New Milford CT real estate and more

We did the "full program" today

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:28:55 -0600

We did the "full program" today. Food, family, fun, checking your eyelids for holes after an awesome meal. What a wonderful day it was. We ate until there was no more room, my daughter made so many different dishes it was amazing. Perhaps a pregnant woman shouldn't put together a holiday menu, I'm just sayin...

(Keep in mind there were only 4 of us there) She had the food listed in 3 different groups, take a look at what we had today:

Less Fat:
Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese and Crackers, Olives, Pickles
More Fat:
Turkey with Apples & Prunes, Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Stuffing, Gravy, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Carrot Salad, Beet Salad, Tomatoes and Cucumber Salad with Dill, Cranberry Sauce and Rolls
Most Fat:
Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie with Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake

Tomorrow I am driving to Rhode Island. My very dear friend from Chicago is there, visiting her daughter. I have not been away for quite a while, I am quite excited. After arriving in Rhode Island we will leave for Boston, her family wants to go to Chinatown. It will be a long day, but a good one! On Saturday a trip to Mystic, CT to eat at Mystic Pizza, which I have NEVER done. (She has however, and swears by the pizza.) Then home on Sunday.

I will see you all when I get back! Although I am taking my laptop, I am not sure if I will have time to check in. Forgive my absence, and have a wonderful weekend! I know I will!

I do hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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© 2009 Andrea Swiedler. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me at andrea@andreswiedler.com with your request. Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, please let me know before you decide to bestow this form of flattery on me! Thank you.

Never a wordless Wednesday, precious family memories

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:38:32 -0600

Never a wordless Wednesday, precious family memories. My oldest daughter is due to have her first baby in 6 weeks. After I took a picture of her last night I remembered there was one of me that was very similar. So, here they are, me pregnant with Jessica, Jessica with her first! (did I really look like that? Yikes... LOL)

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Mortgage scams comes to Connecticut via Florida

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:49:35 -0600

Mortgage scams comes to Connecticut via Florida.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a man who has been a great champion for the rights of Connecticut citizens since 1991, serving 5 terms here. Blumenthal picked up on the dilema of a CT resident who was scammed by a company called "Hope Alliance", a name very similar to the goverment sponsored non profit organization, "Hope Now Alliance". Hope Alliance, based in Florida, has been under investigation in Iowa, Virginia and Massachusetts also, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has banned Hope Alliance from doing any business there. I suspect that Mr. Blumenthal will show no mercy toward Hope Alliance, and we may indeed see a ban here also.

As Realtors® it is so important to us to understand that some of our previous clients are in trouble, and there are bottom feeders out there waiting to take advantage of what little they have left. The word needs to get out, we must assist these home owners in any way we can. But stumbling blindly into the night, holding our crusader torch is NOT the way to go. I, like many others of my fellow Realtors® are taking the time to study up on short sales, to gather legal, solid information to pass on to these homeowners that are in an upside down situation. I am reading up on loan re-modifications so I can pass correct information on to anyone who may need it. I have a list of attorneys who can handle things if a sale is not the correct thing to do.

I, for one, would love to see the National Association of Realtors® spend some of their advertising dollars to alert consumers to their options, legitimate, safe options, when finding themselves in trouble. Although it is wonderful that the NAR is trying to bolster the current and future housing market, we need to assist those of our past clients who are in trouble too.

And to CT State's Attorney Richard Blumenthal, get the thumb screws out, do what you do so well, keep our Connecticut residents who are in trouble with their mortgages safe from these type of scams! This is dirty dirty business indeed, amazing how the bottom feeders come out when people are in distress. I truly cannot fathom how people can be like this. Shame shame on the perpetrators.

(Photo of Mr. Blumenthal from ct.gov website)

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Thanksgiving traditions run deep.

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:52:19 -0600

Thanksgiving traditions run deep.

Thanksgiving is really my favorite holiday. Perhaps it stems from childhood memories, the smells that wafted through the house, tantelizing my young taste buds, the excitement of the relatives arriving, the promise of wonderful things to come, snow, Christmas, more events to fill the house to the brim with family, friends and fun. Thanksgiving marked the beginning of wonderful things, all of which I very have always been very grateful for.

For the past 30 years I have lived apart from the family of my youth, Thanksgiving was not a day where the house was overflowing with family and that was, and always is, an adjustment for me. There are traditions I have carried with me from childhood, traditions that bring me close again to the Thanksgivings of so many years ago and people long gone. I would get up early and start the turkey and the stuffing. I think for me it is the stuffing that makes everything so special. I use the recipe my father made our most fantastic Thanksgiving meals with. Very simple, saute celery and onions in lots of butter, use water and an egg in the stuffing mix, and plenty of Bells Seasoning. Then the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. I love to watch this, I remember as a child watching the parade while waiting for the relatives to arrive. Such anticipation!

Things change, that is the nature of life. It is no longer my job to cook for Thanksgiving, my oldest daughter really wanted to host this family tradition. This will be the second year we have done this. Last year was tough, until I offered to do the dishes and they said no. Enough said, this was GREAT! The morning was a bit on the empty side, no need to get up early and make that stuffing. I planned ahead for this, I bought a few dozen loaves of bread and went to the farm to milk the cows and gave them the bread for a treat. I was back home in time to watch the parade, that felt good too! (The cow in the photo was taken early one Thanksgiving morning)

This year we are 2 fewer, my youngest has moved to Florida with her son. Sad times indeed. We are looking forward to my oldest having her baby in the beginning of January, I am grateful for that. She has cleaned up her house for the holiday, we are finishing up putting the baby's room together. I realize that it is wonderful to be a part of HER new family traditions, my husband only asks for leftovers to take home, he does miss that.

