News, Publicity and Press Releases

These workshops are presented at the Windham Housing Trust (formerly Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust). The $50 fee is refundable upon purchase of a home. Workshops include:

• Step-by-Step Guide to purchasing a home
• How to determine affordability
• Direct learning from local professionals in the field
• One-on-one meeting with a Housing Counselor to help make one's home buying plan
• Learning what the credit score is and how to improve it
• Information about affordable home ownership programs

For more information, call Melanie at 802-254-4604, extension 102, or visit the website at BACLT.org or WIndhamHousingTrust.org.

VAR will be offering three classes on March 25 in Montpelier (for complete details see VTRealtor.com):

• Green Home Construction (daytime, 4 credits)
• 2008 Mandatory Class (daytime, 4 credits)
• Home Inspection & The Top 10 Home Defects (evening, 4 credits)

Because the VAR class on septic rules could not be held this March, it was possible to keep their NAR Code of Ethics class on the local schedule (in West Dover, May 22). See our Calendar for all classes scheduled this spring.

If you need additional credits and do not wish to travel, there are education providers other than VAR in the area. See Cornerstone Institute and Quality Workshops.

Finally, other possibilities for education credits that REALTORS® may earn in time for end-of-May license renewal include Internet courses and attendance at a Vermont Real Estate Commission meeting in Montpelier (offers 2 credits). For more information and complete details on education requirements and possibilities, please visit the VTRealtor.com website.

Now in its 16th year, the 2008 Komen Vermont-New Hampshire race will take place on July 27 at Hildene Meadowlands in Manchester Village, Vermont.

In this event, thousands of runners, walkers, volunteers, and sponsors from communities throughout Vermont and New Hampshire get together to "race for the cure" of breast cancer.

Since its inception in 1993, Race for the Cure has grown from 700 participants to nearly 4,000, and has granted more than $4 million to breast cancer education, treatment, and screening programs.

Barbara Yanke of Chittenden Bank attended the SVBR membership meeting on April 17 at the Matterhorn Lodge in Dover, where she made to a presentation about the Realtor Youth Benefit Corporation. RYBC donates to children who need medical aid, including eyeglasses and dental work. Their major fundraising event is the yearly REALTOR Golf Tournament. Last year, RYBC donated approximately $13,000 to area families. Families who need these funds may obtain applications from their healthcare providers. Yanke encouraged SVBR members to introduce their own healthcare providers to RYBC's services.

Jim Johnson of Brattleboro Savings & Loan also attended and led a general discussion about lending practices in the banking industry. Members were informed that lenders are becoming more restrictive, so that first-time homebuyers may have a harder time qualifying, even for special mortgage programs. Condominiums and modular homes also are becoming harder to finance.

Brian Ridgeway, an appraiser for Ridgeway Real Estate Services, explained how the category "declining market" affects appraisals, and noted that Vermont has not yet entered this category.

Mark Linton discussed the Race for the Cure Event, and encouraged participation. See following article.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty of Bennington Vermont is proud to announce the addition of our newest sales associate, Pat Woodard.  Pat is a native of Bennington yet began her real estate career in Boston, Massachusetts 11 years ago while working in the financial field.  Upon retiring from the work force in 2001, Pat decided to return to her roots and dedicate her time to real estate. 

Since acquiring her Vermont license, she has focused on the Mt. Snow and Southern Vermont area, gaining knowledge and experience in the marketing of residential, condominiums and vacation homes as well as land.  Her customers have come from all walks of life and many have remained good friends.

Hometown Experts with a World of Experience, RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington.   Please join us in welcoming Pat by stopping by or giving her a call to discuss your real estate needs. 

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty can be reached at 802-447-3210 and their website is www.MapleLeafVermont.com.

The world’s Number One real estate organization has just landed in your neighborhood.  RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is Bennington County’s newest real estate brokerage.  Locally owned and operated by Kathy Sollien and Troy Richardson, the newly renovated office is located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington.

Kathy brings over seven years of real estate experience and in 2007, earned her Graduate Realtor Institute certificate.  She recently completed a week of Broker/Owner training and additional training to become a Certified Mentor for the Brian Buffini, “100 Days to Greatness program.”  Kathy is active in the community as a board member and committee chair for the Better Bennington Corporation and a member of the Bennington Rotary Club. 

Troy has lived in Bennington for two years, bringing with him over 10 years of experience in buying and selling commercial and residential investment properties.  Troy is very active in the community working with the Better Bennington Corporation Marketing Committee, Career Development Center’s Building Trades Department, Vermont Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and has recently joined the Catamount Rotary Club.

Having the power of the RE/MAX brand behind them, Kathy and Troy’s goal is to provide superior service and a fresh, professional approach to the real estate business.  “We have invested in the equipment, systems and education in order to insure that real estate transactions are as smooth and stress free as possible. We know that the result of this synergy of professionalism and expertise is happier, more satisfied clients.” says Kathy.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is growing and is interested in hearing from those interested in a career in real estate.

“I was really attracted to the way RE/MAX offices are locally owned, with an emphasis on community involvement and giving back to the neighborhoods in which we do business.” says Kathy.

Troy added, “We really look forward to showing everyone our new way of doing business. Don’t be surprised if you see the RE/MAX hot air balloon flying over Bennington!”

The future of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty will include working with several local fund raising events to bring the RE/MAX hot air balloon to town.  The office is already expanding, and looking for new and experienced agents to join the firm.   Stop in and check out their new office at 203 Northside Drive.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty can be reached at 802-447-3210.  Their website is www.MapleLeafVermont.com.

VAR will be offering three classes on March 25 in Montpelier (for complete details see VTRealtor.com):

• Green Home Construction (daytime, 4 credits)
• 2008 Mandatory Class (daytime, 4 credits)
• Home Inspection & The Top 10 Home Defects (evening, 4 credits)

Because the VAR class on septic rules could not be held this March, it was possible to keep their NAR Code of Ethics class on the local schedule (in West Dover, May 22). See our Calendar for all classes scheduled this spring.

If you need additional credits and do not wish to travel, there are education providers other than VAR in the area. See Cornerstone Institute and Quality Workshops.

Finally, other possibilities for education credits that REALTORS may earn in time for end-of-May license renewal include Internet courses and attendance at a Vermont Real Estate Commission meeting in Montpelier (offers 2 credits). For more information and complete details on education requirements and possibilities, please visit the VTRealtor.com website.

VAR will be sending out a survey of possible education opportunities, to see what type of subject matter is of most interest to members. Classes that have been scheduled so far in Southern Vermont are as follows:

• May 20: Top 10 Home Defects (4 hours) — Rutland
• May 22: Code of Ethics (4 credits) — West Dover

Members are reminded that all Realtors must take the Code of Ethics course once every four years. For this reason, it is being offered twice this year. NAR's online free Code of Ethics course satisfies the requirement, but does not earn CE credits.

Those who have questions regarding educational opportunities are encouraged to contact education chair Lisa Coneeny at A Place In Vermont, 802-464-4608 extension 211, email Lisa@APlaceInVermont.com

These workshops are presented at the Windham Housing Trust (formerly Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust). The $50 fee is refundable upon purchase of a home. Workshops include:

• Step-by-Step Guide to purchasing a home
• How to determine affordability
• Direct learning from local professionals in the field
• One-on-one meeting with a Housing Counselor to help make one's home buying plan
• Learning what the credit score is and how to improve it
• Information about affordable home ownership programs

For more information, call Melanie at 802-254-4604, extension 102, or visit the website at BACLT.org or WIndhamHousingTrust.org.