South Windsor Condo Report ~ February 2011 - 03/29/11 05:58 PM
South Windsor Condo Report ~ February 2011

 
During the month of February, there were only two closed sales in South Windsor CT for condos:
2702 Mill Pond Drive (Strawbridge), a two-bedroom, 2.1-bath, 1485 sq. ft. unit, sold for $142,500 (list price $154,900), which was 92% of list price.
1-B St. Marc Circle (Chapel Hill), a two-bedroom, two-bath, 1088 sq. ft. unit, sold for $139,500 (list price $146,900), which was 95% of list price.
 
 
However, there are currently nine properties under deposit and three under contract:
Under Deposit
4 Arrowwood Circle (Victorian Woods) 949 Pleasant Valley Road, Unit 8-5 (Pleasant … (3 comments)

Just Listed ~ 288 Turkey Roost Road, Monroe CT ~ $349,900 - 03/22/11 10:27 AM
Just Listed ~ 288 Turkey Roost Road, Monroe CT ~ $349,900
Home for sale in Monroe CT.  This spacious raised ranch with three bedrooms and two and a half baths has been beautifully upgraded and meticulously maintained.  With new hardwood floors, central air, custom kitchen, crown moulding, new windows, and all updated mechanicals, this is truly move-in ready.  Professionally landscaped gardens, three-seasons screened-in porch, and stone patio make this the perfect home for relaxing and entertaining, inside and out.  Invisible fencing, whole house integrated generator system, newer roof, and so much more.  $349,900! Beautifully Upgraded and Maintained Raised Ranch! >
… (14 comments)

February Market Report for South Windsor CT - 03/22/11 09:02 AM
February Market Report for South Windsor CT

 
If I were to write my typical market report for South Windsor CT for February 2011, it would show that there were 7 closed sales with a median price of $305,000.  Comparing those numbers to February 2010 with 13 closed sales and a median price of $255,000, we would conclude that number of sales decreased but median price increased.
 
One of the problems with such a low number of sales is that statistics can appear to be greatly skewed.  Did the median price really increase that much or did more people … (0 comments)

Another Successful Closing - 46 Bretton Road, Manchester CT - 03/20/11 08:58 AM
Another Successful Closing - 46 Bretton Road, Manchester CT

 
On St. Patrick's Day, we closed on 46 Bretton Road in Manchester CT. The house is an oversized cape with four bedrooms, one and a half bedrooms, a detached garage, hardwoods under the carpets, newer windows, and 1536 square feet. The house has great potential; it's in a very nice neighborhood but it needs updating. Someone with some vision and a willingness to make a few changes could make this a really special home. The house had been listed at the end of summer, was priced competitively, and had many showings. … (6 comments)

February Market Report for East Hartford CT - 03/19/11 12:26 PM
February Market Report for East Hartford CT
During February 2011, there were 13 closed sales in East Hartford CT, compared to 19 closed sales in February 2010.  The median price also dropped from $174,900 in February 2010 to $138,000 in February 2011.
February's closed sales were also down from 18 in January, but the median price was up from $127,500. 
Here are the closed sales by price range:
 
On a positive note, however, there are 28 homes under contract and 45 homes under deposit!  The coming months should show improvements over what we have been seeing.  If you are interested … (2 comments)

What's the Difference Between Under Contract and Under Deposit - 03/19/11 12:09 PM
What's the difference between under contract and under deposit?

 
One of my readers asked me this question and I would like to thank her for asking.  We often assume that people understand our lingo as well as we do, so it is good to be reminded that we could explain things better.
In the Connecticut MLS, we differentiate the status of a listing with SHOW and DEPOSIT.  SHOW means that there is an agreed-upon contract with contingencies that have not yet been met.  The most common contingencies are usually a mortgage contingency, an inspection contingency, and sale of buyers' residence … (5 comments)

February Market Report for Vernon CT - 03/14/11 06:33 PM
February Market Report for Vernon CT

 
The Vernon real estate market was an active one in February with 13 closed sales and a median price of $140,000.  The previous February, there were 8 closed sales with a median price of $148,950.
 
In comparing February numbers to January numbers, closed sales were up (11 in January) but median price was down ($196,500).
 
Here is the breakdown by price range:
 
 
There are also 4 houses under contract and 7 houses under deposit.  With 109 properties currently on the market (including those under contract and deposit), the absorption … (5 comments)

February Market Report for Manchester CT - 03/13/11 06:55 PM
February Market Report for Manchester CT

 
The number of closed sales in Manchester CT was down from the previous month and from February of 2010.  This February there were 10 closed sales, compared to 13 closed sales last February and 14 closed sales in January 2011.
 
The median price was $189,000 in February 2011 compared to a median price of $170,000 in February 2010, so it seems that housing prices are holding up well.  This also compares well to a median price of $166,700 in January 2011.
Here is the breakdown by price range:
 
Inventory is down … (0 comments)

It's Easy to Give Advice...But Not So Easy to Take It! - 03/13/11 06:21 PM
It's easy to give advice, but it's not so easy to take it!
As Realtors, we often give out advice so that people can sell their homes more quickly and for more money.  We advise people to de-clutter, clean, and make repairs before putting their homes on the market.  We advise them to remove personal items, paint in buyer-friendly colors, and rearrange or store their furniture to appeal to buyers.  When they finally do receive offers on their house, we advise them to put their emotions (once again) on the back burner and think in terms of their goals.   

 
But what if you … (7 comments)

Can It Be? ~ Hartford Makes Kiplinger's Top Ten Cities for Commuters List! - 03/04/11 11:04 AM
Can It Be? ~ Hartford Makes Kiplinger's Top Ten Cities for Commuters List!


 
Hartford CT was just named one of Kiplinger's Top Ten Cities for Commuters List.   Only cities with over 1,000,000 people were considered, and the criteria included:
Average time of commute Average length of commute One year statistics for delays Public transportation Gasoline prices Parking We complain about traffic, but compared to other cities, Hartford has it relatively easy.  If you would like to relocate to the tenth best city for commuters, you can start your home search here!
Here, in order, are the Top Ten Cities for … (4 comments)

Last Week, I Traded It All In! - 03/02/11 10:21 AM
Last week, I traded it all in! 

 
Last week, I traded it all in.  I traded snow and cold for sunshine and beaches.
I traded sitting at my computer all day with barefoot walks on the beach.
I traded my worrying about business to meditating on soft rolling waves.
 

 
 
I traded squandering my days to treasuring each moment.
I traded reading my computer screen to reading some great books.
 
 
 
I spent the week in Sarasota, Florida, where 1/3 of the population is over 65.  And, yes, that made me feel young. … (14 comments)