Whatever you do for Thanksgiving, enjoy! Even in the darkest times there are things to be grateful for, small things lead to bigger things. I know I have thought much about all the homes that have been lost, being a Realtor® makes me keenly aware of this. I am praying for these people, that on this day of Thanksgiving they will be able to find some peace, find something to hold on to and be grateful for. I for one am always grateful for the possibilities that lay ahead of me as well as for the things that are here and now or in the past.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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New Milford CT Holiday Tree Lighting Festival of Lights

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:43:27 -0600

New Milford CT Holiday Tree Lighting Festival of Lights.

Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 5:30 pm will be the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival of Lights in New Milford, CT. Come to the south end of the green by the gazebo and enjoy the fun! The Festival of Lights includes of course tree lighting, Santa will be there, singing and holiday readings.

Our picturesque Village Green in New Milford CT is certainly beautiful all year round but the holidays do dress it up quite a bit. This tradition dates back 43 years, to 1966. You can read a great account of how this tradition came into being here, it involves a $700 mistake, an angry Walter Shutte and a plastic Christmas Tree.

Our beautiful Village Green has been the inspiration for many artists. Woldemar Neufeld gave us his Festival of Lights, David Merrils' rendition of the west side of our Village Green as it appeared in 1893, as well as the many others whom the beauty of our town inspired in their favorite medium! Painters, photographers, (myself included), have felt the call to preserve the beauty in an art form.

The New Milford CT Holiday Tree Lighting Festival of Lights is sponsored by the New Milford CT Chamber of Commerce, Village Center Organization, The Housatonic Times and the Greater New Milford Spectrum. A big thank you to everyone that makes this display and event a reality!

I am looking forward to taking photos of the trees when they are lit! And yes indeed our Village Green in New Milford is one of THE most beautiful New England Village Greens around! I hope you enjoyed my photos, more to follow after the Holiday Tree Lighting Festival of Lights!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Speechless Sunday, New Milford CT Gets Ready!

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:28:17 -0600

New Milford CT gets ready for the holidays!

Soon the trees will be lit to usher in the holiday season! I can hardly wait, I love this time of year! (I feel more photo ops coming on, stay tuned!)

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Go with the flow during the holiday season

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:33:11 -0600

Are you going with the flow? Over the years I became obsessed with decorating for Christmas. When the girls were young I had trees with all handmade ornaments. I was like a woman possessed, I made all the decorations for the tree, for the house, I was on a mission. After my divorce my decorations disappeared and I moved on.

Over the past few years I have become increasingly unhappy with the work required to take down all my decorations, to disassemble the tree. I promise myself each and every time that I will scale back, I will use some 2 foot tree instead of what I have. Then the grandbaby came along, how could I not put up the tree?

Last year the tree went up after all. We have a small house so I use one of those "skinny trees", works just fine for me. Although I love a real tree I have not used one in years for many reasons. Anyway, I spent a few hours adjusting, fixing, and was not exactly happy with the outcome but was not willing to take it apart and start all over. It was, in my opinion, the worst decorating job on a tree I have ever done. And considering the pride I had taken in my trees over the years, walking away from it and leaving it was completely out of character and very difficult to do. But, I did it anyway.

My kitties had other plans for me. They tore into the tree like kiddies unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. Within hours all my work was for nothing. Bulbs lay broken on the floor, garland was hanging off the tree, wrapped around the base. I took one look and burst out laughing! I guess the kitties didn't like the tree as much as I didn't like the tree. So, go with the flow. I took it apart and started all over again, this time a bit wiser, determined to be far more clever than those fuzzy four legged terrors of mine. Only bows and lights went on the tree. I outsmarted the kitties, I was happy with the outcome, and I had a tree up for my grandson. All was right with the world. (Notice 2 of the felons are asleep under the newly decorated tree)

This year I do not know where the flow will take us. My daughter and grandson have moved to Florida, and the grandchild we are expecting will not be until January. (I am working on going with the flow on the whole move to Florida issue.) I am back to the 2 foot tree idea, but as the years have taught me I will let the moment take over and define what I end up doing.

Go with the flow this holiday season and see where it takes you, that's what I will be doing!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Life Lessons come in all shapes and sizes

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:32:54 -0600

Life Lessons, they come in all shapes and sizes, at convenient and inconvenient times, when you least expect it, and at any stage in life. They are things we will never forget, things that move us, shape us and change us, hopefully into a better person. Not a real estate revelation, (sorry to those of you who only want to read real estate "stuff" here), just something very near, dear and important to me to follow.

When I was 16 I had a life lesson that shaped my values forever. I was new to Atlanta and made friends with another transplant to the area, a girl from New Jersey. We bonded, we loved art, we had so many things in common. I lost touch with my friend from so many years ago until 2 days ago when I found her on Facebook. Tonight we spent many hours on the phone catching up. One of the things I shared with her was the fact that her mother had changed my perspective of life all those years ago.

My friends mother is a Holocaust survivor. As a very young girl she lost her parents, was moved around to a few different camps, survived so much and escaped. All this as a child. Many details of her story fades from my mind now, but the concept has always been there. I remember sitting at the dinner table, her telling me the story. I remember the horror I felt, the shame of being a member of the same human race that behaved like this. I remember the rage filling up inside of me. I also remember the fear that I felt, the understanding that people can so easily be led astray with a good manipulator at the helm.

