Is your home ready for winter?

It's official: winter is just around the corner. While Burlington has had mild temperatures the last few weeks (postponing the opening weekends of several local ski resorts), the thermometer has started to drop and flurries were flying this morning! I just found this article of Better Homes & Gardens about preparing your home for winter- so if you haven't started, please take a look! http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/weatherizing/prepare-your-home-for-winter/?page=1 Perfoming the items on this list can save you money on heating costs this winter, as well as maintenance costs further down the line!

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR

Looking to get the holiday started?!?!

There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the holiday season throughout Chittenden County, and the Burlington Free Press just released its Holiday Arts Preview for those of us hoping to get a peek at all the holiday arts & entertainment shows scheduled for our area in the upcoming month. Whether you are looking to purchase tickets to "The Nutcracker" at The Fynn, or hoping to catch "The Logger's Holiday Variety Show", make sure you check out this calender of local events: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991125018

Today is the final day of the Women's Festival of Crafts at Burlington's City Hall, so make sure you check it out! The 20th annual craft show features 50 booths of vermont women crafters and ends at 5:00 p.m. today! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping while supporting fantastic local artists: http://womensfestivalofcrafts.com/default.aspx

For all you "Twi-hards" in the market for a new home....

You can now purchase the Cullen family home that was featured in the film New Moon. I found the listing on HookedonHouses.net (http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/11/19/you-can-buy-edward-cullens-house-from-new-moon/), and had to join the Twilight-mania! The 5 bedroom, 2 full bath modern design home is situated on a .5 acre creekside lot in Vancouver, Canada. For just $2,298,000 you can truly own a piece of the Twilight saga! To view the listing, please visit:http://www.soprovich.com/home40.html

However, if you're like me- seeing the home featured in the movie is probably the closest you will ever get! Of course, if you are interested in purchasing this home- I can refer you to an agent in the area that can assist you!

Jamie Wright, Realtor

JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Just Reduced! For those of you who missed the last Open House....

I will be hosting an Open House this Sunday, November 22nd, from 1:00-3:00 at this fantastic custom-built home on 75 Muirfield Road in Burlington! There was an amazing turnout for the last Open House, so if you weren't able to make it to the previous one, be sure to stop by this weekend BEFORE THIS AWESOME HOME SELLS! This pristine home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an open kitchen overlooking the living room with cozy woodburning fireplace and MUCH more.

Did I mention that it just had a $15,000 price reduction?!?! NOW OFFERED AT $399,000!

Located in the sought-after Appletree Point neighborhood, this home also has access to the private neighborhood beach and 2 pools! City park, tennis and basketball courts, and the Burlington

bike path are all just a block away!

Burlington, VT named one of the "Coolest"!

Travel & Leisure just released a list of "America's Coolest College Towns", and Burlington, VT landed a spot- adding yet another accolade to its already impressive list! Given that I arrived in Burlington to attend the University of Vermont and- 5 years after graduating- still haven't been able to leave this amazing area, I can certainly attest first-hand to the validity of Burlington being named a one of the "coolest" college towns! To read the entire article, please visit:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-coolest-college-towns/6/

Some other recent commendations for Burlington, VT include "Healthiest City in the U.S.", "Greenest Small City", and "Safe Haven for Real Estate". If you are thinking of moving to the Burlington area, please feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to assist you in finding your next home in this captivating city!

Jamie Wright, Realtor
JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Stop by this Sunday from 1:00-3:00!

I'll be hosting an Open House this Sunday- November 15th- from 1:00-3:00 at 177 Hayes Avenue in South Burlington. This spacious 4 bedroom Colonial boasts 2000 square feet of living space and is in move-in condition! The home features an amazing four-season sunroom that overlooks a sunny and fully-fenced backyard- ideal for BBQ's and entertaining!

Now that the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been officially extended (and expanded!!!), it's time for all of your home shoppers that thought it was too late to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit to start reviving your new home search!

If you can't make it to the Open House on Sunday, but don't want to miss out on seeing this charming home, please feel free to call or e-mail me and I will set up a showing for you! (802)846-9530 or JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Can't wait to see you there!

CHEAP and Easy Kitchen Updates!

Cheap and Easy- 2 magical words that homeowners love to hear! It is no surprise that kitchens have the biggest impact on buyers when they are searching for a new home. If you are thinking of selling your home and want to freshen up your kitchen, or if you just want a change, take a quick peek at this article that I found on The Nest. For under $500 you can give your kitchen a totally new look! http://ideas.thenest.com/decor-tricks/home-renovations/Articles/renovate-your-kitchen-for-500.aspx

Open House this Sunday in Sought-After Burlington Neighborhood!

Stop by my Open House this Sunday, November 8th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and tour this beautiful custom built Burlington home! Located in Appletree Point, this spacious one-level home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms on a lovely .4 acre lot! Offered at $415,000.

I would love to see you there, but if you can't make it....be sure to spread the word! If you have any questions regarding this home, or would like to schedule a private showing, please feel free to call or e-mail me: 802-846-9530 or JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Extension to the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Inching Forward!

First-time homebuyers that haven't yet found their next home may still be able to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit! Yesterday, the Senate voted 85-2 to move the bill that is proposing to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit until April 30, 2010 to a final vote. The current tax credit is set to expire on November 30, 2009 and offers no incentive to current homeowners. Conversely, the proposed bill would not only extend the tax credit for first-time homebuyers, but also render repeat buyers, that have owned their homes for at least 5 years, eligible for a reduced $6,500 tax credit!
http://blogs.forbes.com/moneybuilder/2009/11/03/homebuyer-tax-credit-closer-to-extension/