Looking to get out and enjoy Vermont's beautiful scenery? Check out any of these parks, where you can hike, bike, or just enjoy the day.

Niquette Bay State Park This pet-friendly (with leashes) park boasts 4700 feet of rocky and sandy shoreline. With three different "loops", you can enjoy 3.5 miles around the Ledges, Muhley, and Island View trails, or opt for shorter distances. Your pet can even take a swim in the cove area! http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/niquette.htm

Bayside Park This Malletts Bay park has 22 acres overlooking our beautiful Lake Champlain. Take advantage of the playground, beach (with swimming area!), Bayside Activity Center, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball courts, lacrosse/football field, lit softball field, or skatepark. There's even a picnic area for beautiful days, and the Bayside Park Pavilion can be reserved for a variety of events between early March and mid-September. http://colchestervt.gov/Recreation/BaysidePark.html

Oakledge Park Located in Burlington's South End, Oakledge features 2400' of waterfront with swimming, a playground, tennis courts, softball fields, volleyball courts, bocce courts, walking trails, picnic shelters and tables, and grills. It recently hosted Eat By Northeast Fest, and was given a 'Best Park'/'Best Recreation Area' Daysie three times in the Seven Daysies for 2010, 2011, and 2012. http://www.enjoyburlington.com/parks/oakledgepark.cfm

Red Rocks Park This year-round park has 100 acres, 700' of waterfront, a swimming area, picnic area with gazebo, 2.5 miles of trails, gorgeous views, access to the rec. path. The trails are open for hiking, jogging, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. Parking is open from June to August, and season and daily parking passes can be purchased at the park entrance. Leashed pets are welcome in the park and on the trails. http://www.sburlrecdept.com/parks.php

Battery Park This historic park claims panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, a promenade, playground, monuments, and a bandshell. It hosts Thursday and Sunday evening concerts throughout the summer. There's also an outdoor skating rink available to the public through those long Vermont winters! Head down and enjoy the waterfront, or grab a burger and fries at Beansies, the food slinging schoolbus. http://www.enjoyburlington.com/parks/batterypark.cfm

This weekend is the brand new Eat By Northeast Festival! Head on down to Oakledge Park to try all sorts of local food and drinks, and enjoy the last days of summer here in Burlington. Have a wonderful weekend, and maybe we'll see you there!

Some people, particularly first time home buyers, feel intimidated at the thought of making a large down payment on a house. Sometimes, they feel some confusion about how much will be required.

The size of your down payment will depend on the price of the home you want to buy. It will also depend on your ability to pay and the type of mortgage you get.

As a general rule, lenders like to see a 20% down payment for a conventional mortgage. A conventional mortgage is one that is underwritten by a bank, savings and loan, or some other mortgage company. A 20% down payment on a $100,000 home would be $20,000.

If you are selling your current home in order to buy another, you may get enough cash to cover the 20% down payment. If you are a first time home buyer, however, you may have trouble coming up with that much money.

Certain mortgage options allow you to make a smaller down payment. Some lenders, for example, will accept smaller down payments if you buy private mortgage insurance, or PMI.

FHA loans require an even smaller down payment, as little as 3-5%. If you qualify for a VA loan, you don't need a down payment at all. Many special loan programs for first time home buyers also have a reduced down payments.

The principal behind these requirements is simple. Lenders know from experience that homeowners who put a substantial amount of their own money into buying a home are less likely to default on the mortgage.

If the mortgage is secured by an insurance policy (e.g. PMI) or by the government (e.g. FHA or VA loans), the lenders feel protected and they are willing to skip the requirement for the large down payment.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me! I would be happy to counsel you or recommend a good mortgage broker who can provide the specifics on the various mortgage programs available to you.