Natasha Bogar received her painting BFA from the University of Maine. She spent a year a Studio Giambo in Florence, Italy studying ceramics, mosaics and fresco painting. Natasha also attended the School of Italian Plasters Decoration Academy. As a certified applicator of Safra Plasters from Verona, Italy, she creates many old world wall finishes. Her twin sister, Saskia Reinholt, is also an artist and the two of them often collaborate on large murals and stained glass commissions. You can explore their works on www.twinspirations.us. Natasha’s design sense is inspired by the natural world, especially the beauty of Vermont. Her studio is located in the backside of 144 Main Street in Stowe and welcomes visitors!

Geri Reilly Real Estate also welcomes visitors! Stop by and check out Natasha’s exhibit. You might just find that perfect gift you were looking for!

Fortunately, it is possible to create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes. It just requires a little creativity.

Home-design experts offer these eight tips:

1. Add splashes of green and purple. Plants, grasses, and evergreens can liven up a home’s winter landscape. Experiment with tall grasses, such as fountain grasses, that survive harsh winters. And in late fall and early winter, plants from the cabbage family add a vibrant purple color. Make the front door the focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon. To finish the look, place large, colorful planters filled with evergreens beside the front door.

2. Give it seasonal sparkle. Transform an unused bird bath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red berries. Or fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery, and sparkly baubles (sold at most craft stores). For extra sparkle, roll twigs in glitter and incorporate a gazing ball—a mirrored glass ball available in various colors—into the display.

3. Make the garden statuesque. Roman- or Greek-themed outdoor sculptures can add class and elegance to a garden in winter. Be sure to use frost-resistant statues so they don’t crack. Place the statues strategically throughout the garden to draw buyers’ eyes around the outdoor space.

4. Light it bright. During the winter, it’s more likely that buyers will be viewing home after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home’s architectural features. Keep exterior lighting fixtures at maximum wattage and clean them regularly. When snow covers the ground, ask your Realtor to take photos of your house at night with all of the interior lights on—the light will bounces off the white snow to create a warm, inviting glow. For the best results, turn off the flash, and use a tripod to avoid blurring.

5. Show off the lifestyle. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t use the deck. Shovel your backyard sitting area and leave your grill uncovered so buyers can envision themselves using the space. If the home has a hot tub, leave that open and running during showings as well.

6. Create a photo display of sunnier days. Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. This will give a sense of what the property looks like at other times of year. If the home has a garden, make a list of what’s planted where. Perennials can be expensive, so treat them as a selling feature.

7. Don’t forget to clear a path. If the ground is covered in snow, the simplest and most important thing you can do is shovel the driveway and sidewalks and keep the home’s patios and decks as clear as possible so buyers can get a sense of their true size. This also makes it easier for buyers and Realtors to access the property without getting their feet and pants legs all wet!

(Article from Realtor magazine)

Living room and family room activities are merging into the kitchen, and it’s changing how kitchens look. Particularly as homes are getting smaller, we’re using the kitchen for much more than we have in the past. Home owners want a more versatile floor plan and need to get creative with their space.

The walls in kitchens started coming down in the 1980s and 1990s. First to go were walls separating the kitchen from the dining room and now home owners are saying goodbye to walls between the kitchen and the living room. Kitchens also are being designed in a less utilitarian way with larger windows, fewer cabinets, and softer lighting.

What if your house doesn’t have these elements? There are simple things you can do to create that cozy, social feel:

Install a kitchen island. Kitchen islands not only have functional benefits but also provide space for entertaining, informal dining, and extra storage. If space is limited, consider a portable island, which can range from a butcher block to a breakfast table with bar stools. Just make sure that the style you choose is consistent with your existing decor in the kitchen and the size is appropriate. At least 3 feet is recommended between the island and walls so there’s plenty of space to move around. If the kitchen island is large, add chairs to show it can serve as an extra gathering place.

Furnish with comfy chairs. Skip the typical wooden stools for an upholstered bar stool with a back. Switch out traditional chairs around the kitchen table for wing chairs, a love seat, or even an upholstered bench.

Soften the light. Use accent lights and sconces, usually associated with a hallway or den. Numerous small lamps also will create a softer effect. Hang a chandelier or light fixture over the kitchen island.

Get crafty and add a decorative backsplash. Not only are backsplashes super functional behind the sink and stove, they can also be very appealing to the eye and can exemplify personal style. Glass tiles are very popular now, but so are ceramic tiles and tin panels which are particularly easy to install.