My friend took her mother back home a few years ago. The most amazing story unfolded. She went back to the home of the people who kept her after her escape from Auschwitz. They had a very special gift for her, the diary she kept while in the camps. From this diary she wrote a book entitled Through the Eyes of a Child: "Diary of an Eleven Year Old Jewish Girl". I will be ordering this book by Ilse Reiner, and I will celebrate the life of a very brave child who turned into an amazing woman.

Ilse Reiner taught me the danger of the pack mentality, showed me the depths humans can sink to, and also showed me the resilience of the human spirit. This was my life lesson from Mrs. Reiner, it was deep and very very personal.

And what about your life lessons?

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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New Milford Connecticut Market Watch, Real Estate Statistics for New Milford CT.

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:23:32 -0600

New Milford Connecticut Market Watch, Real Estate Statistics for New Milford CT.

Current Activity in New Milford CT:

Active Single Family Home Listings
     249 homes
     Average List Price: $491,875, Minimum Price: $65,000, Maximum Price: $5,900,0000
Average Market Time
     151 days

Homes Under Deposit
      13 homes
      Average List Price: $333,692, Minimum Price: $179,000, Maximum Price: $569,900
Average Market Time
      106 days

Homes in Pending Sale Status
      17 homes
      Average List Price: $352,906, Minimum Price: $79,200, Maximum Price: $1,475,000
Average Market Time
     110 days

Although the following statistics say that the average sale price has continued to drop, we are seeing more activity as evidenced by the home that are currently in the "under deposit" and "pending" status. Most of the activity that agents have noted is the first time home buyer market. Pricing well is KEY, as well as preparing a home to enter the market! We are seeing an increase in foreclosures and short sales, we are a bit behind other parts of the country with this. I am thinking we have only just begun in this aspect.

September 2008/September 2009 Sales, New Milford, CT

October 2008/October 2009 Sales, New Milford, CT

Information is deemed reliable but not necessarily accurate, all statistics are gathered from the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service. (CMLS).

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Wordless Wednesday, hanging on despite the odds

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:30 -0600

Wordless (almost, yeah right) Wednesday, Hanging on despite the odds! This is the view from my office on Route 7 in New Milford, CT, which overlooks Candlewood Valley Country Club, a public golf course. We have been watching the colors come and go, the leaves are pretty much gone all over the area, but this tough little guy just doesn't want to give up the ghost! (Yet one more HDR photo, no retouch).

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Tools of the Trade

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:17:31 -0600

Tools of the trade, choosing the correct tools for the job is often confusing in today's fast changing real estate world. My tools are pretty straight forward. Doing my job without them is often close to impossible. I have found the following tools to be invaluable when doing my day to day business:

ActiveRain
Laptop
Camera
Blackberry
Personal Website
Personal Email Address
Realbird
Flashlight
Measuring Tape

I have clients coming in today to look at land, plus a home that the prospective builder is in the process of finishing. It rained pretty good yesterday and there is lots of brush on the property. What are the tools I will use today?????

A GOOD PAIR OF BOOTS!
A heavy pair of jeans
Tick Spray

Now I admit, I am trying to decide which pair of boots to wear. Either pair, I will have to clean the boots. They have been worn in the cow barn, need I say more?

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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My mornings may never be the same again.

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:21 -0600

My mornings may never be the same again. After 6 years of loyal, faithful service my espresso maker seems to have died a very painful death. Now I didn't have just any espresso machine, La Peppina was the most amazing machine. Made in Italy, the company closed probably about 30 plus years ago. It was a gift from a friend, belonged to his father who had loved it and used it as much as we did. It could no longer froth the milk, the gasket for that attachment had long fallen apart. I had searched and searched, even had a friend who speaks Italian call someone in Italy who works on these machines. Those particular gaskets seemed to be very hard to come by. As a work around I used a frother instead.

Every morning I made my wonderful cappuccino, not even Starbucks came close to what my beautiful La Peppina could make. My mornings started with the dogs nose in my face, I fed the animals, made my most excellent cup of cappuccino, sat on my couch with my laptop, a steamy brew of heaven and all my friends here in the 'rain.

I went into the kitchen this morning and much to my surprise the machine was gone, in its place were 2 different sized coffee presses. La Peppina was stuffed under the counter. After a moment of silence I resigned myself to mornings without the best cup of coffee in the world and made my coffee with the coffee press. It is nowhere near as good, mornings will never be the same. Instead of signing on to ActiveRain I started searching for information on my beloved La Peppina.

Aha! In the time since we first got it there have been some aficionados who have put up websites on how to fix these machines. Even have gaskets and spare parts! The instructions are clear and concise, I wonder if I can attempt this myself. I can build a computer, but I am afraid that I won't be able to do this.

So, if I seem out of sorts, it is because I am without the worlds best cup of cappuccino in the mornings. Mornings will be difficult for a while now, until I get up the courage to work on my baby. And, for those of you who read my post yesterday about paraskavedekatriaphobia, perhaps there really is something to it. After all, La Peppina did die on Friday the 13th!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Do you suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia?

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:46:26 -0600

Do you suffer from ? My husband does, and it is deep rooted for him. And according to a Dr. Donald Dossey, who coined the phrase "paraskavedekatriaphobia" at least 21 million Americans suffer from this phobia. Paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.

My husband is extremely superstitious. He attributes it to a) being Russian and b) growing up in the theater. He has a double whammy on him!

According to the Mirriam-Webster online dictionary, the word superstition means:
1 a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2 : a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

My husband is better than some who are gripped by fear on this dreaded date. He does leave the house, but I will admit he wakes up believing that things will go wrong on this dreaded date. And so, it does. He is already upset, angry, fearful and dreading the rest of the day. He is convinced something bad will happen to him, thus it will.

