Southington Apple Harvest Festival - 09/30/10 12:11 AM
"Lights .... Camera .... APPLES" is the theme of this years Southington Apple Harvest Festival. It starts this weekend on Friday October 1st, 2010 at 5pm! We LOVE the Southington Apple Harvest Festival. This annual family friendly eventspans the first 2 weekends in October. It's time to get ready for 6 days of fun, food, live entertainment, crafts and so much more!
This very special community event couldn't take place without the generous support of local organizations, businesses and volunteers - which makes Southington a wonderful community to visit and even better place to live.
Admission is FREE! … (26 comments)
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Understanding the Type E Personality - 09/29/10 08:18 AM
Are you bright, passionate and creative? Do you love to do the "impossible"? Would you consider yourself an "outside of the box" thinker? Do you love living on the edge? If so you just might be a Type E personality.
I'm reading a great book, Real Estate the Rome Way, by my friend Margaret Rome, it's about what it takes to make it in the real estate biz. I think it should be required reading for anyone who's new to the business, however there's plenty of useful information for seasoned agents as well. My favorite part of this book by far is Margaret's discussion of … (20 comments)
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Dog Lovers - You'll Love THIS!! - 09/29/10 01:18 AM
Sisters are an amazing gift. I am fortunate to have 3 of them ... all of them older than me. While I didn't always appreciate it, I've said throughout my life, I have 4 mothers. Now that I am older I can truly appreciate how blessed I am to have these wonderful women in my life!
My sister Linda is a hospice volunteer who lives on the west coast. I don't get to see her much but thanks to modern technology, we stay in close contact. We email each other often and she is always sending me the most interesting things … (9 comments)
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Learning to Dance in the Rain - 09/26/10 11:15 PM
"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about learning to dance in the rain" ~Vivian Green. A lot of people are in a holding pattern, waiting for the real estate market to improve ... waiting for economic conditions to change ... waiting for the government to offer another home buyer bribe incentive. Truth is, we might be waiting a very long time for these things to happen. So what do we do in the meantime? How can we survive and THRIVE during these tough times? If we find ourselves getting down, we must alter not only our … (11 comments)
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THIS WEEK'S North Star Real Estate BEST BUYS .... - 09/23/10 10:36 PM
CHFA Mortgage Rates are still at record low! Now is a great time to buy! Check Out NORTH STAR REAL ESTATE, in Southington Connecticut
BEST BUYS
Condos, Condos and more Condos!
$146,900 Desirable Location! 161 Cynthia Lane Middletown, CT 06457 MLS #: G571060
$209,900
Price Reduced! 697 South End Road Southington, CT 06489 MLS #: G224900
$109,900
Cheaper Than Renting!
560 King Street Bristol, CT 06010
MLS #: G572866
Call Karen Bernetti at North Star Real Estate, in Southington Connecticut 860-302-0333 to arrange a private showing.
The following CHFA … (1 comments)
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Short Sales - "bargains" that may come with a high price tag and a lot of risk - 09/22/10 02:54 PM
There may be great deals to be made shopping short sales, REO's and foreclosurers BUT buyers need to realize, (unless they're paying cash) it will more than likely take a very long time to close and there are a number of pitfalls to avoid. I attended a Seminar/luncheon this afternoon where an agent shared this story, facts are stated exactly as they were presented .....
1. Agent was asked to list a short sale property.
2. Agent was told that the lender would NOT consider a request for a loan modification because the seller had already defaulted on a previous request.
… (7 comments)
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30 Day Challenge - OH What A Crazy Ride! - 09/20/10 10:44 PM
This is it! My last day of My Journey to Becoming a Better Blogger. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started the 30 Day Challenge - it took on a life of its own! For the many who showed me so much support and kindness ... THANK YOU. There are just far too many of you to mention.
