Wanted to take a minute to Welcome Karen Perrott and Donna Poulen as new members of our RE’MAX team here in Bennington, VT.  They will be residental real estate associates in the Bennington, VT area.  Karen comes with over a year of experience and Donna with over 10 years.  It is a pleasure to be working with these two young professional women.

Hello, my name is Donna and this is my first blog.  I’m now working at one of the best real estate offices in Bennington, VT.  I specialize in residential real estate. Stop by and say hello at 203 Northside Dr.

So maybe you didn’t even know I was gone but my husband and I have been on our first ever cruise doing some island hopping in the US Virgin Islands and just returned last Sunday!  Wow – if you’ve never been on a cruise you must do it at least once in your lifetime.  Warm ocean breezes, fun and interesting excursions on the islands, great food and lots of it, more things to do than there is time for and meeting some wonderful people. 

Of course, now – it’s back to reality for me and a desk full of work.  Jumped right in with a new listing on Monday and more to come in the next couple of weeks.   I’m looking forward to a busy 2010 and growing this business by leaps and bounds.  See what a little time off can do for you!!

Kathy Sollien

On Friday, February 13, Kathy and Troy on Real Estate Today discuss how to start the process of buying a home.

Buying a home can seem overwhelming to anyone who has never been through this process but can be equally confusing to those that have purchased a home before as times have changed, markets have changed, the mortgage industry and requirements have changed as well as how Realtors work together within our Multiple Listing Service. We often sit down with buyers who have begun their search by looking at homes yet this is actually the second or third step in the process.

The place to start is in determining how much of a mortgage you may be qualified for and what the costs are associated with getting a mortgage so that you not only are looking at homes in the appropriate price range but you also understand what is expected in the form of closing costs. Begin with the local bank you are currently using for your checking and savings accounts and make an appointment. Remember, at this stage in the game you are just gathering information so don’t feel that you are obligated to any one mortgage professional. Just explain when making your appointment that you are looking to purchase a home and want to get prequalified and learn about their different mortgage products. It is also a good idea to do some comparison shopping, speak with several banks and mortgage brokers to find out what they offer in the form of interest rates and costs.

There are many steps in the buying process so begin by gathering information and speaking to several local Realtors to find someone you are comfortable working with. Your Realtor will help to guide you through the process and answer any and all of your questions. Your goal is to buy yourself a home and your Realtor wants to make this home buying experience a pleasant one.

You can listen to this show by from our website. This is a large file, and may take 1-2 minutes to download.

Real Estate Today is a weekly radio show produced by RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty, hosted by Kathy Sollien and Troy Richardson. The show airs each Friday on WBTN AM 1370 in the Bennington VT area. You may listen live each week on the web through their streaming website at www.wbtnam.org or you may listen to past shows on iTunes.