Catamount Realty Group

08/30/2026

🏡 Selling Your Home? Don’t Forget About Leased Equipment!

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, most sellers think about cleaning, making repairs, taking photographs, and getting the property ready for the market.
But there is another important step that can easily get overlooked:

Identify anything at the property that is leased, rented, financed, or subject to an ongoing service agreement.
Examples include:
☀️ Solar panels :Some systems are leased or covered by a power purchase agreement rather than owned outright.
💧 Hot water tanks: In some areas, homeowners have rental agreements for their hot water equipment.
🛢️ Propane or fuel tanks: There may be agreements regarding ownership, rental, or fuel supply.
🚨 Security systems: Equipment and monitoring services may have contracts that need to be transferred or cancelled.
💦 Water treatment systems : Water softeners, filtration systems, and other equipment may be rented rather than owned.
🌡️ HVAC equipment :Some heating and cooling equipment may have financing, rental, or service agreements associated with it.

Why Address These Agreements Early?
The problem isn’t necessarily having a lease or service agreement. The problem is discovering it at the last minute.
When a buyer is under contract, there are already numerous moving pieces: inspections, appraisal, financing, title work, insurance, and preparation for closing.
If the buyer discovers that the solar panels are leased or that the hot water tank is subject to a rental agreement, someone may suddenly need to determine:
Can the agreement be transferred to the buyer?
Does the buyer qualify to assume the agreement?
Is there a buyout or payoff?
Does the equipment need to be removed?
Does the agreement need to be terminated?
Who is responsible for the associated costs?
What documentation does the company require before closing?

Some companies can take time to process transfers, payoffs, or terminations.

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

08/29/2026

🏡 Selling Your Vermont Home? Get Your Certificate of Compliance Before You List!
One of the best ways to prepare for a successful home sale is to address potential issues before the property goes on the market.
A Certificate of Compliance, sometimes referred to as a “Bianchi Letter,” can be an important part of that preparation.

Why should sellers consider obtaining one early?

🔎 Identify potential issues before you have a buyer.
The process may uncover permits, zoning, or other property-related matters that need to be addressed.
⏰ Avoid last-minute surprises.
Finding an issue after you’ve accepted an offer can create unnecessary stress and potentially delay the transaction.
💰 Know what you’re dealing with.
If additional work, documentation, or approvals are needed, discovering that information before listing gives you more time to determine how you want to handle it.
📋 Be prepared for the transaction.
Having the appropriate documentation available can help your Realtor, attorney, lender, and buyer move through the transaction more efficiently.

The goal isn’t simply to get a piece of paper. It’s about knowing what you’re selling before you put the property on the market.
I believe the best sellers are proactive sellers. Just as you might complete a building inspection, septic inspection, water test, or title review before listing, addressing compliance issues early can help create a smoother path from “For Sale” to “Sold.”

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

SellerTips CertificateOfCompliance BianchiLetter RealEstateTips CatamountRealtyGroup

08/25/2026

05/17/2026

Buyers: A lower offer isn’t always the only option when negotiating a home purchase! Instead of reducing the purchase price, buyers can ask sellers to help make the monthly payment more affordable in other ways. 🏡

Options may include:
✔️ A seller-paid rate buy-down to help lower the interest rate.
✔️ A seller concession to cover a one-time PMI payment for buyers putting down less than 20%.
✔️ Seller-paid closing costs so buyers can use more of their funds toward a larger down payment.

These strategies can sometimes create a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers while helping improve affordability in today’s market. Always consult with your lender and real estate professional to explore what options may work best for your situation! 🔑💰

Mark Montross,
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Rd., Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802–825–1353
[email protected]

# Homebuyertips
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05/06/2026

💧 Sellers: Don’t Skip Water Testing Before Listing Your Home! 🏡

If your home has a private well or water system, conducting a water quality test before putting your house on the market can help prevent delays and surprises during the transaction. 🚨

🔬 Water testing can identify issues such as:
✔️ Bacteria
✔️ Arsenic
✔️ Lead
✔️ Nitrates
✔️ Hard water or other contaminants

💡 Why is this important?
✅ Gives sellers time to address any concerns before negotiations
✅ Builds buyer confidence and trust 🤝
✅ Helps avoid last-minute repair requests or contract issues
✅ Keeps the transaction moving smoothly toward closing 🚀
✅ Some mortgage loan programs and lenders may require water testing as part of the financing process.🏦

Many buyers today are more aware of water quality and may require testing as part of their inspections or financing requirements. Being proactive can save time, stress, and money. 💰

📋 A clean water test can become a valuable selling point and show buyers your home has been well maintained.

Thinking about selling? Preparation matters… even what’s coming out of the faucet 🚰

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

SellSmart markmontros catamountrealtygroup HomeMaintenance RealEstateExpert

05/06/2026

☢️ Sellers: Don’t Overlook Radon Before You List! 🏡

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil and can enter a home through the foundation. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and you won’t know it’s there without testing.

🔍 Why test before you sell?
✔️ Get ahead of buyer inspections and avoid surprises
✔️ Strengthen buyer confidence and transparency 🤝
✔️ Keep your deal on track without last-minute stress
✔️ Protect your home’s value 💰

💡 Pro Tip:
If elevated levels are found, sellers can obtain an estimate for a radon mitigation system and price the house accordingly, often selling as-is while giving buyers peace of mind.