Add storage. Extra storage is key especially in smaller kitchens. Consider a wall peg board or a hanging wrought-iron rack to hang pots and pans. Add a standalone cabinet, cupboard, buffet, or wall shelving. Stage cabinets with craft supplies to show that the space can serve many purposes.

Display quality pieces. Take the artwork you may have once reserved for the living room and display it in the kitchen. Accessorize shelves with collectibles or books. For smaller kitchens, mount a mirror on one wall which will give the illusion of more space and reflect light.

Make sure the basics are strong. If the bones of the kitchen aren’t strong, fix those first. The condition of countertops, hardware, flooring, appliances, and cabinets aren’t going to be covered up by creating a cozy atmosphere.

(Contributing writer: M.D Tracey)

You can reduce your household’s impact on landfills  by recycling glass, aluminum, paper and plastic. Call your local waste management department for details.

We are lucky that here in Vermont, most of our town’s pick up or take in recycling for free! For locals, check out  www.cswd.net for more information.

Does your house have a “vampire problem”?

Items likes your coffeemaker, computer and television often referred to as “vampire devices” still use energy even when they’re turned off. Simply unplugging them can save an average household about $100 per year.

Sometimes also called “ghost appliances”. (How appropriate with Halloween just around the corner!) For more energy saving tips, visit www.greenmountainpower.com.

Do you know how to save 10,000 gallons of water this year?

If every person shaved 2 minutes off their shower time, each would save 10 gallons of water. With an average of 3 people per household and one shower each per day, that’s over 10,000 gallons of water!

Again living in Vermont we are somewhat lucky that water is plentiful here. In fact as I write this, it is pouring rain outside and has been for the past few days! Unfortunately some VT towns face flooding tonight. And supposedly we get more rain than Seattle, Washington! BUT, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to save water whenever we can! After all, water is a limited natural resource. For more information on how to save more H2O, visit www.savewateramerica.com.

Since 1944, the Department of Veterans Affairs has helped over 18 million men and women who have served our country achieve homeownership. The VA offers veterans one of the most progressive lending programs available complete with flexible loan terms and competitive rates. VA loans in the amount of $417,000 can be given to borrowers in most areas of the United States giving potential homeowners in Vermont – where the average home price is between $260,000 and $312,000 – 100% financing. VA loans up to $1,094,625 can even be loaned to eligible borrowers seeking real estate in more expensive markets.

Benefits of the VA Home Loan

Although high loan limits are incredibly beneficial to eligible borrowers seeking their dream home in Vermont, it is not the only perk the VA Home Loan offers. Because the VA insures 25% of each loan given to borrowers, VA-approved lenders are more likely to give borrowers benefits they would normally not find elsewhere with conventional loans. Other VA loan benefits include:

- No down payment

- Down payments in the form of gifts

- Lenient debt-to-income ratios

- Mortgage insurance not required

Who is Eligible for a VA Home Loan?

The VA home loan was specifically designed with veteran and active duty service members in mind. Nearly 80% of all veterans and active service members who qualified for a VA loan would not have been eligible for a conventional home loan. Although the VA home loan was created to help veterans and service members achieve homeownership, there are a few initial requirements that must be met to achieve eligibility.  These initial requirements include:

- Must have served 181 days on active duty or 3 months during war time

- Or must have served 6 years in the National Guard or Reserves

- Or be the spouse of a service member who was killed during active duty

If a potential borrower meets one of the above eligibility requirements, they must also receive a Certificate of Eligibility which an approved VA-lender may be able to help file for. Although there are no income or credit requirements associated with the VA home loan program, most VA-approved lenders will desire a credit score of at least 620 to secure financing.

If you think you might qualify for a VA loan, we recommend contacting  Nick Parent with The Mortgage Guys at Spruce Mortgage He can be reached at 802.863.5102 or Nick@Spruce Mortgage.com.

We’ll cover all the basics and answer all of your questions. The Burlington Free Press along with Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty and PrimeLending will be offering a free workshop that will help you understand how to navigate the home buying and selling process successfully. A light meal will be served.

To register for the workshop:
burlingtonfreepress.com/reworkshop
or 802.651.4866

Sponsored by Geri Reilly of Hickok & Boardman Realty, Barb McHenry of Prime Lending, The Burlington Free Press & Leunig’s Bistro & Cafe

But, in addition to all of the festivities, our company also takes into consideration those who are less fortunate during this special time. Currently we are collecting gifts and various items for the Humane Society of Chittenden County and Toys for Kids. And after our huge brunch yesterday, we took all of the leftover food to our local homeless shelter, COTS.  Also, many real estate agents here at Hickok & Boardman contribute to a special cause or group on their own.  For instance, Geri Reilly and her husband Mike Simoneau, donate thousands of dollars every year to organizations such as Lund Family Center, Howard Center for Human Services, Boys & Girls Club, Sisters of Mercy, etc.  Without generous donations and/or volunteer contributions, many of these non-profit’s would not survive! It is vital to our community to help support these social organizations. Please consider donating or volunteering your time to a local cause this holiday season so everyone can feel the love and festiveness this year!

