How to Be Showing Savvy | Houselogic by REALTORS
Getting smart — about what to do, ask, and avoid — can move you ahead of the crowd.
Ah, the house showing — a chance to imagine yourself knocking out walls and doing gut rehabs on other people’s kitchens. That’s the stuff dreams are made of (or at least HGTV episodes).
Seriously, going to open houses and scheduled private showings is one of the most exciting parts of the home buying experience. Beyond the voyeuristic thrill, you can assess aspects that are more difficult to see online.
Before you start touring homes, first discuss your needs and wants with your partner (if you have one), do some online research, and talk with your agent and your lender. That way, you — and your agent — can take a targeted approach. That will save you time and can give you an edge over your buying competition.
So, before you start viewing, follow these tips.
Know Which Houses Are ‘Open’
If you’re looking for open houses, ways to find them include:
Ask your agent. They will have details on specific properties and can keep you informed of open houses that fit your criteria.
Use listing websites. A number of property sites let you search active listings for upcoming open houses and tours. On realtor.com®, for instance, individual property listings will note an upcoming open house.
Scroll social media. On Instagram, you can search the hashtag #openhouse or similar tags for your city (#openhousedallas, for example), to discover open houses. Many real estate agents and brokerages post open house announcements on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Find ones from your area and start following.
Drive around. Cruise through the neighborhoods you’re interested in. it’s a good way to get a sense of the area amenities — and look for open house signs.
YEAR IN REVIEW | KELLEY REAL ESTATE | VIDEO
Thanks for another great year! In the Heart of the Okemo Valley, Kelley Real Estate is located in Ludlow. Agents are available to assist you throughout the day, every day! We have an extensive knowledge of the communities in which we live and work and are committed to providing both our sellers and buyers the best service in a personal and professional manner
When it’s Time to Buy or Sell…For Personal and Professional Service…
Choose Kelley Real Estate!
INTERACTIVE MARKET REPORT | Ludlow And The Okemo Valley
OKEMO VALLEY POST FLOOD BUSINESS UPDATE | OKEMO VALLEY CHAMBER
Okemo Valley Post Flood Business Update
Okemo Valley, VT: It has been a very challenging time for the Okemo Valley region, but we wanted to update everyone on the tremendous progress that has been made since the devastating floods in July. To reopen, some businesses received grants from the Okemo Valley Disaster Fund (a collaborative effort of the Okemo Valley Chamber, fiscal agent Ludlow Rotary Club Foundation, and partners from the region), FEMA, through the state, and disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA), while others used their own crowdfunding.
Ludlow Vermont
The Okemo Marketplace Plaza is across the street from the entrance to Okemo Mountain Resort. The plaza was ground zero for the July flood and mudslide and was dramatically depicted in national media during the early days of the disaster. Soon after the flood, the following businesses were able to reopen: Tygart Mountain Sports, Ludlow Pharmacy, Ludlow Laundromat, and Java Baba’s Coffee Shop. The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, which also serves as a Visitor Center, reopened in October. Previously, the chamber temporarily operated out of the Engel & Volkers Building on Main Street as part of the Disaster Recovery Center. Green Mountain Fireplace Specialties, which temporarily moved their store, returned and opened on Black Friday, Nov 24th. December will see additional openings of Four Season Sotheby’s International Real Estate, a now expanded Darkside Snowboard Shop and a brand new restaurant “Little Mexico” making the Okemo Marketplace Plaza fully occupied and operational once again. Later in December a new clock and specialized lighting will update and put the finishing on the plaza’s clock tower building.
Okemo Mountain Resort had to rebuild a rail track bridge on the property and experienced other considerable impacts. Tremendous effort allowed them to reopen for summer operations soon afterwards.
Shaw’s Plaza is home to M&T Bank branch which reopened on July 24th, and to Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates and Inside Edge Rentals which reopened in September. Unfortunately, Rite Aid Pharmacy will not be reopening (Ludlow Pharmacy is still available for prescriptions & sundries), and Shaw’s Supermarket will roll out its 2024 reopening plan at a Town of Ludlow Development Review Board meeting on Monday December 11th where the public is welcome. In the meantime, Shaw’s currently offers online sales and local drive-up pick-up: https://local.shaws.com/vt/ludlow/213-main-st/grocery-delive…. They are transitioning this location from an outside tent into the former Rite Aid Pharmacy location. For other grocery options in Okemo Valley: https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/services/?bus_category=gr….
