Archive for the 'Homes for sale Norwich VT' Category

As an exclusive buyer agent, I am not easily impressed by the value offered by most homes on the market.  There are now several homes in Norwich, Vermont, that I think offer exceptional value for the buyer looking for the attributes they possess.

27 Stagecoach Rd. (MLS 4027483) now priced at $539,000 is a great home for Buyers who are looking for plenty of space on visually appealing land with views, lots of sun and is 10 minutes to Dartmouth/DHMC.  This home had a well thought out addition added in 2002, which creates abundant bedroom/office space with two master suites to choose from.  It is a home that would perform very well for a large family or folks who have frequent longer-term guests.  The open kitchen/dining area with the high wood ceiling and exposed beams is one of those spaces that feel great to be in and allow for easy entertaining.  As with any home, it has its challenges as well – in this case most buyers will be spending some money to spiff up the kitchen, the appliances are particularly tired.  But with Sellers who are aggressively pricing their property, my sense is that the ultimate purchase price will make up for this minor issue.

1508 New Boston Rd (MLS 4043829) priced at $449,000 is another home that offers exceptional value to a Buyer who appreciates what it has to offer.  The original owner built the home in 1970 to have the look and feel of an antique cape built 200 years earlier.  It is situated on a 20 acre lot with a barn and a couple sheds surrounding it that truly give you the sense that you are driving into an old Vermont farmhouse.   Inside the home the kitchen area is open to a space most people would use as informal dining that features a large brick fireplace fitted with a glass front woodstove.  This gives the space a very cozy feel while also providing an exceptional efficient and aesthetically pleasing heat source.  A large addition that is built directly off the kitchen space provides a “great room” to the area.  If you were interested in raising some decorative cattle, horse or chickens you would have the barn to do it in and complete the 1770’s farm theme on some great land.  On the “every house has its challenges” side, the master suite has a very low ceiling, maybe 6’4” and most people would find they would be spending some real money to figure out a way to raise it up without ruining the lines of the home.  There is also a large parcel of land above it that is for sale that will eventually be built on that has a right of way through the property.   The ROW is not obtrusive to the home so it is really not that big a deal, but it will take some of the fun out of hiking out your back door to enjoy the views from the top of the hill.  This home could not be built for what its sale price is by a long shot.  If you like the look and feel of an older farmstead and are not intimidated by a dirt road and an uphill driveway, you should have a look at this place.

A third Norwich home that is worth consideration if you are a family looking for Norwich/Dresden Schools is 1024 New Boston Rd. (MLS 4094038) at $429,000.  With 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms this home is well suited to fit the lives of a busy family.  The kitchen has great natural light flowing through a skylight in the cathedral ceiling and opens onto a private back deck.  There is a great little swimming pond in the front to cool off in during the hot summer days.   With travel time to Norwich/Hanover in the 5-7 minute zone, it is also close enough to make the trips in and out with the kids manageable.  As far as negatives, I really don’t have any – a rare thing for me!

If you’re interested in visiting any of these properties in person, we’d be happy to schedule a tour.  You can call our office at (603) 643-4800 or reach us through our website to make an appointment.

With family here from the desert southwest, we decided to take them to the Norwich Inn last Tuesday evening for dinner.  With the Republican debate scheduled for that evening in Hanover NH we were pleasantly surprised to find a large table available in the Pub.

The Norwich Inn has a brewery to serve the restaurant and the locals, my brother in-law and I enjoyed a few pints of the signature brew – Whistling Pig Red Ale.   The service was great and the food was all well prepared, I had the ribs done in a beer sauce and smoked in house – they were excellent.  Lean, smokey and with a sticky beer BBQ sauce, I’ll be back for more another day.  The fish special was Striped Bass, always a great tasting fish when caught on the New England coast and brought to your plate.  The Filet was also exceptional, clearly the Chef at the Inn knows how to buy, prepare and serve great food.