The Reilly Team and everyone at Hickok & Boardman Realty wishes everyone a safe, happy holiday and best of wishes in the new year!

Change your furnace filter once a month to keep your furnace running more efficiently and keep the air in your home cleaner.  This can cut your heating costs by as much as 5 % !! You can buy a new filter at any local hardware store or at Lowe’s where they have an entire webpage on their website to help you decide which filter is best for your furnace, home and budget. A new filter can reduce the dust in your home as well!

Don’t block heat vents or radiators. Air will circulate better when unobstructed.

You can also make sure to keep your heating bills low by winterizing your windows, doors, attics and basements. Use weather-stripping around any older drafty windows and doors. Or if you’ve got some extra money and want to invest in your home, may decide to upgrade your windows. Most new Energy Star windows qualify for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency in which you can get up to $1500 of the cost credited to your tax return. For specifics on this visit Energy Star’s website or ask a tax consultant. If you are seeing ice dams on your roof, you may have heat escaping from your attic causing snow to melt and freeze. This can affect your energy bills as well as risk serious damage to your roof. Insulate your attic! It’s an easy do-it-yourself project! Remember the pink panther? Well he’s the mascot for the Owens Corning brand and they have a lot of great advice on this simple home project. And insulating your attic (or basement) qualifies for a tax credit too!

Turn your water heater down to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Trust me, the water will still be plenty warm enough for showering and dishwashing. Also, put some sort of  wrap or blanket around your water heater to keep heat from escaping. Here are some great tips for insulating your water heater from the U.S. Department of Energy. You can cut your water-heating costs by 6-10%  if you follow some of this advice!

Finally, when shoveling or plowing snow in your yard or driveway, be sure to keep your furnace exhaust system outlet free from snow or any other objects. This vent blows out carbon monoxide from your heating system. If it gets blocked CO2 can build up in your home and the only way you would know is if you have CO2 detectors because this deadly gas is completely odorless. In addition, make sure the batteries in your CO2 and fire detectors are charged and working properly.

Happy Winter!

Just listed a great property in Colchester – a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2225 square foot Townhouse built in 2001 for $269,900. It had been listed by another Realtor prior and hadn’t sold yet, so now it’s our turn to try to sell it. A few things we noticed that might make the home more sellable were if we upgraded the kitchen and bathroom cabinet knobs as well as paint a few rooms to more neutral colors. The cabinets in both the kitchen and full baths are a light wood color – most likely maple and they featured white ceramic knobs. We decided to upgrade the cabinet hardware to a more modern style – satin nickel! You can buy a set of 10 knobs at Lowe’s Home Improvement for about $19 – that’s less than $2 per knob! All that was required to switch out the hardware was a screwdriver and it only took about 20 minutes. A cheap and easy way to give any kitchen or bath a fresh new look!

We also have plans to paint the dining room and living room in this Condo. The dining room is currently a light orange color, which probably looked great with the previous décor and furniture, but it’s better to have a more neutral color. This way, prospective buyers can start with a clean slate, so to speak. In addition, the dining room is the first room you see when you walk in the door and the old saying couldn’t be any more true, “You never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression!” The living room is a deep red, which again is nice and gives the room some warmth and personality, but again most buyers prefer to see homes in more neutral state, so they can picture their own furniture and decorations in the room more easily. Also, new owners can always paint later to match their specific style, but it’s always easier to paint over a light color than a dark one.

These are just a couple tips to make your house more sellable, especially in the slow market we’re experiencing now! Click here for more tips on how to make your home sell faster!

The size of your down payment will depend on the price of the home you want to buy. It will also depend on your ability to pay, and the type of mortgage you get.

As a general rule, lenders like to see a 20% down payment for a conventional mortgage.  A conventional mortgage is one that is underwritten by a bank, savings and loan , or some other mortgage company.  A 20% down payment on $100,000 home would be $20,000.

If you are selling your current home in order to buy another, you may get enough cash to cover the 20% down payment. If you are a first time home buyer, however, you may have trouble coming up with that much money.

Certain mortgage options allow you to make a smaller down payment. Some lenders, for example, will accept smaller down payments if you buy private mortage insurance (called PMI).