The historic Mill Building along Main Street in Ludlow, will see 80Brew reopening in late December to early January 2024. Mojo’s Cafe has relocated into the Mill Building and has been busy rebuilding the former Café Delight space with plans to reopen in January – February (or sooner!). The Mill Building Association President Erick Alden reports that engineering plans are on track with certain other rebuilding details still being finalized and is upbeat for a positive outcome.
The south-east side of the village has Ludlow Health & Dental Centers which just reopened in November. Knights Tubs, Spas & Pools was also able to reopen. Unfortunately, Sam’s Steakhouse, Mr. Darcy’s Bar & Grill and Subway had to close and are pursuing FEMA Buyouts. Across the street the Timber Inn Motel is in the final stage of FEMA Buyout.
Proctorville/Cavendish
After much effort, Outer Limits Brewing is reopening this month. Castle Hill Resort & Spas, the Golden Stage Inn and Murdock’s on the Green all remained open. The former Crow’s Nest Bakery was significantly flooded and a newly purposed rebuilding effort remains underway.
Plymouth/Tyson
Echo Lake Inn, Inn at Water’s Edge, and Common Good in Plymouth stayed mostly open while flood rebuilding was done. Farm & Wilderness Camps has a challenging summer but are gearing up for 2024.
Mount Holly/Belmont
Crowley Cheese remained open. Harry’s Café suffered damage and just reopened this month.
Weston
Moving south along the Scenic Route 100 Byway, The Weston Village Store and Weston Village Christmas Shop both reopened soon after the flood. The Weston Theater Company continues to fundraise and sponsor special events to rebuild their historic Playhouse. In the meantime, they have been using their newer Walker Farm Theater Building for performances and fundraisers. The Left Bank Restaurant at The Weston soon reopened after the flood, they began offering lodging in September and opened their new Spa in October. The Weston Museums, which operate seasonally, suffered some damage while the Vermont Country Store was able to remain open.
Londonderry
Further south along Route 100 in Londonderry, the Londonderry Village Market, Jamaica Cottage Shop, M&T Bank branch and Heritage Family Credit union were able to remain open. Magic Mountain Ski Area and the Viking Nordic Center saw some impacts but are returning to normal.
Okemo Valley continues to welcome visitor to the region! To find:
• RESTAURANTS: https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/dine
• LODGING: https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/where-to-stay
It is with great pride and admiration to all who rolled up their sleeves with donations or with sweat equity to get Okemo Valley communities back on track, thank you all.
The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-driven association and the voice of 300+ businesses and the communities of 12 Towns & Villages in South Central Vermont from the VT Scenic Route 100 Byway to Interstate Route 91, and surrounded by Okemo, Ascutney & Magic Mountains. OVRCC provides advocacy, support, and unified regional marketing to promote and enhance businesses in the region as well as the four-season economy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carol Lighthall, Executive Director, Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
clighthall@yourplaceinvermont.com 802-228-5830
MOUNT HOLLY CIDER DAYS 2023 | OKEMO VALLEY TV
Feds Want To Make It Easier for Home Buyers To ‘Build Wealth’ With Accessory Dwelling Units | Marketwatch
PHILADELPHIA—A new federal housing policy will make it easier for some home buyers to qualify for a mortgage by allowing them to include rental income from accessory dwelling units as part of their application.
The Federal Housing Administration announced Monday that under a new policy, it will allow lenders to count income from accessory dwelling units when underwriting a mortgage. The rental income from the ADU will be included in the borrower’s qualifying income.
The change in policy will “allow more borrowers to qualify for FHA financing for properties with ADUs,” the FHA said in a press release.
“This not only helps more people qualify for a mortgage and build wealth, it also helps to boost the supply in neighborhoods where housing is least available,” Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon said during the Mortgage Bankers’ Association’s annual press conference on Monday.
What to Expect During a Home Inspection | Houselogic Blog by REALTORS
From finding an inspector to dealing with surprises — this is your guide to getting a house checked out.
The first thing you need to know about a home inspection: You’ll feel all the feels.
There’s the excitement — the inspection could be the longest time you’re in the house, after the showing.
