[kerrybean]

Hi, all! I've been reading the Vermont forum for a few years and just love it. I've gained so much insight on living in the state, thanks to all of you. My husband and I are (slightly early) retirees who are 80% certain we'd like to relocate to the Burlington area. Most likely to one of the nearby towns, given the housing prices I've seen on realtor.com. Of course we've done several VT vacations before, but this June we're coming up (from FL) specifically to check out the feel of those towns for future livability. Assuming we do decide to relocate, the actual date is nebulous. We've got considerations like aging parents, the lousy real estate market for selling our current home, etc. But let's say our target date is 5 years or less from now. That's the background, now here are the questions: is it too early to try to establish a relationship with a Burlington area realtor? Would they have any interest in people who aren't actually ready yet to make the move? If making a connection now is a reasonable idea, what is it fair to ask them for help with? Getting an "insider's" tour of the towns we're curious about? Looking at homes for sale now, to see what our dollars could buy and to learn about home issues specific to the area (heating,etc.)? As I mentioned I've mined this forum pretty extensively and I've done the same with realtor.com. But that can't substitute for a first-hand view. Thoughts?

[Lilybeans]

Contact a realtor now. You don't have to sign a contract with them. They are in the business of selling you what you want. Contact several. Find one you are comfortable with.

We made contacted a lot of realtors using their websites. Only one responded to us and he turned out to be a good guy. Nowhere near Burlington though.

[Adream]

We have a home in Stowe, and we love it here. DH and I will be semi-retiring next year (we're in our 50's) and dividing our time between Stowe and quite possibly Florida. I know a realtor in Stowe who can help with not only this town but the surrounding area. She is a wonderful realtor ~ very knowledgable, patient and a joy to work with. We've known her for several years, and if we ever buy or sell anything here again, she's the one we'll call.

PM me if you're interested. I'll reply with her information and a link to her office's website.

Good luck with your future plans!

[tkln]

We've been planning to move for a couple of years now, and are hoping to actually make the move this year...but I've been talking to a realtor for two or three years now. I was up front with her from the get go so she knows our situation (we also have to sell our home in NY before we move) and I have my eye on the market like a hawk - I know every home that's for sale within a 15 mile radius. We actually started looking at homes last month, just to get a feel for what's on the market. I made sure she told the listing brokers our situation and that we didn't want to waste anyone's time...

I don't see what the harm is in talking to a few realtors and getting to know them...finding someone you work well with is important and as long as you tell them your situation up front, it shouldn't be an issue!

[arel]

I'm working with a buyer's broker here in southern Vermont. I contacted him, and even looked at houses with him before I moved up here.

I've been upfront with him. He knows I will not buy for a while, maybe not for 2 years. And if I can't make a living here, I won't buy at all.

I've also expressed my concern about using his services and then not buying, which would leave him uncompensated for his time and effort. We decided that I would give him $500, to be refunded when (and if) I buy. If I decide to move elsewhere, then he keeps the money. So, either way, he gets compensated for his work.

As a result, my realtor knows I am serious, even if I am not ready to buy. And I have a focused realtor and a clear conscience. It is a win-win situation for both of us.

BTW, I have followed people's advice to "rent first". This way, I can pick up and leave if things don't work out. Also, I have a base from which I can look at houses and get to know the market here. I have the freedom to look at houses without feeling pressure to buy ASAP.

[kerrybean]

Lilybeans, thanks for the encouragement and I think I will begin by contacting a few realtors via their websites. Adream, I'm not sure how far the surrounding area around Stowe would be considered to be, but I will PM you, and thanks. And I'm curious as to where in Florida you might be considering for a "part-time" home? tkln and arel, yes, I guess if I am just up-front with the realtors we contact, they can decide whether they want to start dealing with us or not. I, too, would not to waste anyone's time and the idea of paying a realtor now with a possible reimbursement later is an interesting one. But I doubt if my DH would open the purse strings wide enough! We hope settle within 20-25 minutes of Burlington. We're in our late 50's (man, that's hard to say...) and would like to make a move before we get too much older. tkln, I envy you being so close in time to your own move. Good luck! Since we would have to sell our home in Jax first, I believe renting in VT before buying would be a necessity as well as a good idea! How nice to talk to those of you whose posts I have been reading for so long!

[Adream]

Originally Posted by arel

I'm working with a buyer's broker here in southern Vermont. I contacted him, and even looked at houses with him before I moved up here.

I've been upfront with him. He knows I will not buy for a while, maybe not for 2 years. And if I can't make a living here, I won't buy at all.

I've also expressed my concern about using his services and then not buying, which would leave him uncompensated for his time and effort. We decided that I would give him $500, to be refunded when (and if) I buy. If I decide to move elsewhere, then he keeps the money. So, either way, he gets compensated for his work.

As a result, my realtor knows I am serious, even if I am not ready to buy. And I have a focused realtor and a clear conscience. It is a win-win situation for both of us.

Arel, you are to be commended for considering your realtor's time and expenses. You are the first person I have ever heard of actually compensating their realtor before buying or selling. My DH has been a real estate broker for close to 35 years now, and the vast majority of people do not think twice about wasting his time and energy with wild goose chases. It's the nature of the business, but I think your way of doing business is far superior! You're serious about searching and willing to show it. Good for you - you are a class act!

Originally Posted by kerrybean

Adream, I'm not sure how far the surrounding area around Stowe would be considered to be, but I will PM you, and thanks. And I'm curious as to where in Florida you might be considering for a "part-time" home?

We hope settle within 20-25 minutes of Burlington. We're in our late 50's (man, that's hard to say...) and would like to make a move before we get too much older. tkln, I envy you being so close in time to your own move. Good luck! Since we would have to sell our home in Jax first, I believe renting in VT before buying would be a necessity as well as a good idea! How nice to talk to those of you whose posts I have been reading for so long!

Hi Kerrybean ~ got your PM and have replied. Hope the information is helpful to you. The person I recommended can easily help you with property 20-25 minutes from Stowe. Actually, there is a very nice area within that distance which I personally like very much: Waterbury, Warren, Waitsfield. An easy drive to Burlington. If DH and I ever decide to sell our condo and buy a house, that is where we would look.

It's funny that you mention making the move before you get much older - that is EXACTLY what my DH and I say! Let's do this Florida/Vermont thing while we're young enough to enjoy it and make a change if it turns out not to work out. We're in our 50's as well, and yes, it occurs to us that "5-Oh" must be talking about someone else...not us!?!

If you decide to move to Vermont, please let me know - we'll meet at one of the many wonderful restaurants in the area! Best of luck to you!

[arel]

Thank you, Adream.

I am amazed that I am the only person you know of who compensated the realtor ahead of time for his/her time, effort and expenses.

I did it out of consideration for my realtor, who is a very nice person and who is genuinely focused on my interests. But I also did it for me. I wanted to be taken seriously, even though I am looking at a lot of houses and will almost certainly be looking at many more before I decide to buy. And there is also the possibility that I won't want to stay here. If I can't earn a decent living here, I will have to make some hard decisions.