Peggy Smith’s Stowe VT Real Estate Blog http://blog.peggysmithvt.com Peggy Smith’s Stowe VT Real Estate Blog Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:17:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Stowe Mountian, Vermont Foodbank Day http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/04/17/stowe-mountian-vermont-foodbank-day/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/04/17/stowe-mountian-vermont-foodbank-day/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:17:25 +0000 magpieoz http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=116 Stowe is holding its annual Vermont Foodbank Day this Sunday, April 19th.

Go enjoy one of the last days on the hill this weekend. Bring two canned goods and you can get a $35 lift ticket voucher! A great day to ski and support a great cause!

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/04/17/stowe-mountian-vermont-foodbank-day/feed/ The America Recovery Act of 2009 http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/20/the-america-recovery-act-of-2009/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/20/the-america-recovery-act-of-2009/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:08:50 +0000 magpieoz http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=112 The America Recovery Act of 2009 is a result of the new stimulus package Obama has recently signed. I have been receiving some great information regarding this act and how it will effect 1st time home buyers, tax credits and real estate as a whole from Jeff Teplitz over at National City Mortgage in Burlington VT. I wanted to share the information with you here. Below you will find 2 files. One outlines the tax credit 1st time home buyers who purchased last year after April 9, 2008 or who purchase this year can expect. The other is more general information outlining the highlights of the Act.

I hope you find them useful!

Recovery Act of 2009 for First-time Homebuyers

Recovery Act of 2009 Highlights

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/20/the-america-recovery-act-of-2009/feed/ Stowe VT Schools Out 3-Day Lift Ticket http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/19/stowe-vt-schools-out-3-day-lift-ticket/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/19/stowe-vt-schools-out-3-day-lift-ticket/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:46:08 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=111 Stowe Mountain is running a great ticket special for Vermont students who are now on spring break. The deal also extends to their families. A 3 day lift ticket for the price of $99! Even if you only go 2 days, you get your moneys worth.

Here are details: Adult or Child 3-Day Consecutive Lift Ticket for $99 (includes VT Sales Tax). Available Monday Feb. 23 through Friday Feb. 27, 2009. You must present a valid VT ID. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount.

For more information visit www.stowe.com or call 800.253.4SKI

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/19/stowe-vt-schools-out-3-day-lift-ticket/feed/ Mortage Watch: Rate Update http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/11/mortage-watch-rate-update/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/11/mortage-watch-rate-update/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:30:23 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=110 I found this great blog, thanks to Jeff over at National Morgage. It is called Mortgage News Daily, you’ll find it in my blogroll moving forward.

Check out yesterday’s rate update “Wednesday 2/11…Decent Rally Yesterday in MBS” or for daily updates check out the Mortgage Watch.

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/11/mortage-watch-rate-update/feed/ Mortgage Rate Update 2-4-09 http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/04/mortgage-rate-update-2-4-09/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/04/mortgage-rate-update-2-4-09/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:35:14 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=109 Check out the latest interest rates I received from Jeff Teplitz of National City Mortgage in Williston, VT. FHA rates are slightly stronger than the conforming 30 year loan.

Paying points may be back in style. At this time the difference between the 30 year, no point loan and the 30 year 1 point is .875%.  The net savings is $54.72 per $100,000 of loan amount per month.

It will only take 18 months to realize the savings of paying the 1 point.  Well worth it to get a 5.00% interest rate.


Conforming 30 Year Fixed
30 day lock rate 0 points: 5.000%
30 day lock with 1 point: 5.875%

Conforming 15 Year Fixed
30 day lock rate 0 points: 5.250%
30 day lock with 1 point: 4.625%

Conforming 20 Year Fixed
30 day lock rate 0 points: 5.375%
30 day lock with 1 point: 4.625%

FHA 30 Year Fixed
30 day lock rate 0 points: 5.500%
30 day lock with 1 point: 5.250%

FHA 15 Year Fixed
30 day lock rate 0 points: 4.500%
30 day lock with 1 point: 4.500%

*rates effective 2/03/09 for 30 day lock.  Credit score and loan to value will effect rate
**rates may change at any time with out notice - rates quoted are for best credit score customers

