On March 31, 2007 over 2 million people and businesses in Sydney Australia turned off their lights for one hour.  Earth Hour is now going global.  On March 29, 2008 at 8pm you are invited to turn off your lights (tvs, radios etc) for oe hour.  Let's all be part of saying that we are aware of global environment issues and we want to do something to help.

Please visit the link below for more information and sign up for Earth Hour 2008!

 

http://www.earthhour.org/user/eIzY

The wait is finally over.  The Big Y officially opened its doors at 7:30am.  And it didnt take long for the parking lot to fill up.  I think the anticipation has been building and now people are just relieved that it is over.  They sent out a really great flyer to all residents introducing department heads and talking about what they offer.

They were also promoting some real great sales prices and contests as well.  You could win a free bag of groceries.

They pride themselves on buying local produce so maybe this will be a benefit to our community and local farmers.

If you went in today drop me a line and tell me what you think!

This beautiful Colonial house set in a corner lot has many, many upgrades from top to bottom! Starting with the entrance to the house, you will find recently finished slate style tile flooring in the foyer with a closet.  Large formal living room to your right leads into a beautiful Den with a gorgeous stone fire place and sliding door to the deck.  Back to the entrance to the house, you will find a opening to the left leading into the dining room.  The dining room, foyer or den leads into a large beautiful kitchen with many upgrades.  Complete stainless steel appliance(refrigerator, Stove, dishwasher, light fixture).Cabinets were resurfaced and stained along with new stainless steel handle for a more contemporary look.  Granite counter top with a double sink unit including garbage disposal system.  Kitchen also includes a center island with three stools that can be rolled out of the way, the island is half stainless steel & granite with plenty of storage cabinets! We added breakfast bar that also leads out to the deck.  We'll get to that later!  Tile flooring in kitchen is a must see! The first bathroom is between the den and the kitchen.  This bath room is fully renovated! Marble tile floor, contemporary vanity with bowl style sink sitting on top of a black glass counter top along with a toilet and full stand up glass shower with glass tile along the inside of shower wall.  Yes, glass tile!  Must see!  On to the second floor you will find a beautiful chandelier lighting up the hall way.  To your left you will find two bed rooms one is about 12'12 with walk in closet and the other is 12'x10' with huge closet.  Lighting in all the bedrooms was updated.  No more lamps connected to a outlet leading to the wall switch!  Ceiling fans in every room for cool summers.  Bathroom in second floor is partially renovated. New double sink vanity installed along with a new toilet followed by tile floor and light fixtures.  Leading into the third bedroom, you will find this to be the second biggest room in the house 15'x15' with a upgraded closet(new shelving).Now for the master bedroom! This room is 23'x16' with his and hers closet. Recessed lighting along with two ceiling fans.  Note: Hardwood floors thru out the house!
Back to the deck! Huge 16'x25' first level and 12'x12' second level with built in customized benches and tables along with a 10'x18' awning for those hot summer days!

Here are more upgrade and features:
1)New windows thru out the house 
2)New sliding door
3)Huge Multi-level party deck with built in benches and tables-Must see!!!!!!!!
4) New fencing
5)New garage door 
6) Huge Two car garage attached to house-Must see!!!!!!! 
7)Basement partially finished
8)New and upgraded water heater
9)New door installed from garage leading to back yard
10)Roof is only 5 years old

and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

For pictures and more info please visit http://www.homesforfamilies.com

 

First let me state that I have not been paid or offered any kind of incentive for recommending these restaurants.

GREAT SUSHI---Wasabi

Without a doubt Wasabi is one of the better sushi places around this area.  The fish is fresh and they offer a full menu of dinner options including Chicken Teriyaki and Bip Bam Bowls (delicious)!  They have specials four nights a week with Monday being free sake night, Tuesday is half off all sushi. Wednesday is Senior Citizen and Thursday is Ladies night...ladies get a free drink or dessert.  Be warned however that the secret about Wasabi is out and if you decide to go on say Tuesday night the wait can be as much as 45 minutes.  So get there early to put your name on the list and relax.  It i well worth the wait.

