Taftsville Bridge Closed

It is sad to see what has become of the Taftsville Bridge and it will be 2014 before we see it again in all it’s glory. The photos below were taken just after the first of the year (January 13th 2012).  A mad dash has taken place to remove, store, and preserve half the bridge so the footings don’t take it all down river in the Spring time thaw.

Missing Half the Taftsville Bridge

It is surprising to see how lack of access to a local bridge affects behavior. Road running has significantly declined along River Road, Quechee is far removed and poorly accessible, business at the Taftsville Country Store is negatively affected, and a general sadness occurs when most drive by this historic landmark.

For the next couple years we will continue to see a barren but stubborn bridge standing to the testament of rugged construction and equally rugged individualism. We look forward to better days for all in 2012 and the bridge in 2014.

Friends and neighbors:

We are happy to share with you our “Snyder Bassette Real Estate Market Report” for the third quarter of 2011.

The full report, with all the tables and graphs, can be downloaded as a PDF file by clicking here:

Snyder Bassette Real Estate Market Report for 3rd Quarter 2011

• When we look at hard data – and look through the recent economic and stock market volatility and the turmoil from the Hurricane Irene flooding, it is clear that real estate sales activity is gradually improving.  For example, in 3Q2011, twenty-three (23) residential properties sold in the Greater Woodstock area vs. seventeen (17) in 3Q2010, or a 35% improvement.  This brings the YTD 2011 sold figure to sixty-two (62) residential properties vs. fifty-seven (57) in 2010, or a 9% improvement.  Overall, we expect year-over-year sales will be up, yet remain roughly in line with the average of the past three year of 81 sales per year.  This average is still down some 40% from the peak 3-years (2004-2006) when on average 134 residential properties sold in the area.

• The market for homes priced over $1 million also showed renewed signs of life this quarter, with six (6) sales of homes in that price range.  [Our firm had the buyer - and listing - for the most expensive home sold in Woodstock this quarter at $2.1 million, and the most expensive sale in Barnard this quarter.]  It is worth noting, though, that many of these six high-end deals were “inked” in the spring and early summer.  With the stock market first stumbling in early August and continuing to be volatile since then, activity on the high end has been more quiet.  We do anticipate another buying spree between here and year-end IF the markets can settle down (for more than a week or two) and the brewing national political storm does not kick up too much dust.  There are 45 beautiful high-end homes for sale in the area, so plenty of wonderful properties for buyers to choose from.

• There are still a lot of homes for sale in the area in all price ranges.  Specifically, there were 309 residential properties for sale across the seven towns, which is roughly in line with the number mid-summer.  Even though sales are picking up, so is the number of new homes coming on the market.  Thus, it continues to be a “buyers market”. We have been saying for more than a year that sellers must offer comparatively attractive pricing in order to get deals done.  This is evidenced again by the ratio of Sold to Last-listed-price, which average 85% this quarter.  Said differently, sellers conceded an additional 15% from their last list price vs. the long-term average concession of about 9%.  Homes already priced well have sold fairly tight to last list price, so the average can be misleading.  But overall, it is still a buyer’s market, so if you are a buyer, it is truly a great time to step up to the plate – with lots of great properties and attractive prices to choose from.

• We saw an uptick in the sale of homes in Barnard, Pomfret and Hartland this quarter. Normally, more homes with a Woodstock address sell than in other towns, which is to be expected given that there is a larger population and more homes to begin with.  On average, Woodstock accounts for approx. one-third (1/3) of the sales in the whole area.  YTD 2011, this has been closer to 50% (30 out of 62 sales).  Yet in the 3^rd quarter, Woodstock accounted for only twenty-six percent (26%) of sales, or 6 of 23 sales.  This is explained both by a temporary slowdown in the sale of Woodstock homes, and by an uptick of sales in Barnard, Pomfret and Hartland.  Specifically, Barnard had only two (2) sales in the first half of the year, but had six (6) sales in the 3^rd quarter.  Similarly, Pomfret – which had zero (0) sales in the first half, had three (3) sales in the 3^rd quarter.  And Hartland had six (6) sales in the 3^rd quarter, bringing the YTD total to twelve (12).  By contrast, Woodstock, which had twenty-four (24) sales in the first half, had only six (6) sales in the 3^rd quarter.

• On a personal note, John and I are happy to report that our firm had a very successful quarter, and just crossed $11 million in closed sales this year for the two of us. During the third quarter, we had the buyer (and listing) for the most expensive homes sold in both Woodstock ($2,100,000) and in Barnard ($775,000). Interestingly, we also had the least expensive home sale in Woodstock ($300,000) during the quarter. We now have nearly 50 properties for sale in the Greater Woodstock area.  Few of our sales have been straightforward…let’s just say we chalked up a few more war stories on what it took to get deals done.  Our business approach seeks to combine cutting edge online/web marketing – nationally and internationally – with excellence in old-school relationship management, networking, deal/negotiations skills  - and hard work.

