Two of Bennington’s most prominent real estate offices, RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty and R.T.Martins Associates have joined forces creating one of the most experienced and productive real estate brokerages in the area. “We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity in this market and the chance to combine forces to provide the best service RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty has to offer”, said Kathy Sollien, Principal Broker, “R.T. Martins Associates has a proven record of outstanding service to their clients and we are confident that we will continue to build on their and our reputation as one of the most respected brokerages in Bennington County.”

Bob Martins, Principal Broker of R.T. Martins Associates, brings with him over 20 years of real estate experience beginning with his association with the Frasier Agency as a Sales Agent, Broker and Manager before buying the firm to become R.T. Martins Associates. He is a former State Director and Past President for the Southwestern Vermont Board of Realtors. He worked as the State Chairperson for the VAR Professional Standards Committee as well as being involved with the VAR Grievance and Arbitration panels statewide. Bob was also named Realtor® of the Year – twice!

Originally from Fall River, Massachusetts, Bob worked for over twenty years in the steel industry and was the owner of Delta Design for four years designing, drafting & consulting for the steel industry. Bob and his wife of 46 years Claudette, have four children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. They also have owned and operated the Valhalla Motel in Arlington since 1989.

Bob, with assistance from his associates, will continue to service both Buyers and Sellers in Residential, Land and Commercial properties in Bennington County. Please join us in welcoming R.T. Martins Associates to the RE/MAX Brokerage team.

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty is owned by Kathy Sollien and Troy Richardson since 2008. Their offices are located at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington. 802-447-3210.

May 20, 6:30-8:30 PM

As part of my public service, I will be speaking at the April 6 session of this seminar.  If you are a first time home buyer in the Bennington VT real estate market, this is a valuable series of speakers.

“Yes, You Can” is a 4-part workshop on financing and affording first-time home ownership through government programs as well as local lending institutions.

Eight different presenters will cover topics like, “Getting Out of Debt and On a Budget”, “Financing Through USDA Rural Development” and “The True Cost of Home Ownership”. Participants will gain valuable information from how to improve their credit score to properly filling out a loan application, and learn about low- and no-interest mortgages available through the USDA. A presentation of available housing stock, raw land and new construction possibilities also will be presented.

The first session will be presented by Ann Bloch, a financial motivational speaker who will present a primer of the necessary knowledge one needs to make home ownership a reality. Cleaning up your present financial clutter is an important first step in the process, and Ms. Bloch is able to explain in layman’s terms how to reduce personal debt, develop a realistic spending plan, and handle unexpected expenses. Participants will have an opportunity to submit questions either verbally or in writing.

The workshops take place on four consecutive Wednesday nights beginning March 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Pownal United Methodist Church on Route 346 and Church St. in Pownal. The series, sponsored by the Pownal Valley Affordable Housing Committee, is free and open to all. Call 802 823 9308 for more details.

Contents insurance is important for renters to have to protect themselves and their belonging; Here are three reasons why it is important

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Many experts recommend for tenants to have a comprehensive contents insurance policy. Here are three reason why renters should always have coverage.

1. Contents insurance offers extensive coverage. A renters insurance policy is much like that of a homeowners policy without the aspect of covering the physical structure, but at a much lower cost. The landlord has insurance to cover the structure but the contents of the tenant must be covered under a separate policy. They provide protection for the items owned by the renter and have a liability aspect. Generally they cover 16 types of perils, including: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, damage caused by aircraft, damage caused by vehicles, smoke, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft, volcanic eruption, falling objects, weight of ice or snow or sleet, and some specific water damage, plumbing damage, and electrical current damage.

2. There is a liability aspect. This part of a contents insurance policy for renters covers the tenant if someone is injured in their rental property. This would cover the medical costs and any legal expenses if the renter is sued. Typically, these situations have to do with an injury to a guest at the dwelling and also involve damage done to others’ property by someone insured on the plan.

3. Extensive coverage at a low price. The cost of rental insurance is about $10 to $20 a month, depending on the state. Not every contents insurance policy has the same level of protection and, therefore, some will cost more than others.

About RentersInsurance.net

RentersInsurance.net provides renters with a free online shopping service for housing and apartment rental insurance. A comprehensive policy that will cover all your belongings can cost as little as $10 a month. To quickly and easily get free renters insurance quotes, visit the website.

No one ever expects that their rental property is going to have a fire or some other major disaster requiring an insurance claim, and many people think that the landlord’s insurance will cover their belonging, but this simply is not the case, even in the Bennington VT real estate market.

July 7, 2010 — The Vermont Association of REALTORS® is once again sponsoring the VT-NH Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Saturday, July 17th at Hildene Meadows, Manchester, Vermont. It’s the 9th year that Team REALTOR® will be participating.

