‘Killington Valley’ push set to hit Web

Rutland Herald | July 18, 2017

By GORDON DRITSCHILO
STAFF WRITER

Lyle Jepson, executive director of Rutland Economic Development Corp., shows off his “KilSee lington Valley” cap at the REDC office Monday. ROBERT LAYMAN / STAFF PHOTO

In the coming months, professionals in the Boston area who like skiing are going to get an online earful about how great it is to live in the Rutland area.

That area will be called the “Killington Valley,” though, under the rebranding undertaken by the regional marketing initiative being developed by the Rutland Economic Development Corp. and Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.

The $200,000 campaign is being funded by the city and a number of local corporations and organizations.

The campaign aims to reverse the population decline in the area by encouraging people who visit to come here to live. The “Killington Valley” name was selected to piggyback off the Killington Ski Resort’s strong brand recognition.

A video launching the campaign was unveiled Friday at the Killington Wine Festival.

“We’re going to push it out on social media sites,” said Lyle Jepson, REDC executive director. “It’ll be on different sites, like REDC’s and the chamber’s.”

While other local resources will be highlighted later, the initial phase of the campaign will focus on mountain biking.

Rob Megnin, director of marketing, sales and reservations at the Killington resort, said the sport emerged as a logical theme during early meetings with Jepson.

“Pittsfield has some crosscountry trails, we have our thing and down at Pine Hill Park there is another element,” he said.

Megnin said that during the past four years, Killington has spent $5 million expanding its summertime offerings, much of that on mountain biking, a sport which he says is on the cusp of major growth.

“It’s not just for really high-end guys in body armor — we’ve got families coming here,” he said.

Jepson said the effort to get those families coming here permanently will take place primarily online.

“I think most of the assets will go to digital media,” he said. “It’s pretty easy to spend money very quickly in larger markets like Boston and New York, so we’re going to have to pick what we do very carefully.”

Jepson said Vermont marketing company Mondo Mediaworks is making sure the ads wind up in the right places.

“They have introduced me to different markets I am unfamiliar with but that the target audience is frequenting,” he said. “With social media, there’s lots of different opportunities.”

Mary Cohen, CEO of the chamber, said Mondo has tools that allow them to effectively target individuals.

“It’s kind of like when you buy a pair of shoes online and suddenly you start seeing shoes everywhere,” she said.

First, though, Cohen said, the campaign will make an effort to improve the attitudes of people already living here toward the local area. Cohen said she realizes that many of Rutland’s harshest critics are Rutlanders.

“I’m hoping that it’s not a huge battle, but that’s where we have to start,” she said. “As we invite people to live here, we all have to have the same message that this is a cool place to live. … You have to live somewhere else and come back to appreciate what we have here. We do live in an outstanding place.”

The city contributed half of the initial funding.

“ Never in my time in public office have I seen a moment when there has been such genuine interest in working together towards common goals, than right now,” Mayor David Allaire said at the roll-out.

“The Regional Marketing Initiative is an example and opportunity for all of us to pull in the same direction,” he said. “On behalf of Rutland City, we are pleased to be a major supporter.”

Jepson said the initial money is expected to get the campaign through about two years and that they hope the rest of the county will contribute after that. He said he has begun asking local governments to contribute $1 per person living in their towns.

“With about $60,000 … plus continuing to gain support from business and industry, we believe we’ll have enough to sustain the effort moving forward,” he said.

The initiative was conceived as a 10-year campaign.

“The loss of people in our community didn’t happen all at once,” Jepson said.

He said REDC will use sales tax revenue to gauge business growth, but they had no specific benchmarks for success.

“ We just want to see growth,” he said.

Killington becoming hot real estate market

PRICED TO MOVE

Rutland Herald | July 22, 2017
By KAREN D. LORENTZ
CORRESPONDENT

Bret Williamson, 13-year Killington Valley Real Estate employee, is in the process of purchasing the company with his wife, Kim. Williamson, 44, has worked at the Basin Ski Shop since he was a sophomore at Castleton University, where he raced on the Nordic team. A father of two, he’s on the Pico Ski Club board and is also active with the Killington Pico Cycling Club, Killington Chamber of Commerce, and Pine Hill Partnership. PROVIDED PHOTO

KILLINGTON — The Killington region real estate scene has picked up.

