You hear that phrase a lot but what does that really mean?  Many times buyers will drive around neighborhoods they are interested in or to look for specific properties in order to decide whether or not to schedule a showing.  Maybe you, the seller, have put a lot of time and effort getting the inside of your house ready to show – painting, cleaning, decluttering, but if you have neglected the outside of your house, all of that work could be for nothing. 

Stand out by the curb and take a hard look at your house.  Are there toys scattered about, lawn furniture in disarray?  Are there shutters missing or askew?  Is the siding clean and in good shape?  Any peeling paint or bare wood showing?  How about that front door and the windows – are they shinny and clean?  Is your landscaping neat, lawn cut, leaves raked?  What does that roof look like and the chimney?

When a buyer drives by you want them to slow down, take a second look and say – wow – I like that house!!  When the outside is immaculate and well maintained it is expected that the interior is the same.  If it’s a mess – guess what they assume the rest of the house is like?

If you want to sell your house, you have to first get them in the door so make sure your house says Welcome, before they ever get out of the car.

Kathy Sollien, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty Bennington VT real estate sales

I just wanted to let you know about some new real estate listings we have here in beautiful, Bennington, VT. Please check out our website for pics and additional information!

At 239 Depot Street is a beautifully renovated home in the heart of Bennington. This home has more space than it looks, all new floors of ceramic tile, wood laminate and carpet.  There are 3 bedrooms, an office space , plus an extra room off the upstairs bedroom that could be an office or playroom or hobby room. Also new layout upstairs with a brand new full bath added on second floor with custom cabinet. Exisisting full bath on first floor has a custom tile tub surround. New Itailian tiled countertop in kitchen with brand new energy rated appliances and new fixtures. Downstairs has air conditioning, so rare in most homes. Also new windows upstairs and fresh paint everywhere. Basement has been spruced up as well with a vapor barrier and stone floor. New fence around property and perrenial flowers around the house make it an oasis to enjoy. It is truly move in ready! And only $129,000

If you are ready to build a home check out 388 Holy Smoke Rd it has a great building lot on 1.77 acres. 1000 gallon septic and drilled well put in 1995 from a home that was here and is gone due to fire. Driveway in place and a slab for a shed already there. This is a beautiful location in the country of Shaftsbury ready for your dream home! Lot is appraised at $70,000, but could be yours for only $60,000.

Or if you want to own a 2 family in excellent condition, there is 311 Grove Street -Enjoy this property at the end of a dead-end street bordering some woods with lovely porches, a newer 2 car garage, newer roof, and freshly painted upstairs apartment. Downstairs apartment is rented to good tenants. Great for owner occupied with a rental income for under $175,000!

We have so much more to offer for Bennington, VT real estate or Shaftsbury, VT or Pwnal, VT even nearby New York real estate, so stop by or call us. Professional Service is our guarentee!

 Our very own Troy Richardson was honored with the Realtor® of the Year Aware for 2010.  Troy has been in real estate in Bennington VT for a number of years and is co owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty.  His continued involvement in the community and the various real estate boards and activities put him first on everyones list for this award.  It is well deserved and we are very proud of him in our office. Congratulations Troy.

   Just got in from a beautiful day in Bennington,  VT,  from being out and about showing real estate to a lovely couple from out of town.   It seems so wonderful to have summer this year.  It was just last year that the weather was so rainy and chilly that we had to wear sweat shirts and jackets for most of the season.

   The grandchildren were here last week on their annual visit to Vermont.  Grammie had a chance to spend time with them traveling to Niagara Falls for a few days.  Then back in Bennington we enjoyed a family picnic with the Great Gramma , sharing stories and making memories.   With the children considering a second home in the Bennington area we had a chance to visit real estate that was of interest to them and it makes me anxious for the day that they can be here more often and for longer periods of time.

 Escape the stress of the city & find yourself driving down a winding,country road w/a canopy of trees shading your way. Pull into your driveway that takes you back thru the woods to the peace & quiet you crave. Walk into the comfort of a great room open to a gourmet’s kitchen w/professional, gas,cook range & hood & formal dining area. Sit by the flagstone hearth w/a chimney stretching to the second floor & let the warmth of the woodstove take the chill out of the air. A lg 2nd floor loft is perfect space for the kids to hang out while you entertain below. Plenty of extra space to suit your needs w/potential & for another bathroom. The attached 2 car garage has a workshop/studio above that is heated along with another one car attached garage for bikes,skies,lawn eauipmt & more. Extremely efficient, radiant heat, beautifully detailed. Make this house your year round or vacation home in time to enjoy the rest of the summer.    North Mason Hill Road, Pownal, VT $679,000.  Another great Bennington, VT piece of real estate.