Right behind that comes … anxiety. What if the inspector finds something wrong? So wrong you can’t buy the house?
Then there’s impatience. Seriously, is this whole home buying process over yet?
Not yet. But you’re close. So take a deep breath. Because here’s the most important thing to know about home inspection: It’s just too good for you, as a buyer, to skip. Here’s why.
A Home Inspector Is Your Protector
An inspector helps you make sure a house isn’t hiding anything before you commit for the long haul. (Think about it this way: You wouldn’t even get coffee with a stranger without checking out their history.)
A home inspector identifies any reasonably discoverable problems with the house (a leaky roof, faulty plumbing, etc.). Hiring an inspector is you doing your due diligence. To find a good one (more on how to do that soon), it helps to understand what’s involved in the typical home inspection.
What Home Inspector Won’t Check
Generally, inspectors examine houses for only problems that can be seen with the naked eye. They won’t tear down walls or use X-ray vision to find hidden faults.
Inspectors also won’t put themselves in danger. If a roof is too high or steep, for example, they won’t climb up to check for missing or damaged shingles. Instead, they’ll use binoculars to examine it.
They can’t predict the future, either. While an inspector can give you a rough idea of how many more years that roof will hold up, they can’t tell you exactly when it will need to be replaced.
Finally, home inspectors are often generalists. A basic inspection doesn’t routinely include a thorough evaluation of:
Swimming pools
Wells
Septic systems
Structural engineering work
The ground beneath a home
Fireplaces and chimneys
When it comes to wood-burning fireplaces, for instance, most inspectors will open and close dampers to make sure they’re working, check chimneys for obstructions like bird nests, and note if they believe there’s reason to pursue a more thorough safety inspection.
If you’re concerned about the safety of a fireplace, you can hire a certified chimney inspector for about $300 to $600 per chimney; find one through the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Click to read complete article and more from Houselogic
WINTER GARDENING TIPS | VERMONT HOME GARDENER
Fenn Farmstead in Mount Holly, Vermont
Here we are… winter in Vermont with beautiful snow, cold nighttime temperatures, but there’s still plenty to keep a good gardener busy. If you haven’t ordered your garden seeds yet, that is your #1 priority! Look at the short list of local seed companies that I list in the full article (or any others that you like) and you can browse their online catalogs from the comfort of home. Don’t delay, the best varieties sell out first. In this article I offer a few short winter tips and easy-to-do ideas that will prove useful and make the coming garden season more productive. If you can’t wait and want to grow something in mid-winter, consider micro-greens or sprouts to have freshly grown salad greens right now.
Winter Garden Tips…
- Repurpose your Christmas tree. Most Christmas trees are down but can still be useful. Cut off the boughs and use them for winter protection. The boughs can be laid over perennials, providing some additional protection from desiccating winds and temperature fluctuations. Place the boughs right on the snow over where the plants are. Alternatively, if you put the intact tree near other trees or bushes it will provide great winter shelter for small birds on cold windy nights.
- What can I grow in Vermont winters? Seed sprouts are very easy, tasty, and a nutritious addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a side dish. Here is a quick video to help you get started with a homemade sprouter. I use a simple Bioset sprouting tray from Johnny’s Seeds that keeps fresh sprouts coming in but there are several other types available online. Seeds for sprouting are offered online by High Mowing Seeds, Johnny’s Seeds, and many other seed companies. The most common seeds used for sprouting include alfalfa, mung beans, broccoli, radish, kale, etc. Mixes of these are available and provide great flavor and nutritional diversity.
- There are many good seed sources nationwide but if you prefer to buy locally, as I do, here are some suggestions.
- High Mowing Seed Company – Vermont based, all organic seeds, great selection.
- FEDCO Seeds – based in Maine, good seeds, supplies, & tools, lower prices.
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds – based in Maine, organic & non-organic seeds, huge selection
- Vermont Bean Seed Company – beans, vegetables, fruits, and more.
- Vermont Wildflower Farm – wildflowers, perennials, bulbs, and veggies.
