I Don’t Want to Be Your Realtor for Just One Transaction
There’s a moment in every real estate transaction when the paperwork is signed, the keys change hands, and everyone heads off to whatever comes next.
For some people, that might feel like the end of the relationship with their Realtor.
I don’t see it that way.
Of course, closing marks the completion of an important transaction. But owning a home, especially in Vermont, comes with plenty of questions and decisions that don’t stop once the deed is recorded.
You might need an electrician six months later. You may be wondering who to call about your septic system, how to find a reliable painter, or which local businesses are worth getting to know.
And if you’re new to Vermont, you may have an entirely different set of questions about settling into your community.
I’m Erin McCormick, a Realtor with Keller Williams Vermont, and one of the things I value most about this business is the opportunity to build relationships that last well beyond a single purchase or sale.
I want to be someone you can call long after closing.
Buying a House Is Just the Beginning of Homeownership
When you purchase a home, there’s a lot to learn about the property.
You may have a new heating system to understand, a private well or septic system to maintain, or a driveway that requires plowing every winter.
Perhaps you’re buying an older Vermont farmhouse and trying to prioritize repairs.
Or maybe you’re moving from a city apartment to a rural property and discovering just how many responsibilities come with maintaining several acres.
Those questions don’t all get answered during the purchase process.
And while I’m not a contractor, inspector, or property manager, I can often help point you toward the right resources.
Sometimes that means recommending a professional.
Other times, it’s helping you understand which questions to ask or where to begin researching a particular issue.
I think that kind of ongoing support is part of being a useful local resource.
I Have High Standards for the People I Recommend
Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with contractors, painters, electricians, inspectors, attorneys, lenders, and other professionals throughout Vermont.
Whenever possible, I prefer to recommend people I’ve worked with personally.
And I don’t make those recommendations casually.
I care about reliability, responsiveness, fair pricing, and the quality of someone’s work.
If I recommend a painter, I want to feel confident they’ll treat your property with care.
If I suggest an electrician, I want someone who takes safety and workmanship seriously.
And if you need a professional with specialized experience, I want to help you identify someone suited to the job.
That doesn’t mean I can guarantee someone else’s work or availability, and I always encourage clients to verify qualifications and compare options.
But I take referrals seriously because I know my clients are placing trust in the names I share.
And I want those recommendations to reflect the same standards I hold myself to.
I Want to Help You Actually Enjoy Living in Vermont
This is where my two businesses naturally intersect.
I founded Travel Like a Local® Vermont in 2014 because I love exploring this state and sharing the people, places, and experiences that make it special.
And that enthusiasm doesn’t disappear when I’m working in real estate.
If you’ve just moved to the Mad River Valley, I want you to know where to find a great meal, which backroads are worth exploring, and where you might spend a Saturday afternoon.
If you’re settling into the Burlington area, I can help point you toward restaurants, shops, outdoor recreation, and other places to get to know.
And if you’re new to Vermont entirely, I love helping people discover what makes different communities unique.
I don’t think finding the right home is simply about the building.
It’s about the life you create around it.
Travel Like a Local® Vermont is about experiencing this state. Live Local Vermont is about putting down roots here.
To me, those things go hand in hand.
Your Needs Will Change Over Time
The home that’s right for you today may not be the one that makes sense ten years from now.
You may eventually need more space, want less maintenance, or decide to move closer to work or family.
Perhaps you’re considering purchasing an investment property or a second home.
Or maybe you’re simply curious about what your current property might be worth.
I want my clients to feel comfortable reaching out when those questions arise.
That doesn’t mean every conversation needs to lead to another transaction.
Sometimes the most useful thing I can do is provide market context, help someone think through their options, or explain why a particular decision might not make sense right now.
I value being a resource, even when there’s no immediate business opportunity attached.
I Want You to Feel Comfortable Asking the Small Questions
Not every question needs to be a major real estate decision.
Sometimes it’s as simple as asking whether I know a good landscaper, where to find a local service provider, or what to consider before making a home improvement.
And I welcome those questions.
I may not always know the answer, but I’m usually happy to help identify someone who does.
I’ve spent years building relationships across Vermont, and I enjoy connecting people with businesses and professionals who do good work.
One of the things I appreciate about living here is how much our communities rely on relationships, recommendations, and people helping one another.
I want to contribute to that.
I Believe Good Relationships Are Built on Trust, Not Transactions
My background in business leadership has shaped how I think about service.
I value accountability, clear communication, and following through on commitments.
Those expectations don’t suddenly disappear once a transaction is complete.
I also don’t believe that providing excellent service should be limited to the period when someone is actively buying or selling a home.
If you’ve trusted me to represent you in a major financial decision, I want to honor that relationship.
That means being accessible when I reasonably can, sharing useful information, and continuing to be someone you feel comfortable contacting.
It doesn’t mean I’m available to manage every aspect of your property or replace qualified professionals.
But it does mean I care about the relationship beyond the closing date.
Referrals Mean More to Me Than Another Advertisement
One of the greatest compliments I can receive is when a past client recommends me to someone they care about.
I know that recommendation comes with trust.
You’re not simply passing along a name.
You’re telling someone that you believe they’ll be well taken care of.
And I don’t take that lightly.
I want clients to recommend me because of the experience they had, the advice they received, and the confidence they felt throughout the process.
Not because I constantly remind them to send me business.
I believe strong relationships and consistent service create their own opportunities over time.
Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put, I’m Here as a Resource
Real estate is often described as a transactional business.
And technically, it is.
But I think the best parts of the work happen in the relationships built along the way.
Helping someone find the right Vermont home is meaningful.
Helping them settle into the community, connect with reliable professionals, and enjoy living here is equally rewarding.
And when they’re ready for whatever comes next, I want them to know they can reach out.
I don’t want to be the Realtor you worked with once. I want to be the Realtor you’re comfortable calling years later.
Because my job may have a closing date.
But the relationships I build don’t need to.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Vermont, I’d love to be a resource throughout the process and long after you’ve received the keys.
Erin McCormick | Realtor, Keller Williams Vermont
Founder, Travel Like a Local® Vermont | Live Local Vermont