SallyFegley
BetterHomesandGardensReal Estate,TheMasielloGroup Hi,there-Duringmymanyyearsin realestate,Ihaveputmycustomers rst.Iprovidemanyservicesothers realtorsdonotprovide.Licensedin bothVermontandNewHampshire,I completecomparativemarketanalyses atnocharge.Iseekoutdetailed informationonmybuyers’andsellers’ needs,soIcanworkhardtomeetthose needs.Iworkonmarketingstrategies anddevelopproperty iers,whichI postonForSalesignsanddistribute intheneighborhood.Icommunicate frequently,includingsendingwritten biweeklypropertystatusreportstomy sellers.Irespondquicklytoinquiries.Mylistingsaredetailedandthorough.IpayforHome Warrantycoverageforresidentialsellers.MyrecentsalesoftheMapleValleySkiResort andtheRiverBendLodgeaswellasmanyhomesspeaktomyexpertise.Overall,Ifeel veryprotectiveofmyclients.IbringhighenergytodowhateverIcantoachievetheirgoals expeditiously.Iwouldliketohelpyouwithyourrealestateneeds.Let’stalk.Best,Sally
ContactSally at 802-380-8272 or sallyfegley@masiello.com BetterHomesandGardensRealEstate–TheMasielloGroup|masiello.com”
Darlene Conca
AsaREALTOR®,Darleneisable tocombineherloveofworking withpeopleandherstrong businessskills.Shehelpsher clientsmakeinformeddecisions as theybuyandsellproperty. Hergoalistocreateapositive experiencethroughoutthe transactionresultinginajoyful conclusion.Asaresult,most ofherclientsarereferredto herbytheirfriendsandfamily. Sincejoiningtherealestate profession,shehasconsistently beenatopproducer.Inpast years,shehasreceivedthe LeadershipCircleAward.Last yearsheproudlyearnedthe elitePresidentialCircleAwardby sellingmorethan6milliondollarsinpropertyvalue.
DarlenewasbornandraisedinBrattleboro,thusmakingherveryknowledgeable aboutthearea.AfterfullyrestoringherantiquehomeinVernon,VT,shethenbuilt anewhomeontheConnecticutRiverinWestChesterfield,NHwithher husbandMark.Shehasason,daughterandastep-daughter.
ContactDarlene at BetterHomes&Gardens,MasielloGroup Of ce:802-257-1111 •Cell:802-380-3471
Email:darlene@darleneconca.com
7 Reasons to work with a Realtor
Rea ltors® a ren’t just agents. T hey’re professiona l members of the Nationa l Association of Rea ltors® and subscr ibe to its str ict code of ethics. T his is the Rea ltor ® difference for home buyers: 1. Ethical treatment.
Ever y Rea ltor ® must adhere to a str ict code of ethics, which is based on professiona lism and protection of the public As a Rea ltor ®’s client, you can expect honest and ethica l treatment in a ll transaction-related matters T he rst obligation is to you, the client.
2. An expert guide.
Buying a home usua lly requires dozens of for ms, repor ts, disclosures, and other technica l documents. A knowledgea ble exper t will help you prepa re the best dea l, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. A lso, there’s a lot of ja rgon involved, so you want to work with a professiona l who can speak the lang uage.
3. Objective information and opinions.
Rea ltors® can provide loca l in for mation on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. T hey a lso have objective in for mation a bout each proper ty Rea ltors® can use that data to help you deter mine if the proper ty has what you need. By understanding both your needs and sea rch a rea, they can a lso point out neighborhoods you don’t know much a bout but that might suit your needs better
than you’d thought.
4. Expanded search power.
Sometimes proper ties are available but not actively adver tised. A Realtor® can help you nd oppor tunities not listed on home search sites and can help you avoid out-of-date listings that might be showing up as available online but are no longer on the market.
5. Negotiation knowledge.
T here a re many factors up for discussion in a dea l. A Rea ltor ® will look at ever y angle from your perspective, including cra fting a purchase ag reement that a llows enough time for you to complete inspections and investigations of the proper ty before you a re bound to complete the purchase.
6. Up-to-date experience.
Most people buy only a few homes in their lifetime, usua lly with quite a few yea rs in between each purchase. Even if you ’ ve done it before, laws and reg ulations change Rea ltors® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their ca reer.
7. Your rock during emotional moments. A home is so much more than four wa lls and a roof. And for most people, proper ty represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concer ned, but objective, third pa r ty helps you stay focused on the issues most impor tant to you
Unless otherwise noted, all content is courtesy of the Southern Vermont Board of Realtors
Agents, Brokers, and Realtors®: What ’s the difference?
