Fresh off the presses!

JAMES H. DOUGLAS

GOVERNOR

State of Vermont

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

For Immediate Release:

December 7, 2010

Contact:

David M. Coriell, Office of the Governor

(802) 828-3333

Nancy Erikson, Vermont Department of Health

(802) 863-7281

Vermont Named Healthiest State in America, Again

Top spot in the 2010 America’s Health Rankings goes to the Green Mountain State

Montpelier, Vt. – For the fourth year in a row Vermont has been named the healthiest state in America, Governor Jim Douglas announced today. The 21^st annual America’s Health Rankings, which was released at a press conference at the Hall of States in Washington, D.C. this afternoon, showed the Green Mountain State in a familiar position leading the nation when it comes to health.

“Over the last eight years we have worked hard to improve the health and wellbeing of Vermonters,” said Governor Douglas. “Policies like the Vermont Blueprint for Health, Choices for Care and Global Commitment to Health, and our groundbreaking 2006 health care reforms have contributed significantly to our success. But most importantly, it is the people of Vermont, who have taken responsibility for their health, that deserve credit for this distinction.”

According to a release from the United Health Foundation, “Vermont has had a steady climb in the Rankings for the last twelve years from a ranking of 17^th in the 1997 and 1998 Editions.”

This year, the state ranked among the top 10 healthiest states in 14 of 22 public health measures relating to behaviors, community and environment, policies and clinical care. In particular, Vermont was noted for a number of strengths: high rates of graduation from high school; ready access to prenatal care; wide health insurance coverage; few children living in poverty; adequate availability of primary care physicians and public health spending. Since 1990, prevalence of smoking, and deaths from cardiovascular disease have decreased significantly.

“This is a moment to take pride in our collective work to help Vermonters lead healthier lives in healthier communities, said Health Commissioner Wendy Davis, MD. “But we can’t let up on our efforts in the face of new and continuing challenges: rising rates of obesity, a drop in the numbers of children getting fully immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases, binge drinking among adults and youth alike – and the consequences of health disparities experienced by many Vermonters.”

This year, the Health Department published The Health Disparities of Vermonters 2010, a comprehensive report that documents causes and consequences of differences in health status among Vermonters, especially the young, less educated and lower income people. The full report is available at Health Department offices, or at the Health Department’s website: http://healthvermont.gov/research/healthdisparities.aspx

About America’s Health Rankings

America’s Health Rankings™ is the longest running report of its kind. For 21 years, the Rankings has provided an analysis of national health on a state-by-state basis by evaluating a historical and comprehensive set of health, environmental and socio-economic data to determine national health benchmarks and state rankings. For more information visit http://www.americashealthrankings.org

Budgeting

I ran across this handy little infograpic and thought it was worth sharing. The little things really add up! Some of these are really great ideas. You could also consider refinancing your mortgage or buying at the rock bottom prices that we currently are being treated to instead of renting. If it doesn't display correctly just click on the graphic.

Personal Finances from Quicken

Finally!

Elections are over. The people have spoken. We are moving in the right direction now. For sure this time. We hope. Soon.
Well here in Vermont we have a Democratic Govenor for the first time in a while. Hopefully that will get us moving in the right direction on jobs, which should help our housing and Real Estate situation. Over all we are not in bad shape, but only when compared to most other parts of the country. Homes in the upper price ranges (over $500k or so) are moving occasionally, but slower than we would like. The lower price ranges seem to be doing pretty well considering. There are quite a few businesses that will begin hiring as soon as the signs of life come back to the economy as a whole. There is pent up demand I believe. If you would like more information or are a numbers person who would like to see the data, please do give me a call. I am always happy to chat about what is going on in the Vermont Real Estate world!

On another note- we are moving into the holidays and that means toys...lots of toys. Always we seem to hear about some recalls of dangerous toys that pose a choking or other hazard. Would you like to be sure you hear about these recalls as soon as they happen? Yes? Good news..the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has a number of types of auto notification lists that you can sign up for. Next time there is a recall for any item of the type you are interested in they will send you an email. Doesn't get any easier than that. You can also install an app if you have an android phone. The place to go to sign up is here.

As always, please do call if you have questions or I can assist!

Warm Regards,

David

Looking for a foreclosure?
Vermont should not be your top pick! According to Realtytrac, Vermont has one of the very lowest foreclosure rates in the nation.

As I explain to clients and customers who are looking to buy a home, you cannot take the national news that we see about the Real Estate market and apply it to Vermont. Real Estate markets are very local.

For instance: Vermont has a foreclosure filing rate of 1 in 20,762, compared to our next door neighbor New Hampshire whose rate is 1 in 523, and New York's rate of 1 in 1737. Big difference! Be glad you don't have a home in Nevada...that states rate is 1 in 92!

Check out the number of foreclosures by County:















You can get the details on any State by clicking here.

As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have questions or need clarification on anything to do with Vermont Real Estate. I service an area extending about 30 Miles in any direction from Burlington, Vermont. South Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Colchester, Milton, Shelburne, Charlotte, Williston, Jericho, Underhill, and a few others. I can definitely find you a great agent for areas that I do not service. Our firm is part of the largest relocation network in the world! Please do not hestiate to call! 802-846-7862.

Sincerely,
David Allaire, CBR, Realtor
www.MyVermontAgent.com

Tax incentive to buy a home

I just came from a continuing education course dealing with more effectively helping buyers find a great home. Tons of great ideas and helpful tips on making the experience of buying a home fun, low stress, and fruitful! I would be happy to chat with you about how I can help you do this!

One of the topics we covered was the tax incentives that are now being offered. Apparently there are still many folks who do not even know about it!

For those of you who have questions let me hit on a couple of key points:
1 ) The definition of First Time Buyer for purposes of the incentive is that you not have owned a PRIMARY residence for the past 3 years. If you have a vacation home that has not been claimed as your primary residence then you would still qualify.
2)It is a tax CREDIT not a DEDUCTION. This is important to note because they are so different. A tax deduction lets you not pay taxes on a certain expense, while a tax credit actually deducts a certain amount from the amount of taxes you pay. In the case of the first time credit you would receive $8000.00 off your tax bill. If you owe less than $8000.00 then you can get a REBATE for the difference between what you owe and the $8000.00! For move up buyers this number is $6500. In order to qualify for a move up credit you need to have had a primary residence for 5 consecutive years out of the past 8. If you are not married and you or your partner has not owned a primary residence then you will still likely qualify for the full amount!

More information is available here or please feel free to call me directly at 802-846-7862 (direct line) or 802-355-1800 (cell). I am always happy to chat and answer any questions you may have! You can also email me at David@MyVermontAgent.com

I specialize in the areas surrounding Burlington, Vermont- Essex, Essex Junction, Williston, South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Jericho, Milton, and the like. Typically if the town is within 45 minutes of Burlington I can help you. If you are moving out of the area I have access to the largest Relocation Network and can help you find a great agent in the area you are moving to...just call me.

Sincerely,
David

The tax incentives go away after April of this year, and I would wager that they will never, ever come around again, so if you are thinking of making a move call me soon! :)