Me? I can't say I suffer from it. As a matter of fact, my oldest daughter was born on a Friday the 13th, it was a full moon, and technically we were on the 13th floor of the hospital. However, the floors were numbered 11, 12, 14. I am guessing the hospital administration suffered from paraskavedekatriaphobia too. I may have a touch of Arachnophobia, but then again I have been bitten THREE times by brown recluse spiders. Musophobia has crossed my mind when a rat jumped on my shoulder in the barn. And I do know I have alektorophobia, it has something to do with an attack perpetrated on me by an unruly rooster, leaving a bruise that covered by entire left backside. But paraskavedekatriaphobia is not on my list.

How about you? Are you staying home today?

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Easements Easements Everywhere! Passing, repassing, appurtenant water rights?

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:39:30 -0600

Easements Easements Everywhere! Passing, repassing and appurtenant water rights?

I was doing some research today for a property (which I will call property A) clients of mine are interested in. There is a "shared well", the property listed for sale (property A) gets its water from the property next door (Property B). There is an easement which grants the property owner rights to the water from the well on the property next door. Easements run with the land and the rights transfer to each property owner. Property A also has an easement to "pass and repass" from Property C (another neighbor) as the beginning of their driveway is not on their land.

The deed for property A states "Together with the right to pass and repass at all times and for all purposes over a Right of Way more particularly shown on the aforementioned map leading in a generally westerly direction from the premises described to Town Highway known as XXXXX Rd."
"Together with all appurtenant water and pipeline rights and SUBJECT TO water and pipeline rights as shown on the aforementioned map and rights granted in a deed from (previous owner of property B) to (previous owner of property A) dated August 7, 1984 and recorded in Volume XXX, Page XXX of the New Milford Land Records."

The deed for property B states "Together with the right to take water through an existing pipeline located on land of the Grantors lying to the north of said premises being Parcel A as shown on the aforementioned map."
"Reserving unto the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, the right to pass and repass at all times and for all purposes from Town Highway knows as XXXXX Rd in an easterly direction over a "Right of Way" as shown in said map in order to obtain access to Parcel A."

Shared wells happen, I will suggest to our attorney that wording be inserted in the new deed to reflect the nature of the obligation to repair the well should there be any problems with the pump, water quality, etc. Simple enough, I checked with my trusty real estate attorney friend today on this. (Everyone needs a real estate attorney friend). But what bothers me about the above is that Parcel B has been given the right to pass and repass on the driveway of Parcel A, and this right will remain with the current owners, their heirs and assigns. Now that is just silly. We will need to have that removed from their deed before the property closes.

There are more water issues, there is an abandoned well at the far end of Parcel A, which at one time fed water to another house on another road, there is apparently an easement for this on Parcel A and this unknown home. I found this little problem on a map and will have to find the exact house in order to find out if indeed there is a deeded water right to this unknown house. If it is true, the current owner of property A will need to remove this off the unknown owners deed in the form of a quit claim.

When you are purchasing property, prior to making an offer your Realtor® should be going to town/city hall and checking deeds, maps, as-builts (septic installation plans), well completion reports, water reports, checking the building department for any open permits, checking C/O's for new work that has been done, anything that may be pertinent to the offer. You don't want to leave any surprises to the end of the sale that can blow the deal up! And you don't want to count on information coming from the seller, they may not fully understand the impact of easements as it relates to YOUR purchase of the property!

If we do write up an offer to purchase, I will be putting contingencies in the offer to purchase about the above mentioned easements, that they be removed, remedied prior to the sale of the home. That way there are no surprises, the seller, buyer and their attorneys will be on the same page from day one. And tomorrow I will be at town hall digging through property owners to find the mystery property that has the water rights to the abandoned well! I am afraid it may be with a property that is currently in a "sale pending" category which may complicate matters a tad, but I do love a puzzle. Last I saw my clients they were bit in the "Bambi caught in the headlight" mode with all the legal language flying around!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Jump on the hay wagon for the Annual Hayrides on the Green!

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:41:03 -0600

Jump on the hay wagon for the Annual Hayrides On The Green! Mark your calendars and come join us for tons of fun for all ages! I thought I would give you a heads up, with all the activities scheduled around December, so you could make time to attend the Annual Hayrides on the Green in New Milford CT!

When: Sunday, December 20th, 2009, from 1pm to 3pm
Where: New Milford CT Village Green
What: Annual Hayride Around the Green! Admission is FREE!

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, and Housatonic Valley Insurance Agency (HVI on the Green) are proud to present the annual Hayrides On The Green. This years hayrides will be conducted by Utopia Percherons of Goshen, CT. Hayrides, hot chocolate, candy canes and of course, Santa on the bandstand.

This is the 11th year Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS has brought the hayride to the Village Green in New Milford, CT. A good time is always had by all. Yes, I plan to be there, camera in hand, handing out hot chocolate, helping people on the wagons, giving the horses water or something just as fun. I do hope to see you there! This is our way of saying thank you to the community, so please do come by, say hello, drink some hot chocolate, take a ride around the green and see Santa, all on us! The New Milford Annual Hayrides On the Green.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Speechless Sunday complimented with a few words

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:09:42 -0600

Speechless Sunday complimented with a few words! Although the scenery leaves me speechless, the temptation of the keyboard is just too great.

