Conventional 30-Yr Mortgage Rates - Trailing Yr to Nov 2010

One of the bright spots in this recession has been the steady decline of  mortgage rates and the ongoing opportunity to borrow at very cheap rates.   Yet, there are concerns looming among many astute economists and market observers about the massive overspending by the federal and state governments which – the arguments go – will eventually lead to higher inflation and higher interest rates.  The question they say, is not IF inflation and interest rate will rise – but WHEN and HOW MUCH.   A read of their articles and papers conjures up an image of a massive and growing, underlying pressure that is building beneath the financial-earth that will eventually erupt, spewing a bigger dust-storm than Mt St Helena.   So it’s not surprising that any spike upwards in interest rates tends to get the fence-sitters off the fence and into action…namely a rise in interest rates leads to a surge of mortgage refinancing and to a spate of real estate buying to lock in the lowest prices AND the lowest interest rates we’ve seen in more than a decade.  If the pundits are correct, and interest rates and inflation will be heading north in a meaningful way, then TODAY is the best buying opportunity of a lifetime. Give us a call on Vermont real estate and we can show you why.

We are pleased to offer for sale Royal Brook Farm, an updated Vermont farmhouse / family compound in Bridgewater Vermont.  This property combines a farmhouse c. 1910, updated in 1995 by a well-respected local design-build firm, which involved a complete restoration of the original, historical timberframe component of the house, while adding on a gourmet kitchen, a large great room with vaulted ceiling, and an expansive master bedroom suite with cathedral ceiling, stone fireplace and his/hers bathrooms and walking dressing closet area.  The balance of the property includes the former caretakers apartment, two barns, outbuildings and a dressage riding ring, which were formerly used for Arabian horse breeding.  The 30.95 acres includes substantial pastures, fenced riding paddocks, an active brook, a pond, apple trees and lovely mature maples lining the quiet, dead-end road on which Royal Brook Farm is situated.  The property is located in a desirable section of Bridgewater, just 10 minutes from the Woodstock VT Town green.  If you are interested in Woodstock area properties, please feel free to contact either John Snyder or John Bassette at Snyder Bassette Real Estate Group in Woodstock.

Snyder Bassette Real Estate Group interviews David Anderson Hill and Susan Fuller, the co-design/build team at David Anderson Hill Inc.  They discuss one of their projects with us; a fabulous home at 7504 Happy Valley Road in Woodstock VT built around two reclaimed timberframe structures: one from a boathouse, the other part of the old Bradford Hotel. This listing is beautiful and the ideal property for someone looking for Vermont second home. All the rustic appeal for the person looking  for something different but traditional enough in it’s layout to work well as a primary home too! Give us a call if you are looking for Luxury Vermont properties.

John and I are very pleased to have sold one of our real estate listings in Barnard, VT in October 2010 for a price of $2,000,000.  This was a lovely 4,700 s.f. home custom-built in 2006 on 40 acres, old stone walls, and two large ponds.  The house was located on a very quiet road in desirable Barnard, VT – about 12 minutes from downtown Woodstock.  This sale was only the second sale of a luxury home in the greater Woodstock area to sell over $1 million since the beginning of the year.  This confirms our belief that they key to successfully marketing properties today is to combine cutting-edge, on-line marketing combined with old-school excellence in networking and negotiations.  We would be happy to discuss this transaction with you, or how we could help you in the marketing of your property or estate.  Feel free to give us a call on 802 457 2600.

We have just reduced the price of this fabulous Woodstock VT residence from $950,000 to $795,000. Where else can you get a 5 BR 4 BA house built in 2002 – with guest apartment, gourmet kitchen, security system, all-house stereo and central vacuum systems, 3 bay attached garage, 2 large insulated/heated car restoration garages, 23.8 acres of privacy and excellent views across the Marsh Billings National Park (Mt Tom), decks, porches, hot tubs, and more?! 3 Mins from the Green in Woodstock!

Cricklewood Residence