Please contact either of us at any time. John Snyder’s cellphone is 802.280.5406 and his email is JohnS@SnyderBassette.com.  John Bassette’s cellphone is 802.280.5977 and his email is JohnB@SnyderBassette.com. Our office phone is 802 457-2600.  We are happy to consult on any real estate related matter.

We are taking new listings and look forward to hearing from you.

With best regards,

John Snyder                       John Bassette

Further, the ratio of the Sold-Price to the Last-Listed-Price improved from 88% in the fourth quarter of 2010 to 90% in the first quarter of 2011.  Said differently, sellers only conceded an additional 10% to get their houses sold vs 12% in the prior quarter.  This is nearly in line with the 10-year average of 91% and  a dramatic improvement over the 84% experienced in the 1^st quarter of 2010.  This improvement can be explained both by stronger offers and by more realistic listing prices as sellers have more fully accepted that prices have fallen from the peak levels of 5 years ago.  Competitive pricing has been key to selling your home in this market.

As of April 4, 2011, there were 255 houses for sale across the seven towns that comprise the Greater Woodstock real estate market, which is an improvement from year-end 2010 when 284 houses were actively listed for sale.  This decrease is partly explained by good sales during the first quarter, and partly by sellers taking a “listing pause” during mud season to avoid showings during the messiest time of year.  Based on our own conversations with potential sellers, we expect the number of houses for sale to increase further as we come into summer.  Thus our forecast continues to call for ongoing, modest improvement in real estate sales during 2011.  We believe pricing will remain flat for at least two years because of the ongoing imbalance in supply and demand:  255 houses are actively on the market – and more to come this spring – versus the 10-year average number of homes sold per year at 112.  So, there is still more than two years’ worth of homes for sale.    (It is worth noting that the real estate industry generally considers a six-month supply of homes for sale to be the balance-point between a “buyers” and a “sellers” market.) We are still safely forecasting that the local real estate market around the Greater Woodstock area will continue to be a “buyers” market during 2011 and likely into 2012.  The segment of the market that is in the greatest supply-demand imbalance is in the market for homes priced over $1 million, where there are forty-eight (48) homes for sale versus six (6) sales last year and seventeen (17) in the peak year of 2007.  Depending what you use in the denominator, there is somewhere between a three (3) and five (5) year supply of $1 million+ homes for sale in the Greater Woodstock area.

For buyers, we continue to believe that right now is the best buying opportunity of a lifetime – with reduced prices, an excellent selection of properties for sale – and historically low interest rates.    We strongly believe that real estate and particularly Vermont real estate is a very solid long-term investment.

On a personal note, John and I continue to find success selling homes, have four (4) homes contingent for sale and are actively working with our own buyers across all price ranges, and have several buyers looking for land.  We continue to invest heavily in our online marketing technology and recently added the 12-year old www.woodstockvtrealestate.com domain name to our web presence.  We offer sincere thanks to our many clients and friends for their continued support.  We look forward to a mutually profitable 2011.

Please contact either of us at any time.  John Bassette’s cellphone is 802.280.5977 and his email is JohnB@SnyderBassette.com.  John Snyder’s cellphone is 802.280.5406 and his email is JohnS@SnyderBassette.com.  Our office phone is 802 457-2600.  We are happy to consult on any real estate related matter.

We are taking new listings and look forward to hearing from you.

With best regards,

John Snyder                       John Bassette

We are having way too much fun up here selling Woodstock VT real estate, when you’re all done with the video give us a call so we can help you make this place we call home a part of your life too!

(Note: If you would like to subscribe to our email list to periodically receive news updates on Barnard VT and Barnard VT real estate activities, send me an email to that effect johns@snyderbassette.com.  I would be happy to add you to the list.  I will not share your contact information with anyone.  Also, if you want to UNsubscribe at any time, just send an email to that effect as well.  If you have content on upcoming events in Barnard or other town news you’d like me to share, send an email and I’ll incorporate that into my periodic email blogs about Barnard.)

Barnard General Store, Barnard VT

• The average house sale in Barnard VT during 2010 was $638,000, skewed heavily by the two high end sales.   Three of the house sales in Barnard were between $159,000 and $350,000.  To view the homes currently for sale in Barnard, click here: Barnard VT Homes for Sale.

• After more than a year of quietude for high end Barnard second home sales, the 4th quarter brought two notable sales: Twin Ponds on Gulf Road (our listing) sold for $2 million in late October, then right at year end, a home sold on the North Road for just over $1 million.  These two sales established price levels again in the high end not only for Barnard, but also for Woodstock, which also had one (1) sale over $1 million in the 4^th quarter (and three in total for the year).  There are currently eight (8) homes for sale in Barnard priced over $1 million.

• The 4^th quarter sales confirmed that Barnard is a very desirable VT second home location – the quintessential Vermont small town – centered around beautiful Silver Lake, the wonderful Barnard Academy school, the community vibe around the lake, the Barnard General Store, the churches, Town Hall and the Post Office – and the Barnard Volunteer Fire Department, with more than 25 dedicated volunteers, one of the finest departments in Vermont, which provides excellent first-responder and fire services to the town, on call 24/7/365.  (Be sure to support the all-volunteer, non-profit BVFD by sending your tax-deductible check to PO Box 146, Barnard, VT  05031.)