GREAT  PIZZA- A tie between Bobby's and Slice

Bobby's has been a recognized name in North Branford for as long as I can remember which is about 20 years back.  Their pizza is delicious and they offer a wide variety of toppings.  Their stuffed breads are also excellent and they offer a dinner menu as well.  Although they do not deliver they do a bang up business due to the quality of the pie.

Slice is a bit newer to North Branford and I am only guessing when I say almost 3 years.  I discovered them when they first opened up because they are right next door to Country Paint and Hardware (excellent store but that is for another post).  They make a great pizza and offer some really cool choices like their Mashed Potato pie.  It may sound weird and I was actually put off but tried it last summer at my parents.  Darn good pizza.  I absolutely love their clams casino pie as well.  They have a nice atmosphere for dining in and offer make your own smores right at the table.  They also deliver which is king!

GREAT BURGER- Doodys

Not only does Doody's have my favorite burger but they make a fantastic buffalo chicken sandwich as well.  They offer a full menu and delicious daily specials.  Their Doody burger is mouthwatering and their fries are to die for.  You can get regular or spicy curly fried depending on the mood you are in.  They also have a great teriyaki chicken sandwich and their oriental salad is divine.

GREAT SEAFOOD- Supreme Seafood

Hands down the best fried seafood around!  Their scallops melt in your mouth and their fillet sandwiches are so fresh it is unbeatable.  They have shrimp, calamari and clams.  Their lobster bisque soup leaves you wishing the bowl would never end.  And the New England Chowder is awesome.  they also have burgers and dogs as well as some dinners like scampi and linguine with clams.  I usually get the fried dinner platter which is an overflowing huge serving platter piled high with shrimp, calamari, clams, fillet and fries.  Delicious!

See you around town!

 

 

 

So you have decided it is time to buy your first home be it a single family, condo or multi family.  Maybe it is your first time investing and you are looking to rent or flip properties.

The first thing to do is get in touch with a good loan officer.  There are no guarantees that you qualify and there are so many different programs out there that you must find out what you can spend vs what you want to spend.

The big mistake many first timers make is that they start looking for a home on-line before they really know what price range they are in.  You think, I want to spend 250K without knowing that 250K is going to cost say $2000 with taxes and insurance and you are only budgeted for $1500 per month for living expenses.  You may decide to go for the higher mortgage but can plan out where you have to make sacrifices in other areas.  For example not going out as much, no new car and perhaps no vacations!

But being educated about mortgages and costs is very important.  You may also need to do some work on your credit.  If you get a reputable loan officer who will work with you to improve your credit that is the way to go.  They can advise you how to raise your score and many will work with you for as long as it takes to get you to where you need/want to be.

There is nothing more disappointing than looking at homes in a higher price bracket than what is realistic and then having to look at properties 100K less.  You will see a big difference and will have a much harder time finding something because nothing will be comparable to the more expensive homes you spent months looking at on-line.

Be prepared for a phone call with your employment info, social security number and address.  Also have these items ready if you are purchasing with someone else.

Also the savvy buyer takes it a step further by getting officially pre-approved by providing bank statements, one years worth of cancelled rent checks and W-2's/tax returns for 2 years.  You may also need to provide proof that you have paid off debts on your credit.  Going this extra mile just means it will be easier when you do find the home of your dreams!

I specialize in working with first time buyers so please drop me an email ro give me a call at 203-453-1091 x 301.

 

 

 

CHFA is a great program availablefor first time buyers in CT.    You must either be a first time buyer or have not held ownership in a home for 3 years.  It is available to low and moderate income families only.  They are 30 year fixed rate mortgages with interest rates that are lower than comparable current market rates.  There are currently over 100 lenders who can provide CHFA mortages.

The income limit varies by town and there are also sales price limits as well.  You may use a mortgage to purchase existing one to four family home, a new construction sinlge family or new contruction two family but only in targeted areas.  Condominium that are on the list of eligible complexes as well as mobile homes also can be financed.

All CHFA Mortgage Program interest rates are
subject to change weekly. The following rates
are in effect until Thursday, January 31, 2008:
_____________________________________________

Homebuyer Mortgage Program

Interest rate:  4.875 % (APR range 4.975 - 5.375 %)
Fees: Up to One Point (1% Origination Fee) * Payable to Lender
Term - 30 years, fixed rate

   * Additional fees may apply __________________________________________________

Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
   (Rate listed is for DAP loans with Homebuyer Mortgage Program financing.)

