Wickham Park in Manchester CT ~ Yankee Magazine's "Best Garden and Picnic Park" - 05/30/11 09:22 AM
Wickham Park in Manchester CT was named "Best Garden and Picnic Park" by Yankee Magazine!

 
My favorite park in the state was selected by Yankee Magazine as the "Best Garden and Picnic Spot!"  I have always thought that Wickham Park was the best-kept secret, but the word is out now. 
 
With around 250 acres of expansive lawn, specialty gardens, walking paths, picnic areas, a bird sanctuary, and a new sensory garden, the park is a respite from everyday stresses.
 
Each year, the dedicated staff of Wickham Park painstakingly tends to the gardens and plans for new gardens and … (7 comments)

Fantastic Colorful Cole Slaw ~ Just in Time for Memorial Day! - 05/28/11 10:22 PM
Fantastic Colorful Cole Slaw ~ Just in Time for Memorial Day!
I have to bring a side dish to  a Memorial Day picnic so I combined a few recipes that I have and came up with this delicious, healthy, and colorful cole slaw!  I tried it out a few days ago to be sure it tasted great, and it did!
Salad
1 head of red cabbage,  thinly sliced 1/2 cup of dried cranberries 1/2 cup of golden raisins 1/3 cup of salted sunflower seeds 1/3 cup of slivered almonds Dressing
1/3 cup of cider vinegar 2T olive oil 2T sugar 2t Dijon … (6 comments)

Pride in Manchester Week Begins June 4, 2011 - 05/27/11 02:41 PM
Pride in Manchester Week Begins June 4, 2011
Manchester CT is a great place to live and Pride in Manchester Week celebrates all that Manchester CT has to offer.  The week showcases the history of Manchester as well as all the facets of life in Manchester, including nature, arts, museums, school groups, fraternal organizations, charitable organizations, and volunteers.  Each day offers something special. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Saturday, June 4: Concert in the Park with Stealing Jupiter and The Great Escape Sunday, June 5: Arts in the Park,, Manchester Art Association's annual show Monday, June 6: History … (2 comments)

Manchester CT Condo Report ~ April 2011 - 05/25/11 02:13 PM
Manchester CT Condo Report ~ April 2011
During April, there were 10 closed sales for condo units in Manchester, CT.  Prices ranged from $42,500 to $242,500 with a median price of $139,500.
Here is a list of the complexes, BD/BA, and closed price:
Manchester Gardens:  2BD/1BA, $42,500 Colonial Manor: 3BD/1BA, $75,000 Greenview Hill: 2BD/1.1BA, $105,000 Beechwood: 2BD/1.1BA, $126,000 Beechwood: 2BD/1.1BA, $137,000 579 Tolland Tpke: 3BD/2BA, $142,000 Lewin's Crossing:  3BD/2.1BA, $162,500 Southfield Green:  3BD/2.1BA, $172,000 Manor Woods:  2BD/2.1BA, $189,900 Hampton Run:  3BD/2.1BA, $242,500 The list price to sale price ratio was 94.6% and the median days on market was 105.  The median … (5 comments)

I'm Not Going to Give My House Away! - 05/24/11 12:00 PM
I'm not going to give my house away!

 
If I had a dollar for every time a potential seller told me that, I'd have my own island in the Caribbean by now!   But after hearing it so often, I began to wonder what was behind it.  After all, for every seller who wasn't going to give his house away, there was a seller who paid attention to market data, priced his home accordingly, and accepted a reasonable offer.  So what's the difference?
 
Sure, some sellers are just unreasonable and unmotivated. They say things like:
I don't have to … (12 comments)

If You Smell Natural Gas, Be Safe and Follow These Guidelines - 05/24/11 08:22 AM
 
Natural gas is odorless so a chemical is added to create an odor so that people can tell if there is a gas leak.  Barbara Altieri of Realty Quest in Connecticut has written a thorough and informative post about what to do if you smell gas.  She also provides resources for New Haven County and Fairfield County, but if you are a customer of Connecticut Natural Gas, the emergency phone number is 1-866-924-5325; if you are a customer of Yankee Gas, the emergency phone number is 1-877-944-5325.
Via Barbara Altieri, REALTOR® Connecticut Real Estate (Barbara Altieri, RealtyQuest, CT Homes and … (0 comments)

