I received for 2008 TOP 200 Sales Agent (of 2000) Chairman's Club Award from our company William Raveis Real Estate in Connecticut. It's a nice award to have in the ole files.
I just added up my sales/listing/buyer volume for 2009. As of May 15, 2009 - $11,572,658. Explains why I am a little tired these days.
I sit and wonder if I relocate to the Carolina's where I would work to achieve the over 25 years of momentum I have created in Connecticut.
I think if I were to move to Florida I would work for a shortsale/ foreclosure division of a bank since that is all I am doing in CT.
Update on the current inventory levels as of August 26, 2008 of our area which consists of:
Avon, Bloomfield, Burlington, Canton, Farmington, Granby, Simsbury, West Hartford, Hartford and Windsor.
Keep in mind that even supply vs demand is 6 months of inventory.
Avon ( I have created this price point for Avon because of the town)
Price point $900,000 and above =21 months of inventory
Avon Below $900,000 = 4.04 months of inventory
Bloomfield = 8.63 months of inventory
Burlington = 6.58 months of inventory
Canton = 8.76 months of inventory
Farmington =4.49 months of inventory
Granby = 6.08 months of inventory
Simsbury - Price point $900,000 an above = 10 months of inventory
Below $900,000 = 3.72 months of inventory
West Hartford =2.79 months of inventory
Hartford = 10.06 months of inventory
Windsor = 6.34 months of inventory
We do have bank owned properties and short sales in this mix however it is a very small %.
I think the reason our inventory levels are low is that a lot of homeowners are just sitting tight before they sell and/or they are renting out their house until the market turns. At that point they will put it on the market. Our next 10 to 15 year cycle will not be as we have experienced. I am hearing another year of declines which I agree even in our area and we will be flat for another two years following before we experience gain. It's all about lending. If we can not get money easily then properties will not sell easily.
To quote Mr. Bucholz in talking about Americans in general "most get up in the morning to work hard, feed their families and pay for soccer uniforms and maybe a vacation, if they can stand the security lines at the airport". I also agree with him that we aren't "whining" because of the $13 billion spent on Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Also, we are not giving up our pets at shelters. We have spent 5% more in 2008 on our dogs and cats than in 2007 according to the Pet Products Manufactureres Assoc.
Connecticut is a beautiful state with a lot to offer.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO STORM THE CAPITAL TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE SICK OF BEING TAXED LIKE THEY DID IN THE 1800'S?
GOVERNOR RELL, YOU TRY AN IMPRESS US WITH ZERO BUDGET INCREASE. NO INCREASES IN SALARIES. YOU ALSO TRY AND IMPRESS WITH ANNOUNCING A MORATORIUM ON THE JULY 1ST GAS TAX INCREASE SINCE THE PEOPLE OF CT ARE FEELING THE PINCH. I ACTUALLY STARTED TO SEE A RAY OF HOPE WITH YOU.
YOU JUST BLEW IT TODAY. GOING BACK ON YOUR WORD WHICH DIDN'T TAKE YOU LONG. TODAY FRONT PAGE OF HARTFORD COURANT - GAS TAX GOES UP JULY 1ST. WE KNOW YOU MET LAST WEEK ON THE BOND EXPENDITURES IN THIS STATE WHICH WILL TAKE MORE DOLLARS OUT OF OUR POCKETS SINCE ISSUING BONDS IS LIKE ME TAKING MY CREDIT CARD AND RACKING IT UP TO THE MAX. BONDS FOR STATES ARE CREDIT CARDS TO FOR STATES TO SPEND MONEY FOR WHATEVER THEY WANT. YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL MY DEAR LADY WITH OUR MONEY AS ALL GOVERNMANET OFFICIALS ARE IN EVERY SMALL TOWN IN THIS COUNTRY.
