Vermont News - Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate

Claudia Harris | Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate | (802)824-3176 | Email | Website

June/July 2020

In this newsletter . . .

Welcome Note
Introducing Chuck Sweetman, MMMRE's Newest Sales Agent
Real Estate in the Time of COVID-19
Local Stores and Restaurants Offer Take-Out and Curbside Delivery
West River Farmers Market - New Procedures
Limiting Single-Use Plastics
Spread Joy - Homemade Bubbles
Green Mountain Gourmet - Kathy's 17-Spice Salad Dressing
Area Real Estate Listings

Welcome

Dear ,

How's the real estate market?, you ask? Well, it's BOOMING . . . but I have to say it's a little like the wild, wild West!

Let me share some statistics from the towns in our primary coverage area (Weston, Landgrove, Londonderry, Peru, Windham, Andover, Winhall, Jamaica, Stratton, Manchester and Dorset:

60 new listings (single-family residences only) since May 1st
67 listings have gone under contract or pending since May 1st
75 properties are currently under contract
35 properties have been sold (closed) since May 1st
248 is the average days on market for the 75 properties currently under contract
17 properties are new to the market and listed since May 1st AND are now under contract
8.1 is the average days on market for the 17 listings notes above (listed and under contract since May 1st)

The market is crazy (yes, that's a technical term), and our inventory of homes for sale is lower than we have seen in 20 years. It's more important than ever to have a confident, experienced REALTOR representing you as you buy or sell your property.

If you are interested in selling, it is a GREAT time to list your property for sale and you should be calling Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate immediately! If you are thinking of buying, be prepared to move quickly when you see something you like, you should be pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage (if you are financing your purchase), and don't be surprised if there are multiple offers. Again, working with an experienced real estate firm is key to your success as a seller or buyer, and we can help!

And, speaking of help, check out our BIG NEWS in the article below... Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate is excited to announce that we have a new sales associate: Chuck Sweetman of Landgrove has joined us as of June 15.

Be well, stay safe and healthy, and keep in touch.

- Claudia Harris

Broker/Owner

Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate

E-Mail: Claudia Harris

Website: http://www.mmmrealestate.com

(802)824-3176

Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate is seeking new residential listings and we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about listing your property for sale.

If you've been thinking about it, now is the time to make a move. Our inventory is low and there are buyers looking in ALL price ranges.

Please call us at the office at (802)824-3176

or send an email to [email protected]

Kathy Snyder can be reached at (802)384-6674 or [email protected]

Chuck Sweetman can be reached at (802)345-9054 or [email protected]

Claudia Harris can be reached at (802)379-0347 or [email protected]

Stay Connected with Us

Click on any of the logos above to be connected.

Join Us In Welcoming a New Agent - Chuck Sweetman

I am pleased to announce that Chuck Sweetman has joined Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate (MMMRE) as a licensed sales agent. Our Associate Broker Kathy Snyder and I are happy to have Chuck join the MMMRE family, and we look forward to working together to expand our reach in the local real estate market.

A little about Chuck...

After a long career in education in neighboring states, Chuck and his wife Marion moved to Landgrove, Vermont, 18 years ago to work in the Vermont school system. He has served as a superintendent of schools, teacher, coach and mentor and was Superintendent of the Battenkill Valley Supervisory Union in southern Vermont before retiring in 2010.

Not one to keep quiet or enjoy a life of leisure, Chuck decided to pursue a 2nd career in real estate after retiring, and he has specialized in the sale of single-family homes, condos and land in the area between Okemo, Magic, Bromley and Stratton.

Chuck has been very active in local community service organizations and has been on a local planning/zoning committee for over fifteen years, including four years as chair. In addition, he served as a board member with the Mountain Valley Medical Clinic for over ten years, serving two years as president. Presently, he is a Justice of the Peace and Lister in the town of Landgrove, with over ten years of experience.

As an avid outdoors man and true Boston sports fan, Chuck is a board member of a local trout club and a member of the Okemo golf course, and he can often be seen sporting a ball cap showing his love for the Boston Red Sox. Chuck graduated from Colgate University with a BA, followed by a Master's degree from Wesleyan University and a sixth year degree from Fairfield University.

Please join us in welcoming Chuck! He can be reached at (802)824-3176 (office) or (802)345-9054 (mobile) and [email protected].

Real Estate in the Time of COVID-19


Don't laugh This is a problem!

As we "re-open" Vermont, all businesses must follow the Vermont Department of Health and CDC Guidelines. That means that listing, showing and selling properties is dramatically different today than it was just a few months ago and Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate (MMMRE) is working hard to keep the business of selling and buying properties moving forward while maintaining the health and safety of everyone involved. We are adapting, adjusting and learning new tricks every day.