The Vermont Association of REALTORS® has a long history of giving back to the community and this annual event garners enthusiastic participation among the REALTOR® community. This year Team REALTOR® is on track to increase the size of the team and is expecting 45 -50 supporters from across the state. They’ve made a $10,000 goal and are currently in second place for pledges made. See www.vtREALTOR.com for more about joining Team REALTOR® or making a pledge.

“Race for the Cure is all about community and hope,” says Team REALTOR® co-chair Mark Linton. “The events are amazing reminders about the power we have to make a big impact when we come together to tackle problems. It’s really moving to see so many neighbors and colleagues working to change the face of breast cancer – a disease that effects too many of our wives, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters and friends.”

Last year the Vermont-New Hampshire Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure awarded $464,690 to 19 community-based programs for breast cancer education, screening and treatment.

Since 1993 the organization has raised more than $6.7 million, of which $5 million (75% of funds raised) was devoted to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in Vermont and New Hampshire. The remaining $1.7 million went to support the Susan G. Komen national research program.

Grant recipients in Southern Vermont include the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for education, screenings and care services; and Forest Moon’s Renewing the Spirit Retreats for breast cancer survivors.

“This is one of the most uplifting events you could participate in and I am really excited for this year’s race,” says Betty McEnaney, Team REALTOR® co-chair. “The whole event highlights the best of Vermont – neighbors helping neighbors and supporting a great cause. My REALTOR® colleagues are so generous with their time and commitment to this event.”

This year’s Race for the Cure has lots of new ways to get involved and even has a new race day. It will be the first time that the race will be held on a Saturday. Other changes include Sleep in for the Cure, for people who can’t race but want to collect pledges and the Power of Ten, a fundraising incentive to have each team member ask ten people for a pledge of $10 each.
More information on the Vermont- New Hampshire Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is at www.vtnhcure.org.

BENNINGTON — The Friends of the Bennington Battle Monument have invited the public to the monument on Saturday, July 3, for a climb to the top.

The 417 steps of the monument were closed to the public in the 1970s. All climbs will be escorted and narrated. The tours start at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. The cost for the escorted tour of the steps will be $3 for an adult and $2 for children.

The 306-foot monument, a Vermont state owned historic site, opened to the public in 1891, to commemorate the Aug. 16, 1777, Revolutionary War battle fought over the military storehouse located on the site where the monument now stands.

The steps were the only method of reaching the top until 1953 when the Otis elevator was installed. Thousands of visitors ride the elevator each year for the scenic vistas of Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, seen from the observation level high within the monument. The monument and gift shop located in Old Bennington are open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Oct. 31.

For more information, visit www.historicvermont.com or call 802-447-0550.

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner, Monday June 28, 2010

While this event does not have any impact on the Bennington VT real estate market, it’s a great way to see behind the scenes of the Bennington Battle Monument.

WOODFORD — The largest snowmobile club in the state turned 25 this winter and earned recognition from the General Assembly, which passed a legislative resolution congratulating the Woodford SnoBusters.

With arguably the best riding conditions in the state being the trails that stretch through the Green Mountain National Forest 2,300 feet above sea level in Woodford, the club has grown from a couple of dozen people in 1984 to thousands.

Betty Roark, who has been a SnoBuster from the beginning and is in charge of memberships, said the club has more than 2,600 members and has been as large as 5,000 members in 2001.

Roark said poor snow accumulation for a couple of years decreased that number after 2001, but in recent years membership has been on the rise again.

“Woodford probably has the greatest number of riders, more than any other place in Vermont … because of the accessibility from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut,” Roark said. “It’s a snowbelt, we get snow when nobody else does.”

Roark said the majority of the club’s members come from surrounding states, and even some from the southern part of the country.

“Just like we go down there in the summer … they come up here in the winter to snowmobile,” Roark said.

The conditions have been the same over the years, but the riding conditions seem to improve each year, thanks to the work the SnoBusters put into the trails.

“Twenty-five years ago we didn’t have any trails. We went from no trails to quite an elite trail system that we groom,” Roark said.

In that first winter, trail grooming was done with snowmobiles and pipe drags before members pooled their money to buy a small track machine known as a Bombi.

Now, the club grooms more than 100 miles of trail, with a top-quality grooming fleet that consists of several Pisten Bullys and a high-end trail groomer.

Roark said over the years the popularity of the trails in Woodford has grown immensely, leading to overcrowding on many winter weekends.

As well as maintaining and grooming trails, the SnoBusters also sponsor a hot dog roast and the Very Special People Ride each winter to raise money for charities.

Rep. Bill Botzow, D-Pownal/Woodford, said he sponsored the legislative resolution congratulating the SnoBusters on its silver anniversary because of the service its volunteers have put in over the years to attract thousands of people to the area each winter.

