B-Town Is Recognized Again!!

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine just released a list of the 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade, and Burlington came in at #8 on the list! In compiling the list, the editors focused primarily on areas with a great amount of INNOVATION (the amount of which was determined by a stong presence of three components: smart people, great ideas, and collaboration). Not suprisingly, Burlington is acknowledged for its innovation in environmentalism-in energy consumption, food production, economic growth, etc. To read the entire article (and see which other cities made the list), click here.

Can you think of any place better to purchase your next home than in a charming city that has been named one of the country's ten best cities FOR THE NEXT DECADE?!? If you are thinking of buying a home in the Burlington area, feel free to call or e-mail me today!

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com
(802)846-9530

Moving Out (or In) this Spring??...If so, (you may want to) mark your calendar!

I was reading through Seven Days today and I saw this article about the new craze of "Dumpster Diving". (The whole idea behind it being that one man's trash might be another man's treasure.) While (I think) many people aren't about to plunge into a dumpster or garbage can to salvage unwanted homegoods...it did get me thinking how inexpensively one could furnish a new home or apartment- especially given the proliferation of online forums such as Craig's List, Front Porch Forum, etc. (Of course, there are still places like ReCycle North and even garage sales for the "old-fashioned" bargain-hunters.)

Then, I saw an advertisement for the Spring Move Out Project (SMOP), and thought I would pass it along (in hopes of saving a few people from throwing themselves into dumpsters). SMOP is taking place May 28th this year, and promotes the reuse and recycling of unwanted items by both individuals and local community organizations. Partipants can drop off, or exchange, their unwanted items (not to be confused with garbage!) between the hours of 11:00-3:00 at Loomis Street in Burlington- between North Willard and School Streets. Many students and homeowners that are moving out of town, will be donating furniture, kitchenware, computers, clothes, electronics, etc. For more information on the event, please click here.

If you are moving out of a home and have items to donate but can't make it to the event, you can drop off your unwanted goods at the Chittenden Solid Waste District's Drop-Off Center located at 338 Pine Street in Burlington.

Please feel free to call or e-mail me if you would like to start looking for a new home today! Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com

-Jamie Wright, Realtor
Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com

Thinking of purchasing a home? Read this:

Whether your plans for the future home ownership entail purchasing a home six months down the road or six YEARS down the road, this article- "6 Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Make"- is definitely worth taking a look at! Some of the mistakes noted in this article are made before any buyer even finds a property to purchase! For instance, even if you don't plan on purchasing a home for a couple years, any damage done to your credit score now can stick with you for several years (and consequently, potentially impact the interest rate you obtain)!

Of course, many of these mistakes can be avoided with the helpful guidance of both your Realtor and a trusted lender! To check out a list of recommended lenders that can help guide you through the financing process, click here.

-Jamie Wright, Realtor
Jamie@BurlingtonVermonthomes.com

Good news for greater Burlingon area!

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor released its latest figures, and the Burlington/South Burlington unemployment rate was among the lowest in New England! The unemployment rate as of March 2010 improved almost a full percent from that of March 2009 (currently 6%, as opposed to 6.9% last March)! To read the entire story from The Burlington Free Press, please click here.

Of course, this is great news for current homeowners because as the employment rate improves, so too does the housing market! If you are in the market for a home, you can check out all of the newest listings just by visiting BurlingtonVermontHomes.com

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com
(802)846-9530

Open House- Move-in Ready in South Burlington

U-8 Grandview Drive, South Burlington. This Sunday, May 2nd, I will be hosting an Open House at this AFFORDABLE and TURN-KEY Southridge townhome in South Burlington from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The 2 bedroom and 1 bathroom townhouse is conveniently located close to shopping, I-89, FAHC, Dorset Park, and the bike path! Currently offered at $144,900!

If you would like to take a look at this property before the Open House (just in case you are trying to find something before the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit THIS FRIDAY), please feel free to call or e-mail me to arrange a showing! (802)846-9530 or Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com

For additional information and interior photos of this property, please click here.

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com

Before you schedule your move, check this out:

LOTS of Buyers and Sellers are making the move within the next couple months, so I thought I would pass along this article on the 10 Biggest Moving Mistakes that I found on Better Homes & Gardens.com. There is so much work (and stress) involved in moving...it is easy to overlook details such as how to transport plants, getting mover's insurance, and making an inventory list (just to name a few)!

Don't forget: late June and early July are going to be incredibly busy with people moving (especially given the homebuyer tax credit deadline of June 30th). If you are planning on moving in that timeframe BE SURE TO BOOK YOUR MOVERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! If you need recommendations for movers (or any home service providers), you can always visit the (newly revamped!) Hickok & Boardman website and click on the Maintaining Your Home tab for some excellent suggestions!

I hope you find this article helpful! If you are looking to move soon...but still haven't found your next home, please feel free to call or e-mail me today and I will get your search started!

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
Jamie@BurlingtonVermonthomes.com

photo credit: BHG.com

Open House Double-Header!

Stop by my Open House at 64 Dunbar Drive in Essex Junction today, April 18th, any time from 1:00-3:00 to view this immaculate Whitcomb Heights II townhome- featuring over 3,000 square feet of beautifully appointed living space! If you don't absolutely fall in love with this home...you can always march next door, where my colleague, Jessica Hubbard-Riina, will be hosting an Open House at this fabulous property!

These gorgeous townhomes feature 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and boast open floor plans, fabulous kitchens with center islands and stainless steel appliances, spacious living rooms with fireplaces, tranquil master suites, and much more!

64 Dunbar Drive has beautiful cherry floors in the dining room and cherry built-ins in the living room. The lower level has an additional 700+ square feet of light-filled living space- including a built-in banquette that opens for additional storage! Offered at $405,000 AND there is still (just) enough time to take advantage of the existing tax credit! For more information on this property (and additional photos), please click here.

If you can't make it to the Open House(s) today, but would still like to view either of these exceptional properties, please feel free to call or e-mail me, and I will gladly schedule another showing.

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
Jamie@BurlingtonVermontHomes.com
(802)846-9530