DOES EVERYONE KNOW THAT IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT RIGHT NOW AS OF TODAY JUNE 3RD IF WE PUT $80.00 IN OUR GAS TANK WHICH IS ROUGHLY NOW 18 GALLONS @ $4.55 - $11.00 GOES TO OUR CONNECTICUT TAX COFFERS? AN ADDITIONAL $2.52 GOES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
GOVERNOR RELL YOU ARE A TAXATION WILD PIG. SO ONCE AGAIN YOU ARE INCREASING OUR GAS TAX WHICH IS THE 2ND LARGEST REVENUE STREAM FOR YOU. DOES EVERYONE KNOW THAT YOU INCREASE THIS TAX AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. THIS IS A SNEAKY TAX THAT YOU JUST HAMMER US WITH YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE ARE THE 2ND HIGHEST GAS TAX STATE IN THE USA WITH CALIFORNIA BEING THE HIGHEST. AFTER JULY 1ST WE MIGHT BLOW BY CALIFORNIA.
OTHER STATES IN THE USA HAVE TAXES AT THE $.30 CENT LEVEL PER GALLON. WE ARE ALMOST MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT. HMMMMMM, AND WE WONDER WHY OUR YOUTH EXITS THE STATE?
DO ME A FAVOR - JUST SPEND MY MONEY AND PLEASE DO NOT PRETEND THAT YOU CARE. STOP TALKING TO THE PRESS JUST STAY AT YOUR DESK IN YOUR OFFICE AND KEEP WORKING. WE SHOULD AT LEAST GET THE MOST VALUE WE CAN OUT OF THE SALARY WE ARE PAYING YOU.
PRICE REDUCED TO $699,900. NEW COMMUNITY OF PRICES IN RANGE OF $750,000 TO $900,000.
FINANCING PACKAGE IS 10% DOWN WITH NO PMI ON A LOAN UP TO $1 MILLION DOLLARS. BUILDER WILL ALSO PAY 2 YEARS OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES. LIMITED TIME OFFER.
HOUSE HAS 3900 SQUARE FEET. 4 BEDROOMS PLUS A BONUS ROOM ALL ON THE 2ND FLOOR. 3 1/2 BATHS. MASTER SUITE WITH 2 WALK-IN CLOSETS. 3 FULL BATHS ON 2ND FLOOR AND POWDER ROOM ON MAIN LEVEL.
2 STORY FOYER WITH SHADOW BOXING AND HARDWOOD FLOORING. LIVING ROOM WITH FRENCH DOORS THAT OPEN INTO LIBRARY WITH CUSTOM CHERRY CABINETRY. FAMILY ROOM WITH FIREPLACE THAT OPENS TO KITCHEN WITH CUSTOM CHERRY CABINETS AND CENTER ISLAND. CHOOSE YOUR GRANITE. FORMAL DINING ROOM WITH SHADOW BOXING. ADDED FEATURE IS THE ENTIRE HOUSE HAS HARDWOOD FLOORS EXCEPT FOR THE BEDROOMS UPSTAIRS. LOWER LEVEL IS PLUMBED FOR A FULL BATH.
SPECTACULAR NEW AREA OF BURLINGTON - HIGHWOOD CROSSING.
Today's, May 21st WSJ www.wsj.com D8 - "School Districts Get Tough As Home Foreclosures Rise".
Very timely article since that has been brought up in our town since we are close to other town lines where kids can cross over. At our Budget hearing meeting our town council bascially said that there is only so much we can do to police the situation. The attitude/tone with our councel was.... well, it's going to happen and we do our best and that is really all we can do about it. Not good enough!
In today's aritcle it states that California and Florida actually hire Private Investigators. In our town where the avg cost per child is approximately $13,000. The average range of property taxes are $5,000 to $15,000 and I do think it is worth it to make sure that all students are residing in our town. I would bet that every CT taxpayer would agree with me since we all pay very high taxes to the towns and to the state. The state gets their money from the taxpayers and then the state turns around and gives the towns funds if they follow certain guidelines. Basically, we the taxpayer pay for everything.
What spurred this article is the amount of foreclosures going on this country and families are ending up in other homes after the foreclosure and not necessarily in that same town. This number is on the rise and is only going to continue for the next couple of years.
THIS HOUSE IS IN AN AREA OF $200k TO $220k RAISED RANCHES. THIS HOUSE NEEDS COSMETIC AND SOME UPDATES. RENTERS WILL BE OUT END OF JUNE. EASY TO SEE!
1130 SQ FT 3 BEDROOMS, 1 1/2 BATHS, LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, KITHCEN, SLIDER TO A 28X15 COVERED DECK. ABOVE GROUND LINER POOL. SHED WITH POOL MECHANICS. LOWER LEVEL FAMILY ROOM, 1/2 BATH AND LAUNDRY ROOM AND A UTILITY ROOM.
