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Best on the Block: How to Create Curb Appeal

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all is on its way, so itÕ s time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home’s profile.

Make a Statement with Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home? Why not spruce it up a bit? Whether your door is drafty, past its prime, or just plain drab, play around with bright colors that compliment the exterior painting on your wall. Make a bold statement while improving your home’s energy efficiency with a new Energy Star-qualified front door.

Consider options that also have a decorative appeal to them, such as glass accents or stunning sidelights to add more natural lighting.

Refresh Exterior & Trim Colors

Now is also time to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing color scheme. For a more dramatic change, repaint your homeÕ s exterior.

You can also change trim color to refresh your homeÕ s exterior impact. When updating trim, choose a color that matches your homeÕ s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

Accent with Lighting

For night-time curb appeal, as well as safety, add a row of exterior accent lighting to illuminate walkways with ground-insert solar lights. Also, consider spotlights to draw attention to landscaping or architectural focuses.

Install new light fixtures on either side of your front door to invite a welcoming environment for visitors.

Create Points of Interest with Plants

Add bursts of color by arranging potted plants around your front porch or on your decking. Incorporate planters and containers of varied sizes, shapes, and colors to add visual appeal.

Also, planting flowerbeds along driveways and

walkways gives your home a softer, more inviting feel. If youÕ re situated on a ledge, incorporating raised beds into your dŽ cor, while using the nonusable area in the best way possible.

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Jim A Soriano, Agent 211 Maple Street Ste 27C Middlebury, VT 05753 Bus: 802-388-3276 jim@insuringvermont.com

60737

Car, Home and Life Insurance Combine your homeowners and car policies and save.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL ME TODAY.

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52378

www.vtstoragecontainers.com

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COLDWELL BANKER • WATSON REALTY

MOUNTAIN CEDAR HOME ON 1.5 ACRES

NEWLY BUILT COLONIAL NEAR PICO/KILLINGTON SKI AREAS

193 Fiddlehead Lane, Pittsfield 2540 Sq. Ft., 3 bedrooms / 3 baths, Stone fireplace, Finished basement with bunk room, Deck, Hot tub, Safeguard System for power/temperature monitoring. Agent Joan Watson

722 Woodward Rd., Mendon Colonial beauty with extras, 3+ acres near pond, river, skiing, radiant hardwood floors, state of the art systems, handcrafted cabinetry, soapstone countertops, 4BR / 3 Baths, Fireplace. Agent Joan Watson

LOG HOME BEAUTY ON 12 ACRES

STUNNING CONTEMPORARY W/ MOUNTAIN VIEW

$259,500

MLS #4183333

16 Stoney Field Rd., Chittenden Gorgeous country setting, 4 bedrooms / 3 baths, home office, living room with fieldstone fireplace, formal dining, granite kitchen, 1st floor laundry, screened porch. Established perennials, fruit trees, stone walls, year round brook. Barstow School. Agent Betsy Reddy

$475,000

MLS #4357988

GORGEOUS HILLSIDE CONTEMPORARY

387 Mitchell Rd., Shrewsbury 4 bedrooms / 3 baths, 10.10 acres. Open living space on three levels w/ country views from every window, office, family room, wrap-around porch, private back deck, 2-car garage & shed. Enjoy rock gardens, old stone walls and shady maples. Agent Jim Watson

$395,000

MLS #4358604

Watson Realty 182 Woodstock Ave. Rutland, VT 05701

$585,000

MLS #4198834

1223 Quarterline Road, Rutland Town Quality craftsmanship, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, custom granite and cherry kitchen, 9’ ceilings, radiant heat, family room, office, sun room, formal LR and DR, in-ground pool, 3 bay garage Agent Carol McQuate

$499,900

MLS #4348510

EXPANDED CAPE ON 19 ACRES W/ MOUNTAIN VIEWS

367 Mountain View Rd, Tinmouth Picture-perfect 3,968 sqft. 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath home, high-end chef’s kitchen w/ 10’ high ceilings, 1st & 2nd floor master BR’s, sun room, 1st floor laundry, attached 2-car garage and detached 26’x44’ garage and workshop w/ 2nd floor storage. Open meadows and gorgeous longrange mountain views. Agent Betsy Reddy

$639,000

MLS #4364582

WE BELIEVE IN HOME 57242

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Before you sell your Vermont home W

hen you get ready for a move and to sell your home, itÕ s easy to get wrapped up in remembering the special times you shared as a family under that roof. DonÕ t get too distracted because you need to start looking at your house through the eyes of a prospective buyer!

This is no longer your home sweet home, but a product. You need to make it look itÕ s best.

Consider these tips to make your home sell faster: 1. Mow the lawn 2. Trim trees and plant flowers 3. Store bikes, unused equipment, and more in the garage or out of sight 4. Paint or touch-up your homeÕ s exterior 5. Put potted flowers in the front to welcome visitors 6. Remove unnecessary furniture. A cluttered home can make the space look smaller.