South Windsor CT Condos ~ Two Bedroom Units for Under $150,000 - 05/23/11 01:57 PM
South Windsor CT Condos ~ Two Bedroom Units for Under $150,000

 
Yes, you can move into South Windsor, CT for under $150,000!  South Windsor CT is a desirable location and offers many affordable condo complexes.  Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a down-sizer who wants someone else to do the yard work for you, you will find plenty of options here in South Windsor CT.
Here is a list by complex of what is currently on the market in South Windsor CT.  I am listing the two-bedroom units because that is a popular requirement, but contact me if … (5 comments)

Update to Real Estate Conveyance Taxes in Connecticut - 05/22/11 09:54 AM
Update to Real Estate Conveyance Taxes in Connecticut

 
It just got more expensive to sell a house in Connecticut!
A while ago, I wrote a post on Real Estate Conveyance Taxes and want to provide an update to that post.  The State of Connecticut increased the rate of the conveyance taxes that the seller must pay at closing, and that change will go into effect on 7/1/11.
There are exemptions from the real estate conveyance taxes for foreclosures, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, and most short sales. If you are in such a situation, please check with your attorney … (6 comments)

A Gift from My Garden - 05/21/11 05:05 PM
A Gift from My Garden!
Today was a great day for gardening.  After four days of rain and a very difficult closing on Friday, I felt as though I needed a respite from a dreary world, and I always find it in my garden. 
I hadn't had much of a chance to be in my garden lately, so I was looking to see how things were going.  I picked a few weeds, noticed that one of the grasses that I thought was dead wasn't, and trimmed back a Russian sage so it would grow fuller in the summer.
Then I noticed … (14 comments)

I Am Recommending a Great Real Estate Attorney - 05/20/11 07:23 PM
I am recommending a great real estate attorney!
My closing today was the culmination of six months of constant headaches.  I won't bore you with the details, but here were the highlights:
Two Hubbards (my clients' and the buyers of their house) Contract approval, inspection, and appraisals (on my clients' purchase) Rescission of contract due to underground oil tank issues Contract approval, inspection, and appraisals on another purchase Removal of Hubbards Appraisal issues on my clients' sale, subsequent fighting with the lender, and renegotiation of contract Inspection issues on my client's purchase (no permits, electrical catastrophes, plumbing nightmares) Resolution of all … (6 comments)

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day! - 05/19/11 03:20 PM
Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day!

 
May 20, 2011 is national Bike to Work Day!  Here in Connecticut, we have had rain for the past four days, so we can only hope that the weather will be more cooperative tomorrow.  Right now the forecast looks a little more promising. Not everyone works in Hartford, but there are plenty of activities tomorrow to celebrate Bike to Work Day.  May is also National Bike Month!
 
 
 
There will be escorted bike rides leaving from various points tomorrow.  Cyclists can meet at specified locations and get an escorted trip to the … (10 comments)

East Hartford CT Market Report ~ April 2011 - 05/18/11 09:09 AM
East Hartford CT Market Report ~ April 2011

 
During April 2011, there were 23 closed sales, with a median price of $162,500.  Compared to the previous month, which showed 27 closed sales and a median price of $149,000, the total number of sales was down slightly but the median price was up.
Of course, when we compare this April with last April, we see the same trend that we have seen across most of the towns in my market:  sales are down significantly and median prices are all over the place.  Last April in East Hartford, there were 48 … (3 comments)

May is Deck Safety Month - Check Yours Now! - 05/17/11 05:13 PM

May is Deck Safety Month according to Reuben Saltzman of Structure Tech Home Inspections of Minnesota.  In this great article, he addresses all the issues that always seem to come up at home inspections.  If you are thinking of putting your house on the market and you have a deck, you might want to check your deck and fix whatever is necessary before you list your home.
Via Maple Grove Home Inspections - Reuben Saltzman (Structure Tech Home Inspections):

As I'm sure you already know, May is Deck Safety Month, so it's a good time to talk about deck inspections.  Is your … (0 comments)