🚀 Being proactive puts you in control of the transaction, not the inspection.
Thinking about selling?

Make sure your home is fully prepared from the ground up, including the air inside.

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]


catamountrealtygroup SellSmart HomeSafety RealEstateExpert

05/05/2026

🚨 Sellers ,Don’t Skip This Critical Step Before Listing Your Home! 🏡

If your property has a septic system or is connected to public sewer, taking care of your wastewater system before hitting the market can save you time, money, and stress. 💰⏳

🔧 Septic System? Here’s What to Do:

• Have the septic tank professionally pumped. 🧰

• Scope the septic lines to check for cracks, blockages, or root intrusion 🌳
🚿 Public Sewer? You’re Not Off the Hook:

• A sewer line scope can reveal hidden issues like collapses, grease buildup, or tree root damage before a buyer finds them. 🔍

💡 Why This Matters:
✔️ Avoid deal-breaking surprises during inspections.
✔️ Build trust with buyers through transparency. 🤝
✔️ Prevent last-minute negotiations or costly concessions.
✔️ Keep your transaction moving smoothly toward closing. 🚀
⚠️ Hidden sewer or septic issues can cost thousands ,and they almost always come up during a buyer’s inspection. Being proactive puts you in control of the process.

📈 Want to stand out in today’s market? Preparation is everything.

Thinking about selling? Let’s make sure your home is fully ready from top to bottom ,including what’s underground 👇

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

SellSmart HomeMaintenance RealEstateExpert

05/02/2026

Thinking about selling your home?

🏡 Don’t overlook one of the most important (and often scrutinized) parts of your property, the heating systems. 🔥

Before listing your house, it’s smart to have every heating component inspected, including your boiler, furnace, hot water tank, and mini-split systems.

Why? Because buyers, and their inspectors, will absolutely take a close look 🔍

A pre-listing heating system inspection can:

✔ Identify issues early before they become deal breakers. ⚠️
✔ Help avoid last-minute negotiations or price reductions.💰
✔ Provide documentation that builds buyer confidence. 📄
✔ Keep your transaction moving smoothly toward closing. 🤝

In today’s market, buyers want peace of mind 🧠 Showing that your home’s heating systems are properly maintained and in good working order can set your property apart and even justify stronger offers 💪

If your boiler hasn’t been serviced, your furnace is aging, or your mini-splits need a tune-up, addressing these items now puts you in control , not the buyer later.🔧

Pro tip: Keep records of all service and repairs to share during the sale 📂 Transparency goes a long way.

If you’re preparing to sell, taking care of the mechanicals upfront is one of the smartest moves you can make. 🚀

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road Suite 202
Colchester VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

VermontRealEstate HeatingSystems BoilerInspection FurnaceMaintenance HomeSellingStrategy

05/01/2026

Thinking about selling your home? 🏡

One of the smartest steps you can take before listing is to have a pre-listing home inspection completed. 🔍

A pre-inspection gives sellers the opportunity to uncover potential issues before buyers do. This means you can address repairs on your terms, avoid surprises during the buyer’s inspection, and reduce the risk of renegotiations that could delay, or even derail the sale. ⚠️
By knowing the condition of your home upfront, you can:

✔️ Make repairs before going on the market
✔️ Price your home more accurately 💰
✔️ Build buyer confidence with transparency 🤝
✔️ Avoid last-minute negotiations
✔️ Help create a smoother closing process 📝

When buyers see that a seller has taken the time to inspect the property in advance, it shows preparation, honesty, and pride of ownership, qualities that can make your home stand out in a competitive market. ✨


A little preparation before listing can save time, stress, and money later! 🙌

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]

04/27/2026

Vermont Sellers: Apply Certificate of Compliance Before Selling Your House! 🏡

If you’re planning to sell your home in Vermont, one of the smartest things you can do before putting it on the market is apply for a Certificate of Compliance Letter, also known as the Bianchi Letter from your local town zoning office.

This letter helps verify that the property follows Vermont wastewater, potable water, and town building regulations, including making sure that all structures on the property meet the town’s permitting requirements. If there are any issues, finding out early can save you time, money, and stress later.
Here’s why applying in advance is so important:

✔️ Avoid Closing Delays
Waiting until your home is under contract to request the Certificate of Compliance can potentially delay underwriting, financing, and even the closing if compliance issues are found.
Certificate of Compliance/ Bianchi Letter review can uncover issues with wastewater permits, water supply permits, or unpermitted structures or home improvements, giving you time to address them before they become obstacles in the transaction.

✔️ Increase Buyer Confidence
Having your compliance documents ready shows buyers that your property has been properly maintained and that you are prepared for a smooth transaction.

✔️ Prevent Last-Minute Negotiations
Discovering compliance issues during the sale can lead to unexpected repair requests, permit work, or renegotiations. Handling this upfront helps protect your sale.

✔️ Keep Your Sale Moving Forward
By getting the Bianchi Letter in advance, you reduce surprises and help ensure your transaction stays on schedule.
Selling a home in Vermont comes with unique compliance requirements, and being proactive with your Certificate of Compliance letter can make all the difference in keeping your sale smooth and successful.

Looking for more tips. Follow me for more.

Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group
85 Prim Road, Suite 202
Colchester, VT 05446
802-825-1353
[email protected]