Vermont Property Owners Report is a bimonthly newsletter designed for owners and buyers of land, vacation homes, and primary homes in Vermont, but available to anyone who is interested in knowing more about this great state.

The premise of the newsletter is that many people would like to read a concise yet comprehensive publication which summarizes state news, explains relevant tax and legal matters, covers the real estate market, and provides practical advice about property ownership in Vermont.

As it turns out, thousands of people do have an interest in such a publication. They confirm our premise by renewing year after year.

Now you too can sign up for a risk-free subscription. If you decide after receiving one or two issues that the newsletter is not for you, we'll refund your money in full.

What exactly will you get if you subscribe? With every issue, you'll get the inside scoop on stories such as the latest legislative property tax reform proposals, some of which could have a significant impact on local property tax rates.

You'll learn about unique Vermont laws affecting property ownership and sales, like Act 60, the current use program, the land gains tax, Act 250, and the nonresident real estate withholding tax.

You'll get extensive coverage of today's real estate market, including a ten-page list of recent real estate transactions around the state. And you'll keep current with the news in Vermont, because we digest the most relevant news items, from election results to legislative proposals to economic trends.

Of course, if you had the time, you could find out much of this information yourself by keeping up with several Vermont publications, talking to attorneys, accountants and government officials, researching laws and regulations, and monitoring the real estate market. But why not let us do the work for you?

Before going any further, permit me to introduce myself. I'm Philip K. Dodd, an attorney and writer who has lived and worked in Montpelier for over 25 years. I enjoy writing about Vermont, its real estate market, and about legal and tax matters affecting property ownership here. The newsletter - which I started in 1986 - gives me a chance to get into these subjects in detail.

You should understand, however, that we are not in the business of promoting Vermont or real estate sales. Our goal is to provide you with accurate facts and information so that you can make knowledgeable decisions.

Vermont Property Owners Report has attracted a diverse readership which includes not only thousands of property owners and potential buyers from both Vermont and out-of-state, but also banks, state agencies, ski areas, town governments, environmental organizations, real estate firms, and people who are just interested in Vermont.

Six times a year, subscribers receive a new issue with information about topics such as the following:

• recent Court decisions affecting Vermont property owners
• landowner rights and liabilities
• appealing your Vermont property tax
• estate planning for Vermont property owners
• state and federal tax changes
• zoning and subdivision law
• tips for buying and selling Vermont real estate

Plus, subscribers get plenty of general information about Vermont. The economy, politics, and environmental issues are all reported in depth. Here are some sample headlines:

• "Vermont Rated Safest State In Nation"
• "Some Vermont Towns Will Pay Tuition For Either Public Or Private Schools"
• "Conservation Law Foundation Sues State Over Snowmaking Rules"
• "Home Businesses Thrive In Vermont"
• "Nonresidents Said To Be Fraudulently Insuring Their Cars In Vermont"
• "Land Gains Tax Expanded To Include Some Timber Sales"

We supplement our own writing with articles from Vermont lawyers, accountants, foresters and free-lance writers. And we recruit experts to write on topics ranging from Vermont's buyer brokers to surveying property lines to the state law against driving motor vehicles on private land.

Our list of recent real estate transactions, including the actual sale prices, is popular with readers who want to keep track of property values around the state. Reports from brokers, appraisers, bankers and lawyers also help gauge the real estate market, plus once a year we publish our special Real Estate Review on the year just past.

And because many people are interested in more than news and property-related information, we cover recreational topics such as the latest ski area plans and new lake use rules.

The price to receive Vermont Property Owners Report bimonthly for one year is $50 (multi-year rates are less). For some, the subscription may be tax-deductible.

If you are not completely satisfied after two issues, and let us know before your third issue is mailed, we'll refund your subscription price in full, immediately.

But if you are like many other readers, you won't be disappointed. Subscriber Patricia A. Linnemayr says: "I personally find Vermont Property Owners Report to be the best information source for homeowners in the state."

Wouldn't you like to know more about legal challenges to the state's land use regulations, or what will happen to the current use program after this year's controversial legislative overhaul? Perhaps you're interested in efforts to preserve Vermont's landscape or the latest news from the ski areas. Maybe you're thinking of investing in farm or forestland, or, if you live out of state, either moving here or buying a vacation home.

Whatever your interests, Vermont Property Owners Report will provide you with a wealth of substantial and sometimes surprising new information about today's Vermont in each 28-page issue.

Whether you own Vermont property now, think you might want to buy real estate here someday, or simply like reading about the state, please consider signing up for a subscription now.

Just mail a subscription form and a check made out to "VPOR" for $50 (plus $3 sales tax if newsletter is being mailed to a Vermont address) or your credit card number to Vermont Property Owners Report. See form for multi-year rates. Or if you prefer to order by phone with VISA or MasterCard, call us weekdays at (802) 229-2433. Either way, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Philip K. Dodd
Editor & Publisher

P.S. If you enjoy reading about Vermont and are interested in knowing more about the state and the real estate market here, sign up for a subscription now. And remember: if you wish to cancel for any reason after you have received one or two issues, we'll return your subscription price in full. To subscribe, click here for subscription form or call (802) 229-2433 to order by phone.