“Agent” is a catchall phrase that is used, in casual conversation, to describe the three types of professionals who buy and sell real estate: agents, brokers, and Realtors®. No, they’re not really the same. Yes, you should care about what makes them different. Here’s abreakdown:
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who helps people buy, sell, rent, or invest in homes. To become an agent, a person must take pre-licensing training from a certified institution (these vary from state to state) and pass their state’s real estate licensing exam. Once they havetheir license, an agent must affiliate themselves with a real estate brokerage. Some agents specialize in representing buyers, some specialize in representing sellers. Some do both. An agent who represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction iscalled a dual agent. By law, a dual agent must disclose dual agency to both par ties. ( If an agent isseeing other people, you obviously need to know.)
A real estate broker is a professional who has additional education beyond the agent level, asrequired by state law, and who has passed a broker’s exam. In some cases, brokers also havemore years of experience than agents. The biggest difference between a broker and an agent isthat a broker may work independently. An agent must be overseen by a broker.
A Realtor® is a broker or agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the largest trade group in the country. (Full disclosure: NAR publishesHouseLogic.com). A Realtor® commits to following a strict Code of Ethics intended to protect buyers and sellers; for example, Realtors® pledge themselves to protect and promotethe interests of their client. Agents and brokers who are not NAR members can’t call themselvesRealtors®. There are more than 1 million Realtors® in the United States. You can use Realtor.com®’s Find a Realtor® tool to connect with one in your area.
In most cases, using an agent, broker, or Realtor® won’t cost you a penny because the seller typically pays both the listing agent and buyer’s agent’s commissions. However, some buyers’agents request a representation fee from the buyer. That’s rare.
Content from Houselogic
The best agent for you depends on ... You
Before you seriously par tner with anyone, you’ll probably sur vey family, friends, and tr usted acquaintances for at least some input Finding a real estate agent is no different: A great star ting point is to ask your inner circle and neighbors for recommendations According to recent NAR research, 52% of buyers 36 and younger found their real estate agent through a refer ral
Bill Hickok
AVermont Realtor since 2002,Billbrings attention to detail, accessibility,and skill to the complexities of real estate transactions. He has years of experience in thebuilding trades, andutilizes themostup-to-date technologies to keep clients and customers well-informed. Whetherresidential, commercial, or land, he’ll help you realize your real estate goals.
Stevelives in thetown of Strattonandhas forover 30 years. He resideswithhisfamily betweentheMountSnowandStratton MountainSkiResorts. An avidsports enthusiast he andhisfamilyenjoywater skiing,wakesurfing,SUP,mountainbiking, roadbiking,running,hiking,backcountry skiing,crosscountryskiingand of course downhillskiing.Stevehastaughtskiing as aPSIAProfessionalSkiInstructorfor 30 years. He s oftenoverheardsaying, “I camehereforthewinterskiingandstayed because of thesummers.Especiallythelake activities.Thewarmdaysandcoolnights of thesummersareabsolutelybeautiful.”
Stevelikes to get to knowhiscustomersand clients.“WhyyouwantaHome in Vermont helps n findingtherightoneforyou.Buying andsellingrealestateshould be afun, cooperativeexperience.Iwant to Team Up with my buyersandsellers o helpthem.”Havingadded ontohisfirsthomewith3additions,building2homesandtotallyrenovatinganother,Stevehasa workingknowledge of thephysicalplants.“Havingarealestateprofessionalwithbuildingexperience is aplus.”Whilesellingrealestatethroughoutthearea,Stevehasalsoassistedafewdevelopers n their“multiplehome”buildingprojects.
Exper
Call
Cong ratulations! You now have a list of agents you like based on their stats, and you ’ re ready to get to know the fi na lists Binge a few episodes of “ T he Bachelor” for pointers just kidding, don’t do that. W hat to rea lly do: S chedule inter views with the top three agents, at least Dur ing each conversation, your goa l is to understand the agent’s exper ience, persona lity, and working style.
Here are 13 questions that will help the vet ting:
1. How many years have you been in the business? Having more exper ience doesn’tg ua rantee that someone is a g reat rea l estate agent, but a lot of the business is lea r ned on the job
2. How many homes have you sold in the last year? Volume isn’t the most important factor when choosing an agent, but you want someone who is active in the industr y. A lso, the more transactions an agent has under their belt, the more adept the person should beat solving complicated problems that can crop up dur ing a home sa le. Remember: Your transaction is unique.