7. Clean closets and clear countertops 8. Scrub all tile floors 9. Clean carpets, windows, and mirrors 10. Clean any stains in sinks and tubs 11. Fix leaky faucets 12. Replace missing hardware on doors or cabinets

13. Fix or replace appliances that donÕ t work 14. Paint if necessary 15. Stop smoking in your home 16. Bathe pets 17. Dry clean drapes and shampoo carpets

18. Place flowers or air fresheners throughout the home 19. Invite a guest to walk through your home like a potential buyer would to see if itÕ s inviting, clean, and well-maintained.

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Culligan Water Technologies Servicing Vermont, Upstate NY and New Hampshire www.CULLIGAN4U.COM Family Owned & Operated since 1949 1-800-400-0099 32600

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I

Ten summer moving tips

f youÕ re moving this summer, you know how daunting it can be. By creating a blueprint for your move, the transition will go more smoothly.

1. Decide if you can move alone, or if you will need assistance.

The answer depends on several factors, including household size, lifestyle, budget, and amount of time you have before the next occupant of your home moves in. If you decide to go with a moving company, be sure to get quotes from at least three sources, so you know youÕ re getting the best deal for your needs.

2. Plan to unpack BEFORE you pack.

Take photos of each room in your new home, so when you arrive with your possessions you know where each item should go in your new home. Be sure you know what major items need to be assembled first, that way it’s done before the smaller items take over.

3. Pack Smarter.

Start packing early. Complete a change of address form through the Post Office and schedule utilities ahead of time, so everything is ready to go the moment you step foot into your new home.

Make sure you get rid of clutter that may have accumulated throughout the years. Divide your belongings into categories like, donate, give to a friend, trash, pack now, or keep for later. The earlier you start, the less overwhelmed youÕ ll be as moving day draws closer. As you pack things into

boxes, make sure you label the outside of the box so you know what boxes belong in what room of your new house.

4. Ship the KidÕ s off Somewhere on Moving Day Plan ahead. KidÕ s are naturally curious and can be in danger during the moving process, so plan ahead for daycare or another provider on moving day. If that is not an option, plan to create a safe place for the children in the new home so they donÕ t get in the way.

5. Don’t fight with Fido Packing and moving can be stressful for animals. Consider boarding your pet the day you move, or set up a time for a friend to watch your animal at their home.

6. Keep track of small parts Some items need to be disassembled prior to moving, leaving behind nuts and screws in the process. Rather than tape them to the piece of furniture and risk them getting lost in the move, put everything in a baggie and label that instead.

Keep all of the baggies in one box on moving day so they remain in one place together.

7. Take pictures of electronic hook-ups Hooking up TVs, DVRs, home theater systems and computers can be challenging. Before unplugging any wires for the move, take a photo of the connections, print them out and label them in detail. ep track of all loose wires using baggies or boxes that are clearly labeled.

8. Packing cleaning products and toxins.

Products such as detergents, pesticides and paint can be a pain to pack. Check with your towns waste disposal department for guidance on how to store, move, or dispose certain products.

9. Consider getting full value insurance protection.

If you decide to use a professional mover, it may cost a few dollars extra, but it provides peace of mind. Investing in full value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made at current market value, regardless of age. ItÕ s important to note that the required minimum coverage would likely not cover the replacement cost of more expensive items such as a TV if damaged in transit.

10. Know your rights if using a professional mover Research your rights as a consumer with either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves or contact the state agency within the state in which you reside for moves within state. Also, enlist the help of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage. FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims.

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Ready to Buy Your First Home?

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s the time right to buy your first home?

To help first time buyers know if they’re ready to search for the home of their dreams, weÕ ve made a Ò reality checklistÓ to help decide if now is the right time.

upfront, making sure to include the funds for a down payment and closing costs. Look for special loans through VHFA and government sponsored loans for first-time homebuyers that reduce the amount of money needed to get into your dream home.

1. Make sure your finances are in order Before you decide to buy, make sure your credit is in good enough shape and repair any damage previously done. It is essential to know your credit score. Having enough money set aside for a down payment is also an important component to making sure you are ready to purchase a home. ItÕ s important to make sure you donÕ t put all of your money on a down payment as other fees and expense often arise during and after closing.

3. Learn the Lingo First-time buyers are new to the market and will likely finance a significant portion of their purpose, so itÕ s important to be familiar with the processes and terminology associated with home buying.

2. DonÕ t fall in love with a house you canÕ t buy Find out how much you can afford. This means establish your budget

4. Check Rates and Find the Right Mortgage Find a site or ask your agent to help you find and get real loans with real rates in real time. Selecting the right mortgage can be stressful, but can be less stressful with the guidance of individuals in the industry.

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