Mountain Times - Volume 48, Number 21: May 22-28, 2019

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42 • REAL ESTATE The Mountain Times • May 22-28, 2019 Short Term Rental Summit draws hosts – and hostility By Kevin O’Connor, VTDigger Organizers of the first-ever Vermont Short Term Rental Summit promised everyone from apartment dwellers to secondhome owners a variety of ways to welcome more paying guests through online spacesharing programs such as Airbnb. But as for how to address the protesters outside with pamphlets? That wasn’t on the agenda. Some 200 people seeking to learn tips of the trades and local and state health, safety and tax policy found themselves in good company – as well as challenged – at the two-day event in downtown Brattleboro. “There’s no collective voice for short-term rental operators in the state, so that’s why we’re having a summit to connect those of us who are in this growing industry,” event co-organizer Lisa Ford said. Currently, an estimated 6,000 participating households earn the state about $10 million annually through its 9 percent rooms tax. “Your role is that of a Vermont ambassador,” event co-organizer Stephanie Bonin told people who rent bedrooms, apartments and homes. “We hope you feel a sense of camaraderie and support.” But those arriving Sunday, May 19, found the grassroots group Brattleboro Solidarity passing out pamphlets charging Airbnb with reducing affordable housing options and, as a result, raising rents, evictions and homelessness. “Airbnb doesn’t care about the community but about the profit that can be extracted,” protester Becca Polk said. For their part, some neighboring business owners questioned why the summit CURRENTLY, AN ESTIMATED 6,000 PARTICIPATING HOUSEHOLDS EARN THE STATE ABOUT $10 MILLION ANNUALLY THROUGH ITS 9 PERCENT ROOMS TAX. was meeting at the Latchis Hotel, a downtown anchor run by a nonprofit organization that’s aiming to lure the same guests. “Licensed lodging properties see shortterm rental hosts as competitors on an unfair playing field,” acknowledged Wendy Knight, commissioner of the state Department of Tourism and Marketing. Although state officials can cite many statistics – Vermont’s $2.8 billion tourism sector, second only to manufacturing, annually welcomes some 13 million visitors who generate nearly $400 million in tax revenue – they don’t have firm figures about Rental summit, page 46 Senate scraps clean water ‘cloud tax,’ looks to increase rooms and meals tax By Elizabeth Gribkoff, VTDigger In the 11th hour of the legislative session, senators have come up with a new plan to fund clean water: a 1 percent increase to the rooms and meals tax starting in January 2020. Both bodies have committed to devoting $50.5 million toward clean water in 2020, but have yet to settle on a plan to fill an $8 million funding gap. During a Senate Finance Committee meeting Thursday, May 16, Sen. Chris Pearson, D/P-Chittenden, echoed by Sen. Becca Balint, D-Windsor, said they wanted to consider alternatives to the “cloud tax” on online software proposed by the House. The committee then debated options ranging from a tax on luxury clothes, an increase to the fee on trash disposal, and an increase to the property transfer tax on homes over $500,000. The Scott administration’s water funding plan contemplated devoting $12 million from the estate tax in 2021. It would have also shifted revenue from the property transfer tax, which currently goes into the general fund. Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, who had remained silent for most of the debate, said exasperatedly toward the end that the committee was weighing “a bunch of bad choices.” The committee settled on increasing the rooms and meals tax from 9 to 10 percent, with 1 percent dedicated to the clean water fund, as they felt it would be simple to administer. In an interview after the meeting, Cummings said the cloud tax was not off the table for future years, but said the committee needed more time to figure out how it would work. She also said the Senate still has to negotiate with the House on a final proposal. After taking weeks of testimony on the issue, House members settled on a “cloud” tax on software stored and accessed on the internet. Vermont’s tech community quickly came out in opposition to the plan, arguing that it would stifle efforts to expand the industry in the state. Senate leader Tim Ashe also opposed the proposal, saying it was too difficult to even define what was being taxed. Democrats backed off efforts to raise new revenue for lake clean up efforts last year amid internal disagreement and veto threats from Gov. Phil Scott. Scott’s spokesperson, Rebecca Kelley, said in an email Thursday afternoon that he had the same position on a rooms and meals tax increase. “He hasn’t changed his mind since this morning: he doesn’t want to see another tax increase when we have the opportunity to use existing resources – particularly with what’s expected to be a $50 million surplus with a potential FY20 upgrade,” she said, referring to next year’s revenue projections. TIMBER FRAME + 2 CAR GARAGE • 3BR,3BA en suites+1/2bath, 1,728 fi n sf+full basemt. • 2013 constructed, spectacular Pico mtn. views • Radiant heat - basement! • Paved driveway $525K NEAR GREEN