3. How will you help me determine my needs and priorities? T he agent’s fi rst task is to help you identify your list of
“musts” and “wants” the home features that you need, versus the features that you’d like to have but can live without
4. Is your real estate license in good standing? You can a lso check with your state’s Rea lEstate Commission to con fi r m the agent has no disciplina r y actions
5. How will you stay in touch with me? Your agent’s communication style should a lig n with yours I f you prefer to be contacted via text when new listings crop up, make sureyour agent is a ble to do that
6. What neighborhoods do you specialize in? You want an agent who’s intimately familia r with the neighborhood(s) you ’ re interested in. Another way of framing this question is to ask, “How many homes have you sold in this neighborhood in the last yea r?”
7. What price range do you typically work in? In addition to being a neighborhood exper t, your agent should do a la rge por tion of their business with home buyers in your pr ice range. It’s impor tant because cha llenges and negotiation strateg ies can va r y based on what type of home you ’ re buying
8. How many other clients are you working with? You want someone who
can g ive you qua lity, {{ sta r t tip 72 }}oneon-one customer ser vice{{ end tip }} when you buy your fi rst home I f the agent seems spread thin, it’s proba bly because they a re.
9. How are you a good agent for first-time buyers? First-time home buyers face speci ficcha llenges. Ever y buyer has a unique transaction G ood agents can explain what you should expect and how they’re going to help you navigate your specia l circumstances
10. How will you find homes that match my criteria? S easoned rea l estate agents don’tjust use the loca l Multiple L isting S ervice ( ML S) a reg iona l data base of registered proper ty listings to help home buyers fi nd homes. T hey a lso keep track of listings through colleag ues, door-knocking, and canvassing neighborhoods to fi nd the r ightproper ties for their buyers. T hey’ll a lso work their industr y connections.
11. Have you ever recommended that a buyer not buy a property? Why? An agentshould work in your best interest, which means being honest with you about when to passon a house that will not meet your needs even if you ’ re starry-eyed about it It’s your choice, obvs, but they should empower you to make a sound decision.
How to know if an agent is knowledgeable
Once you ’ ve gathered a ll the in for mation, listen to your g ut: It won’t steer you w rong a bout who’s the best agent for you But, that said, there a re a few qua lities you’ll want to look for in any agent ( your g ut would ag ree):
• L oca l exper tise. Does this person know their stu ff a bout neighborhood home va luetrends, shops and restaurants, schools, commute times, and geog raphic factors such asfloodplains? T hese things a re impor tant, especia lly if you ’ re looking for a home in a newcity or tow n. I f the agent seems lost or like they’re wing ing it, keep looking.
• Responsiveness. You’l l have a lot of
Questions continued from previous page
12. Do you have a list of recommended vendors who can help me get a mortgage, inspect a home, and so on? To buy a home, you ’ re going to need other impor tant playerson your team specifically a mor tgage lender, home inspector, settlement / title company, and attorney. An experienced agent has already developed relationships with reputablepros, and should provide you with several references for each; though it’s ultimately your decision to choose who you
q uest ions, a nd w il l be a sked to pr oduce docu ment sat cer t a in steps du r ing t he buy ing pr ocess. T h in k a bout how ava ila ble you wa nt you r a gent to be, a nd how q uick ly you wa nt h im or her to respond O ne way to fi g u re t hat out?Cont act a pr ospect ive a gent on l ine or by phone a nd see how long it t a kes t hem to reply. I f you don’t hea r back w it h in a t imef ra me t hat works for you, it’s pr oba bly best to move on.
• Reputation. T his is when to consult your inner circle again T he agent-fi nder toolmentioned a bove can a lso help. In addition, you’ll want to ver ify the agent’s license;sea rch “ [state] rea l estate li-
want to work with
13. Can you provide contact information for your three most recent buyers?
Past clients can offer va lua ble insight into an agent’s skills. Don’t just ask an agent for references, or you’ll get three pre-vetted clients who a re g ua ranteed to sing their praises. Instead, ask for phone numbers and email addresses of the agent’s three most recent buyers. Contactthose people directly to lea r n a bout their exper iences.
cense lookup” in your browser to fi nd a resource for your state. I f you want to con fi r m whether an agent is a Rea ltor ®, you can ca ll NA R at1- 8 0 0 - 874 - 6 5 0 0.
T here a re a number of professiona l designations that indicate an agent has obtained additiona leducation beyond their licensing work An accredited buyer’s representative (A BR®), for instance, is someone who specia lizes in working with home buyers and has taken a course on buyer-client relationships. You can sea rch the different types of desig nations here.