Offering what many called the best prices for a major resort area, brokers said the region’s properties offer good values and some bargains. However, there are shortages of certain types of inventory, so prices are starting to rise.

“We don’t see the usual slow period anymore. I think there was really only one slow week since the snow season ended, and we are all finding it very challenging to keep up,” said attorney Marylou Scofield, who is based in Killington and handles real estate closings in the region.

Tricia Carter, a broker and co-owner at Ski Country Real Estate, reported being “out straight” and having “one of my most active springs, with May and June very busy.” She sees a mix of people — couples, families, and retirees — looking for property in Killington and surrounding towns.

Citing reasonable prices, she said even clients have commented that vacation homes out west cost much more.

She thinks that the increase in summer activities in Killington is attracting more people, which is increasing summer rentals for owners who want some income to help cover expenses.

Enthusiastic about the town and real estate scene, Carter said the firm recently added two new sales agents, Chris Bianchi and Merisa Sherman,

Killington Valley Real Estate broker Bret Williamson said he saw double-digit growth in May and June closings this year. Williamson agrees it is still a buyer’s market with good values, but added that appropriately priced properties are moving quickly.

“Activity is strong but inventory is getting low, with a shortage of three-bedroom condos. Prices range from $18,000 for a quarter-share hotel studio to $3.25 million for a single-family home,” he said.

Williamson credits savvy purchasers, who recognize good values and low interest rates as well as being able to capitalize on renting out a property when it’s not in use. “It’s an attractive time for vacationhome buyers and particularly families with the many things to do, from summer camps for kids to biking. Summer rentals are coming back,” he added.

Additionally, Williamson noted, “two customers are exploring Killington as an option because of the elementary school’s high ranking.”

Gary Thompson, of Performance Group Real Estate, agreed that more is happening in the resort area, citing the vibrancy of the Adventure Center at Snowshed, and more summer guests. He sees inventory shrinking, and said, “we’ll see more of a balanced market in the future.”

Doug Quatchak, of ERA Mountain Real Estate, noted that inventory at the slopeside Killington Grand Hotel, which has 133 condo units, is the lowest he’s seen since the 2007-08 crash. There are only 16 fractional ownerships available, with prices ranging from $18,000 for a sleep-two studio to $149,000 for a threebedroom penthouse, he said.

The quartershare ownerships are for 13 weeks each, so 16 available quartershares out of 532 means prices are starting to rebound, but prices are lower than what you find nationally or even at other Vermont areas, he said. 

Real estate agents in Killington credit the popularity of $5 million in Killington Resort summer investments as contributing to an active real estate scene. The Grand Hotel, seen in right-hand corner, now has historically low inventory available. PHOTO BY DAVE YOUNG

He explained the hotel’s popularity, stating, it’s a “hassle-free product” with fitness center, restaurant, pool, views, rental program and an attractive location.

Home and condo sales

Ted Crawford, co-owner of Prestige Real Estate, which handles properties in Killington, said that total sales volume — Killington zip code only — has averaged around $8 million for the first half of each year since 2013, except for 2015, which saw over $10 million. This year is the second-highest in first-half revenue (In 2015 total market revenue was over $20 million, its highest level since 2006 and 16 percent higher than the 10-year average.)

Crawford noted, “More homes sold at a higher price during the first half of this year than the same period last year. Prices for the 13 single-family homes sold ranged from $174,000 to $805,000 in Killington.” Crawford said it was the first time since mid-2015 that a home sold for over $500,000. Additionally, he said, a June listing at $1.95 million in Killington went under contract. He had no explanation for the uptick in those higher-price home sales.

Williamson also said he had just put a $550,000 home under contract. He thinks all the activity from the World Cup to the growth of summer attractions, coupled with good values, are coming together in “a recipe for success.”

