November Market Report: Montpelier, Barre, U32, and Northfield

November Market Report---By Ray Mikus 

Market Commentary—Well, November doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being a gangbuster month for real estate sales in the Montpelier area.  Spoiler Alert—December and January’s reputations aren’t much better.  But properties still sell, all throughout the calendar. 

The numbers in Barre Town and Montpelier are in complete agreement with what I’ve been hearing (I listen a lot).  Inventory in those markets is low, and buyers are really trying to find homes.  Yes, you heard me right.  It sure looks like a buyers’ market in Montpelier and Barre Town…for now.

U32 and Barre City sales show that those markets are healthy.  There’s not an oversupply , although, within certain price ranges, there’s more demand than others. 

Northfield’s Active to Closed ratio is up a little compared to what it’s been throughout the year.  I’d be more worried if each month’s ratio was at 1.6.  Stay tuned for the 2010 Year in Review coming in January.  That’ll be telling…

Point of interest—Want to buy a condo in Montpelier?  There are some good units at good prices right now…but you can’t buy anything on Murray Hill or Cityside.  It’s a buyers’ market up on the hill.  This market sure is fun, eh?

Brace Yourself—If you’ve got an underground storage tank (UST), even if it’s not being used, I strongly encourage you to get it removed before you put your house on the market.  Buyers are having a hard time getting insurance on these properties, and sellers are ending up pulling them out anyway.  You may as well get it over with.  Buyers should be aware that a UST may trip up a sale.  It probably won’t, as long as both sides are cooperative…

Surprise Discovery of the Month—While showing a property, I stumbled across a ready-to-be-butchered lamb in a basement.  It was just hanging out in a translucent bag.  Uhh…

In October, in an otherwise very clean and clutter-free basement I found a bare bulb hanging above an old wooden chair.  A very neatly coiled set of jumper cables rested on the chair.  Oh dear.  This may as well serve as fair notice:  If a house is for sale and people are going to be going through it, you’ve got to look at the house through the eyes of the buyer.  Jumper cables?  Are you kidding me?

Remember--The holidays are coming.  Don’t forget about your favorite Realtor!  I’m kidding, but if you know of someone who’s thinking of buying or selling, please keep me in mind.  I’m always happy to help.