“I was just impressed by the hard working, dedicated people who want to give their time so others can enjoy our forest,” Botzow said by phone Thursday. “(The SnoBusters) are a big piece of our local economy and they have made great progress in building buildings and maintaining the trails.”

Contact Dawson Raspuzzi at draspuzzi@benningtonbanner.com

Reprinted with permission from The Bennington Banner, Sunday April 18, 2010

RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty’s Commercial Division is pleased to have assisted Roads and Trails in finding their new space at 417 Main Street in Bennington VT.  Joe Cardamone worked with Dan and Faith Rhodes to find the perfect space for them to lease.

Bike Shop Riding Downtown

BENNINGTON — A longtime bike and winter gear shop on Benmont Avenue is heading to a downtown location later this month.

Dan Rhodes, who owns Roads & Trails with his wife, Faith, said the couple plans to open at 417 Main St., a site formerly occupied by Thyme Bee Mine gifts, on Feb. 23. They have owned and run their store for the past five years.

The Benmont Avenue site has hosted a bike and ski shop for much longer. Before the couple purchased the businesses, it was known as Eiger, and before that, as Up and Downhill.

But Rhodes said he sees a downtown location as a benefit to his business because it should attract more walk-in traffic. Rhodes said he ran a similar store in Connecticut that thrived in such an environment.

“Where I worked in Connecticut, we were on a Main Street, and I enjoyed the traffic flow,” Rhodes said Tuesday at the store’s current location. “Particularly, here, when I look on a Saturday what’s going on down here and then I look at the traffic flow downtown, it’s much busier. It’s more retail business.”

Rhodes said he has been in the business for about 20 years. His store offers road and mountain bikes, nordic skiing and snowboarding equipment, skateboards and apparel to accompany all of those sports.

The stock of skateboard equipment, shoes and clothing attracts children and families, he said, and has benefited from the construction of a skateboard park in North Bennington.

The new space affords a similar amount of retail space, according to Rhodes, but offers increased storage and repair space. The store will continue to do repairs, he said.

“We’re kind of like an old-fashioned bike shop. As long as it’s a bicycle we’ll work on it,” Rhodes said.

When the couple decided to search for a new location they focused the search on the downtown, Rhodes said. “I like the idea of being in more of the retail area. I like the way the town is trying to support downtown,” Rhodes said. “If there’s a section of town that they’re really working on, it’s the downtown area.”

They are holding a sale before the move, and will be stocking the new location with new 2010 products, according to Rhodes. The store should add to the downtown as much as it benefits, he said.

“We’re excited to be down there. We’re excited to be a part of downtown,” he said. “As much traffic as we get from downtown, I hope we add some, too.”

On the Web: www.roadsandtrailsvt.com

Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com

Reprinted from The Bennington Banner with permission

Learning the Lessons of the Past

BENNINGTON, VT — It’s often said, “What’s Past is Prologue.” In real estate, the past can indeed determine the future, when buyers choose to restore or preserve a historic property. “Opportunities abound for those wanting to purchase a historic home, but so do questions about the soundness of the investment,” says Troy Richardson, ABR, Broker / Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty].

Before making an investment in history, the Troy Richardson recommends that potential home buyers consider these questions:

• What regulations govern local historic buildings and districts?

• Does the house need extensive restoration?

• Are original or substitute materials available for repairs?

• Are craftsmen who are knowledgeable about historical materials and building systems available?

• How will the house be appraised?

Knowing what to look for is an important first step. “Potential buyers should understand that there are significant differences between a historic house and a new one,” Richardson says. “Before purchasing a historic home, consumers will want to research just how much restoration is needed and how much the restoration will cost. That includes, of course, uncovering any possible environmental problems not typically found in new construction such as the presence of asbestos or lead paint.” 

Knowledge of any structural problem and the time and money needed to fix it should not only influence the decision of whether to buy, but also how much to offer. In some cases, the seller may be required to undertake some of the work as part of the purchase agreement.

Yet the advantages of owning a historic house often outweigh the work that goes into finding and securing one. There is a rewarding sense of history in the unique detailing and meticulous craftsmanship found in historic homes as well as the satisfaction of restoration. 

“There may also be financial benefits for a historic home owner,” explains Richardson. “Those benefits range from reductions in property taxes and adjustments to assessed value, to state income tax credits and property tax freezes for qualified rehabilitation and restorations.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation reports that 37 states and the District of Columbia have laws that provide individuals with incentives for owning historic properties. 

Not every old home is historic. “A historic house is an example of the cultural or physical development of a community, state, or the nation due to its architecture or association with an important historical figure or event,” Richardson says.