Interest rate:  4.875 % (APR range 4.975 - 5.375 %)
Fees: Up to $200 Application Fee * Payable to Lender
Term - 30 years, fixed rate

(NOTE: If at any time the interest rate for the Homebuyer Mortgage Program exceeds 6%, the DAP interest rate will be capped at 6%.)

   * Additional fees may apply

 For further information please visit www.homesforfamilies.com

****The rates are taken from the CHFA website.

WIth the impending opening of Big Y to our little suburb I was wondering what the overall feeling of the community is.  I know that there have been numerous letters to the editor of the Totoket Times regarding the traffic situation in that area resulting from the merge at the railroad underpass.  I have been there myself a few times and was not pleased to wait 15 minutes to get to the bridge, especially since I am turning right at Rte 139.  I now completely avoid going that way after 4pm and go down Twin Lakes.  I can only assume that once Big Y opens the traffic in that area will only get worse.

I am also concerned for the businesses in Central Plaza which have been there for years.  IGA has plans to stay open and see what happens.  IGA has an excellent deli and meat department, I just don't know if they can survive on that alone.  And if IGA goes what happens to Poppy's, Great Wall or Central Pizza.  I heard a rumor months ago that the post office was moving so if that happens what about Country Home Furnishings?  I am confident that McDonalds and Dairy Queen will be okay as well as Wasabi but let's face it new businesses have struggled there.

So I would like to hear from other people about what their feeling on it are.   Are you happy Big Y is coming or concerned for the town overall because of it?

 

 

 

North Branford will be offering a recycling program in January for electronics and computers.  On January 26, 2008 from 9am to 12pm residents can drop off computer monitors for $5 each.  For the first time residents will be able to recycle TV's as well.  TV's can be dropped off for $1 per inch of screen.  A 20" TV may be recycled for $20.  Any other electronic and computer equipment may be dropped off for no charge.  Residents in other local towns are also able to participate.

The drop off location is Computer Recycling at 27 Ciro RD in North Branford.

Well here is a way to find out.  The Chamber of Commerce is holding a "state of the town" breakfast on January 30, 2008.  It will be held at Doody's and speakers include Mayor Michael Doody, Dr. Robert Wolf, Interim Town Manager Michael Palhous and Jim Mahoney from CERC (CT Economic Resource Center).

If you are a chamber member it is $13, if not $15.  You can call Frank Mentone for tickets at 484-4729.

I am not sure why but it starts at 7:30am.  Which is before my daughter even gets to school so although I want to attend the timing is just a tad early.  I wish it would have been at a more reasonable time, say 9am.  But maybe I will show up late.

There are a couple of questions that I have that can (hopefully) be answered by some of the folks attending.  Like when will the cafeteria at NBIS be complete?  What is going on with the Rte 80 trouble at the railroad underpass area?

So if you have questions and want to know what is going on please attend.

 

Jamie Ramos

Real Estate Adviser 

 

 

 

There it was.  A traffic light newly installed at the intersection of Rte 139 (Branford Rd) and Twin Lakes Rd.  It was still covered in its protective plastic.  I couldn't help but wonder..why in the world are they installing a traffic light here?  I know that Rte 139 is busy and has a lot of commercial traffic passing through.  I live within a block of the light so am very familiar with traffic patterns in the area.  Did we really need a light here?  I haven't seen any major accidents at this intersection.  I don't think there is much pedestrian traffic trying to cross here.  That is mostly up by Bank of America and Central Plaza.

So the light hung there, unused for quite some time.  When it was finally turned on it was on blinking status only.  So I thought OK it is here to slow down some of the crazy fast drivers who treat 139 like they are at the Daytona 500 (whatever that is).  But then one day it was actually RED.  It really caught me by surprise.  I suppose one would argue that it sometimes takes minutes to get out of Twin Lakes especially if you are turning left.  I am sure I will appreciate it one day when I am sitting there at the light.

But I guess I am kind of wondering why it was put there in the first place.  If anyone knows I would love to get some comments on this.  Also any comments in general about whether you feel it is helping with traffic or not.

Jamie Ramos

Real Estate Adviser