Our leaves have pretty much fallen off the trees, the stark branches rising skyward bring promise of much colder days and snow in its time. There is still color to be seen, one of my favorites is all the bittersweet around. I have been looking for some to wind into a wreath for the front door, but somehow think that it looks far better exactly where it is now.

Even if where you live has seen the fall foliage peek already, or live in a part of the country where the seasons may not be like they are here, there is always color to be seen! I took the pooch for a walk this morning and took the camera and tripod, and of course am still playing with the HDR resolutions and the Photomatix program. So take those cameras and go out for a walk!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Three dogs and the Ship of Fools

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:10:45 -0600

Three dogs and the Ship of Fools. And how was YOUR day showing homes today?

I had hoped to have 3 homes to show my clients today. A beautiful fall day in New Milford, CT, it was a perfect day for house hunting. Just before leaving my house to meet up with them I got a call confirming my showing for the third home from the home owner. Yes, of course it was fine to come and see the house. Her dog would be in the house loose, and he "should" be fine. He is only possessive of people, not the house. I opted to skip that showing. The agent called me back on the second house, the tenants left the door open, but there would be an older German Shepherd in the house, loose. He is a bit blind, senile and barks a lot. If we are uncomfortable going in, perhaps we could look in the windows??? The first house on the list was holding an open house, so that was a no brainer at least.

We got to the second house, there were two dogs in the house and they went crazy while we were peeking in the windows. NO WAY were we going to walk inside. But my clients are very interested, and we have a showing set for tomorrow, the tenants have promised to remove the dogs when we are there.

When I spoke with the listing agent to confirm the showing for tomorrow and ask a few questions, I did explain that we already have a "deal breaker" if we get to the table. The pirate ship in the front yard needs to stay.... There was a pause, silence at the other end of the line. Pirate ship? What pirate ship? Why the Ship of Fools sitting in the front yard, larger than the house! I asked him when the last time was he actually saw the listing, and he said he drove by today but never noticed it.

OK, tell me, would you notice this if it was in the front yard of one of your listings???? I'm just sayin...

And as a side note, although the "Ship of Fools" just might clinch the deal, all these loose dogs in the homes are preventing anyone from even getting to the deal table! As much as I love dogs, I will not walk into a home with dogs running loose in the house. If you want to get the house sold, take the dogs out for showings! I have been known to do it myself for my clients if they are unable to, dog permitting. So unless you have access to a pirate ship, TAKE THE DOGS OUT! And to think, I thought the 6 llamas I had to find homes for were the strangest deal breaker going!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Are you sleepwalking somewhere on the Internet?

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:05:07 -0600

Are you sleepwalking somewhere on the Internet, lurking in places you would never go if you were awake? Is your hard work being used in a way you weren't even thinking about to profit someone else and not you? Do you really know where you have been?

I use Google Alerts, I have them set up to notify me of a few different key words. Yes, many times I get an alert that really has nothing to do with what I wanted to be notified about. But I have found out some interesting things with my Google Alerts.

The first eye opener was a Google Alert set to my name. A post from ActiveRain was used on a blogger platform other than ActiveRain. The person was kind enough to credit me, no link back however. The train of thought may have been along the lines of the fact since I had allowed a reblog on ActiveRain it was fair game to reblog elsewhere. I didn't do anything about it, but I did leave a comment saying thank you for thinking enough of my content to repost it elsewhere. Not sarcastic either, I was genuine.

A Google Alert set to "New Milford CT real estate" has kept me up to date of things that others are saying about my market. It also tells me if anyone has hijacked my "stuff" for the most part. Those words would be something you would most likely find in my posts about my market. I also have a Google Alert set to "New Milford CT market watch". I am sure I can set a better phrase, but this has notified me of quite a bit too. I found my market stats being reblogged by someone close enough in proximity that I wasn't too happy about it. I now disable reblogging on my market stats as well as my listing posts.

The biggest eye opener is also set to my name. And this eye opener happens on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, it happens at least twice a day every day. Every time I post a comment to a particular persons blog here on ActiveRain I get notified of the comment through my Google Alert. I find this most curious as I leave as many as 20 comments per day here, yet Google usually only picks up on one particular persons post. This person must have some serious Google milk going on, and it propels my name into Google every day. Interesting, very interesting. I won't leave you hanging, the person who I am talking about is none other than our own Richard Weisser. Occasionally it will happen with other members posts, but with his blog it happens twice a day, every day.

If anyone can explain the Weisser phenomenon to me I would really love to hear your thoughts on this!

So go to Google Alerts and set yours now if you haven't already. Use your name for one, plus other key phrases you use on a regular basis in your posts. I am thinking I need to set more Google alerts for myself. You never know where you may have been while sleepwalking on the Internet!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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One hand certainly doesn't know what the other is doing, or do they?

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:03:53 -0600

One hand certainly doesn't know what the other is doing! I read a featured post this morning by Lisa Udy, "High Offers Offset by Low Appraisals - Fair And Balanced? Or Unfair?". Lisa has pointed out a new trend, buyers who want REO listings and put in offers higher than asking price, only to "renegotiate" when the appraisal comes in. I suggest you read this post, it is eye opening as are the comments.

Reading through the comments I saw that some are participating in this tactic and see no ethical issue with this. Others think this is bad business. Many pointed out that banks are on to this tactic and put in the contract that the buyer is responsible to pay the difference if the house doesn't appraise.