• 

  Private Home for Sale on 40+ Private Acres in Barnard VT

  Yet, overall home sales were sluggish in Barnard VT last year, with only five (5) houses selling in total.  This compares with the 41 houses listed for sale at year-end.  While there was a noticeable pickup in sales overall in the Greater Woodstock area in the 4^th quarter (27 sales overall), the only two sales in Barnard were the high-end houses.  The heavy supply of houses for sale makes it likely that 2011 will be a “buyers market” again in Barnard.  (Note that the real estate industry in general considers the tipping point between a “sellers market” and a “buyers market” to be about 6 months of supply.)  So, with 41 homes for sale and a pace of 5 sales per year, we will be in a “buyers market” again during 2010.  With interest rates low and choices abundant, we have been saying for more than a year that NOW may be the best buying opportunity of a lifetime.  Call us to talk or schedule showings.  We’re happy to help.

Custom Built Home for Sale in Barnard VT

John and I have more than 30 properties listed for sale.  In Barnard, we have second home properties for sale in the $1 million to $3 million range, and other great parcels of land and homes for sale priced roughly from $100,000 to $450,000.  Click here to see Snyder Bassette Real Estate Properties for Sale.  If you are thinking of listing your home, give us a call.  Our argument is simple: we know Barnard, we know how to sell, and we know real estate.  Our two backgrounds are perfect complements, and we work as 50/50 partners as a team.  If you are looking to buy, we are happy to serve as a buyer broker for you.  You can read more about our buyer brokerage services here.

Stay tuned for more blogs on the year-end real estate wrap-up for all the other towns in the Greater Woodstock area: Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Pomfret, Reading and West Windsor.  Snyder Bassette Real Estate Group is always willing to help you find Woodstock VT homes for sale or VT land for sale.

Gorgeous Mountain View in Barnard VT Home Under Construction Dec 2010

Kate Miller and owner Kim Smith would love to help you find that ideal toy or gift. They also have numerous other web locations if you aren’t quite able to make it to downtown Woodstock. Try online at Rody Toy.com, HippityHopBall.com, and of course, Red Wagon Toy.com.

Come visit Woodstock Vermont and after you have found that perfect toy, let Snyder Bassette Real Estate Group help you find that perfect Vermont second-home to place it in.

Woodstock Vermont Parade

Our eyes are a bit bleary from all the number crunching here in Woodstock Vermont. We’ve now tabulated the year-end statistics on the real estate market in the Greater Woodstock VT area, and our report will be published shortly.  But here are some teaser stats and insights (just on Woodstock VT) from the report:

2010 Woodstock Wassail Parade

• The 4th quarter saw a dramatic increase in homes sales.  Fifteen (15) homes sold in the 4th quarter, a 300% increase (triple) over the five (5) homes that sold during the 3rd quarter.

• For the full year of 2010, thirty-eight (38) residential properties sold in Woodstock.  This was a 40% increase in home sales over 2009 when twenty-seven (27) homes sold.   However, we are still well below the peak sales years of 2004-2006 when fifty-five (55) homes sold per year – on average.  So sales were up 40% over 2009, but are still about 40% below the peak years.  That’s good news, because we suspect there is pent-up demand from gun-shy potential buyers who still have money but were too nervous to pull the trigger.

• The median price of homes sold in Woodstock during 2010 was $495,000.  The average price was $667,000.  (A few high priced home sales always skew the average).

• The Woodstock market for homes priced over $1 million was sluggish in 2010, with only three (3) sales.  This compares with 5 sales in 2009.  (For historical context, the best year in the past decade was 2005, when eight (8) homes over $1 million sold).

• The market continues to be dogged by heavy supply: as of year-end, there were still 113 residential homes for sale in Woodstock VT.  This is still near an all-time high, and represents more than two (2) years’ of supply.  In other words, at the rate of selling 38 homes per year, it would take three (3) years to sell all the houses currently on the market in Woodstock.  Even if sales pick up 50 home sales a year, it will take a bit over two (2) years to sell all the houses now on the market.  Thus, it is pretty clear that 2011 will continue to be a “buyers” market here in Woodstock Vermont.  (Inside the real estate industry, 6 MONTHS of inventory is generally considered the tipping point between a “buyers” and a “sellers” market).

• The ratio of average sold price to the last-listed price improved slightly during 2010 to 89%, from 87% in 2009.   This is likely explained by more realistic listing prices, than it is an improvement in the negotiating balance.  (For historical context, the 10-year average ratio was 91%.)

Stay tuned for more blogs on the year-end real estate wrap-up for all the other towns in the Greater Woodstock area: Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Pomfret, Reading and West Windsor. Snyder Bassette Real Estate Group is always willing to help you find Woodstock VT real estate or VT land for sale.