Is your home "market ready"?

2010 is just around the corner, and many homeowners are planning to sell their current homes in the new year. In order to ensure that your home sells in the least amount of time and for the highest dollar, your home should be well staged and market ready! I found this article on Realtor.com that offers a great list of items that should be done to your home prior to putting it on the market: http://www.realtor.com/Basics/Sell/PrepHome/GetReady.asp?source=hp.
If you are planning on selling your home this year- please feel free to call or e-mail me, as I would love to discuss the marketing of your home! To view the complete inventory of homes on the market in Chittenden County, don't forget to check out Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty's newly enhanced website: http://www.hickokandboardman.com/



-Jamie Wright, REALTOR

JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Check out the Griswolds' House!

Since its release in 1989, the Griswold family's house- as seen in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation- has practically become an American icon. Yesterday, one of my favorite blogs, Hooked On Houses (http://hookedonhouses.net/), posted this tour of the Griswold's house: http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/20/griswold-house-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation/. So in the spirt of the holiday, I thought I would pass it along...Enjoy!!

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR

photo credit: Hookedonhouses.net

Protect Your Home this Holiday Season

For many homeowners, the holidays mean traveling to see friends and family. Although Vermont is ranked the #2 safest state in the nation (according to CQ Press's Annual Crime Rating: http://www.walletpop.com/insurance/safest-states), homeowners should still take exta precautions when leaving their homes unattended for a number of days. To ensure your family returns home to the same house you left behind, please take a look at these suggested precautions (courtesy of the Burlington Police Department):

*Lock all doors and windows: use deadbolts

*Store all valuables and personal belongings out of sight, securely inside your residence

*Draw all first floor shades and window treatments to prevent thieves from "window shopping"

*Utilize timed lights and/or motion lights to deter thieves

*Notify trusted neighbors of your travel plans

*Arrange to have mail and other deliveries to your home stopped or picked up

Of couse, may your travels be safe as well, and have a very happy holiday!


-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

Energy and MONEY saving tips!

Virtually everyone is looking to cut costs lately...and a great place to save some money is on your utility bills. The number one way to save on your utility bills is to cut back on energy consumption. I found this article on RealSimple.com that offers some fantastic ideas on how to cut back on your home's electric bill: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/save-electric-bill-00000000005997/index.html By implementing some of these suggestions, you'll be helping the environment too!

If you're looking for a new (more energy efficiet) home, make sure to visit http://www.hickokandboardman.com/, and search our entire inventory of properties!
-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
JWright@HickokandBoardman.com

A GREAT day trip from Burlington (for skiers AND non-skiers)!

If you haven't been to Stowe Mountain recently...you might not recognize it! The mountain just underwent $400 million worth of upgrades- including a beautiful new "rustic chic" base lodge at Spruce Peak, a new gondola, and a new pedestrian village (complete with heated walkways)! Both skiers and non-skiers alike will find plenty of ways to entertain themselves in Stowe- which is a mere 45 minute ride from Burlington. In fact, Stowe was just written up in The New York Times 2010 Ski Guide- check it out! This article is loaded with great suggestions for all the hot spots to dine, lodge, enjoy a little apres-ski, and more: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/travel/13hours.html

Of course, if you are headed to Stowe from Burlington, no trip is complete without a quick stop at the Cabot Cheese Annex Store, where you can sample all of their delicious varieties of cheddar and "fuel up" for the slopes! http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/visit_us/

Photo credit: New York Times Travel

Jamie Wright, REALTOR

Open House Sunday- Great Condo Alternative!

: Want to procrastinate the holiday shopping a bit more?! Stop by my Open House at 58 Matthew Avenue in Burlington anytime from 1:00-3:00 this Sunday, December 12th, and see this adorable 2 bedroom Ranch for yourself! The home features an updated kitchen with dining area, a spacious master bedroom, finished basement with a bar, 2 car garage and much more!

DIRECTIONS: Head north on North Avenue, turn right onto Ethan Allen Parkway. Turn left onto James Avenue, followed by a right onto Matthew Avenue. House #58 will be on the right...look for the signs!