Continuing a five year tradition, the agents at Keller Williams Realty, Ridgefield & Danbury, CT recently conducted a food drive to stock the Ridgefield Food Pantry and with the generosity of our neighbors shopping at Stop & Shop, we contributed over one ton of non-perishable food. 

As we all know, in these challenging economic times, more families are finding it hard to keep the lights on and food on the table.  In a conversation with Carol Konner of Ridgefield Social Services, I just learned that the state's subsidy for those who need help paying their heating bills has been cut to such an extent that people who collected $800 last year to pay for heat will only be eligible for $100 this year. 

In all likelihood, the Ridgefield Emergency Fund which contributes to those in need will require an infusion of donations to keep up with the need this winter.  I was totally unaware of this.  My request is, "Do what you can" to assist your neighbors in need, wherever you are.  Keller Williams Realty will be actively contributing to both Danbury and Ridgefield organizations, continuing our company's tradition of KW Cares: helping people where they live. 

In the first half of 2011, single family homes in Wilton, CT are selling at a better pace than anytime since 2007.  The recovery in the Wilton market is heartening, and can be attributed to two specific factors:  BEST BUYS (homes that are priced very competitively) and extraordinarily low interest rates.  Combined, it makes purchasing in Wilton a very smart move! 

To see what is currently available in Wilton, go to www.CT-NYRealEstate.com and search Wilton homes.

Graph is courtesy of our friend Doug Holaday.

How often do you get a chance to go back in time?  Today is that moment!  With prices at levels not experienced since 2003, and interest rates at even lower rates than they were then, there are some amazing buys in this part of Fairfield County!  Contact us for specifics about the Ridgefield Market or visit www.LiveRidgefield.com for thousands of local homes for sale.

Thanks to our friend Doug Holaday for his work to assemble this information.

First in the list of open houses this week is a great home newly represented by The HomeVision Group, 212 Lonetown Road in Redding, CT.  This 3 dwelling compound, situated on 6.5 magnificently level acres. Come see the definition of casual elegance comfortably executed!  $900,000

And don't miss 48 Beaver Brook Road in Ridgefield. With its main level au pair suite and gorgeous sunroom overlooking a lovely Japanese garden, this 5-bedroom colonial is a steal at $700,000!

Interested in finding more properties? Search thousands of homes at LiveRidgefield.com, the only site you'll ever need to find your next home!

We just read a great book called "7 Reasons Why Now Is a Great Time to Buy a Home!"  It's filled with positive, exciting information to help buyers seize the incredible market opportunities available to them right now.  Over the next seven weeks, we'll be sharing key excerpts from this ebook with you in our blog.  For a free copy of this ebook, contact us and we'll send it your way.

Online report outlines foreclosure alternatives for homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments in Fairfield County Connecticut.

We have developed a website providing information describing several opportunities for homeowners to avoid the negative financial impact of foreclosure. This community resource is available at www.FairfieldCountyShortSaleHomes.com and defines foreclosure alternatives, including short sales, loan modifications and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure.  

"The New Year is when most Americans set goals to increase their financial stability, but for many in Fairfield County, financial stability seems unattainable," Debi Orr said.  "With this report, I'm showing homeowners that they have options and that lenders are now more than ever willing to work with them."

According to Fitch Ratings, lenders are projected to lose 45-85% of the initial loan amount in foreclosure sales in 2011. In a short sale transaction, homeowners avoid foreclosure by working with their lenders and selling their property for less than the mortgage amount owed. Although lenders accept less, the financial loss is far less severe than a foreclosure.

"In the New Year, we all want to look forward to a prosperous future and it's frustrating when stability seems out of reach," Steve Scott said.  "What struggling homeowners need to understand is that there are alternatives to foreclosure. All they need to do is ask for help."

The CDPE Designation Orr & Scott have acquired provides a specific understanding of the complex issues confronting distressed homeowners.  Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPE-designated agents are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing financial hardship in today's market.

To learn more, visit www.FairfieldCountyShortSaleHomes.com.

For more information about the CDPE Designation, visit www. CDPE.com.

All the media say it over and over again...it is a buyers market, but some buyers are still holding back. Heres the current stats of our market;

• Prices are down. In Ridgefield, your can consider a 4400 sq ft house for $900,000! Gee, in 2003, that house could have been $1.2M!
• Inventory is up..currently 275 Single Family houses to choose from..the more the merrier, right!
• The Mortgage crisis is settling down and many "see the light at the end of the tunnel!". Not to mention the fact that conforming mortgage limits have been raised allowing for MANY purchases here in Fairfield County, and buyers are much more "REAL" and qualified these days.
• I have read some polls lately that some 75% of people think the Real Estate world will start to improve and be back on track where appreciation will be realized in 2 years.
• SELLERS are MOTIVATED and really do want to sell. Some sellers are more realistic and have adjusted their prices to todays world...AND, in just the last 2 weeks, I have been involved in 2 MULTIPLE OFFER situations and heard of several others!! When was the last time we had that??? 2-3 years ago, maybe....

Some buyers are out there saying, " I am waiting for the bottom", then I will buy. Unless they have a real crystal ball, who can predict the future? We do know how far "real" prices have adjusted, and things are moving(As of 4.4.2008, there were 10% homes under agreement in Ridgefield...we havent been that high in over a year! And, an additional 27 homes pending to close!) If a typical buyer were to keep waiting, there is no guarantee prices will continue to adjust, and they could miss out on the extension by the Feds to increase the Conforming Mortgage limits through the end of the year.

If you are a potential buyer, call today and let me show you the hard numbers of what is SELLING and WHY? Dont miss the boat...or I mean HOUSE!

Steve Scott and Debi Orr

The HomeVision Group

www.homevisiongroup.com

steve.scott@kw.com

203.247.4651

The HomeVision Group at Keller Williams Realty invites you to open houses at these properties in Ridgefield, CT, Sunday, March 30 from 1pm to 3pm.  Preview the properties at their web sites:

      www.249NodRoad.com

  http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1099204&prt=10003

     www.6HuldaLane.com

      www.7TaylorCourt.com

    www.673RidgeburyRoad.com

    www.66CooperHillRoad.com

The following chart demonstrates what happens in real estate markets when homes begin their time on the market priced above what the market itself indicates is fair market value.

We want to thank our colleague, Doug Holladay for the creation of this visual!

What makes a hometown g*r*e*a*t?  Certainly it's a feeling of security, of "being at home," and having an expectation of friendship within the community.  It's also having favorite haunts whether it's the diner where you can get a reliably good meal, the bookstore where the clerk knows your favorite authors, or the recreation center where you can enjoy comraderie and fitness all at the same time. 

One of our favorite eating establishments in Ridgefield is Café Svago on Main Street.  Owner Tricia Arata has really put down roots in the charming vintage setting at 408 Main Street, right in the heart of town.  Whether you stop in early in the morning with the regular coffee crowd, or make a late afternoon visit for some of her delicious gelato, you're sure to be delighted by the taste temptations Trish offers.

It's hard to choose our favorite, but high on the list is Tricias breakfast paninis.  This is a huge improvement on the McMuffin genre!  Pressed between the yummy panini bread, these bacon or ham taste sensations are a fabulous start to any day.  And if you're lucky enough to be in town on the days when grilled chicken corn chowder is on the lunch menu, by all means, indulge! 

We're glad Trish is working her culinary magic in our neighborhood.  Maybe you'd like to move closer to make Café Svago a new routine in your day!  Contact us at any time for local information and advice:  Debi Orr & Steve Scott, The HomeVision Group at Keller Williams Realty.  Info@HomeVisionGroup.com