Heidi Bernier
Realtor,CBR,Licensed VT & NH
As alifelongnative of VT,with nearly 25 years of experience as a RealEstateAgent,licensed in both VT andNH,Ioffer my customers andclientsakeenfamiliarity of theareaandthelocalrealestate market.Itakepride in providing personalizedservice,catering to theindividualrequirements of my clientsandcustomers,along withacreativemarketingapproach. Trainedinrepresentationofhomebuyers,aswellassellers,Iearned myCBRdesignation(certified buyerrepresentative)in1996. Manypeopleandservicesare requiredtobringatransactiontoasuccessfulclosing.MyyearsofworkingfulltimeinthefieldofRealEstatehavegainedmethecontactsandexperienceneeded toguidemyclientsandcustomersthroughtheprocess.Ifyouareconsidering sellingorbuyingproperty,Iwouldwelcometheopportunitytobeofassistance.
ContactHeidi at Berkley&VellerGreenwoodCountryRealtors Office is 802-254-6400x135Cell is 802-380-1585 Email is heidi.bernier@berkleyveller.com
Terran Momaney
Bornandraised in Vermont, I am aREALTORAssociate at Berkley&VellerGreenwood CountryRealtors. My extensive backgroundworking in the MomaneyPaintersfamily businesshasallowed me to developagreatappreciation forrealestate,alongwitha keenfamiliaritywiththearea’s realestatemarket.Istrive to bringpersonalizedservice, fulfillment,andsatisfaction to theprocessforboth my clientsandcustomers.Whetheryou’rebuying yourfirsthome or sellingtheonethatyou’veownedformanyyears, it would be my pleasure to helpyouwithyourrealestateneeds.
Berkley&VellerGreenwoodCountryRealtors 119WesternAvenue,Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802)254-6400x149•berkleyveller.com
Patrice Schneider
“Allofthestarsonthisreview wouldnotdojustice.Patrice isamazing,personable, flawlesswithquickexecution, consistentlyavailable,prompt response,andvastknowledge ofthelocalmarket.Itwasan absolutejoytoworkwithher througheachandeverystepof thisverysmoothtransaction.”
PatriceSchneideristhe AssociateBrokerattheMount SnowFourSeasonsSotheby’s office.Shepridesherselfon trulycaringabouthercustomers andtheirtransactions.Sheisa graduateofCatholicUniversity inDCandholdsanMFAfrom theNYStudioSchool.Havinga backgroundinthearts,interiorsandmarketingsheisuniquelyexperienced tohelppositionyourpropertyforsaleorhelpyouseethepotentialinyour dreamhome.AnativeofWestfield,NJ,Patricehastraveledtheworldand livedinmanycitieshereandabroad.However,Vermonthasstolenher heart,andsheisthrilledtocallithome.
ContactPatrice at FourSeasonsSotheby’sInternationalRealty Of ce:810-375-3610
Email:patrice.schneider@fourseasonssir.com
Transition smoothly after relocating
People move for va r ious reasons. S ome have outg row n their existing homes and need something bigger, while others move to dow nsize.
Rega rdless of why people move, moving occurs more often than you might think T he U. S. Census Bureau says one in nine people relocated in 2 015 to a new neighborhood, a new state or even across the countr y. Relocating, whether it’s a round the cor ner or miles away, a ffects people’s lives in many ways A smooth transition to a new place involves understanding the process and getting the suppor t necessa r y to make the move a success
Research potential destinations
Give ample thought to where you might live before uprooting yoursel f and your family if you have one T he ca reer resource Change Recr uitment suggests using the inter net as much as possible to lea r n a bout the location Sites like Niche can paint a picture of an a rea, providing in for mation rega rding its demog raphics, points of interest, schools, and much more However, an in-person visit will be needed to get a tr ue feel for the neighborhood.
Understand the costs
Apar t from the fees associated with buying a home, relocating involves hiring movers, unpacking belongings, temporar y storage
rentals, charges to turn on /off utilities, repairs for the new home, and several other expenses.
If you ’ re moving because of a career opportunity, the company may contribute to some of the moving costs. Check with a human resources professional to determine if the company provides relocation compensation.
Get out and meet people
Use ever y oppor tunity to meet neighbors and people with sha red interests. Attend community events and /or school functions. S ome employers may have meet-and-g reet events. Online ser vices like Meetup list g roups of like-minded people who may per iodica lly meet up in your community. T he sooner you make fr iends and acquaintances in your new tow n or city, the more likely you a re to feel at home.
With some planning and a little assistance, relocating can go smoothly.
Content and graphic from Metro Creative Connection
What to consider when buying a home
Home ow nership is a dream for many people In fact, buying a home is considered by many people to be a major life accomplishment.
