What is Radon Gas?

When a buyer has found the perfect Vermont Condo for their lifestyle and we sit down to write an offer, a question that almost always comes up when we're discussing about Property Inspections is radon gas. My clients and customers often ask, "what is [...]

Safety First!

No one wants to endure the devastation that a fire can bring. In an effort to make our homes safer, the Vermont Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Safety (say that 10 times fast) enforces code requirements to insure that a minimum level of protection is present in Vermont condos. 

VT Fire Safety Inspections:

For the purposes of Fire Safety, condos are generally considered multi-family dwellings. As such, when ownership of a condo is being transferred, the Division of Fire and Safety requires that a Fire Safety inspection is done prior to closing. The Fire Marshal will note any violations in a report completed at the time of inspection or shortly thereafter. Any major violations need to be corrected prior to closing in order for the Division of Fire Safety to provide a Certificate of Compliance. Most real estate attorneys will require that the Certificate of Compliance is in place before recommending their buyer clients close on the property. In short, a Certificate of Compliance is needed to close. Many attorneys now see this as a title issue. 

Smoke Detectors:

As codes have been updated over the years to improve safety, one of the most common violations that comes up during the sale of VT Condos is inadequate Smoke Alarms. All smoke alarms within a condo must be Photoelectric type and must be "In the immediate vicinity of sleeping rooms, inside each sleeping room, and on all floor levels including the basement". Some requirements vary depending on how many Condo units are in each structure and the age of the construction: These include whether the units have to be interconnected, hardwired with battery backup, have 10 year lithium batteries, or whether sprinklers are required. For a more complete list of regulations, check out this convenient sheet provided by the Division of Fire Safety. 

More Information:

Please utilize the Division of Fire Safety website for more information. We'll have fiollow-up blog posts regarding Carbon Monoxide detectors, Fire Extinguishers, hand railings and more. The Condo Guy Team is also happy to meet with you in person for a free seller consultation to discuss this and other issues that may arise during the sale or purchase of your VT Condo. We recommend always adhering to Division of Fire Safety Codes and Requirements and using licensed electricians whenever necessary. Contact us at anytime with thoughts or questions you may have. 

Have a fantastic and safe condo day!

What a Year - Strong Seller's Market - Thank You!
2017 was a tremendous year for Vermont Condos! Locally, Year to Date over 2016, the average sale price was up 3.3%, new listings were down 3.1%, and average days on market was down an astonishing 35.5%! In Chittenden County in November, there was a miniscule 2.8 months of available inventory [...]

North Beach & Nature Walk

I'm always seeking that which hidden in plain sight. In Vermont, there are so many opportunities to discover new places to enjoy, and for those of us that have been here a long time, it can be a revelation to visit somewhere you haven't been in the while. I recently made a trip to Burlington, Vermont's North Beach [...]

Town & Country 

Living in Greater Burlington provides the joys of a vibrant small city with cultural offerings that believe its tiny population and pristine nature filled with rolling mountains, dense woods and meandering rivers only short distances from each other. This past weekend I took in some live music in Burlington on Friday night [...]

 

Real Estate Team Coordinator:

One of Vermont's top real estate teams is seeking an enthusiastic administrative professional committed to world-class service for our customers and clients. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the real estate industry while growing as a professional. Ideal candidates will possess a [...]

Hidden Gems of The Queen City

My love for Burlington, Vermont runs deep, and the same can be said for the culture and history of our fair city. I started out taking the bus into Burlington when I was 12 years old to experience what to me was a teeming metropolis. I loved to people watch, explore out of the way shops and cafes and walk [...]

Historical Hideouts and Modern Marvels

There are wonders located in every corner of the Champlain Valley and perhaps no better time to experience many of them then the temperate late days of summer and early Autumn. Labor Day weekend brings traditions of backyard barbecues, The Champlain Valley Fair and preparing for the first days of [...]

Although the Vermont Condo Market moves ever onward the dwindling final days of summer are upon us. Nights are getting cooler, The College Kids are coming back and the mountains are turning rusty. We're all asking "where did the summer go?" And with any luck, you'll be able to summon amazing memories of recent months that answers the [...]

A demanding schedule in the dynamic Vermont Condo market requires that I make the most out of all my free time. This past weekend, my wife worked an incredible event to benefit her non-profit organization (see below), so I had the good fortune of spending a full day with my son. It was a beautiful summer Saturday and we were both excited to [...]