about-us

Picket Fence Preview was created over thirty years ago (1993) by Vermont couple Bill and Toni Supple, to solve a problem: how to effectively sell (and buy) real estate without using an agent.

In those days, the internet wasn’t available to the general public yet, and newspaper classified ads were very expensive, with no photos.  Agents controlled all access to listings, which were compiled in a thick Multi-List Services (MLS) publication, regularly updated, and closely guarded in their offices.

Anyone hoping to sell by owner to avoid paying a commission was essentially on their own to figure it out themselves and answer those pertinent questions like:  How do I price my property? How do I advertise to buyers?  What paperwork is necessary? What do I do when I find a buyer? and so on. 

Our 'mission' then, and now, is to empower the private home-seller with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to successfully sell their own real estate and in doing so, avoid expensive real estate commissions. Picket Fence Preview has since helped tens of thousands of homeowners sell real estate by owner, each time saving a ton of money and avoiding unnecessary frustration!

For 25 years, Picket Fence Preview’s full color magazine was widely distributed throughout Vermont and NH’s Upper Valley region, displaying local homes for sale while also providing how-to guidance on private sale matters.  Periodic local seminars were offered with attorneys, lenders, home inspectors, appraisers, and home stagers as guest speakers to help educate the public (and us). In 1996, the first edition of the “How to Sell Your Own Home" guide was written, most recently updated in 2020 (sixth edition). This quickly became the go-to guide for all For-Sale-By-Owners! 

The early version of this website, picketfencepreview.com was also launched in 1996. Eventually, its popularity significantly outpaced the print publication, and in 2018, after 25 years of monthly Picket Fence Preview publications covering the region, the beloved magazine was retired.  Picket Fence Preview advertising services are now entirely web based.  

At the end of 2023, after over 30 years of serving Vermonters, the Supples retired and sold the company to their long-time web developer, Ryan Boisvert who has taken great passion and excitement into this new endeavor.

Thank you for your support of Picket Fence Preview.

Picket Fence Preview helps homeowners sell real estate on their own without being alone with comprehensive marketing, information, documents and support material. For sale by owner homes, condos, townhouses, land, commercial, investment and rental property.