For those who checked in on me when it was getting late and I hadn't posted yet - THANK YOU! Especially, Margaret Rome (who actually called me on more than one occassion to remind me). It … (78 comments)
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Active Rain aka The Land of Opportunity - 09/19/10 09:22 PM
I stumbled upon a great story, A Peacock in the Land of Penguins, A Story About Courage In Creating a Land of Opportunity, by BJ Gallagher & Warren Schmidt. This "place" they call "The Land of Opportunity" sounds an awful lot like Active Rain to me .... In the story the Perry the Peacock learns of a place where everyone knows they need all different kinds of birds - some that fly, some that swim and some that keep their feet firmly planted on the ground ... A place where many different perspectives are openly shared with one another ... A … (7 comments)
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CHFA Rates Hit RECORD LOW! - 09/17/10 11:16 PM
CHFA (The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority) Interest Rates Have Hit a RECORD LOW at 3.875* NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!
THIS WEEK'S North Star Real Estate
BEST BUYS ....
Spic and span with lots of hardwood!
22 Fairbanks Street Plainville , CT 06062 MLS #: G571998
Offered at $199,9000
3 Family INCOME Property!
181 Rhodes Street New Britain , CT 06051MLS #: G560881
Offered at $261,800
Circa 1840 Farm House!
280 Camp Street Plainville , CT 06062 MLS #: … (4 comments)
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Top 10 Reasons to De-Personalize Your Home When Preparing It to Sell ... Part II - 09/16/10 12:32 AM
Top 10 Reasons to De-Personalize Your Home When Preparing It to Sell ... Part II
Many sellers know that they should de-personalize the house they’re selling, yet many will admit that they don’t really understand WHY it’s necessary. Yesterday in this post Top 10 Reasons to De-Personalize Your Home When Preparing It to Sell ... Part I I shared reasons 10-6. Today as promised I bring you reasons 5-1. Enjoy...
5. Avoid revealing anything about your personal financial situation by keeping ALL personal correspondence and financial documents out of sight. A collection letter could cause a prospect to assume a … (11 comments)
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Top 10 Reasons to De-Personalize Your Home When Preparing It to Sell ... Part I - 09/15/10 11:13 PM
Top 10 Reasons to De-Personalize Your Home When Preparing It to Sell ... Part I Many sellers know that they should de-personalize the house they’re selling, yet many will admit that they don’t really understand WHY it’s necessary. The following are just a few good reasons … 10. Packing away your personal belongings, especially those that are valuable, will protect them from theft and breakage. Be sure to pack away antiques, artwork, jewels, and money and place in safe storage. Most buyers are truly not interested in these things, but it’s still a good idea to keep them protected from less … (9 comments)
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Got a Fixer-Upper for Sale? Make Sure Your Buyers Know About the FHA 203(k) Loan - 09/14/10 11:59 PM
My husband and I bought this rather funny-looking house a few years ago ....
It needed some work but we saw great potential. We knew it could look like this (still a work in progress)....
I sure wish someone told us about the FHA Fixed Rate Mortgage Streamline Rehab 203(k) Loan Program!
The 203(k) Rehab Loan is intended to cover the price of a house under $417,000 PLUS up to $35,000 additional funds to put towards renovations/updates. Why didn't anyone tell us about this??!
The additional funds can be used for all kinds of … (13 comments)
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2 Bedroom Townhouse for Sale in Bristol, CT - 09/14/10 11:12 PM
2 Bedroom Townhouse for Sale 506 King Street Bristol, Connecticut Unit 5
2 Bedroom 1 1/2 Bath Townhouse for Sale
Castillian Condominium Association 506 King Street Bristol, CT
Tucked away in a cozy corner, this roomy 2 Bedroom 1/2 Bath Townhouse in Bristol CT is neat and clean and meticulously maintained!
This home has central air, a full basement and plenty of cabinets and closets ....
Gas range and refridgerator are only one year old.