CALL ME DIRECT TO SEE AT 860-983-4446
1301 SLATER ROAD NEW BRITAIN G494520
$159,900
CLOSE TO WEST FARMS MALL AND CENTRAL COLLEGE
HOUSE HAS SOME UPDATES
3 BEDROOM, 7 ROOMS, BREEZEWAY IS HEATED.
LOWER LEVEL IS FINISHED. 1217 SQUARE FEET
2 FULL BATHS AND 1 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE. GREAT BACK YARD.
Being from Winchester Kentucky just outside of Lexington which is just outside of Paris Kentucky this tragic ending of a great event in Louisville was very upsetting and still is to me. I guess I am writing this for therapeutical purposes.
Lexington is where Calumet Farms is located. I remember a few years back when the Queen of England was going to visit Calumet and my mothers best friend Lucinda Miller (all still living in Winchester) was in charge of doing all of the flower arrangements for the entire spread. Lucinda told my mother that while she was delivering her arrangements on the last day before the Queens' arrival which was a frantic time Im sure. She reported to my mother seeing crew vacuuming the lawn, shrubs and the entire outside. Calumet Farms is the huge farm that you see when you fly or drive into Lex and you see an ocean of beautiful black fences. Black fences are the most beautiful against a green lawn and I shudder when I see the stark white fences that people put up today that just do not hold a candle to the other combination.
Paris, KY is where the infamous Clayborn Farm is located. Secretariat, Riva Ridge any many other famous horses from the US and Europe all retired at Clayborn to stud. Each horse had it's own four acre coral. 18K gold name plate on each stall door were cleaned everyday. I only mention Secretariat and Riva Ridge because I personally visited them on two different occassions at the Farm. Remind me to tell you the story while sipping an adult beverage some day.
So, as you can imagine Derby Day is a big day in my family. Even my cousin Rod Cardwell from Tolland, CT has a suite at the Derby every year. He spends the entire week in Louisville. Quite the scene to be seen as you can imagine. Rod I believe is also a Kentucky Colonel as I am. It is a membership that is appointed and signed by the Governor of Ky. the same year of your acceptance. Louie B Nunn was the Govenor when I was appointed my Colonel'ship - that let's you know maybe how far back we are talking.
Eight Belle's you were a beautiful horse, you had determination beyond comprehension and hopefully we will meet at the better Clayborn Farm in the sky one day.
AN ACTIVERAIN COLLEGUE EMAILED ME ASKING ME TO WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT BLOOMFIELD. THIS GOT MY MIND STIRRING VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF SEVERAL REASONS WHY I LOVE LIVING IN THIS TOWN.
WE HAVE WITHIN A 2 MILE RADIUS OF WHERE I LIVE 6 GOLF COURSES AND THEY ARE:
THE CENTER OF BLOOMFIELD IS ONE OF THE COZIEST TOWN GREENS YOU WILL SEE. IN THE SUMMER THEY HAVE A LIVE MUSIC ON THE LAWN WHICH IS NICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I CAN BE ON 3 DIFFERENT MAJOR HIGHWAYS IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. BRADLEY AIRPORT IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES EASILY EVEN DURING RUSH HOUR!
THE CENTER HAS TWO GREAT SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS - GINZA THAT IS A FANTASTIC SUSHI/HIBACHI RESTAURANT. GINZA IS THE MOTHER MONEY SHIP FOR FENG IN HARTFORD WHICH IS A 5 STAR ASIAN FINE DINING SPOT. THE ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP NEXT DOOR TO GINZA IS MOUTH WATERING. DRIVE JUST 4 MILES AND YOU CAN BE AT WHOLE FOODS FOR YOUR REGULAR SHOPPING.
NOW, TALKING ABOUT REAL ESTATE. WE ARE THE GO TO TOWN FOR EMPTY NESTER'S. WE HAVE LUXURY CONDO'S OF ALL SIZES. FAMILIES THAT DOWNSIZE DO NOT WANT TO DOWNSIZE INTO A SHOE BOX CONDO SO WE HAVE LOTS OF FREE STANDING STYLE CONDO'S THAT ARE FAIRLY NEW. WE ALSO HAVE LOTS OF ATTACHED UNITS OF ALL SIZES. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEY CAN BE 1800 TO 5000 SQUARE FEET AND MAYBE LARGER OFFERING LOADS OF EXTRAS IN THE INTERIOR.