I am not here to debate the tactic, I was scratching my head and laughing. It is very obvious that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. The last 3 transactions I have had with buyers something new popped up with the mortgage. We never really had a clean mortgage commitment, up until closing date. Some banks have added a new requirement to the mortgage commitment. It says that the house needs to appraise at the time of closing. All contingencies were removed, yet this new one was added. What it meant from a legal standpoint? According to my buyers attorney the mortgage contingency was indeed not really met. In all 3 instances the sellers attorneys understood this was as good as it gets and accepted the fact that it wasn't really ever going to be clean until we closed the deal.

So, in the end it doesn't really matter. If the lender sees the problem they can refuse to lend the money, the buyer will be unable to perform and the contract can say that the buyer is responsible for the difference, however if they can't get a mortgage they can't buy the property. I am obviously not talking about investors with cash.

Tell me, does one hand know what the other is doing? Or do they know exactly what they are doing?

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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IndyMac Bank/ One West Bank.... This Is Good.. What will they say next...

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:10:51 -0600

This story is really worth the read, you will be glued to the screen like a horror movie, hair standing on end while you squint your eyes as the bloody parts come. So get the popcorn and hang on to the edge of your seat.

Via Mark Archer (REC Real Estate Consulting Services LLC):

A Tale of Four Trial Modifications at IndyMac Bank

It was the best of times and then it was the worst of times, until it was the best of times again, before returning to the worst of times, which lasted until it was the best of times once more, and then settling into being the worst of times... which became the best of times and then...

The Story You Are About to Read is 100% TRUE...

IndyMac Bank, now One West Bank, whose major shareholders include liberal billionaire George Soros and his young ward, computer industry all-around good guy, Michael Dell, appears to have embarked on a mission to defraud as many people as possible out of their homes through a clever trial loan modification scheme. Here's how one homeowner was introduced to the bank's underhanded tactics.

This is the story of how IndyMac offered a homeowner in the Inland Empire region of Southern California four separate trial loan modifications over the past six months. Let's say that they're family name is Geithner, just for fun... The Geithner Family. They have two kids. We'll call them Danny and Fanny.

The Geithners had owned their home for a decade, having purchased it with 6% down back in 1999. Their 700 FICO score, as of six months ago, showed that they always made their payments on time. They refinanced a few years back with a loan from IndyMac, who apparently felt that the Option ARM mortgage design was the young family's ideal option.

Their starting payment was around $1800, but roughly a year later had jumped up unexpectedly to $2200. When Mrs. Geithner's father fell, injuring his neck quite seriously, what else could the family do but invite him to move in with them where he could be waited on hand and foot and ultimately nursed back to health. They decided perhaps they could qualify for the President's loan modification program.

Since they started working towards getting IndyMac to approve a loan modification, they've done absolutely everything the bank asked them to do, made every single one of their payments on time and as agreed, and never touched their noses unless the bank said "Simon Says." But now, regardless of all that, their home is due to be sold out from under them on November 19^th.

Our story begins last February...

It was February of this year when the Geithners retained an attorney to help them negotiate a loan modification with IndyMac Bank. His name was Robert Scurrah of CDA Law Center, and he had been practicing for roughly thirty years. On March 3^rd, Mr. Scurrah's office arranged for a conference call with the nice folks at IndyMac Bank to review the family's financial situation. The bank offered the Geithners a two-month trial modification with a trial payment of $1469.99, and the Geithners agreed. (Yay!)

The very next day, the Geithners received a letter in the mail from IndyMac Bank. It read: "We want to help you stay in your home." The letter offered a trial payment of $1711.52, so imagine how pleased the Geithners were that they had been offered and agreed to a payment of $1469.99 only one day earlier and they continued making their agreed to payment.

On April 20^th, the Geithners received another letter in the mail from IndyMac. This time the letter said that the bank was denying their request for a loan modification. Apparently, the bank believed their home to be vacant, which as you might imagine came as quite the shock to the Geithner family who was living there at the time. (Oh no.)

Two weeks later, however, on May 6^th, the Geithners received another friendly letter from IndyMac, with the now familiar headline, "We want to help you stay in your home". Thank goodness for that, the family thought. This time the trial payment offered was $1467.32. (So, yay! Again.)

That very same day the Geithners received an agreement in the mail. It was the "Stipulated Forbearance to Loan Modification Agreement," and it outlined the terms of the loan modification. The Geithners mortgage would start at 3% fixed and remain there for five years. In year six the interest rate would go up a point to 4% fixed, and after that, it would increase to 4.75% for the remainder of the loan. (Again, yay!)

The Geithners readily agreed to the terms of the loan modification IndyMac had offered, so they signed and dated the modification agreement and returned it to the bank on May 11^th along with their cashier's check in the amount of the modified payment, which IndyMac deposited. And everything was good. (Major yay!)

But then on July 9^th, the Geithners received another letter from IndyMac. It said they had been declined for their loan modification yet again because the bank said they never received the check they deposited, nor did they receive the signed agreement they had received with the check they deposited but never received. (Oh no.)

Then on August 11^th, they went to their mailbox to find another letter from IndyMac, and again read that the nice folks at the bank were saying: "We want to help you stay in your home". This time the letter offered a trial modification with a trial payment of $1395.98. (So... yay?)

The Geithners, figured they might as well give it another trial, so they made both the August and September payments on time and in the amount of $1395.98. (Okay... one more time, yay.)

But on October 2^nd, the Geithners, who had by now developed a case of letteraphobia, a fear of receiving anything in the U.S. Mail, received yet another letter from good old IndyMac Bank. Again, they were being denied a loan modification. This time, however, no reason was given.