A Condo with PRIVACY ... there's a slider that leads to … (2 comments)
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Please Don't Throw Me Any More Gold Stars - 09/13/10 11:55 PM
I found this blog post so funny, I just couldn't resist re-blogging it! Please make sure you go to Margaret's page to comment ... she'd really like that!
Via HomeRome Realty Author:Real Estate the Rome Way 410-530-2400:
Oh no, not another gold star. Please, no more gold stars!
You know the story of Bre'r Rabbit don't you? If not go read it, I will wait for you.
In Active Rain, if you are NOT lucky, your post winds up featured.
You get lots of comments, but then you have to take the time to answer each one.
… (11 comments)
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Southington Valley Midget Football Leage BAKE SALE!! - 09/13/10 10:56 PM
Fun things to do in Southington, Connecticut ....
Thank you to everyone who supported the Southington Valley Midget Football League Bake Sale & Raffle sponsored by SVMFL CHEERLEADERS!
The event took place on a Saturday September 18th, 2010 from 10am-4pm at the SVMFL FIELD HOUSE at Recreation Park in Plantsville CT. It was a gorgeous, sunny and warm day! There was an amazing display of cookies, brownies, cupcakes, breads, cakes, & candies and MORE. The "Megaphone Cake" was the winner of the TEAM SPIRIT Creative Cake Contest! Over $500 was raised! WAY TO GO CHEERLEADERS!!!! Thank you to everyone who … (7 comments)
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How Do YOU Build Client Loyalty? - 09/12/10 08:45 AM
Building a base of clients that comes back to us again and again is all about creating lasting memories and meaninful experiences .... It's about making such a difference in our clients lives that they're motivated to return to us. Without a doubt as real estate professionals we absolutely MUST be knowledgable and competent. But our clients know, there's more to it than that. They want to have a good experience. They want to feel good about themselves and about the choice they made to hire us. How do we provide our clients with THAT kind of service? It's not as … (17 comments)
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9/11/01 ... What Were You Doing When You Heard the News? - 09/11/10 05:07 PM
Today we pray for those whose lives were lost and for those who lost loved ones on 9/11/01.
Where were you and what were you doing when you heard about the 9/11 attacks?
How did the events of that day change your life?
I was dropping my son Joseph off at Nursery School at 9 am when they reported that a plane "accidentally" flew into the World Trade Center. When I got to the YMCA to drop off my other son Tim at Terrific Two's playgroup at 9:15, the second plane crash was reported. At this time there … (14 comments)
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ADE North East Educational Conference - 09/11/10 12:53 PM
I am really looking forward to attending the 6th Annual North East Educational Conference sponsored by The Association of Design Education. It is taking place September 30 - October 1st in Hartford CT.
Interior Redesigners, One Day Decorators, Interior Decorators, and Real Estate Stagers are all welcome to attend! Each year ADE brings us the best of the best in seminars and workshops on various topics related to interior redesign, decorating, staging and business development. This year's ADE conference featured speakers include:
Matthew Mead, stylist, designer, author, photographer, lifestyle editor, and style expert. He is Co-Editor at Flea Market … (5 comments)
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What Do You Do With a Wounded Squirrel?? - 09/10/10 05:58 PM
We found this poor little squirrel in our pool today! (We're in the process of draining it because the liner needs to be replaced). We heard splashing in the remaining two feet of water - poor guy had no possibility of escape.
We scooped him out and he was just lying in the grass motionless. He looked so cold and wet, scared and hurt. What should we do now? Let nature take its course? My children insisted we needed to do something to help him. We put him in our cat's crate and covered him with a towel to keep him warm and safe while I figured out who to … (14 comments)
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How to Go With the Flow-- Tips for Surviving and Thriving! - 09/09/10 11:55 PM
Kathy Schow offers some excellent advice for getting by in our crazy world. I just had to re-blog this. I LOVED the video. Just imagine if everyone followed this advice?! Just imagine ....
