Vermont News - Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate

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

August 2020

In this newsletter . . .

Welcome Note
Bromley's Adventure Park is Open
Vermont's 2020 Census - We Need YOUR Help (Including Vacation Home Owners)
9 Ways to Take Charge and Organize
Route 11 Road Construction
Real Estate Market Update - Summer 2020
Weston Playhouse Presents "Songs for Today"
Green Mountain Gourmet - Blueberry Cobbler
Area Real Estate Listings

Welcome

Dear ,

How can it be late August already? As famously uttered by Vizzini in the Princess Bride, "Inconceivable!" But, it's true . . . and what a beautiful August it has been.

The real estate market continues to be extremely active with a record low inventory and record high pending sales (properties under contract). In the four counties served by Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate, market data for June (the most recent month for which statistics are available) is listed below. Click on the county name for a full, detailed report.

* Bennington County - new listings down 14% and pending sales count up 63%

* Rutland County - new listings down 25% and pending sales count up 63%

* Windsor County - new listings are down 23% and pending sales count is up 60%

* Windham County - new listings down 17% and pending sales up 62%

Business aside, there are still a few days left to make your August count, with some of my favorite things to do:

1) Take a dip! Cool off in the cold mountain water at Big Branch on the Danby-Mount Tabor Road.

2) Savor the flavors of Vermontl! Enjoy a maple creemee at Mildred's Dairy Bar in Weston.

3) Earn your turns (summer edition)! Hike up Bromley with a reward at the end: a free ride down the mountain on the Alpine Slide. Or, buy a ticket and ride the lift to enjoy some of the best scenery in southern Vermont!

4) Eat fresh! Savor the best tomatoes you'll ever eat from my friend Carrie Chalmers' farmstand at Quoyburray Farm on Lawrence Hill Road in Weston.

Have a great rest of your summer. As always, 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 Vermont 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]

Stay Connected with Us

Click on any of the logos above to be connected.

Bromley's Outdoor Adventure Parks Are Open

Looking for something fun to do with the kids while you are enjoying these last few beautiful days of summer in Vermont? Bromley's Mountain Adventure Park is open . . . and it's OUTSIDE, where you can enjoy sunshine and fresh air.

The Park is open seven days a week, weather permitting. For summer 2020, masks are required for entrance into the Park, and additional requirements are in place for guests. You may review Bromley's health and safety protocols and procedures here.

According to the website, Operations may look a little different this year, but don't worry, there's still a ton of fun waiting for you! The following rides and attractions are open for your enjoyment:

In the Mountain Adventure Park rides and attractions include: Alpine Slide, 18-hole Mini Golf Course, The Giant Swing, Trampoline Things, the Big Splash Waterslide, the Climbing Wall and The Space Bikes.
18-hole, lift served Woods & Meadows Disc Golf Course
Aerial Adventure Park

2020 Census - Vermont Needs YOUR Help
(Including Vacation Home Owners)

All Vermonters AND Vermont vacation-home owners are encouraged to fill out the 2020 Census questionnaires so that you can help Vermont receive the Federal funds we deserve for roads, healthcare, schools, community development and more.

Census forms have been mailed and in some cases left at your Vermont home. You can also complete the forms online and you should complete one for EACH property that you own.

https://my2020census.gov/

Real Estate Market Fun Facts

The Southern Vermont real estate market is HOT HOT HOT! Honestly, it's a tough time to be a buyer, with extremely limited inventory and bidding wars on almost everything. Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate has been representing more buyers than usual in these times and, if you're interested in buying, we strongly advise that you engage the services of one of our sales agents to represent your needs. Give us a call at (802)824-3176 or email [email protected].

Some fun fact from our immediate market area* that we can share with you are:

2019 Total Closed Sales = 452

2019 Average Days on Market = 197

2020 Total Closed Sales as of 8/15/2020 = 200

2020 Average Days on Market = 200

And... the Average Days on Market for properties listed as of May 1, 2020, when real estate sales "opened up" again = 10 days.

Vermont Statistical Information:

* Single-family homes in the towns of Weston, Landgrove, Londonderry, Peru, Manchester, Dorset, Winhall, Stratton, Jamaica, Windham, Andover, Chester, and Ludlow.

Route 11 Road Construction Update

Stuck in traffic this summer? You're not alone! Some of our area's major roads are seeing a much-needed and long-overdue upgrade.

In particular, there are significant delays along Vermont's State Route 11 between Chester and Londonderry and along the Route 11/30 corridor as it goes through Manchester village (also known as Depot Street) towards Dorset.

If you are curious and want to receive updates, you can check the Vermont's Agency of Transportation website (here).

In summary, from the State's most recent paving project update: "Londonderry-Chester paving project begins in the town of Londonderry just east of the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Vermont 11 and extends easterly on Route 11 for approximately 14 miles to the town of Chester at the intersection with Lovers Lane. Construction activities include coarse milling, cold in place recycling, and paving with a leveling course and a wearing course, drainage, pavement markings, guardrail and signage. The contractor will continue drainage work and shoulder work between Andover and Londonderry, including drainage in the village. The contractor will continue cold-in-place paving between Andover and Londonderry. The contractor does not plan on being in the village with cold-in-place paving until 8/27 and 8/28. There will be one way flagged traffic around each of the operations."

