irene gaffigan: On the Move! - 09/29/09 10:01 PM
Lang McLaughry Spera Rutland Office has moved to a new location.  Please come and visit me at the beautiful new office location:
85 North Main Street, Rutland, Vermont 05701
Phone, Fax  and e-mail stay the same.
(2 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Real Estate: Home Sweet Second Home - 07/17/08 09:51 AM
Summer has turned many people's thoughts to second homes and Ludlow VT vacation homes.  Unfortunately, though, encouraging statistics about the Ludlow VT vacation home market have been muffled under some of the negative news about the current economy and housing market.
According to the National Association of Realtors' 2007 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, second-home sales accounted for one-third of all existing and new-home sales in 2007.  A large portion of those purchases were vacation homes.  So - why do families buy these "homes away from home?"  The survey found that several factors go into the decision to buy a … (2 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Real Estate Tip: What Is Universal Design? - 07/10/08 10:17 PM
You may have heard buzz around the term "universal design" in recent years, but do you know what it is or how it affects the Ludlow VT real estate and construction markets?
 
According to Lowes.com, universal design is the creation of products and environments meant to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. The intent is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal Design benefits people of all ages … (1 comments)

irene gaffigan: Celebrating Independence Day in Ludlow VT - 07/04/08 12:34 AM
Happy 4th of July, Ludlow!  Although this weekend is a time for fireworks and enjoying time with friends and family, it is also a time to remember what makes our country so great - our freedom.  So as you gather with friends and neighbors on Friday, take a moment to thank our military-living and dead, at home and abroad-for the sacrifices they have made for us.  Because, as we all know, freedom isn't free!
 
Be sure to check out the events and activities happening this holiday weekend in Ludlow!
 
We'll return to discussing Ludlow VT real estate next week; … (3 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Real Estate: Is The Price Right? - 06/19/08 09:02 PM
What do you think is the single most important factor that determines why one property sells more quickly than another?
 
In the real estate world, we always hear "Location, Location, Location," but according to a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors, almost 2/3 of the respondents said price was the key factor.
 
The same results held true for sellers.  "Getting the price right" was and is one of the most frequently cited challenges for sellers who are not represented by a Realtor®.
 
Other factors that were included in the poll were - no surprise here … (2 comments)

irene gaffigan: Father’s Day Facts for Ludlow VT - 06/12/08 11:26 PM

In honor of Dear Old Dad, we are taking a week off from discussing Ludlow VT real estate. Father's Day is coming up this Sunday, and there is plenty to do around Ludlow VT and Okemo Mountain to celebrate with the special father in your life.Here are some little-known facts about Father's Day:- There are approximately 66.3 million fathers in the United States.- The word "Dad" dates back to the sixteenth century, or possibly even earlier. It may have originated with the Welsh word "Tad" (meaning father), which later mutated to Dad. The word "Father" is derived from the Old … (1 comments)

irene gaffigan: Why Stage Your Ludlow VT Real Estate ? - 06/05/08 10:41 PM
"Staging" Ludlow VT real estate for sale has become a hot trend in the industry. Unlike some trends that are more trouble than they're worth, however, this is one trend that can really pay off! Here are 12 reasons why you should consider staging your home on the market:1. Turbo Boost Sales TimeExperts all agree and studies show staged homes sell quicker - sometimes up to 50% faster - than non-staged homes. Typically, when a home has been on the market for some time, buyers and agents will assume there must be something wrong with it or that the seller will … (1 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Vacation Home Trends - 05/30/08 04:13 AM
Although this article uses a beach vacation rental condo as an example, the tips included are valuable for any Ludlow VT vacation home owner as well. Here are some of the many tips for retaining loyalty among your renters:- Forget neutral! Bring on the "vacation-y" décor, but try not to go overboard!- Furnish with easy-to-use furniture that is easy to clean and can withstand wear and tear- Stock up on plenty of family-oriented indoor activities like board games and playing cards- Include some homey touches like a binder of local restaurant menus or personal tips on local attractionsTo learn more about … (1 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Vacation Home Trends - 05/30/08 04:10 AM
Although this article uses a beach vacation rental condo as an example, the tips included are valuable for any Ludlow VT vacation home owner as well. Here are some of the many tips for retaining loyalty among your renters:- Forget neutral! Bring on the "vacation-y" décor, but try not to go overboard!- Furnish with easy-to-use furniture that is easy to clean and can withstand wear and tear- Stock up on plenty of family-oriented indoor activities like board games and playing cards- Include some homey touches like a binder of local restaurant menus or personal tips on local attractionsTo learn more about … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Real Estate Tip: Watch Out For Termites! - 05/22/08 10:49 PM
When we think of termites, most of us think they are only active in the spring and summer months. Although this is not the case, they do tend to swarm and become more active in most parts of the country this part of the year, and it is when most Ludlow VT real estate owners start thinking about them.Termites can silently and secretly destroy a home before you even see the first sign of evidence that these hungry home wreckers are even present. And, contrary to popular belief, they don't just eat wood!Check out this article to learn more about termites … (5 comments)

irene gaffigan: Baby Boomers Setting the Latest Ludlow VT Real Estate Trends - 05/15/08 08:19 AM
We know that the Baby Boomers account for a large part of the real estate owning population in America; the majority of Ludlow VT vacation home owners are also of the Baby Boom generation. It should come as no surprise, then, that these folks - not the typical "trendy" crowd - may be the latest trend-setters in vacation real estate also.Sounds unlikely, but it is very true! As this article in the Wall Street Journal explains, designers and architects are catering more and more toward this fast-growing segment of the population. Not only are more Baby Boomers planning to stay in … (1 comments)

