Marilyn Spaulding, The Woodstock Corporation, Woodstock, Vermont

From the December 2003/January 2004 print version of New England Showcase for Central & Northern Vermont

Marilyn Spaulding, principal broker at The Woodstock Corporation, grew up in South Pomfret, Vermont, and has been a real estate professional for more than 40 years.

Showcase: How have things changed since you've been in the real estate business?

Spaulding: Back when I first started in real estate in 1960, things were done on a handshake. We wrote a letter to confirm the details. Today, everything has to be in writing. There's a lengthy form that requires all sorts of information. Not that a handshake and letter didn't sometimes get you into trouble. There were times when I sold a piece of property and the deed had been in the family for five generations. It would say five acres, but when the buyer went to have a surveyor check the land, it would turn out to be only 2 acres. Old deeds were often wrong by double.

Another big change I've seen is that the people who came to the Woodstock area 50 years ago and even 20 years ago really became a part of Vermont. Today, people moving to the area are more likely to build million-dollar homes, stay for two years, and then they're gone. They move away for different reasons - sometimes they don't like the taxes or, after living here a couple of winters, it turns out to not be what they expected.

The price of property is a very big change. We have a glut of properties over the one-million dollar mark and not much in the average person's price range.

Showcase: What's the mystique about Woodstock that attracts property buyers?

Spaulding: There are several reasons people are drawn to the Woodstock area. It's a beautiful place. Seems like no matter where you come from, everyone has either heard of Woodstock or been here before. We've had a reputation for our good school system. Plus we are so close to skiing and winter activities. But it has become an expensive place to live, too. And we don't have as many supermarkets as we used to, so it can be inconvenient. That's a drawback for young families, especially if both parents work. And, as people get older, into their 70s and 80s, the winter activities are not as attractive.

Showcase: What trends do you expect to see in real estate over the next five to ten years?

Spaulding: It's getting harder and harder to do development in Vermont. The State keeps coming up with more regulations, for septic systems as an example. Plus there are always federal and state taxes influencing the market. What will happen is properties that are already here will become more valuable. Those who can afford them will pay. Those who can't won't have many options.

Realtor Perspectives