Va r ious factors deter mine what makes a home an attractive place to live. W hile some considerations may overlap, others may be unique to individua l buyers T hose new to the rea l estate a rena may want to consider the following factors as they sea rch for a new place to ca ll home
1. Propert y taxes. Proper ty ta xes can g reatly a ffect the overa ll cost of living in a pa r ticula r home. T he rea l estate company RedFin says proper ty ta xes a re genera lly levied by each county and often include ta xes paid to schools, utility companies and municipa l gover nments. Proper ty ta xes will usua lly be factored into a monthly mor tgage payment, and how high (or low) ta xes a re can tur n an a fforda ble mor tgage payment into something that can break a budget W hen ca lculating payments, be sure to include proper ty ta xes in your estimates.
2. Job securit y/availabilit y. The nancial resource Fortune Builder says to consider your job security before taking the home ownership plunge. Before committing to an investment as substantial as a home, ensure that you are secure in your job Similarly, if you are relocating for job prospects, verify that the new
location has a thriving job market.
3. Local schools. For potentia l homeow ners with children or those planning on becoming pa rents, a rea schools should mer it sig ni cant consideration. Resea rch school rankings and reviews, but know that rankings can change Amer ican Family Insurance Company says to a lso look at the school budget histor y of tow ns you ’ re consider ing to see if residents pr ior itize funding for education. T his can be a measure of how impor tant education is in a g iven community
4. Commute times. Home ow nership involves both lifestyle and nancia l decisions Ca lculate the time it will take to travel to and from work when consider ing a cer tain tow n or neighborhood Find out if there is mass transit and what options a re availa ble for off-hour travel needs.
5. Lifest yle options. Qua lity nightlife, a r ts and histor y, community events, proximity to cultura l centers or cities, and other factors a re at play in choosing a home. Make sure your new community a llows you to still enjoy the things you ’ re passionate a bout Buying a home involves consider ing va r ious factors that can a ffect your budget and qua lity of life
A.J. s thefirste-PROREALTOR® n theareaandprideshimself n theuse of technology to notonlyimprove themarketing of properties,butalso in assistingbuyers to findtheirnext home as soon as it hitsthemarket. He alsoprideshimself on furthering hiseducation by earningtheCRS (CertifiedResidentialSpecialist),ABR® (AccreditedBuyerRepresentative), e-PRO®,EcoBroker®,RSPS(Resortand SecondHome)andSFR(ShortSaleand Foreclosure)designations.Previously affiliatedwithColdwellBanker,A.J. earnednationalsalesawardswith inclusion in theInternationalDiamond Society, as well as theInternational SterlingSociety.
BornandraisedinVermont,A.J.tookasevenyearsabbaticalfromtheareatoattendcollege andworkintheWashington,D.C.area.Whilethere,heearnedadoubledegreeinFinanceand EconomicsfromtheUniversityofMaryland(“FeartheTurtle”),whilealsomanagingstockmarket andbankaccounts.Aftersevenyearsoftrafficandthe“bigcity”,A.J.decidedtoreturntohisroots.
“Jimprideshimselfonbeingtherealestate agentthatreallycaresandputstheneeds ofhisclientsfirst.Healsounderstands thepowerofonlinemarketing,drivinghim tohaveapersonalrealestatewebsitein additiontousingdozensofrealestate portalsandlaunchsitestomarkethis listings.
AnativeoftheBrattleboroarea,Jimgrew upinGuilford,Vermontwanderingthe woodsandexploringthehillssurrounding hishome.Ashegotolder,hisnatural wander-lustkepthimtravellingtheroadsof WindhamandCheshireCounties,exploring placeshehadn’tbeenandmakingnew friendsalongtheway.
JimattendedLehighUniversity before transferringtotheUniversity ofVermontto doublemajorinEnglishandTechnicalTheatre.WhileatUVM,Jimwasproudtoserve withseveralvolunteerorganizations,includingTheVermontChildren’sMagazineand VolunteersinActionaswellasservinginseveralleadershippositionsintheUVM chapterofAlphaPhiOmega,acoedcommunity servicefraternity Aftercollege,JimservedasSalesManagerandSalesTrainerforseveralnational companies,includingsupervisingelevensatellitestoresthroughoutVermont,New YorkandMassachusettsduringtheholidayseason.
Jim’swholeapproachtorealestateistoprovidethebestandmostcompletepossible informationtohisclientsandtoallowthemtomakethedecisionbestforthem. Heisnotafraidtoworkonhisclient’stimeline,sometimesworkingwiththemforyears beforetheperfecthomewasfound.”
at BellvilleRealty
Cell:802-380-0684Website:bellvillerealty.com
Content from Metro Creative Connection