THE OTHER ASPECT OF BLOOMFIELD'S REAL ESTATE IS THAT YEARS AGO OR "BACK IN THE DAY" AETNA/CIGNA HAD A LOT OF EXECUTIVES THAT LIVED IN BLOOMFIELD AND THEY HAD BUILT BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOMES. WE HAVE SOME BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE FOR SURE. HERE'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE:
THIS HOUSE ON 551 BLOOMFIELD AVE IS A 5 BEDROOM, 3 1/2 BATH, 2 FIREPLACES, UPDATED GRANITE KITCHEN, HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT, PATIO WITH FIREPLACE ON THE 7TH GREEN AT GILLETTE RIDGE. WE HAVE THIS ON THE MARKET FOR $347,900. IF THIS HOME WERE IN SIMSBURY OR AVON - WE WOULD HAVE IT OWN FOR $499,900 IN THIS MARKET.
ANOTHER PERK, UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD IS ONLY 4 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. WE HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE BUYING PROPERTIES FOR THEIR KIDS TO HOUSE. WE ALSO HAVE LUXURY APARTMENTS THAT ARE $2000 AN UP A MONTH THAT FILLED UP INSTANTLY NEAR THE COLLEGE WITH PROFESSIONALS AND SOME STUDENTS. SOME RELOCATING EMPLOYEES ALSO RENT IN THESE APARTMENTS UNTIL THEIR HOUSE SELLS AND THEIR FAMILY ARRIVES.
BLOOMFIELD IS A QUIET, NICE SIZE OF 20,000 PEOPLE, OH I ALMOST FORGOT WE HAVE A STARBUCKS IN BLOOMFIELD AND IF YOU DRIVE TO WHOLE FOODS YOU WILL PASS A STARBUCKS ON THE WAY IN WEST HARTFORD. TO ADD WE ARE ONLY MAYBE 6 MILES FROM WEST HARTFORD CENTER AND BLUE BACK SQUARE.
I CAN BE IN GRANBY, EAST GRANBY, SIMSBURY AND AVON, WEST HARTFORD IN LESS THAN 2,3 or 4 MINUTES.
WE HAVE A NICE DRIVE THRU DUNKIN DONUTS IN TOWN JUST PAST THE CVS. IF YOU WANT A SUPER STOP - NO PROBLEM. IF YOU WANT A SMALL GROCERY STORE - GEISSLERS IS RIGHT IN TOWN FOR A QUICKIE.
EVERGREEN MALL AND BUCKLAND MALL ARE ONLY 20 MINUTES AS IS WEST FARMS MALL. CINCHY DRIVES.
DOWNTOWN HARTFORD - 8 MILES FROM MY DOOR TO THE GOLD BUILDING MAIN ENTRANCE.
SO, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE YOUR TYPICAL TOWN TAX ISSUES WHICH EVERY TOWN IN CONNECTICUT HAS ESPECIALLY NOW. NOBODY WANTS THEIR TOWN RAISING TAXES AND INCREASING EVERYONE'S SALARY IN TOWNHALL'S WHILE TAXPAYERS ARE STRUGGLING AT HOME WITH INCREASES IN ALL COSTS TO OPERATE IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
SO, I HOPE THAT TWEEKED YOUR INTEREST JUST A LITTLE.
Everyone must know that if we want to not pass this budget we need to get 900 signaures from registered voters in this town. Who's game?
Second, there was a Budget Hearing on the calendar for Tuesday the 15th on http://www.bloomfieldct.org/ and it was canceled without any notice anywhere. The Town council pulled a fast one on us for sure. Thank goodness Roy Duncan was in communication with one of the council members and gave us the heads up.
Okay, if everyone is so concerned about their tax bill then they have to actually show up at the committee meetings and the town council meetings and say what is on their mind or just sit and show some interest. There were less than 10 people in the room last night at the council meeting. I can see that maybe it is because we realize that the council doesn't listen. I saw a chink in the armour last night.
