Avoid (unnecessary) Costly Home Repairs...

We've all fallen victim to overpriced service at one point or another in our lives. However, the ever-expanding online community is making it easier and easier to ensure these instances become fewer and far between.

Before you plan a trip somewhere, do you read reviews of the hotel/resort you are going to stay at? Prior to making a reservation at a high-end restaurant, do you hop online and check out the menu or view customer ratings? If you answered yes, then doesn't it make sense that you would check out the reviews for any service provider that you are potentially inviting into your home?

Resources like Front Porch Forum, Yelp, and Angie's List are becoming increasingly more popular- and with good reason! If you are letting a STRANGER into your home, you not only want to know that their work is reputable, but that they are also honest and trustworthy.

Take a look at this article from Apartment Therapy, "Tips & Advice: Don't Get Hosed on Home Repairs", for some great pointers on making sure any repairs or improvements done to your home are 1. done properly and 2. done for a fair price.

Of course, you can always check out Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty's Home Maintenance selection of Home Service Providers....all of which have excellent reputations!

Make sure to check out HomesBurlingtonVermont.com for all of the Burlington area's latest listings!

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

photo credit: ThisOldHouse.com

Interested in your home's value??

I know this is sort of a rhetorical question, as virtually EVERYbody is interested in knowing their home's value (and with good reason).

I came across this blog post from Matrix, and thought it cut right to the point. Bottom line: Your home is worth exactly what the market says it is worth! Ingenious.

If you are searching for a new home in the Vermont area, don't forget to check out HomesBurlingtonVermont.com for all of the latest listings!

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

photo credit: matrix.millersamuel.com

We like our men healthy in Burlington!

That's right: we're a small city packed with health-conscious males, at least according to Men's Health. The magazine just published its list of the Healthiest Cities in the U.S. for males, and grabbing the number ONE spot was good ol' BTV (ironically, the birthplace of Ben & Jerry's)! Rounding out the top 5 were:

2. Madison, WI
3. Plano, TX
4. San Jose, CA
5. Boise, ID

The study valuated 100 cities across the country on 35 different criteria. Click here to check out the entire list and read the full article.

Good job to the men of Burlington- have yourselves a low-carb beer to celebrate!

If you're looking to make a healthy move, check out all Burlington's latest real estate listings at HomesBurlingtonVermont.com

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

photo credit: www.MensHealth.com

Every time a bell rings...

The Rossi Team just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas! May you be surrounded by all things that bring you Christmas cheer!!

...and if you need help getting into the holiday spirit, check out my post on the Griswald's house, OR this post from Hooked on Houses about the best all-time Christmas Movie Houses.

Finally, if you find yourself with a little spare time over the holidays, make sure to check out the latest listings on HomesBurlingtonVermont.com Natalie Wood isn't the only one asking for a new home for Christmas ;)

Happy Holidays,
-Jamie Wright, REALTOR
(802)846-9530
Jamie@HomesBurlingtonVermont.com

Keep your home safe this holiday season

If you are traveling this holiday season, make sure you take the necessary precautions to ensure your vacant home isn't left vulnerable to theft and other crimes. Please take a moment and read through these tips, courtesy of the Burlington Police Department:

-Lock all doors and windows, using 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 course, safe travels and happy holidays!

-Jamie Wright, REALTOR

photo credit: MarthaStewart.com

Vermont is #1....again!

Three cheers for Vermont! The Green Mountain State just claimed the title of Healthiest State in Nation for the 5th year in a row! The United Health Foundation released the results of its 2011 America's Health Ranking this week, and Vermont secured the number one spot- followed by New Hampshire, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. The results cited VT's low rate of infectious disease, high use of prenatal care and lack of violent crime as factors contributing to its favorable ranking. To read more about the study and results, click here.

Make sure to check out our website to see all of the newest Real Estate listings in our nation's healthiest state!

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

photo credit: Burlngton Free Press

O Christmas Tree!

How lovely are thy branches?

Many of us will be headed out this weekend to pick out our Christmas Tree- one of my favorite holiday traditions. Even though Christmas trees add a certain holiday glow to our homes, they can also be a danger to our houses, if proper precautions are not taken. According to the National Safety Council, each year an average of 250 home structure fires are caused by Christmas trees- accounting for approximately $13.8 million in property damage!

I found some Christmas tree safety tips (courtesy of the National Safety Council) that I thought I would share:

-Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk with sticky sap.
-Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
-Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
-If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
-Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.
-Use no more than three light sets on any extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against a wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.
-Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

If you are looking for a place to pick out your Christmas Tree, check out this list of local Tree Farms.

Finally, there are a TON of holiday activities happening in our area this weekend, including the Festival of Trees in St. Albans. Just in case that doesn't satiate your Christmas Tree fix, next weekend is the Festival of Trees and Light at the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe.

Have a safe and festive weekend!

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

ps- If you plan on traveling holiday season, make sure your home is safe while you are away. Click here to check out these home safety tips that I shared a couple years ago.

Photo credit: TraditionalHome.com