ARLINGTON — While the town’s portion of the new tax rate is down half a cent, taxpayers will see their rates go up by about 4 cents in total.

The Select Board voted Monday to set the municipal tax rate at 28 cents per $100 of property valuation. The homestead education tax rate was set at $1.4872, while the nonresidential tax rate was set at $1.4580.

While the town’s tax rate is based on what it needs to raise to meet the budget, the other two numbers are largely set by the state and are created by using a formula that involves the cost per pupil in the school and the town’s common level of appraisal.

The town’s common level of appraisal stands at 92.59 percent. The figure is applied to the grand list to cover discrepancies between the list and what homes are selling for. Board member Lawrence Molloy said the town should examine its options for reappraisal or partial reappraisal, as it is one of the few factors in the education tax rate the board can control.

To calculate what a person’s property tax bill will be, the municipal rate is added to the state rate and charged per $100 of the property’s assessed value. On a $100,000 home, a person paying the homestead rate would be billed $1,768, a $36 increase over last year.

In 2009, the homestead education tax rate was set at $1.4465, while the nonresidential tax rate was set at $1.4428.

Despite the Arlington School District’s budget being down 3.8 percent from last year, the tax rate has gone up largely because of the cost per pupil. Select Board member Cynthia Browning said the state factors such things into its calculations.

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner, KEITH WHITCOMB JR.

Just an update for all you out there wondering how Bonnie and I did walking the 5k  for the Race for the Cure in Manchester, VT.  Kathy finished 9th with a time of 38:58 and Bonnie came in with a time of 57:39. Whew! glad that’s done.  Great turnout and our team – Team Realtors – was first in the team fundraising bringing in over $11,000.  Bonnie and Kathy are both Bennington, VT real estate agents, if you didn’t know that already.  See you again next year.

Yeah! Here at RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty in Bennington, VT we have recently acquired our NY license to practice real estate in our neighboring towns in NY.  This is great for so many people are thinking of selling in NY and buying in VT or buying in NY and selling in VT. This is one stop service. Lilli West has lived in Hoosick Falls, NY and Bennington and Shaftsbury, VT so she is familiar with all these markets and looks forward to being available to those on the fence for which state they want to purchase their home in.

Typically, a home in nearby NY is a little less expensive than a comparable one in Benningotn, VT, however taxes in NY tend to be a little higher, so you have to way the pros and cons. Talk to a real estate professional or your local town office to find out taxes on a particular property, also price per sqaure foot as compared to another home.

There are all kinds of details to think about when choosing your home, whether it be in Bennington or Hoosick Falls, Cambridge or Arlington, Petersburg or Pownal…we are here to help!

July 7, 2010 — The Vermont Association of REALTORS® is once again sponsoring the VT-NH Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Saturday, July 17^th at Hildene Meadows, Manchester, Vermont. It’s the 9^th year that Team REALTOR® will be participating.

 The Vermont Association of REALTORS® has a long history of giving back to the community and this annual event garners enthusiastic participation among the REALTOR® community. This year Team REALTOR® is on track to increase the size of the team and is expecting 45 -50 supporters from across the state. They’ve made a $10,000 goal and are currently in second place for pledges made. See www.vtREALTOR.com for more about joining Team REALTOR® or making a pledge.

Check this Blog on Monday to see how Bonnie and Kathy did in the race!  We will represent the Bennington VT real estate agents unless we see any of our fellow Realtors® on Saturday.

It was a great day in October 2009 when this little orange bundle of  fur joined our team here at our  Bennington, Vermont real estate office.  Weighing in at 5 ounces he had a great physical exam at the Veterinarians office.  Everyone fell in love with him.   Here is his story:

After being found with several siblings at a property that was vacant, 3 of my siblings went to the local Humane Society for a 2nd Chance.   I was left on Bonnie’s desk knowing that she would instantly fall in love with me.  Of course she did and asked the office staff what I should be named.  Joe said, “what about Remax” and it was purr-fect!

I am growing up now and gonna be a year old in September.  I am sooooo happy in my new home.  I have a sister Katie and 2 dog brothers, Harley and Bailey.  I did run away once when my big sister pushed the screen out of the window but I hid under the shed and my brother Harley found me and told Grammie where I was.  I was scared but mom got me out from under the shed and I am not doing that again!

I weigh about 10 pounds now and thought I would attach a few pictures of myself and my family.  Remember to visit my moms office for all of your real estate needs in Bennington, VT.