Make sure to check out the weekend-long activities in Northfield over Labor Day.  Here’s a link to the full entertainment and activity schedule—lots of great things to do!   Events start on Friday evening with an outdoor movie at the Gray Building (donations appreciated). I haven’t heard yet what the movie will be, but I’m sure it will be appropriate for all ages.   Saturday hits the ground running with the Northfield Savings Bank Flying Pig 5k. There’s always a good turnout for this race. And, while running 5 kilometers may be a regular thing for some people, others can take part in the mile walk. Barre Town Elementary will have a contingent on youngsters getting a little weekend exercise in the mile walk.   Then throughout the day, there’s music, magic, and even the nationally recog... 08/25/2013

"It's cheap for what it is, but what the heck is it?" Those are the words that came from a buyer today while showing a house for sale in Northfield, VT. I won't go into too much detail, but I will say that it's going to take someone with vision to make a go at it. Know anyone with vision? Sorry for the short post, but I had to get this out before I forgot. 04/14/2013

Last night, after a well-attended Norwich University summer barbecue, several folks headed over to Northfield’s newest establishment—The Knotty Shamrock.  It's on East Street, across from Common off Main Street in Northfield. Hits the Mark After weeks of speculation as to what the newly renovated downtown storefront would look like, it had its grand opening last week. Modeled after a traditional Irish pub, complete with ornate barbacking, and rich interior décor, the Knotty Shamrock also seems to be having a little fun with itself. Amid pub favorites such as Irish stew and pot pie was the Greek Salad…with Irish cucumbers. I love it! Good Service, Too The service was spectacular. Our waitress took several orders at once, remembered them, and was quick and professional. All of the tables ... 08/19/2011

Sock Sale in Northfield, VT Vermont is a different place than just about anywhere else in the country.  It might be a different time too.  Who knows, I love it.  But a Cabot Hosiery Sock Sale on Hunters' Widows Weekend?  Again, I love it! Saturday marks the beginning of rifle hunting season for deer, and it's a big deal for a lot of families.  That's not necessarily unique to Vermont.  I grew up in Michigan, and it was always a question whether there would be enough kids in the schools on the first day of hunting season to count as a state sanctioned school day.  I think the cutoff was 70% attendance. But, Vermont is different.  Cabot Hosiery has its annual Sock Sale in Northfield, VT.  That's right.  Socks.  Made right in the United States.  Right in Vermont.  I've been to the Sock Sal... 11/12/2010

These girls get major credit for being in the ENTIRE Northfield Labor Day Parade.  Snacks helped, but the older cutie (Josephine) had a blast waving at all the people along the parade route.  The younger cutie (Willoughby) is just learning to walk, and I was surprised that she was content riding at all. Fred, Ann, Jane, and Alice joined me in what is probably Vermont's biggest Labor Day celebration. We even followed all of the rules, and we didn't throw candy.  We did, however, hand out hundreds of pieces of candy--mostly to children, but not always. It was great fun, seeing all the faces of people I know and work with in Northfield.  Jason (a coworker of my wife's at Norwich University) even conceded that the town is, in fact, big enough for the both of us.  Inside joke... 09/07/2010

I like to tell my daughter that, "Daddy can do anything!"  This weekend in Northfield, I'm putting that to the test.  I'm hosting four open houses on the same day, at more or less the same time. It turns out that I work in a very cooperative office.  Fred, Charlie, and Tim are all going to help.  I love that everyone pitches in. I figure that people can get a good sampling of the Northfield, VT real estate market in a quick morning of touring.  Here's the agenda: 390 Dickinson Drive:  10:00-12:00 57 Warren Avenue:  12:00-2:00 309 South Main Street:  12:00-2:00 34 Route 12 South:  12:00-2:00 08/12/2010

