[jangly bell] Own a Country Store! Ever thought of owning a VT country store? Ok. According to the Small Business Development Center of Duquesne University in Pennsylvania, 1 in every 18 people on the planet own a business. Oh, it’s happening. Owning your own store starts with….everything. Here are the top 8 reasons for owning […]
Does the tractor come with the property? > If we had a nickel for every time a buyer asked this question about a John Deere or Kubota parked on a property that we were showing…we’d have a lot of nickels. And, we show almost all our listings every time, as Assisted Showings.
You may take for granted that the water coming out of a faucet is healthy. Vermont regulations require it–potable water– from sellers. Lenders may require more. Yet, country properties in our area usually still have a private well…not public water. What is there to provide you confidence that the water is good? As it turns out, […]
Franklin and Lamoille County Vermonters were probably not fully appreciating their home insulation, until the Ice Age last week. Now, they know if it’s really good enough. And, as Realtors in the area, we know that houses with deliberate insulation efforts sell better than those that don’t have it. Modern Insulation Modern insulation was kickstarted […]
After 3-4 weeks of hard work, we’re happy to welcome you to our new virtual digs. We’ve made significant improvements, which we’re confident you will like. Let us know if there is anything else you think we could do. Here are some of the upgrades we have for the site: We integrated the site with […]
Don grew up in Vermont, loving the outdoors. After college, he had an illustrious career as a professional ski instructor at Smugglers Notch Resort where he enjoyed sharing his love of the mountains and the sport with kids and adults. The off-season led to Don shifting roles to a year-round position in permitting and planning for the resort. This provided him a foundation of knowledge and experience in these areas that has extended into Don’s current career in Real Estate.
Don lives in Johnson and has two teenage daughters. Life revolves around family outdoor pursuits (snowsports and anything on, in and under the water) and ever an embrace of the mountain lifestyle. Don’s personal interests include: building and paddling wooden kayaks, live music, backcountry touring, maple sugaring and collecting interesting, shiny rocks.
Don has served on a number of municipal boards in area communities and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Smugglers Notch Ski and Board Club and the Jericho Community Development Corporation.
Real Estate appeals to Don’s interest in helping people move forward in their lives, be it a real estate transaction involving investment/commercial, residential, or land. “Getting you from where you are to where you want to be” is his mantra and describes what gives him fulfillment from his service to you.
Looking for all-in, old-school intense support for your real estate transaction? Amber Foote is a Broker and REALTOR with Blue Spruce Realty since 2018, after 12 years as a civil rights advocate helping families negotiate and collaborate with PA school systems seeking services for children with disabilities, and supporting attorneys through litigation. She grew up in a real estate household. She is experienced in successful negotiation, persistence, collaboration and working with a thousand details that all matter. Prior to advocacy, Amber had a successful design and marketing firm serving small businesses in South Central Pennsylvania. Before moving back North, Amber first worked in advertising, public relations and marketing for Wunderman Worldwide, Grey Advertising and Doubleday Publishing in NYC after graduating from Syracuse University. She has two adult children. She enjoys everything outdoors, and historic properties.
Gary grew up on the West Farm in Jeffersonville.
Gary bought his first piece of land at 18. With a friend, he bought 80 acres that included a gravel pit for $300. The taxes on that 80 acres was $10 a year. Soon, they sold the town gravel for $12 a year, each making $1. They also planted Christmas trees for sale.
He joined the Army out of high school. While he was away, he had a friend take care of his sole Holstein cow. In exchange for keeping it, the friend could keep it until its second lactation, at which time Gary would get it back to keep or sell.
When Gary got out of the Army, he worked for Lake Buick; first in the body shop, then soon on the sales floor.
One day reading the Burlington Free Press, Gary responded to an ad for 190 acres in Westford for sale, with owner financing. He walked it with a hand-drawn map from the Seller's agent. Gary asked if the owner would take a cow as a down payment. The owner went to see the cow, and agreed to the cow, and $200. It was a deal. Gary soon planted many Christmas trees on it. Later, he added 50 more acres to it, for $200.
When visiting friends from Lake Buick in Fairfax one day, he saw a pretty, new teacher in town and decided she needed to upgrade her aging VW Bug, for a recent trade-in on the dealer lot. That happened. Later, Gary Jr., Amber and Donald happened, and we are ever grateful. He then had a partner for planting Christmas trees, too. They later built a house on it.
Gary started his official real estate career in 1976, selling both properties and insurance. He has been selling properties in the area he grew up for forty two years. He is happy to say that all his children are now real estate agents. His favorite color remains blue.
Tami has lived in Vermont her entire life and loves it. For a major part of her life, Tami’s focus has been raising five beautiful daughters. As her children grew, she enjoyed the opportunity of working in education, tutoring literature and directing a Shakespearean Theater Company for teens that raised money for charity.
After seeking a home in the country, her transition from Essex to the small town of Bakersfield included raising Nubian goats, chickens and horses, making cheese and kefir, and selling dozens of eggs.