Via Kathy Schowe ~e-pro~ La Quinta, California (The Lori Bowers Group, La Quinta California):
How to Go With the Flow* Today more than ever-- we all need to learn how to go with the flow. Here are a few tips and a short video to help you chill-out ! 1: Accept life Accept life and the current market on its imperfect terms, and let go of the expectation that … (3 comments)
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A Secret Paradise in Sutton Massachusetts - 09/09/10 11:32 PM
I spent Labor Day with my family at my sister's cottage on Lake Singletary, in Sutton Massachusetts, just outside of Worcester.
A few years ago my sister and her husband stumbled upon this beautiful lake tucked away at the end of a long dirt road. They fell in love with a run-down little cottage on an absolutely goreous piece of land.
My boys can (and do) spend all day fishing on that dock! There a seemingly endless supply of sunfish, catfish and pickerel.
They bought the cottage … (11 comments)
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School Bus Safety - Big Concern for Southington Schools - 09/08/10 11:51 PM
There's a big push going on at Southington Public Schools promoting School Bus Safety.
The administrators at South End Elementary School in Plantsville, CT have sent home several notices reminding us to NEVER pass a stopped school bus. Aparently there has been an alarming increase in the number of pedestrian child fatalities around buses nationwide making this is a growing concern.
Southington Public Schools would like to remind drivers that they must stop if they encounter a bus heading in either direction - whether following it or oncoming - if the warning lights have been activiated. Never pass a stopped school … (7 comments)
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"We Can Never Help Another Without Helping Ourselves" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson - 09/07/10 09:24 AM
Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life ... we can never help another without helping ourselves."
I was reminded of this great quote when I read this post by Gina Chirico.... The 30 day blogging challenge has brought me back to real estate and ActiveRain. Gina, I am so sorry for your loss ... you have certainly come to the right place for support and encouragement during this most difficult time. Here's a link to a very inspiring poem you may have read, but set to music I find it even more moving. … (9 comments)
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Eliminate Buyer Disappointment - 09/06/10 11:16 PM
My friend Christine shares some wonderful advice for buyers AND sellers. I couldn't agree with her more.
Agents, if it's a fixer-upper than PLEASE say so. Let's not waste anyone's time!
Via Christine Pappas, ABR, e-Pro (Keller Williams Greater Cleveland NE):
Take care to eliminate buyer disappointment!
Home selling websites have gone to great lengths to increase the number of pictures one can view and the amount of information that can be shared with the viewing public. Our local area multiple listing service increased the amount of pictures we can upload and the amount of information that we can input, allowing us to showcase the property better.
… (4 comments)
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I eat Challenges for breakfast! My 30 original for 30 days is COMPLETE! Look, Ma! I did it! - 09/06/10 10:58 PM
Congratulations to my friend Tish for completing the 30 Day blogging Challenge! She has embraced the true spirit of what I set out to accomplish by inviting others to join me in my Journey to Becoming a Better Blogger. I couldn't ask for a better companion! Thanks for cheering me and all the other challengers on along the way! Keep up the great work.
Via Tish Lloyd (Prudential Laney Real Estate):
Back on August 11th I was scrolling through the blog dashboard and came across a post by Karen Bernetti. My Journey to Becoming a Better Blogger -- Day … (10 comments)
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Attention Connecticut Condo Associations - 09/06/10 10:15 PM
Are you acting in accordance with the new CIOA (Common Interest Ownership Act) law? In July sweeping changes were made to the laws that govern the way condominium associations operate. Are you aware of these changes? For example, the new CIOA law dictates how condominium associations hold their meetings. Did you know you are required to give notice to unit owners of ALL Board meetings and that ALL Board meetings must be open? The new CIOA law affects the way condominium associations initiate foreclosures, adopt budgets and prepare resale certificates.