For the Manchester project, they are leveling the course of asphalt along VT 30 and motorists should plan on one-way alternating traffic in multiple locations along the project with some delays.

Don't forget to add extra time to your travel plans.

Take Charge and Organize!

9 Habits for a Home That Always Feels Neat and Fresh

Home is literally the center of your universe right now, so make sure it's a source of minimum stress. Here's how to keep your house clean and orderly all the time.

Wake, and

make your bed pronto. That's one task down already.
Keep your kitchen sink empty for a soothingly clear sight line.
Clean a room a day. You know what they say about doing daunting tasks in small chunks, right?
Hang a squeegee. Take a few satisfying swipes after your shower, and presto!
Assign cubbies to each family member. Tidy is as tidy does.
Unload the dishwasher when clean. Then you're always prepped for habit #2.
Use it, wipe it. Especially high-touch surfaces.
Snap it, shred it. Paper piles are for the birds.
Create a doorway box. Next time you leave, donations and recycling leave with you.

Content provided with permission from Houselogic: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/cleaning-decluttering/how-to-keep-your-house-clean/?site_ref=mosaic

Weston Playhouse Presents "Songs for Today"

Part of the Reimagined 2020 Summer Theatre Season

WESTON PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

'SONGS FOR TODAY'

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company continues its Reimagined 2020 Season with the debut of Songs for Today, a series of bite-sized musical tracks in the spirit of classic Playhouse shows. The project is the second in the recently launched new works initiative, Weston Writers.

Songs for Today invites Weston's family of musical theatre writers to talk to us in song about the stories they want to tell today. Composers who have previously been with us in Weston will create and record original music that captures this unprecedented moment when we are all invited to care and connect in new, unique ways. These songs will premiere on Weston's social media channels weekly beginning August 27.

Featured musical theatre writers and writing teams for the first series of Songs for Today include Joe Iconis (Weston: Joe Iconis & Family; Broadway: BE MORE CHILL); Jenny Giering and Sean Berry (Weston: 2010 New Musical Award winners and 2011 world premiere of SAINT-EX); Adam Guettel (Weston: FLOYD COLLINS; Composer/Lyricist: LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, FLOYD COLLINS); Julia Meinwald and Gordon Leary (2011 New Musical Award winner and 2012 world premiere of PREGNANCY PACT); Tidtaya Sinutoke and Isabella Dawis (2020 New Musical Award winners for HALF THE SKY); Adam Gwon (2019 New Musical Award winner for ALICE BLISS with Jenny Giering and Karen Hartman, 2014 winner for STRING with Sarah Hammond); and Kirsten Childs (2016 New Musical Award winner for BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE).

Says Gellert, "Weston has a long and rich history of supporting the work of America's leading musical theatre writers. The annual Weston-Ghostlight New Musical award has introduced more than a dozen new works to the world, and our summer season has produced acclaimed world premieres of wonderful musicals such as SAINT-EX and the chamber version of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. Songs for Today, the newest project in our reimagined season, turns to the musical theatre writers who have found a home in Weston and invites them to explore the stories of today in song. With Songs for Today, we recognize the healing power of song and theatre; even in this moment when we cannot gather in person, listening to music can bring us closer together. While some of our artists are using this opportunity to create a new piece, others are reinterpreting one of their early works in light of how the world has changed. The result is a fascinating collage, a beautiful meditation on the power of music."

The Box Office at the Weston Playhouse remains closed for the summer, but staff will be returning voicemails left on the Box Office line at 802-824-5288.

Songs for Today is presented free of charge, but gift cards for future Weston events can be purchased online at westonplayhouse.org.

Green Mountain Gourmet - Blueberry Cobbler

Nothing says "Summer in Vermont" better than a delicious fresh berry cobbler with native Vermont blueberries!

3-4 cups fresh blueberries (depending on their size and the depth of your baking dish)
3 tablespoons Vermont maple syrup
1 medium to large orange (for both zest and juice)
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

2) Wash and dry the blueberries and remove stems.

3) Using an 8" x 8" glass baking dish, combine the blueberries, maple syrup and the juice of one orange and mix gently and set aside. Don't over-fill the dish or the berries will bubble over and make a mess!

4) In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon of orange zest, and salt. Set aside.

5) In a medium bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add in the flour mixture, stirring lightly until the ingredients are just barely combined.

6) Using a large spoon, spoon the batter in rounded heaps over the blueberry mixture. Try to cover as much of filling as possible.

7) Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

8) Serve warm or at room temperature.

For an extra delicious option, top with Arlington, Vermont-based Wilcox's Ice Cream's Sweet Cream ice cream (it's like a delicately sweetened frozen whipped cream... the best!)

Featured Area Properties Listed for Sale

Andover - 2.5 Acres

Spruce Dr/Running Rd

Andover, VT

$60,000