- Maine Potato Lady – specialize in potatoes & onions
- Caring for Poinsettias. Remove the decorative pot cover to allow drainage. Place your plant in a location with bright light (6 hours/day, or more) and temperatures between 60-70oF. Allow poinsettias to dry between watering but not wilt. The plant is ready to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch and, when the pot and plant are lifted, it will feel relatively light. One of the most common issues with poinsettias is root rot, so avoid overwatering by letting the soil dry out thoroughly in between waterings. Given favorable conditions the colorful flowers (bracts) will retain their color through the winter and the plant will grow over summer to become a flowering plant again next winter.
- Too early to fertilize. House plants can begin to look very tired and weak at this time of year but resist the temptation to give them fertilizer. It’s best to not stimulate new upper growth until daylength gets longer and plants can grow stronger. If your plants have become a bit too tall or lanky due to low light levels they can be pruned back now in preparation for the new grow phase that’s about to begin as daylength gets longer (over 10 hours/day). Don’t be shy with your pruning shears. Removing 30-50% of the tops will stimulate the roots to re-grow strong new shoots for the spring. Even outdoor plants brought indoors like geraniums, fuchsia, petunias, and begonias will respond well to this treatment.
- Got Bugs? Inspect your indoor plants regularly for any signs of small bugs such as aphids or white flies. They get started slowly but can built up fast when tender new growth (triggered by fertilization) appears on the plants. Both can be easily removed with finger wiping & squishing or with a cool (not cold!) shower while the plant is held sideways. After the plant leaves have dried apply insecticidal soap spray or neem oil weekly. You really need to spray all the plant leaves, top and bottom, to control them. Do this spraying in the shower or bathtub to avoid getting the soap residues on your windows or furniture. Amazing Fact: Baby aphids are born pregnant so they increase in numbers very fast so repeated treatments every week or two may be essential. Got scale? Scrape off the hard adults with your fingernail and then wipe the whole leaves off with an alcohol soaked cloth to get rid of any young “crawlers”. If you find a leaf heavily covered with scales it might be best to cut it off and dispose of outdoors.
- Birdhouses can serve as temporary shelters during winter storms. Leave last summer’s nesting materials inside to provide some comfort for birds seeking refuge. Clean them out thoroughly after the last winter storms have passed.
- Young fruit trees and shrubs become winter food for hungry deer and rabbits so now is a good time to apply a repellent such as Deer Away, Plantskydd, or your own homemade deer repellent to the smaller branches and stems. Be sure to coat the tips completely and re-apply every 4 weeks to prevent deer and rabbits from chewing tender new stems and tips.
- De-icers can damage nearby plants thru soil accumulation from runoff. Most deicers are salts, some worse than others. Sodium chloride has the most potential to damage plants, followed by calcium chloride. Potassium chloride and magnesium chloride have less potential to damage plants, but it is still possible, especially with overuse. Use as little as possible needed for safety. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is another option that is often used in environmentally sensitive areas. Consider using plain sand that improves traction instead of salts for melting.
- Keep on Composting! No reason to stop now. No bears to worry about either! Sure, the compost pile/bin is frozen solid, but so what? Keep adding your kitchen scraps (egg shells, coffee grounds, paper napkins, etc.) so that come spring your compost will be well fed and ready to generate more soil enrichment.
“Hang in there, within 4 weeks the maple sap will be flowing. Within 6 weeks, the earliest migratory birds will begin to arrive. Within 8 weeks, the early spring wildflowers will emerge from the Earth. You will feel the warm sun on your face again.” ~ Nick Stow
Read More at the Vermont Home Gardener Blog
How To Build A retaining Wall | Houselogic | NAR
If your backyard or garden is having a problem with erosion or unstable soil, your solution could be a retaining wall. It can play a key role in yard and garden function, design, and safety. Learn some tips and tricks for installing a retaining wall and deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro.
Tips Before You Build Your Retaining Wall
Before you get started on your retaining wall, consider these tips:
- Carefully select your materials: You can construct retaining walls from several different materials, such as wood, stone, or concrete. Select the one that works best with your garden design. Also, check if you’ll need an adhesive for your material. Some wall bricks are interlocking; others need masonry cement.
- Add drainage to your wall: Fill the back of your retaining wall with gravel or sand. This will prevent wet soil from building up when it rains. You may need to add a drainage pipe if rainfall is heavy and frequent enough.
- Wait for dry soil: You don’t want to build your wall on wet soil because the soil can expand and give you inappropriate dimensions.
To read more click link:
How to Build a Retaining Wall