They called their attorney immediately who in turn contacted IndyMac Bank. Not too worry, Mr. Scurrah was told by the bank's representative, it was just a mistake... must have crossed in the mail, or in the system, or something like that. You can just imagine the Geithner's relief upon hearing the news... I'm sure everyone had a good laugh. (Oh what the hell... yay.)

Except that a few days later, upon returning home at the end of a long October day at the office, the Geithners found a notice pinned to their door saying that their home would be sold out from under them on November 19, 2009. (You've got to be kidding me.)

Again, they placed a call to their attorney, who again contacted IndyMac Bank. This time he asked two things: Whether the bank's bipolar disorder was causing it much trouble when socializing with the other banks. And why... this time around... had the evidently schizophrenic financial institution denied the Geithner's loan modification, after approving it, before they had denied it, before they had approved it, which was before they had denied it, which was right before they had approved it, only to deny it.

Scurrah inquired as to why the modification was being declined again. After all, he explained, they had signed and paid as agreed all four times they had been granted trial payments and modifications. IndyMac's representative explained that it was all quite simple really. At $6,100 a month, Mrs. Geithner made too much money to qualify for a loan modification.

"Well," said Mrs. Geithner, "that's a relief. Why didn't you say so sooner? When do I start making the $6,100 a month? Because as soon as I do, the payments will be no problem." Unfortunately, IndyMac was wrong. Mrs. Geithner's paycheck stubs and W2 showed that she only made $4,100 a month, but she was perfectly willing to forego the whole loan modification thing in exchange for a two grand a month raise.

Mrs. Geithner explained that she still made $4,100 a month, just like she had since last February when she sent in the paperwork IndyMac required when applying for a loan modification, although for the life of her at that moment, she couldn't imagine why.

Their attorney asked where the bank could have gotten the $6,100 figure when they had received the paycheck stubs and W2 last February and they showed $4,100 a month. IndyMac replied that they had received the $6,100 figure "orally". Under his breath, Mr. Geithner asked if they could resubmit the correct figures to the bank anally.

The nice woman at IndyMac, the bank that had "wanted to help the Geithners keep their home," on so many occasions that no one could remember, responded that it didn't matter at this point. It was too late. The Geithners would need to come up with $29,200 in the next five days to save their home. Otherwise, it would be auctioned off on November 19, 2009... just seventeen days from now.

The irony of the story is that the new owner will likely pay about half as much as the balance on the Geithner's loan, so in a way IndyMac will be granting the new buyer a principal reduction right off the bat, but don't worry about the bank... they only paid about 20¢ on the dollar to buy the Geithner's mortgage in the first place.

Alright... that is Goddamn enough! Did you enjoy that 100% TRUE STORY? Did you?

What are we going to do about IndyMac/One West Bank? I've now interviewed a dozen law firms and dozens of homeowners; all are currently being lied to and jerked around by IndyMac/One West Bank. The way things look all will end up losing their homes to foreclosure, even though they all should qualify for loan modifications under the President's Making Home Affordable program.

I am convinced there are hundreds of others in this situation with IndyMac/One West Bank... to say nothing of the myriad of other lenders and servicers who continue to break the rules, deceive our government, and destroy our economy after we the tax payers bailed them out to the tune of $11 billion in Indy Mac/One West's case alone.

So, what do we do about this? Nothing, I suppose? Because doing nothing seems to have become a tradition in this country ever since Barack Obama went on television to tell the country that he would do better than his predecessor. Did he lie? Or he is incompetent. You are free to choose between the two, but those are the options... A or B.

And speaking of Mr. Obama... where the hell is he on this issue. The last time we heard from him on this subject was last February and here we are about to rob a liquor store to put a turkey on the country's table. How he sleeps at night I could not tell you. I could not, were I in his shoes.

Obama told me and everyone else that watched his speech last February that he had a plan that would help save 7-9 million homes. Yet this year, we're on track to hit five million foreclosures. He was going to create jobs, too. Well, absolutely cracker jack work so far, Mr. President.

I did get an email from Joe Biden today... I'm sure millions got it as well. He wanted me to help fight the war related to the president's health care proposal. I replied: NO! Why would anyone in their right mind trust this administration to fix health care after proving themselves completely incompetent and uncaring about the housing crisis... a crisis much worse than anything this country has ever seen in health care?

I won't and no one else should either.

I'm announcing today that I will write and publish every story I receive about a homeowner being jerked around by IndyMac/One West Bank. Every single one. Write to me and I'll put it out there. And I'll ask everyone to forward it along to friends online. And maybe... just maybe... someone will be listening... someone will care... and someone will force this despicable failed bank's hand... force them to do what the president's plan requires them to do: modify a loan when it makes more sense to do so than it does to foreclose.

I'd also like to call for a boycott on Indy Mac/One West Bank... if you bank there... please move. There are plenty of other choices, why would you want to give your money to a bank that is lying, cheating and stealing from the American people and from our government. Congress continues to meet and talk. Vote with your wallet and bank somewhere else. Please... do this for the people being so totally jerked around every day by Indy Mac/One West Bank. Show them that this is still a country of laws and rules... still a country where the people have the power.

The stories are coming. The war is on.

You can email me at mandelman@mac.com.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Change is always inevitable

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:45:00 -0600

Change is always inevitable. We all know time marches on, with that brings change we are not always willing or happy to deal with. But they change despite our efforts. Some change is good, some change we are sure is terrible, and some change we don't know what to do with.

Change happens in real estate. The market changes, homes bought and sold, homes lost. Change has come in the form of how homes are bought and sold, yet the end result is that people will buy homes, move in and sell them again. People have lost much in the price of their homes over the past two years with the changes, and yet prices will make a climb up again as things continue to change.