Now, here is a list of the meetings that are coming up if you don't want to check on http://www.bloomfieldct.org/
If you are unhappy about our finances in town then attend the finance meeting next Monday night @ 7:00. Discussions about building a new school to consolidate 3 buildings will be on the table.
If you are unhappy about how many police we have in town then attend the meeting on April 28th@ 6:00 p.m. Then at 7:30 there is a Town Council meeting.
If you are unhappy with where Bloomfield is heading or have ideas on the vision of where Bloomfield should be going then attend the Economic Development meeting this Thursday night @ 7:00 p.m.
If you are furious that we paid for Wintonbury Golf Course from soup to nuts and think it is being mismanaged since we all know it is a cash cow and we the residents are still paying for the course then please attend the May 12th Golf meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Last night's meeting was televised. Town Council allowed comments. Mr. Roy Duncan once again stood up for the citizens of Bloomfield and wanted answers to a lot of great questions. His opening line which is on the minds of all is that it was too darn warm in the building. Truthfully it had to be 70 plus degrees as it always is when we have gone to these meetings. Yes, we all conserve in our homes to save money and it was suggested that the Town Hall building do the same. We have all of the money and we have all of the staff to perform all things in our town but nothing is being managed properly. Leaking roofs, burnt out lights in parking lots, etc.
The second slap in the face for us was as we walked into the Town Hall there was a sign in the middle of the hallway saying "Now Hiring Police - starting pay $56,+++"..... Does Hartford pay their policeman that much? Again, we ask what is the average income for the entire town of Bloomfield? How many policeman live in Bloomfield?
How many town employees live in Bloomfield? If we find the average income for Bloomfield is $35,000 - pretty sad that our town employees are making more then $50,000 except for two people.
Next was the line we all know...show us the money! Roy mentioned that there were funds given to Bloomfield for drainage ditch repairs in the Foothills area of Bloomfield. Money has been given to Bloomfield to ramp up Filley Pond - we are hearing to the tune of $1 million. Where are these funds and why aren't they being used? People are extremely unhappy about both areas not being repaired or replaced and they are making it known to all of the powers that be and still no progress.
We the tax payers simply can't justify these costs in Public Safety, Board of Education, Economic Development Commission, Wintonbury Golf course and other areas until we know we need the service.
The Town Council did not come up with answers to Roy Duncan's list of questions that were all spot on and all stated in the blogs. I'm not clear if they are going to come up with the answers. My take on this is it's in our lap to get the stat's ourselves.
We did get an accurate Per Student cost in Bloomfield which is approx. $13,000 plus not $17,000 or $19,000 that has been floating around. Roy did mention scores are the lowest in the state and in our popluation rank of 30 towns we rank 29th. Scores have to improve in this town.
Board of Ed - there is fat that needs to be trimmed. Too many secretaries and a paid trip for a teacher to China for two weeks is not acceptable. Who knows what else lurks. Testing scores for the kids are not acceptable and we should not allow any increases in their budget until the scores go up. It is that simple.
Question still unanswered is how many children in town in total and how many do NOT attend the public school system vs how many attend our schools in this town that do not live in this town. I guess I will have to call the superintendents office to find that out.
Crime statistics - where is the crime and how much do we have? Police department should have those statistics.
Finance Committee meeting is next Monday as I mentioned earlier - one of the topics will be to consolidate the elementary schools in town into one and build a New larger school. Compare that to keeping 3 older buildings that all 3 need major renovations. If we have a new larger school with designs to have the small classrooms for Preschool to Grade 3 - the State of CT would be involved with funding that project at a larger level I gathered. A new central school building would be more efficient to maintain.
Good news time: Our theater is having a Grand Opening next Thursday the 24th @ 5:00 p.m.! Whoohooo! Great news. Keep in mind this would be a great place for us to get our "referendum" started since we need 900 votes to squash the budget.
If anyone watched 60 minutes this Sunday and saw those kids in Venezuela perform on stage - well, we have that same talent right in Bloomfield. Bloomfield's child musicians, instrumentalists and singers were on stage performing at the Bushnell last Friday night with the theme of "Visions". Some of the Council members attended and noted that the audience was so moved by the performance they were in tears during their performance. Scot Haney and Brad Davis were the MC's. Brad's quote was "seven years ago there were just a handful of musicians at Bloomfield High..."
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