Provided by:
Jeff Teplitz
National City Mortgage
75 Talcott Road Suite 70
Williston Vermont 05495
(802) 879 4424 ext 234

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/04/mortgage-rate-update-2-4-09/feed/ Vermont Thrift Saved the Day? http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/03/vermont-thrift-saved-the-day/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/03/vermont-thrift-saved-the-day/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:33:40 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=108 This is a great article talking about why Vermont has the lowest rate of foreclosures in the country. Something that has allowed homeowners to maintain a truer property value than a lot of other states. The article is from bloomberg.com “Vermont Foreclosures Held Off by Yankee Ways, Land-Use Laws“

By Brian K. Sullivan

Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) — Vermont is avoiding the foreclosure crisis plaguing homeowners across the U.S., perhaps owing to traditions of thrift, modesty and self-reliance — bolstered by laws that protect buyers and land.

The foreclosure rate in Vermont is the lowest in the U.S., 0.04 percent of all homes in the state, according to RealtyTrac Inc. of Irvine, California.

To read the full article click here.

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/02/03/vermont-thrift-saved-the-day/feed/ Stowe VT, Stone Hut Mount Mansfield http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/26/stowe-vt-stone-hut-mount-mansfield/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/26/stowe-vt-stone-hut-mount-mansfield/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:53:23 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=106 The word is out in a BIG way about the Stone Hut located just off the top of the quad lift at Stowe Mountian Ski Resort. The NY Times is writing about the already hard to book Stone Hut, so if you want to get in next season, maybe submit your lottery request NOW! You can do so on the Vermont State Parks site here: http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/stonehut.cfm

It is a great article, check it out “Spending the Night Atop Mt. Mansfield”, NY Times, 1/23/09

Image from NY Times article, Spending the Night Atop Mt. Mansfield, 1/23/09

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/26/stowe-vt-stone-hut-mount-mansfield/feed/ I’m happy Stowe doesn’t have these street names! http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/24/im-happy-stowe-doesnt-have-these-street-names/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/24/im-happy-stowe-doesnt-have-these-street-names/#comments Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:43:02 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=104

Oh this is so hysterical! My son McKee just sent me this NY Times article, I had to share it. Can you imagine having to sell a house on Butt Hole Street! Check out the article “No Snickering: That Road Sign Means Something Else” here.

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/24/im-happy-stowe-doesnt-have-these-street-names/feed/ Mortgage Update http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/23/mortgage-update-second-homeowner/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/23/mortgage-update-second-homeowner/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:20:55 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=103 I receive newsletters from one of our local mortgage brokers, Jeff Teplitz, with National City Mortgage. You can check out the great article on “Selling Your Home in a Declining Market” and “Good Time To Buy A Vacation Home” by clicking here. As he noted this is very relevant for lakefront property on Lake Champlain or mountain properties in Stowe, VT.

Plus a Calendar showing the most important economic indicators and their upcoming release dates.

]]> http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/23/mortgage-update-second-homeowner/feed/ Stowe Vermont Restaurants: McCarthy’s http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/22/stowe-vermont-restaurants-mccarthys/ http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/2009/01/22/stowe-vermont-restaurants-mccarthys/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:27:12 +0000 Peggy http://blog.peggysmithvt.com/?p=102 If you are looking for a great breakfast spot, stop by and visit McCarthy’s. It is located off the Mountain Road, next to the Stowe Cinema 3-plex. My husband Shap and I have breakfast or lunch at McCarthy’s about once a week! You’ll find a full breakfast menu with everything from the original Harwood Union (a bacon, peanut butter sandwich served on an english muffin) one of my favorites, to healthier options.

It also has an extensive lunch menu that is worth checking out. They have healthy wraps and salads, as well as burgers and dogs. McCarthy’s is a great place for the whole family too, tons of options for the kids. Even my picky grandchildren can find something they like.

You’ll likely be greeted with a smile by Diane McCarthy herself! It’s a fun setting with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. In fact you’ll find it abound with locals on St. Paddy’s Day and you will want to be dressed in green! Don’t forget a heath-bar cookie on your way out. They’re amazing!

You can view their menu by clicking here.

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