You can view the original article online by clicking here or click below to view and download a pdf version:
 Robb Report’s Exceptional Properties Magazine Article

Even in the rain, Burlington's Church Street Marketplace is beautiful

Burlington Vermont makes it to the ultimate bucket list: Forbes.com’s America’s Prettiest Towns. Judged on natural beauty (think Lake Champlain and Camels Hump) and unique identity (think UVM, Ben & Jerry’s and Jim Jeffords), Burlington takes the cake with a generous helping of both.

According to Sarah Tuff Dunn (co-author of 101 Best Outdoor Towns) in her interview with Forbes, “Burlington has it all”. Beauty and uniqueness all centered on the pedestrian mall, the  Church Street Marketplace.

Burlington has a great Walkable Score

Once the supreme place for high school kids in convertibles to “see and be seen”, Church Street was converted into a beautiful pedestrian marketplace more than 27 years ago. The combination of historic buildings and penultimate boutique shopping changed not only the landscape, but the perception of Burlington.

Vermont’s biggest City became a place where families and friends could enjoy themselves outdoors and walk to everything they need. As “Walkability” becomes part of the home-buying consciousness, this pedestrian friendliness is part of the attraction of downtown Burlington real estate.

I launched the “Realtors Driving Hybrids” Initiative as a challenge to my fellow real estate agents to consider a more environmentally friendly alternative to their traditional vehicles. Initially this initiative was for Coldwell Banker agents, but this year, we’re opening it up to real estate agents across the country.

If you’re a real estate agent and you drive a hybrid, please send me an email, or register on site and I will be sure to add you to the growing list of agents on this site.

What’s the catch?

• You must be under contract to purchase no later than April 30, 2010.
• You must close on that purchase no later than June 30, 2010.
• There are some income restrictions
• Purchase price on a home is capped at $800,000

Visit the national federal tax credit web site for more information. Or call me for the local response to the Federal Tax Credit at (802) 238-1704 for more info. I have yet to meet a person who didn’t like free money – take advantage and claim yours now!

Heather D. Myott
Mortgage Advisor
Coldwell Banker

Burlington Church Street Marketplace

Travel & Leisure Magazine votes Burlington Vermont as one of the coolest college towns in America. It’s just another reason Burlington Vermont real estate is so hot right now.

What makes Burlington the coolest college town? Maybe it’s the array of performers in the Church St Marketplace, the fact it’s a bike friendly city, or perhaps the various restaurants Burlington VT has in it’s roster. The surrounding Lake Champlain real estate can’t hurt too much either; a beautiful environment for students to study for their upcoming exams!

There are plenty of schools to chose from. Burlington VT colleges include:

• University of Vermont – Vermont state college with engaging faculty and over 90 majors to choose from

• Champlain College – One of America’s “Top Up-and-Coming Schools”

• Burlington College – Independent liberal arts college with a variety of unique programs

• Community College of Vermont – Open admissions college with affordable programs

• Saint Michael’s College – A catholic, residential, liberal arts college located right next to Burlington VT

Explore this hip college hub today. I’d love to show you what a cool place Burlington VT is, so get in contact today and schedule a tour!

This historical Burlington home has 7 bedrooms, hardwood floors, elegant architecture, and is full of history. It also is located within walking or biking distance of all local Burlington colleges.

83 Willard Street, Burlington VT - MLS #2908468

This 2-level Burlington VT condo has a gorgeous lakeview, 3-4 bedrooms, off street parking, and the convenience of being located directly in downtown Burlington.

40 College St, Burlington VT - MLS #2901442

Come experience Burlington and find out why it’s America’s coolest college town. Check out the available Brian Boardman real estate while you’re here too!

This image from Sports Illustrated captures a terrific Burlington event

We all know that Burlington Vermont is famous for exquisite lakefront real estate with Adirondack views and incredible sunsets. But this fall, Sports Illustrated has given Burlington a new claim to fame: the site of the most ridiculous competition, the Burlington Vermont Giant Pumpkin Regatta.

Yes, it is a boat race, but each boat is a carved and decorated giant pumpkin, raced like a kayak. The Giant Pumpkin Regatta & Festival is a benefit for a youth leadership program for area high school students run by Linking Learning to Life and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce

Burlington VT Real Estate - Dramatic Apartment near Lake Champlain

This Burlington apartment might get a great view of this terrific spectacle in Burlington Harbor on Lake Champlain (it’s walking distance to the Harbor, anyway).

The main reason behind the rate reduction: Consumer Confidence was reporting quite a bit lower than expected for September. On this news, stocks have reversed a bit lower, helping Mortgage Bonds improve. Keep in mind that markets continue to be very volatile. Friday’s unemployment numbers could send rates down even lower. However, an improved figure could put rates back into the 5’s again.

While Vermont real estate prices do reflect the national trend of slow, steady improvement, the present low rate should inspire even more Burlington buyers.

These two Burlington listings under $500,000 certainly inspire:

Burlington Vermont home under $500 K - Classic Victorian MLS# 2910193

Burlington Vermont home under $500 K - 4 bedroom Cape MLS 297080

The magazine conducted a statistical analysis of cities around the country researching the factors that are most important to parents: safety, education, economics, housing, and health. Burlington is number one for many reasons; among them are graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and percentage of population with advanced degrees.

From the Children’s Health article: “Its population is also exceptionally healthy,” says Stephen Perrine, Men`s Health Editor at Large and Children’s Health Editor. “Burlington has the fewest fast-food restaurants per capita so it’s no surprise that the city has less obesity than anywhere else in the country.”

These Burlington Victorians are both within walking distance to great schools:

58 Bayview Street, Burlington, VT

57 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington.

The Burlington City Marathon is huge, of course. And if you walk down any street in downtown Burlington, you’ll pass a yoga studio or a health club. Take a look:

Imagine that each studio employs 30 fitness professionals. That’s 510 people. Add in the colleges, sports clubs, personal trainers, and ski instructors and this number ski rockets to more than two thousand people. That’s nearly ½ % of the city’s population! 

This list doesn’t even take the marital arts, Pilates, or physical therapy into consideration. Whatever your body needs, you’ll find it here in Burlington. And you’ll find any type of class that suits your needs. Take yoga for example: there’s prenatal yoga, post-natal yoga, yoga for toddlers, yoga on the lake, yoga for kayakers, yoga for seniors, skiers, bikers, golfers, runners…You get the picture.

These Burlington homes are all within walking distance of a yoga studio or health club:
MLS # 2811788 – 673 Prospect Street
MLS #2903426 – 94 Church Street
MLS #2901442 – 40 College Street
MLS #2902570 – 161 St. Paul Street

Here are many more Burlington homes fit for the fit…