The new CIOA law also governs the way condominium associations … (4 comments)
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Price Reduced! 280 Camp Street Plainville, CT 06062 - 09/05/10 08:44 PM
280 Camp Street in Plainville, CT 06062
Breathtaking 2490 s.f. Antique Farmhouse located on 280 Camp Street in Plainville, CT now being offered at $299,900!
Circa 1841
Breathtaking and well cared for 10 room colonial boasting 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths.
A medley of old and new! Hardwood floors and beautiful oak trim throughout. Updated kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless appliances.
And what would this delightful farmhouse be with out a sprawling front porch and large 2 story barn?
… (6 comments)
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Price Reduction! 225 Withces Rock Road in Bristol CT 06010 - 09/05/10 08:39 PM
House for Sale 225 Witches Rock Road in Bristol CT 06010
This is a beautiful 3 bedroom 2 full bath house in absolutely pristine condition in Bristol CT is being offered at $279,000
The quality and attention to detail is evident from the moment you enter this beautifully updtated house!
Walk up to the main living area, or down the stairs to the left and through the glass paneled door that opens to the beautifully finished lower level.
New custom cabinets, counter tops, and gleaming … (2 comments)
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"Is This a Case of Staging Gone Wild?" - 09/04/10 10:02 AM
I have to admit that A LOT of the staging advice I hear IS a little wacky. I could sure go on a rant about all those silly TV shows on the subject (now there's an idea for a future post). A few weeks ago, I commented on Steve Kantor's blog post A Staging Question for Realtors® in which he asks a very compelling question, is all this staging advice getting out of hand? In this post Steve very eloquently points out the following "ironic absurditiy"....
"the current wisdom tells sellers to bake cookies to give the home a personal … (9 comments)
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Sellers ... Are You Resisting Making Those Repairs? - 09/03/10 08:41 PM
So you've been told that you need to make a few repairs and updates to get your house ready to sell. If you're like most sellers, you probably don't want to. Now that’s certainly understandable, especially since you’ve probably lived with those things needing to be fixed for years. Why should YOU have to fix them anyway? Your time is better spent worrying about what needs to be done to your next house? Right?
Not necessarily. You might be tempted to sell “AS IS” - and that's certainly an option - IF you’re not concerned about your price. You must … (17 comments)
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What Does it Mean to WIN ... Words to Live By - 09/02/10 11:57 PM
I just started reading Margaret Rome's book, Real Estate the Right Rome Way. I knew that when I read it, I'd find plenty to blog about. But I never thought I would be so inspired so quickly! Chapter 1 page 15 Margaret discusses a very important acronym ... WIN.
Now of course the word, WIN is meaningful to all of us. Who doesn't like to WIN? But if you look beyond the obvious, you'll find that these three letters represent a very important question that we all need to ask ourselves several times a day. This question should guide us … (11 comments)
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Let's Get Blogging -- 101 Ideas for Your Blog - 09/02/10 01:38 AM
For all of you who have joined me in my 30 Day Blogging Challenge 30 Day Blogging Challenge - 5,000 Points - THERE'S STILL TIME!! (and for those of you who didn't) here are some great ideas for your blog. Thank you Kerry Lucasse for the inspiration! We all need it sometimes ....
Via KERRY LUCASSE - Your Intown Atlanta Real Estate Consultant (Keller Williams Peachtree Rd):
Have a case of "Blogger's Block"?
Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to break through our "Block" and come up with new things to write about. I thought it might be fun to come up … (13 comments)
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Advice for Sellers .... Study Your Competition! - 09/01/10 10:44 PM
An important piece of advice that I give to all of the home sellers that I work with is … Study Your Competition! Learn as much as you can about the other homes that are for sale in your area that are similar to yours in price, condition, location, amenities, etc. I assure you this will be a very eye-opening experience! Studying what your competition has to offer will provide you with a great deal of information. It will help you prioritize what you need to do to get your own house ready to sell. It will help you determine your … (34 comments)
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