MTN NTL GOLF COURSE! • 3BR/3BA suites • Granite, maple fl oors, • Open fl r plan w/cath. ceiling • Heated garage& storage • House Generator • Large deck $579K LARGE OPEN FLOOR PLAN • 4BR, 6BA, 4,000+s.f., radiant heat, tile&hardwd fl oors • Well-appointed home 8 miles from Killington Resort. • Passive solar heating, outdr hot tub, 2-car heated garage $575K OPEN FLOOR PLAN • 3BR/3BA, 1Ac, 2,310 sq.ft. • Upgraded kitchen • Hardwood fl oors & radiant heat • Hot tub on deck • Nearby golf course & mtn bike trails $325K SINGLE FAMILY – PITTSFIELD • 3BR/1.5BA, 1.8 Ac • 1,512sq.ft. • Woodstove, laundry • Workbench room $235K Lenore Bianchi ‘tricia Carter Meghan Charlebois Pat Linnemayr (802) 775-5111 SkiCountryRealEstate.com 335 Killington Rd., Killington, VT 05751 REALTOR ® MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE MLS SKI TO & FROM - THE LODGES • 1-LVL 3BR/3BA, Furnished & equipped, Wash/Dryer, patio • Gas fplc, gas range, gas heat • Mud-entry w/ cubbies+bench • Common: Indr pool, exercise rm, sauna, steam+outdoor jacuzzi. • Double vanity, jet tub $469K SHUTTLE TO & FROM PINNACLE 1 BR: $116K pool & Whirlpool tennis , paved parking Katie McFadden Chris Bianchi Merisa Sherman Michelle Lord RENOVATED - KILLINGTON GATEWAY • 1-Level, 3rd LVL, covered deck • 1BR w/2nd sleeping area, 1 BA • Gas fi replace, BR w/large closet • 4-person snack bar • Kitchen & bath tile fl ooring • Tunrnkey, furnished & equipped • New counters $95K SKI OR BIKE HOME – SHUTTLE OUT HIGHRIDGE • 1BR/1BA, $124,900 • 2BR/2BA, 2 lvls $219,900 • woodburning fi replace • Indoor pool/outdoor whirlpool COMMERCIAL - GREAT LOCATION! • Endless Possibilities: 13 guest rms , 3 AC for RV’s, Camping & Events • Renovated Great Room with • New Windows & Custom Bar • Mtn Views & minutes to Slopes $595,000 6 BR’S W/PRIV. BATHS • Total of 8 BR’s and 7 Baths • 3,680 sq.ft. Deck with hot tub • Lounge w/bar & woodstove • Rec/game room + laundry • Nearby golf course & mtn bike trails $335K TOP RIDGE - SKI & SKI OUT • 3BR/4BA, 3-LEVELS • Master Suite w/jet tub+steam shower • Jet tub, game room • Furnished & equipped $649K CHATEAUGUAY LOG HOME • Lots of rooms/ 2 Bath, 2300 sq.ft., 3-car garage! • 7 min. to Long Trail Brewery • 15 min. to Killington Skyeship • Extraordinary short-term rental income $249K LOTS OF LIGHT • 3BR, 3BA, 2800 sq.ft. 2.6 AC • Open fl r. plan, cathedral ceiling, hot tub+bonus rooms • Stone fi replace, large deck, garage, wood fl oors, master suite, loft $460K
The Mountain Times • May 22-28, 2019 REAL ESTATE • 43 “It’s All About Performance” 1810 Killington Road • Killington, VT 05751 • www.vthomes.com email: info@vthomes.com • P: 800-338-3735 • F: 802-422-3320 1 Beautiful 3 level, 4BR, 3 BA contemporary colonial home on 1.4 acres in North Killington. Large multi-level back deck with hot tub. MLS #4748204 | $429,000 3 Charming family 3BR, 2BA cape home with many improvements, on gorgeous 1 acre level corner lot in Rutland Town. MLS #4743363 | $259,000 5 Contemporary Killington 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bath home on 1.2 Acres in private wooded setting of Killington-Pico View. MLS #4618519 | REDUCED to $269,900 2 Wonderfully renovated 3BR, 3BA home exuding true Vermont country charm. Perfectly centrally located to Killington, Okemo, and Woodstock. Scenic on-site pond. MLS #4746605 | $309,000 4 Exceptional 3BR, 2.5BA colonial home, oversized 2 car attached garage, on 1.99 private acres in Rutland Town. Owner is licensed Vermont Real Estate Broker. MLS #4746648 | $325,000 6 This 2 BR, 1BA condo is a real fi nd. Shuttle to the slopes & ski home via Fall Line or Edgemont trail. Views of Superstar & Rams Head trails. Move in ready condition, everything included: furnishings, appliances, TVs, etc. MLS #4734321 $135,000 Prestige Real Estate of Killington Exclusively Killington! CONDOS LAND Pico The Woods Fall Line High Ridge Sunrise Heights Lodges Killington Basin Ski In/Ski Out 1BR/1BA Ski in ski out $73.9K Townhouse 2BR ‐ $229K Garden style $144,750 3BR/3BA Ski home Shuttle out $275K Townhouse 2BR/3BA Lots of storage $279K 4BR/3BA Ski in ski out Townhouse $329K Townhouse w/garage & AC 3BR/3BA $399.9K 3BR/3BA Ski in ski out Starting at $455K Upper Rebecca – 2.5 acres w/4BR septic permit $125.9K Off Telefon – 3.8 acres w/6BR septic permit $129K Gina Drive – 10 acres w/5BR septic permit $145K 3 lots ON Great Eastern ski trail w/4BR mound system permit $399K each 2 lots on Mini Drive. Ski in ski out to Home Stretch. 4BR mound system permit $369K each HOMES George Street The Woods Roaring Brook Tanglewood The Vistas High Mountain 2‐unit multifamily home in the heart of Killington Basin 2BR and 1BR units $289K The best of both worlds! Single family home w/ garage AND amenities $569K Spectacular trail views from 4BR home with extensive decks, hot tub, and carport $659K Stunning 5BR mountain home with great views. Hot tub, garage, decks $1,200,000 Craftsman 4BR ski in ski out home with garage Two available, starting at $1,249,000 Stunning 4BR Montana log home in Ridgetop 4BR/5BA and garage $1,399,000 2922 Killington Road 802-422-3923 www.prestigekillington.com
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Mountain Times - Volume 48, Number 21: May 22-28, 2019

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