Carter said she had a house sell for over $500,000 in June for a residence on the Pittsfield/ Stockbridge line.

While “about the same number of condos sold,” as the first half of 2016, prices were 17 percent lower on average, Crawford noted. Of the 33 condos sold in Killington, one-bedroom, one-bath condos sold from $45,000 to $110,000 while two-bedroom, two-baths ranged from $82,000 to $170,000, and three-bedrooms, three-baths from $ 225,000 to $ 425,000. Prices depend on the condo complex, location, amenities and homeowners association fees.

Currently, some condo complexes have low inventory, with just one unit for sale at Fall Line and Winterberry and none at Glazebrook or Pico Slopeside according to NEREN MLS June 30 data, which lists inventory of 37 condos. 

Local lending

“Vermont lenders are optimistic about increased home- buyer activity as the economy continues to improve. Home buyers should make every effort to ‘shop local’ when looking for vacation-home financing, as local, smaller lenders are generally more in tune with the attributes of the local housing market and can relay information to underwriters and others to keep a transaction moving forward,” Scofield said.

Agents and brokers agreed. “Purchasers who aren’t paying cash should use a local lender, because it takes longer for outof state lenders to offer a mortgage. They aren’t familiar with local properties and can hold up a closing,” said Crawford.

Carter added that many purchasers are still paying cash, explaining that low interest rates on savings also cause people to invest in vacation homes they can enjoy. They use them both summer and winter now, thanks to all the things to do in Killington and nearby towns.

Woman admits assault with car

Rutland Herald | July 26, 2017

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
STAFF WRITER

A Killington woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges she tried to run over a romantic rival with her car in Proctor last year.

Carson Neil, 24, entered guilty pleas to aggravated assault with a weapon, reckless or gross negligence of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident in the Jan. 15, 2016, incident in Proctor.

Judge Cortland Corsones ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for November.

“Your car was used as a deadly weapon,” the judge told a subdued Neil in Rutland criminal court.

Neil was charged with hitting Tiffanie Felix of Proctor twice with her car outside 6B Green Square in Proctor as Felix was walking around the corner of the apartment building.

Felix was not seriously hurt in the incident and initially refused medical treatment, police said, but reported pain in her knee and hip after being struck twice by Neil’s car.

Felix told police that after she was hit she went to a neighbor who had a video surveillance camera and got a copy of the video which showed Neil driving her car into Felix, even driving up on the lawn to strike Felix, according to court records. 

Felix told investigators there was bad blood between her and Neil because Neil was a “fling” of her son’s father, who lives in the same apartment building as Felix but in a separate apartment.

During the court hearing, Neil answered quest ions from Corsones quietly and often with a simple “yes” or “no.” Her lawyer said she wanted to take responsibility for her actions.

Neil told police after the incident that she had struck Felix, but that Felix made no attempt to get out of the way. Neil told police that her car had been repeatedly vandalized in the past year, and that she suspected Felix.

Felix, in turn, blamed Neil for slashed tires and a damaged side mirror on her car.

Felix, who was in the courtroom Tuesday, told police in 2016 she felt Neil intended to hurt her physically, according to records.

“Something needs to be done,” she told police.

State’s Attorney Rose Kennedy said after the plea change hearing she would talk with Felix before deciding what to seek for Neil at the sentencing hearing.

Neil’s attorney, Matthew Branchaud, asked Corsones to also order a report to determine whether home confinement would be appropriate. 

susan.smallheer @rutlandherald.com 

Killington man hurt in crash

Rutland Herald | July 09, 2017

Police said a Killington man was hurt in a crash on Route 4 in Rutland Town Saturday night.
Police said Philip Black, 49, was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center with “non life threatening” injuries following the crash, which took place at around 10 p.m. near the intersection with Mission Farm Road.
Police said Charles Hughes, 60, also of Killington, was westbound in his 2010 GMC pickup when he drifted over the center line and hit Black, who was coming the other way in his 2006 Dodge Sprinter.
Police said Hughes was not hurt, but that his truck sustained significant front-end damage. Police said Black’s Dodge was a total loss.