irene gaffigan: Ludlow VT Real Estate Tip: Navigating Home Inspections - 05/08/08 08:14 AM
Home inspections are not just for new home buyers! As we have discussed in previous posts, it is extremely important to have your Ludlow VT real estate inspected professionally on a regular basis - especially if you are using it as a vacation property - to ensure you keep up with any necessary maintenance or repairs.Professional home inspectors examine existing homes using professional standards as a measure to accurately report their condition to parties involved in a real estate transaction, or to the existing owners looking to repair or renovate.Home inspectors offer many types of inspections to suit Ludlow VT real … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: Tips for Remodeling Your Ludlow VT Vacation Home - 05/01/08 11:25 PM
This article from 2nd Home Journal offers a fantastic list of tips for remodeling your second home. If you already own a Ludlow VT vacation home, you probably already know that remodeling a second home presents unique challenges. Below are the 10 main tips, and the article contains the full details on making your spring remodeling projects a success!- Do your research; prioritize your needs- Hire a competent designer or architect- Define your total project budget- Design for low maintenance and sustainability- Get three bids- Do reference checks- Plan at least a 10 percent contingency fund- Synchronize payments with work completed- … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: Cool Website Alert! Find Ludlow VT Gas Prices - 04/24/08 07:11 AM
There's no denying it - the cost of gas is rising through the roof. Some areas are even seeing gas prices as high as $4 a gallon! But not all gas stations are created equal, and gas prices can vary widely even in the same city. Before you fill up, check out GasBuddy.com and enter your ZIP code to find the very best (and worst) gas prices in Ludlow VT.For information about Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also request a complimentary market valuation of your Ludlow VT home here!
(6 comments)

irene gaffigan: How Does Ludlow VT Real Estate Compare Nationally? - 04/17/08 08:37 PM
Check out this website to see how Ludlow VT real estate valuation compares to other cities across the country. This site is not only informative, but it shows that - despite the national media's attention to the real estate slowdown - much of the national real estate market is still valued fairly, making it a great time to buy.To learn more about Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also fill out this form to request a complimentary market analysis of your Ludlow VT home!
 
(2 comments)

irene gaffigan: Encouraging News For Ludlow VT Real Estate Vacation Home Buyers - 04/10/08 09:28 PM
According to the latest research by the National Association of Realtors, 1/3 of all real estate transactions in 2007 involved second or vacation homes. Although sales declined overall when compared to 2006, the proportion of vacation home sales was still near-record.Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said lifestyle factors and strong demographics remain positive for the vacation home market. "Investment considerations are secondary for vacation-home buyers, so there is some dormant underlying demand," he said. "A peak of population is moving through the prime years for buying recreational property. It is welcoming to see investment sales returning to pre-boom activity."To learn more … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: Owning a Ludlow VT Vacation Home - 04/03/08 09:35 PM
This article from the Wall Street Journal offers a great, comprehensive overview of purchasing and owning Ludlow VT real estate to be used as a vacation home. It follows the story of a couple beginning with deciding to purchase in VT, to maintaining the property, and how they chose to handle renting the property.Important topics for all vacation home owners that are covered include:- Researching the local rental market and important factors to consider- Determining fees/maintenance costs ahead of time- Deciding who will manage and maintain the property- Deciding how rental income will be received and used- Determining the IRS status … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: What You Need To Know About Ludlow VT Tax Rebates - 03/27/08 08:28 PM
Congress' recent $170 billion economic stimulus plan is centered around new tax rebates; unfortunately, the details of the plan are foggy at best, leaving Ludlow VT real estate owners and taxpayers with questions about the rebates and how they will benefit. The details are still being worked out by the Treasury Department and the IRS, but here are some facts that have been made available:- To be eligible for a full rebate, single tax filers must have 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000. These filers will get rebates up to $600.- Joint filers must have AGI below $150,000 and are … (0 comments)

irene gaffigan: The Bumpy Streets of Ludlow Vermont - 03/20/08 09:50 PM
What do potholes, mud season, and black flies have in common? They are all "indigenous to Vermont," jokes Ludlow Municipal Manager Frank Heald. Along with the blessing of our snowy white winters comes the inevitable result of less-than-smooth roadways.This article from the Rutland Herald is a half-serious look at the trials and tribulations we all face as we navigate the [sometimes bumpy] streets of Ludlow every day, and addresses what is being done to help relieve the problems. Check it out and let us know what you think is the most infamous road hazard in Ludlow!To learn more about living in … (5 comments)

irene gaffigan: United Country Land Loan Financing - 03/16/08 02:52 AM
United Country Mortgage is now offering Land Loan financing for qualified applicants. Click here to read more about it!
Let me help you find the right property, then call the United Country Financing team to secure your mortgage.
To learn more about Ludlow VT real estate or market trends, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also sign up to receive automated emails of new listings that match your criteria here .
 
(1 comments)

 

Irene Gaffigan

Broker, CRS, e-PRO

Ludlow, VT

More about me…

Bean Group

Address: 36 VT Route 30, Bondville, VT, 05340

Office: 8004507784 ext 7442

Mobile: (802) 353-1983

Looking To Buy or Sell? Discover the Best in South Central Vermont Real Estate ,Okemo Mountain Real Estate, Rutland and Killington Real Estate from Irene Gaffigan, Associate Broker, Lang McLaughry Spera Real Estate


Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog