time to sell your home it is important to understand the real estate market so you can make the best decision. Check out some of our other helpful Vermont real estate selling tips and resources. For more information about the Vermont real estate market or about selling your home, contact Geri or an agent today!

Here are a few apps available to help you in your search for the perfect home!

Redfin - this multiple listing service powered real estate app gives you info on-the-go such as photos, full details, property history and agent notes!

Realtor.com - this app has many useful features as well as accurate information. It uses your location to show you homes in the area for sale. It also makes it easy to contact listing agents!

CalcsFree - this app helps agents show buyers how much their mortgage will be for any given property by plugging in an offer amount, the taxes and insurance payments, and the HOA fees and mortgage insurance.

Trulia - this apps alerts homebuyers, sellers and renters everything from local market info on median sale prices, details on area schools and crime rates on color-coded maps. It also details price-reduction history for different properties.

PictNote - buyers using this app can combine pictures with notes as well as save locations to keep potential properties organized.

Zillow - using this app buyers can search for houses for sale, rent, etc. You can find properties by searching via location, address or voice search. It is easy to share property finds with friends and be notified of new listings.

Sitegeist - an app that has many uses, depending on your location is provides interested data about the surrounding area such as average age of residents, commuting trends, popular nearby places, average temp, etc.

Homesnap - snap a photo of any home to get instant property details for example, home values, if it was recently sold and when, bedroom & bathroom count, taxes, lot boundaries, local amenities, etc! If the home is on the market interior photos even may be available. You can also contact a real estate agent to schedule a home or list your own home via the app!

These phone apps can help in making the home buying process go a little bit smoother!

 

 

Learn more here!

As Vermont's second-largest town by population, Colchester covers a wide area of land just north of Burlington and is home to St. Michael's College, Vermont Public Radio, numerous shops and one of the last drive-in theaters in Vermont. Located along the I-89 corridor, Colchester is within minutes of the Burlington International Airport, rail and bus stations.

One of the biggest draws to the area is beautiful Lake Champlain - Colchester has more lake frontage than any city or town surrounding the lake. Here you will find one of the most picturesque spots on the lake, Malletts Bay. Sailboats dock at the five area marinas in the summer, providing stunning scenery for the gorgeous lake sunsets. Being on the lake provides access to plenty of water sports including water-skiing, sailing, fishing, swimming and stand-up paddle boarding.

Outdoor activities don't end with the lake, there are 11 parks and natural areas in Colchester that offer residents and visitors lots of recreational options. One of the most unique spots is the Causeway Recreation Path that extends 4 miles across Lake Champlain and provides fantastic views for walkers and bikers.

Colchester real estate features an incredibly diverse selection of homes and properties--from multi-million dollar estates on Lake Champlain to affordable homes in quiet wooded neighborhoods.

Looking for a home in Colchester? Here are a few of our Colchester listings:

142 Crooked Creek Road

Enjoy stunning lake views from this impressive 3 BR/4 BA lakefront home with spectacular sun room, gourmet kitchen with custom cherry cabinets, elegant living room with fireplace, private master suite, game room and 600' of lakeshore, dock and mooring.

 

250 Buckingham Drive

Enjoy breathtaking Lake Champlain and Adirondack views from this beautifully upgraded 4 BR/2.5 BA one level home with Chef's kitchen with granite counters, double sided fireplace, sunroom with lots of windows overlooking lake, private master suite, 100' of lake frontage and 2 moorings.

 

44 Longwood Circle

A beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood, this 4 BR/2.5 BA Contemporary has an open floor plan, living room with fireplace, kitchen with lots of cabinets, cozy den open to wonderful sunroom, 1^st floor master suite, finished lower level and spacious private backyard with in-ground pool.

 

27 Causeway Road

Beautiful Adirondack style 2-3 BR/1 ¾ BA home with an open floor plan with stained shiplap walls, upgraded kitchen with center island, master suite with tiled bath, 3 decks with different views including the lake and Mills Point beach rights.

 

If you're interested in seeing more homes for sale in Colchester, click here.