FHA loans require an even smaller down payment, as little as 3-5%. If you qualify for a VA loan, you don’t need a down payment at all. Many special loan programs  for first time home buyers also have a reduced down payments.

The principal behind these requirements is simple. lenders know from experience that homeowners who put a substantial amount of their own money into buying a home are less likely to default on the mortgage.

And if the mortgage is secured by an insurance policy (as in PMI) or by the government (as in FHA or VA loans), the lenders feel protected and they are willing to skip the requirement for the large down payment.

Any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to counsel you or recommend a good mortgage broker who can provide the specifics on the various mortgage programs available to you.

Asbestos in the Home

Courtesy of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center – www.asbestos.com

1.) The Basics – As the saying goes, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression!” This could not be any truer! The first few things a buyer sees when they pull up to your house is the front yard and entrance. Make sure your yard is spotless – rake, weed, add some new flowers, whether in the garden or in hanging baskets on the front porch, etc. Also, give the front door and fresh coat if paint if needed and replace the house numbers, mailbox and outside light if needed. If not, at least make sure they are all clean.

2.)   Clean the Windows – Consider having them professionally cleaned or to save money you could do them yourself with Windex and wipe off with newspapers to avoid streaks – they work great! Also, remove dated window treatments unless they are wooden blinds or Plantation shutters. But make sure those blinds are open if you’ve got a view – a stunning view is a huge selling point!

3.) Clean & Declutter – If you want your home to sell fast, clean everything! This means you might have to get up on a chair or ladder to clean hard to reach spots like chandeliers, ceiling fan and shelves. Also wipe down any grimy light switch plates and keep your bathroom mirrors spotless. Have your carpets professionally cleaned as well and if that’s not enough, just have them replaced. Don’t forget to clean out your closets, guest room, and garage too! This spots are notorious for collecting random junk. Have a yard sale or donate unwanted or unneeded household items – minimize your belongings – it will make your future move a lot easier too! Also make sure your kitchen is spotless and the counters are bare – remove unnecessary  appliances and gadgets, including toasters and coffeemakers.

4.) Depersonalize – If you remove most of your personal items from various rooms, prospective buyers can better visualize their personal belongings and decorations in the home. Remove knick-knacks, personal photos, collections, paperwork, etc.

5.) Paint - Use neutral colors that will appeal to more people. Again, it’s all about making it easier for buyers to imagine your home as their new home.

6.) Staging – Home stagers have become part of an entourage to help real estate agents and seller get homes ready to be someone else’s. That frequently means depersonalizing  the home and making it “model home” neutral. This will appeal to more buyers.

7.) Check Out the Competition – Go online and check out some real estate websites – there are a ton of them! Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, etc. Look at photos of other homes for sale to get some ideas. These sites will also offer suggestions and questions to ask your agent .

Ultimately your goal is to give your home that WOW factor which will make your home stand out to prospective buyers and make them remember it. This along with a good price will give your home value, which is what today’s buyers are looking for.  For more information, advice from a seasoned real estate expert, or to set up a free home consultancy/market analysis of your home, give Geri Reilly a call! 802.862.6677

Geri Reilly has been selling real estate in northwestern Vermont since the early 1980s and has consistently been a top producer. She specializes in listing homes, buyer brokering and consulting. She can be reached at 802.862.6677 or Geri@BuyVTRealEstate.com.

Carolyn Weaver has over 13 years experience as a real estate agent and has marketed and sold hundreds of homes in Chittenden County. She specializes in neighborhoods, condominiums, new construction, custom homes and lakefront property. She can be reached at 802.846.9554 or Carolyn@BuyVTRealEstate.com.

Bryce Gilmer has been selling real estate in both Vermont and New Hampshire since 2005 and has several years of sales management experience. His expertise and knowledge of the real estate market is an essential part of assisting clients in their search for a new home. He can be reached at 802.846.9546 or Bryce@BuyVTRealEstate.com.

Chad Dion has over 12 years experience as a real estate agent and has marketed and sold hundreds of homes. He specializes in residential sales of condominiums, single family homes, and 2-4 unit buildings in Chittenden County. He can be reached at 802.846.9562 or Chad@BuyVTRealEstate.com.

Joanna Gnaedinger has over 26 years of experience working as a Realtor in Vermont. In addition to her experience, Joanna also has remarkable interpersonal skills which give her the ability to connect with her clients and meet their every need. She can be reached at 802.846.9522 or Joanna@BuyVTRealEstate.com

 For more information, testimonials, tips or to search for Vermont property visit www.BuyVTRealEstate.com.

Sugarbush Resort - downhill skiing and snowboarding. It’s their 50th anniversary – check out their website for deals!