The Norwich Inn remains one of the unique places in the Upper Valley that provide nightlife and energy in our small town world.  If you would like to find out more about the food, beer and accommodations available at the Norwich Inn, check out their website or drop by for a pint.

Check out more about Norwich VT at theuppervalley.com

Cheers, Matt

CHECK OUT THE AREAS NEWEST! BIGGEST! AND BEST RESOURCE GUIDE!

Today we are going to jump over the Connecticut River into Vermont and take a look at some housing statistics for Norwich and Hartford.

Let’s start with Norwich.  Norwich home sales are up 34% this year!  There have been 35 homes sold so far in 2010, up from just 26 in 2009.  The average sale price has also jumped to $473,227, up a 10% from last year’s price of $428,584.  The average days a home is sitting on the market is down 8.7% in 2010. In 2009 homes were sitting an average of 155 days and in 2010 homes are sitting for 141 days.  Overall, Norwich has done very well this year. Improvement across the board!

Next up is Hartford.  The MLS groups all the townships (Hartford, White River Junction, Quechee, West Hartford, and Wilder) as one, so I won’t be able to give exact numbers for each township, just Hartford as a whole.  Hartford’s home sales have taken a slight dip this year.  There have been 121 homes sold in 2010, down 11% from last year’s 137.  The average price homes are selling for has slightly increased.  In 2010 homes have sold for an average of $209,645 up from $204,068 in 2009.   Homes are sitting on the market a little bit longer this year, an average of 209 days up from 187 days in 2009.

That’s it for now.  If you have any questions please feel free give Housing Solutions a call.

Chris

I was scrolling through the news this morning and I came across a good article from the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agent (NAEBA) with 5 good tips for homebuyers so they can confidently shopfor their new home.

1. A short sale can be a long process. In a short sale, the property is sold for less than the outstanding loan balance. In this economy, short sales have received a lot of attention but many buyers may not realize that short sales may in fact be a lengthy, complex process requiring multiple approvals.
2. Set a realistic budget. Low housing prices make it even easier for home buyers to stay on budget. Rather than shopping at the upper end of your budget, go a little lower to allow you to comfortably afford your home in the event that you experience a reduction in income.
3. Buy with a long term view. If you plan to sell your home in a year, you risk losing money, even if prices rise slightly. Buy with plans to stay put for a few years to maximize your investment.
4. Don’t skip the details. In addition to reading the fine print and researching the neighborhood, get a home inspection to ensure that you are not later surprised with unexpected repair costs.
5. Choose a representative that will advocate for your needs. Exclusive Buyer Agents (EBAs) only work with home buyers and always represent the interests of the buyer throughout the entire real estate transaction.

Some good stuff to think about if you are planning on buying real estate in Hanover, Lebanon, Norwich, Hartford, or any other town in the Upper Valley.  If you have any questions you just let Housing Solutions know.

Here are some statistics I’ve pulled together using the Northern New EnglandReal Estate Network. These are the YTD (year to date) figures ending August 5^th for each of the last three years.  You can see how Lebanon, Hanover, and Norwich have fared.  For the most part things are looking pretty good.  Take a look and see what you think. If you have any questions or comments please let us know.

Chris

1/1 – 8/5

This coming Saturday, July 17^th, is none other than the Norwich Historical Society’s Home and Garden Tour!  The event will be from 10am – 4pm and is a rare opportunity to check out some beautiful and historic homes and gardens in the Upper Valley.  The self-guided tour will showcase seven gardens and five houses.   Save $5 by buying your tickets early! Tickets for adults will cost $15 in advance or $20 on Saturday.  Tickets can be purchased at the Lewis House, 277 Main Street.  The weather looks like it should be pretty nice, so don’t miss this exciting opportunity to tour these beautiful homes and gardens and maybe even take home some new ideas for your home or garden!

For more information call the Norwich Historical Society at 802-649-0124. You can also check out Wednesday’s Valley News or www.vnews.com.

Chris