Just like these 2 photographs, some change cannot be stopped. The first photo is the moon setting this morning. I looked out the window and realized that the moon was setting exactly where the sun had been setting a few short months ago. The view has changed, the leaves are going going gone, the colors are different, yet the landscape remains basically the same. The next photo is sunset a few short months ago. And another change is in the wind, the seasons will move on, the landscape will look a bit different again, yet it will be there as always.

There is one constant thought all the changes around us that we can count on, change is always inevitable.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Speechless Sunday does leave me (a bit) speechless

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:41:13 -0600

Speechless Sunday does leave me (a bit) speechless.

The sunset reflecting on the moon rising tonight

Bittersweet silo

Cornfields

Remnants of another time

I am still playing with HDR, bracketing and fusing exposures together and test driving the Photomatix program, hence the watermarks on the end result. The above photos are all HDR, fusion comes later!

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Investors please remember, it is a hyper local market!

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:15:45 -0500

Investors please remember, it is a hyper local market! With all the foreclosures on the market, I can't blame investors for diving in. I am convinced that this is a necessary thing, that these homes can re enter the market as healed properties and help us to move foreward. Investors are often looking at the homes that no one else can handle, or that no one else wants. Put some money into it, put it back on the market and bingo, a paycheck!

Scenario #1 thought process, let me use the listing broker to make an offer, I can probably get the broker to agree to a commission reduction, especially because they can make even better money by re-listing when I am finished with the simple renovations. Problem? Sounds good to me if I were on your side of the fence. However.... 9 times out of 10 the listing broker for foreclosed properties is from out of town, way out of town. Real estate is hyper local. So, you purchased this great deal, you spent a bit to put it in shape with the nod from your agent on pricing. And, lo and behold the house is now overpriced and not selling. Solution? Use a local Realtor® who is knowledgeable about the hyper local market conditions when you are thinking about purchasing the investment in the first place. Run the numbers with your local Realtor® and get the truth. Will you be out-pricing yourself with the improvements?

Prime example, and oh so true. A foreclosure in a very hyper local market. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath turn of the century home on a postage stamp piece of property. Not the pricey neighborhood 2 streets over, historically far lower prices that those larger very beautiful homes a few blocks away. Purchase price I will put at $140,000. Based on information from the cousin who is a realtor 50 miles away, this is a great price! After all, it started $50,000 higher, so it must be worth at least $190,000 if it is fixed up! Mr. Investor puts $50,000 into the house. That puts him $20,000 over the price of the house that sold across the street a month before he purchased his investment in this very hyper local market. A home that the town lists as a 4 bedroom home, it has 2 baths, larger kitchen. OK, so it doesn't have the garage, but, again, this is a very hyper local market, never mind the appraisal issues. Surprised that the CMA given to you by a local Realtor® puts you in the hole?

Scenario #2 thought process, buy a distressed home owner out of the mortgage. Leverage the home and pull money off it since the purchase price was below market value. Distressed homes are often not only distressed money wise, but distressed physically, or shall we say, compromised. Now it's time to sell. And now you find out the property was over leveraged.

This scenario is not so typical, but it is happening. Making decisions as an investor is no different than making decisions as a home owner. Both are large amounts of money that should appreciate in value over time. Should being the key word. Should if the purchase price was appropriate in the first place, should if the market continues to improve, should if regular maintenance is NOT deferred, should if updates are made. And you should have known what the market was all about if a local Realtor® had been contacted.

So, investors, please remember, it is a hyper local market. You will be courting a local Realtor® to sell your investment at some point in time. It would be far wiser to use their expertise up front than to have to listen to your out of town Realtor® tell you that all of those hyper local agents don't know their stuff, they keep complaining the house is overpriced for the local market. If you are looking for an investment property in New Milford, CT please give me a call, I would be happy to assist.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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HDR photos, bracketed photos, fun with your cameras!

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:28 -0500

HDR photos, bracketed photos, fun with your cameras! I took my camera and tripod and went out in search of some good subjects for bracketed photos. Please understand not only is this concept new to me, but I am still learning my camera. (Pentax K200D) After reading the post by Mike Hendron about this, I downloaded the trial version of Photomatix Pro and gave it a shot. Unfortunately some of my photos are not usable as I changed one too many settings on the camera and they are too light to use without manipulating them prior to letting Photomatrix do it's magic. Plus it was a very gray day, which didn't help matters any. Long and short, I am still very very happy with what I have learned. Judge for yourself! And by the way, Photomatix Pro couldn't be easier, no joke. I didn't even have to open the help file in order to use the program. (because this is a trial use of the program, you will notice there is a Photomatix watermark on the photos)

I admit, I used my own photo program (Acdsee) to tweak it after I was done as I already know how to use this program, but all in all, I am very happy with what I have learned in a few short hours.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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New Milford CT, a study in colors.

Andrea Swiedler (Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS, New Milford CT) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:28:39 -0500

New Milford CT, a study in colors. I grabbed the camera today to get some photos, but not just the leaves, I wanted the colors. We have some awesome colors around here in the fall, reds, oranges, browns, rusts, amazing eye candy. So off I went, winding down a few country roads, stopped in town for a bit, pulled over anywhere when the colors caught my eye. Capturing the fall colors of New Milford is always great fun, ever changing and very awe inspiring. I hope you enjoy the slide show as much as I enjoyed my trip around New Milford today! What a gorgeous place to live, all year round.

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

New Milford, CT 06776

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!

Search for a home in the greater New Milford Area.

New Milford Connecticut Real Estate on Facebook