Here is a quick snapshot of some of some of the procedures and "best practices" we are following:*

Remote and distance meetings are still encouraged whenever possible. Lots of video and virtual tours: we've all become FaceTime and Zoom experts!
In-person showings and appointments are permitted with Vermont residents and visitors from some (but not all) of the adjacent counties in neighboring states (who are healthy and have not traveled).
In-person meetings are limited and appointments must be spaced out with at least 30 minutes between different customers.
No in-person contact with out-of-state visitors who are not from areas with a low infection rate and/or have not quarantined in Vermont or their home state. Quarantine means time at home with no contact other than your immediate family unit. No going to work, not shopping, no walks in the park.
When showing homes, we require everyone to wear a mask, limit touching things unnecessarily, and the State of Vermont requires an Access Questionnaire from all.

For up-to-date information on Vermont's rules for interstate or "cross state" travel, click here.

Additional guidance for out-of-state visitors coming to Vermont to stay OR Vermonters returning from out-of-state travel, click here.

For information on Vermont's QUARANTINE guidelines - click here.

To find out the difference between quarantining and self-isolation, click here.

For information on how Vermont's businesses (all industries) are operating under the Stay Home, Stay Safe Guidelines - click here.

For the rules specific to real estate, click here.

* Current as of publication! These rules are fast-moving targets and change almost daily

Local Businesses Offer Take-Out and Curbside Pick-Up

It is so important for all of us to continue to patronize and support our local stores and restaurants. Just Neighbors, a local social services organization, compiled information highlighting local business's changes in procedures and special offerings.

Most of our local businesses are back open and shoppers are welcome. Masks are highly encouraged. However, if you are not comfortable going into a store, you will find that the smaller stores have plenty of fresh food, are willing to accommodate special requests and will have your order ready and brought out to your car. Many businesses have become very creative during this difficult time!

Our April 2020 Newsletter included a comprehensive list of local shops and restaurants offering pickup and curbside service. You can find that list here.

West River Farmers Market

Local farmers' markets including the West River Farmers Market in Londonderry are open ... but, like everything else, operating a little differently this summer.

The market will run during the usual timeframe - Saturdays from 9 - 1 and will be limited to agricultural products (meats, vegetables, flowers, etc.) and prepared foods packaged for off-site consumption.

* No dogs allowed (carried or otherwise). Service Dogs are the exception.

* There will be ONE entrance and ONE exit to each market section.

* A hand sanitizer station will be at the main entrance.

* Customers are required to wear face masks.

For more information, please read the guidelines here.

Let's Limit Single-Use Plastics - Starting with Straws

There has been a ton of publicity about the need to reduce our use of plastic straws and the dangers they pose to wildlife and sea life in particular. Another problem that has not gotten as much attention is the use of balloons for parties and celebrations.

This year, let's all focus on ways we can reduce our consumption of single-use and disposable plasti cs, starting with straws and balloons! Reducing the use of straws is simple - just ask for your to-go beverages without a straw. Or, purchase a set or two of reusable stainless steel straws. The set pictured here comes with a cleaning tool and can be found at any local kitchen supply store (we absolutely love Vermont Kitchen Supply in Manchester!).

And, as you plan future celebrations such as graduations, birthdays, and weddings, let's all think about using more environmentally-friendly options to balloons, including these fun alternatives.

Bubbles (see recipe below ... DIY is so much better than store-bought and we love that it's another chance to reduce plastic!)
Kites
Homemade pinwheels
Wildflower seeds
Bird seed

Spread Joy with Homemade Bubbles

Homemade Bubbles Recipe

Measure 6 cups of water into one container, then pour 1 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir it until the soap is mixed in. Try not to let foam or bubbles form while you stir.

Measure 1 tablespoon of glycerin or 1/4 cup of corn syrup and add it to the container. Stir the solution until it is mixed together.

You can use the solution right away, but to make even better bubbles, put the lid on the container and let your super bubble solution sit overnight. (Note: If you used "Ultra" dish soap, double the a

mount of glycerin or corn syrup.)

Dip a reusable straw into the mixture, slowly pull it out, wait a few seconds, and then blow. How big of a bubble can you make? How many bubbles can you make in one breath?

* Recipe "borrowed" with great respect from Home Science Tools - a very cool website about home science projects.

Green Mountain Gourmet

This month's re cipe comes to you courtesy of our Associate Broker, Kathy Snyder. It's the perfect thing to keep on hand to dress your spring greens and fresh lettuces that are in season and abundant now.

Kathy's 17 Spice Dressing

First, make the spice blend using:

1/3 cup coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup ground cumin
3 Tblsp. dry mustard
3 Tblsp. ground turmeric
3 Tblsp. curry powder
1 1/2 Tblsp. ground cardamon
1 1/2 Tblsp. ground coriander
1 Tblsp. ground mace
1 TBlsp. fresh grated nutmeg
1 Tblsp ground cinnamon
1 Tblsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dry ginger

Combine all and store in air tight container. When you're ready to make a new batch of dressing, combine 2.5 to 3 tablespoons of the spice mix with the following:

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3 Tblsp. light brown sugar
3 Tblsp. honey
1 cup oil (your choice: mild vegetable, peanut, corn or olive oil)
1 clove minced garlic

Featured Area Properties Listed for Sale

JUST LISTED

Landgrove Contemporary

171 Landgrove Road

Landgrove, VT

$539,000

Link

Landgrove Hand-Crafted Post & Beam

155 Cody Road

Landgrove, VT

$575,000