Mad River Glen - a cooperative resort (owned by its skiers) downhill skiing only (no riders) – Ski It If You Can!

Stowe Mountain Resort – downhill skiing and snowboarding – Vermont’s biggest and most popular mountain.

Smuggler’s Notch - downhill skiing and snowboarding – get $20 off coupons for lift tickets when you buy Coke products at participating Mobil Gas Stations!

Catamount Outdoor Family Center – for cross country skiing and snowshoeing

Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Visiting/Tourism Web Page – Winter Outdoor Recreational Activities

Leddy Park Arena – ice skating and hockey

Penguin Plunge - Vermonters jump in the icy cold Lake Champlain in February to support the Special Olympics!

Burton Snowboards -  leading snowboard manufacturer worldwide started in 1977 by Jake Carpenter in Londonderry, VT with it’s headquarters and flagship store in Burlington.

Vermont Weather Forecast from WCAX

And if you’re from out-of-state but just love Vermont and its long, cold winters and you’re thinking about moving to our beautiful state – give me a quick call or email -  my team will help you find your dream winter home!

Camel's Hump Winter '08-'09

Let’s hope 2009 has alot to offer home buyers and sellers this year! I think it will. With interest rates hanging in around 5%, this may be the year for first time home buyers to make it happen. In addition, the government is offering upto $7500 for a tax credit for first time home buyers if they buy between April and June.  For more information on this, visit FederalHousingTaxCredit.com. This is all good news for home sellers too! With low interest rates, that means buyers will be out there looking more and hopefully making some offers. We’ve already see ALOT of activity this year so far in our office, Hickok & Boardman Realty.  I have high hopes for the real estate market this year!

Looking to buy? Contact me now for a FREE Buyer Consultation!

Looking to sell? Again, give me a call or email for a FREE Market Analysis of your home!

Looking to find our more information on the low mortgage rates everyone is talking about? Talk to our good friend Nick Parent from Spruce Mortgage.

Howard Center for Human Services

Lund Family Center

St. John Vianney Parish

Chittenden County Emergency Food Shelf

United Way of Chittenden County

Homeshare Vermont

South Burlington Girls Lacrosse

South Burlington Youth Football

South Burlington Youth Soccer Association

South Burlington High School Parents Association

Greater Burlington Boys and Girls Club

Keep doors and windows locked at all times – even when you are home and awake.

Be cautious of unexpected visitors. If a stranger knocks on your door, you don’t have to open it! You must also beware of scam artists selling fake products/services.

Install motion sensor lights outside of your house to deter potentials burglars.

Let your neighbors know if you go away on vacation and keep and eye out for each others’ homes. Also register with FrontPorchForum.com! It’s a great online tool to get connected to people in your community and keeps everyone posted on neighborhood activities, whether good news or bad.

Now, if your home is on the market for sale, you should also take extra precautions! Here are some tips to keep your home safe during showings and/or open houses:

Keep small valuables either out of plain sight or invest in a safe to keep passports, jewelry, cameras, laptops, iPods, and other valuable personal items locked up.  Remember, potential buyers may be opening drawers and closets while looking at your property.

Keep pathways to and from the house clear. Don’t give anyone a place to hide when approaching your home. Trim trees and shrubs that are near entrances to deter criminal activity.

Some potential buyers like to check out homes when no one is home, peeking through windows and trying to open doors. So keep your doors (including the garage door) and windows locked while your home is on the market.  

Hopefully these tips will help. If anyone has anything to add – please feel free to comment!

For the complete story: “That’s Fake Green on Foreclosure Lawns”

CNN.com - “Vermont City is Healthiest in U.S., CDC says” – click here for story

And here are links to the other great articles as well:

WSJ - “Small City, Big Charms” click here for story

NYT - “36 Hours in Burlington” – click here for story

Any out-of-staters thinking about moving to Burlington or another part of Vermont?? Let us know. We’d be happy to send you our complimentary relocation package highlighting what our beautiful state and city has to offer. The Hickok & Boardman Realty relo package has lots of great materials including info on The Flynn Center, Shelburne Farms, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, Seven Days Restaurant Guide, and more! Contact us today and we’ll put one in the mail for you!

The Geri Reilly Team – #1 Coldwell Banker Team in Vermont!

802.862.6677 or Email Geri

In addition, CFC light bulbs are a great choice because they are known to significantly reduce energy costs. So if you’re in the market for them and live in Vermont’s Chittenden County, you can purchase them at our local co-op grocery store, City Market. Last I knew they were priced at $0.99 each! For more energy saving tips, you can visit Burlington Electric’s website.

Political Sign Sweep