NAR Conference & Expo - San Diego, CA

NAR CONVENTION - SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 11-17

Once again I will be attending the National Association of REALTORS annual convention and trade exposition. It's always a grea time to network with REALTOR members around the country and learn new techniques to apply in my local marketplace.

This year I will be traveling to San Diego, CA for the convention. It will be held November 23-16 at the San Diego Convention Center. I will be attending some meetings as I am the Vermont representative to the NAR Multiple Listing Service Committee. I will also be able to attend continuing education, motivational and technology courses.

The trade show isn't to be missed. There are over 400 vendors demonstrating thier products. It's always fun to see the newest technologies put to work. It should be a fabulous show, and I am really looking forward to it!

Mid-Year Meetings in Washington, DC

I just returned from a week of REALTOR meetings in Washington, DC. The National Association of Realtors meets for a week in May for the Mid-Year Meetings. I attended the meeting this year with a primary focus on my role as the President-Elect of the Northern New England Real Estate Network, the multiple listing service for my area.

During my time in Washington I was able to attend meetings about rules and regulations pertaining to Multiple Listing Services, a general overview of the NAR in general, great networking with my piers, and meetings with Rep. Peter Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders and representatives from the office of Senator Patrick Leahy. We were able to discuss the state of the real estate market here in Vermont and thanked our Congressmen for their efforts in getting the housing market back on track. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit is a great help, and we explained why we thought it necessary to extend it beyond the November 20, 2009 deadline. Our suggestions seemed heard.

The new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Mr. Shaun Donovan spoke to the group of REALTORS in DC. He suggested that he favors finding a way to get the $8,000 tax credit into the hands of buyers at the time of closing instead of waiting to file a return next year. I stronly support this idea, and he is working with the Obama administration to make it happen.

If you have any questions about the real estate market or about the new $8,000 first-time tax credit, please give me a call. I would be happy to help.

Vermont REALTORS Lose Longtime Friend & Leader

Evelyn Biddle

The State Of Vermont, and the Vermont Association of REALTORS has lost a friend. Evelyn Biddle was a wonderful person, a fabulous REALTOR and a friend of many. She was active in the REALTOR organization giving guidance and leadership to real estate agents across the state. Evelyn will truely missed. Below is the full obituary from The Burlington Free Press.

EVELYN J. BIDDLE SHELBURNE - Evelyn J. Biddle, 70, of Shelburne, died in Fletcher Allen Health Care with her children by her side on Thursday, April 30, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Evelyn was born on Jan. 27, 1939, in Manchester, Conn., the daughter of the late Evelyn and John Yavinsky. After graduating from Manchester High, she went on to graduate from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1961, where she served as class president. Evelyn and her former husband Bill Biddle moved with their family to Vermont in 1970. She began her real estate career in 1974, and became the first member of the elite Senior Associate Group at Lang McLaughry Spera Real Estate where she served as advisor and mentor to her fellow associates for three decades. A natural leader, Evelyn served two terms as president of the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors and one term as president of the Vermont Association of Realtors. Both organizations named her Realtor of the Year in 1985. In 2008, the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors awarded her their Distinguished Service award for her dedication and contributions both to her profession and community, an honor she was proud of. Evelyn's longstanding commitment to the community she loved was evident: as member and past-president of the Burlington Business and Professional Woman's Club, Burlington Meals on Wheels volunteer and member of Board of Directors, as well as tireless efforts over the years on behalf of Special Olympics, VSO, Ronald McDonald House, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, The United Way and voter registration. In spite of her accomplishments, Evelyn's greatest joy was spending time with her many friends and beloved family. Her generosity, passion, strength, loyalty and sense of fun will be missed by all who knew her. Evelyn will live on in the hearts of her son Carter Biddle of Burlington, daughter Ellen Biddle of South Burlington and her treasured granddaughter, Marisa; her brother Stephen Yavinsky and his wife Cathy of Bolton, Conn. and their children Michael, Mark and Cheryl, along with their spouses and children. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ready Funeral Home, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. Friends are invited to join her family in a joyous celebration of Evelyn's life to be held on Wednesday, May 6, in All Souls Interfaith Gathering at 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Burlington Meals on Wheels, 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, VT 05401 or to the Marisa Biddle Education Trust begun in Evelyn's honor by Lang McLaughry Spera Real Estate, c/o John O'Donnell, Bergeron Paradis & Fitzpatrick, P.O. Box 925, Burlington, VT 05402-0925. For directions or to send online condolences please visit http://www.readyfuneral.com/ .

Portland, Oregon - Connection, 2009

As Vice President of the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN), I recently traveled to Portland, Oregon to attend "Connection 2009", a gathering of MLS executives and board members to discuss issues related to the industry.

The meeting was at the Hilton Portland downtown and was a great success. Many agenda items relevant to the real estate industry across the country were discussed, and it was a great networking opportunity with my MLS peers nationwide.

I will be the 2010 President of NNEREN and look forward to gaining all the knowledge I can about the future of Multiple Listing Services across the country.

I NEED A NEW OWNER!

Let your imagination run wild! This three story wood frame building was a Gelatin factory in it's previous life and now awaits a new use. There are over 13,000 square feet of space and the building appears structurally sound - great bones they would say! Large metal beams in the basement, vinyl siding, some updates started. Previously the property had been permitted for 9 units of housing (with a portion of abutting lands), but could be used for many things.

The property is listed for $150,000 and the owner is willing to negotiate the replacement of the roof. There's a lot of building here, so if you are creative and looking for a project, this might be it. Be sure to see for yourself. Give me a call to arrange a private inspection.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

to all of my customers, clients and friends!

The Move Is Complete!

On Monday, March 2nd, 2009 the office's of Bysel Realty merged with New England Land Company, LTD. We have moved into our new office at 2 Park Street, Randolph. Like any move there was some frustrations with redirecting phones, e-mail accounts, etc, but we are now operating in the new office.

Our new contact information is:

New England Land Company, LTD.
2 Park Street
Randolph, Vermont 05060

Phone: (802) 728-9100
Fax: (802) 728-9191

Website: www.NewEnglandLandVermont.com

Be sure to give us a call for all of your real estate needs in Central Vermont!