Really quickly, here are two things I love about Northfield, VT. 1.  The playground at the Northfield Elementary School has the best playground views I've ever seen.  Do yourself a favor if you haven't (and if you're moving to Northfield, and have kids, you're DEFINITELY going to want to do this), take the 80-something stairs to the upper playground.  You'll see what I mean. Many of you know that I used to teach 2nd grade at Northfield Elementary.  That's how I know about the playground.  I remember being up there are recess duty and wondering about what view my flatlander teacher friends had. 2.  The pool/playground/skate park at the end of King Street.  It's right in town, and it's easy to walk there, but you won't just accidentally walk past it.  So, again, if you're moving to Northf... 05/19/2010

Norwich University and Northfield VT Homes for Sale Around this time of year, faculty and staff (military and civilian) at Norwich University who are coming or going, actually start coming and going.  Both civilian and military faculty positions change frome time to time, and there are always people looking to move to Northfield, VT (or the surrounding area), and people looking to sell their homes in Northfield and move away. In recent weeks, I have heard personally of three buyers looking for homes in the area, and two sellers looking to sell--all affiliated with Norwich University.  And there's going to be more activity coming up.  The key to moving to Northfield, VT and to Norwich University is to know the area.  Know the town. Sometimes, it's even good to know the neighbors.  Last w... 05/09/2010

When my wife and I bought our first fixer upper in Montpelier, a friend used that expression.  She was right.  We bought the smelly house, fixed it up, rented it for a year, sold it to the tenants, and came out ahead.  Not bad for first timers, we thought. I appreciate it when buyers have the same mentality.  We looked at some homes for sale in Northfield today, and, quite frankly, one of them smelled.  Love dogs or hate dogs, having two golden retrievers and at least two cats in the fully carpeted house made it kind of smelly.  The other two houses we looked at were noticeably un-smelly. Which one did my buyers like best?  You got it--smelly.  In fact, the wife began affectionately calling it "The Stinky House".  She's got it right.  Pull out the carpet and paint it, and it'll smell li... 04/12/2010

Ahhh...the eternal question.  I fully understand the argument.  Hire a professional and pay the commission (when it sells) or go it alone, and try to avoid the commission.  Our office has some very preliminary sales data from 2009 in Northfield, Williamstown, and Calais.  I preface ALL of my stats by saying that, being Central Vermont, the sample sizes are small.  Not sure if this would hold up to rigorous statistical review. But anecdotes are worthwhile too. In all three of those towns, Williamstown, Northfield, and Calais, the difference in sale price between those that sold using a Realtor and those that were "direct sales" was just a hair over 10%.  This suggests that sellers are more likely to ge a higher net price using a Realtor than selling on their own.  To me, that's a pretty ... 01/20/2010

Northfield Elementary School students have a new incentive for continuing to achieve educational accolades--free hockey tickets. Heney Realtors has teamed up with the Northfield Elementary School principal, Carol Curtis, and with teachers to reward students who do outstanding work.  While the details are being worked out, the gist is that those students who meet the school's high expectations will be entered in a drawing for a pair of tickets to a Norwich University (nationally ranked, I might add!) hockey game.  There are several games remaining, and tickets will be awarded for each remaining home game. And on a personal note, I'm excited to get a chance to let the residents of Northfield show off their scholars.  Now, Patrick, stop chit chatting with your neigbors, and finish your mat... 12/14/2009

In Northfield, Vermont, this is big news.  The whole town rallies behind the Cadets, and with good reason.  They're usually pretty darn good--as in national champion quality good. The last couple years, though were a little off.  Penalties, problems scoring, etc.  But this year they look strong.  If you haven't had a chance to see a game yet, check it out.  Trans-Video on Depot Street usually has tickets, as does Capitol Plaza in Montpelier.  This weekend they beat Amherst 5-0 and then hung another 5-0 on Hamilton.  Tough goalie, good scoring, and, for the first time in a couple years, some really sharp, precise offensive passing.  Yessir, it's shaping up to be a good season for Northfield, and for Norwich University. I know, I know, not at all real estate related.  But you know what?  ... 12/07/2009