If a home does qualify as a historic property, then it may be listed individually or as part of a historic district. The listing of a building or district in the National Park Service’s “National Register of Historic Places” provides public recognition of its importance, but will not interfere with an owner’s right to alter, sell, or determine how an individual property may be used. 

“A local or state government housing preservation organization usually will assist owners who want to pursue a historic designation,” Richardson says. However, even if the historic building meets the designation criteria, it will not be listed if the majority of property owners in a district object for whatever reason. In this case, the building is put on an “eligible” list should the objections be overcome in the future.

For more information on historical properties, contact the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers at 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 342, Washington, DC 20001-1512. For a list of historic real estate specialists, contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation at 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. 20038. For a list of professional real estate buyer representatives, please contact the Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council, 430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611; phone (toll-free) 800-648-6224 or direct 312-329-8656. 

Richardson is one of more than 50,000 members of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation. As the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is “The Voice for Buyer Representation,” with more than 50,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world.

Troy Richardson is Broker / Owner of RE/MAX Maple Leaf Realty at 203 Northside Drive in Bennington VT.  He can be reached at 802-447-3210 or www.TroyRichardson.com

BRATTLEBORO — For the past 26 years, a group of area real estate agents has raised more than $150,000 to meet the needs of area youth.

It started in 1983, when members of the Southeastern Vermont Board of Realtors learned the family of a Dummerston girl, who had serious medical issues, didn’t have the financial means to pay for her care.

The SVBR is now known as the Southern Vermont Board of Realtors.

As a result, Frank Martocci, Cathy Eakins, John Morrison and Al Carbone formed the Realtors Youth Benefit Corporation so they could donate funds to the family.

At first, they borrowed money from SVBR to pay for the medical care. They then established fundraising events to pay for RYBC’s charitable giving.

Those events included auto raffles and the construction of new homes, profits of which went to the fund. Along the way, they started a golf tournament to benefit the fund.

 “The golf tournament is our major fundraiser,” said David Brown, of Better Homes and Garden/Masiello Group, a member of the RYBC’s Distribution Committee.

Last September, the RYBC raised $6,250 as a result of the tournament, which is held at
Haystack Golf Course.

 The fund was originally established to meet medical needs that were not covered by insurance, said Brown. “We still do some of that,” he said, but much of the focus has been shifted to enrichment type programs for children living in difficult situations.

 “We have seen an increasing need for kids with special needs because of the changes in state laws,” said Brown. “It’s clear that there are needs not being met and we’re committed to helping fill in the gaps.’

 Ginger Gaudette, the mother of two young boys, said the RYBC helped her get them into summer youth programs.

 “I had to cobble together different activities and camps,” she said. “All that stuff costs money.” The RYBC was one piece of the puzzle.
Gaudette, who is divorced, receives a small monthly stipend from her husband, who is currently in prison.

If not for RYBC’s help, she said, she would have had to quit her job to care for her boys during the summer.

“Without the help of the community, I would have been in a real jam,” she said.

Cindy Coble, the mother of a 13-year-old autistic boy, Jack, thanked the RYBC for helping to pay his tuition to the New England Youth Theatre for the past seven years.

Coble, a single mother with three kids, wasn’t having financial difficulties until she was hit by a car while riding a bicycle, requiring seven surgeries.

“RYBC has been there consistently for Jack and I can’t express my gratitude enough,’ said Coble.

Jack’s health problems made school difficult for him, said Rebecca Waxman, the executive director of the New England Youth Theatre.

“This was a kid ready for success,” she said. Since his first foray onto the stage, Jack has excelled, said Waxman.

“His energy on the stage is limitless,” she said. “In every show he has been in he has been outstanding. It’s really delightful to watch him.”

Though the NEYT is rightfully proud of the work it’s done with Jack, Waxman said the credit belongs to his mother.

“I commend Cindy for doing an exhaustive search to help Jack get the help he needs,” said Waxman.

Brown said it has been a pleasure watching Jack’s progress with NEYT.

“He really thrives in that setting,” he said.

Over the years, the RYBC donated money to a number of young people for eye glasses, dental work, medical bills and tuition for camp and after school programs.

“We have great communication with the area service providers such as Youth Services, Brattleboro Parks & Recreation Department, River Gallery School, Green Mountain Girls Camp, YMCA Lewis Day Camp, Camp Waubanong, and New England Youth Theatre among others” said Brown.

In addition, the RYBC has worked with Mollie Burke and supported her summer arts project at Westgate Housing Community through her Art in Neighborhood organization, the Circus Arts Camp and the Therapeutic Horse Back Riding Camp.

To be eligible for funds, a child must be referred by an outside agency, such as a school or a health care provider.

By BOB AUDETTE, Reformer Staff, The Brattleboro Reformer