You Can't Plan Everything! - 05/16/11 11:01 AM
Most days are spent writing to-do lists, scheduling our next moves, figuring out how to find more work, checking on details, and making sure that everything goes according to plan.  But sometimes things don't go according to plan, and we usually take that as a negative.  We like to think that we are masters of our own universe.
But every once in a while, we should think about what is not planned, what is serendipitous, what we have no control over, but what might be wonderful nonetheless.  It will make us feel small and unimportant, but maybe there is a greater message … (6 comments)

Wine Tasting at Adams Mill Restaurant - 05/15/11 06:03 PM
Wine Tasting at Adams Mill Restaurant ~ May 16, 2011 at 6:30

 
My favorite wine shop, Manchester Wine and Liquors, is holding its monthly wine tasting at Adams Mill Restaurant on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 6:30.  I don't usually post about these wine tastings because they are usually sold out within a day or so of their being announced, but for some reason there are still seats available for tomorrow's tasting.
Only members of the Wine Club may register, but you can sign up to be a Wine Club member for free so just put your name in … (8 comments)

Congratulations to Chattanooga, Knoxville, Louisville, Charlotte, and Jackson! - 05/14/11 09:06 AM
The following five cities have been named the 2011 Spring Allergy Capitals by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
Chattanooga, TN Knoxville, TN Louisville, KY Charlotte, NC Jackson, MS I thought we had it bad here in Connecticut, but at least we didn't get the distinction of being the worst!  I don't even have allergies (or so I thought) but I've been suffering as though I do have allergies.  For the past two weeks, it's been nothing but itchy eyes, stuffed head, sore throat, congestion, etc. 
The National Allergy Bureau tracks pollen and mold levels in 85 locations throughout the country (two … (10 comments)

Manchester CT Electronics Recycling Program - 05/13/11 03:19 PM
Manchester CT Electronics Recycling Program

 
What are you going to do with your old computer, printer, and monitor? The average life of a computer is less than five years, which results in a lot of discarded electronics.  The State of Connecticut has mandated that electronics items must be recycled rather than dumped in the garbage which ultimately ends up in the landfill. 
The Town of Manchester now has a permanent electronics recycling program for all town residents.  Located at the town dump at 1 Landfill Way, the electronics recycling center will be open from 7:15 to 2:30, Monday through … (5 comments)

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - 05/12/11 03:00 PM
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive ~ May 14, 2011

 
This Saturday, May 14, 2011, is the nation's largest food drive--Stamp Out Hunger.  The National Association of Letter Carriers is holding their annual food drive in towns and cities across the country when mail carriers will be picking up bags of non-perishable food items that you leave near your mailbox.
Since 1993, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive has taken place and helped out local food banks with the donations received.  Fill a bag with canned goods, dry goods, and any non-perishable food item and leave it near your mailbox.  Your mail carrier will … (7 comments)

Manchester Market Report ~ April 2011 - 05/11/11 09:21 AM
Manchester Market Report ~ April 2011

 
During April 2011, there were 23 closed sales in Manchester CT, compared to 34 closed sales in April 2010.  The median price was also off, with a median price of $158,000 for April 2011 and $179,900 for April 2010. 
Looking at the list price to sale price ratio, April 2011 showed a median of 96.8% of list price, compared to 98.15% in April 2010.  Administrative days on market (ADM) were 52 in April 2011 compared to 26 in April 2010.  It's important to remember, however, that the homebuyer tax credits were creating quite … (1 comments)

The Merry Month of May! - 05/10/11 08:28 AM
The Merry Month of May!
The past few days have been glorious! We have had spring-like temperatures, startling blue skies, and very low humidity.  The sun makes the grass and the emerging plants the greenest green, and it feels wonderful to take in the sights, unwind a bit, and let your thoughts flow freely.
But is there anything more spring-like than the smell of lilacs?  Experts say that our olfactory memories are the strongest and the most resistant to memory loss, and I think that is true.
Yesterday, I decided to take a long walk in the morning and as I was passing … (8 comments)

Paws in the Park ~ South Windsor, CT - 05/09/11 01:04 PM
Paws in the Park ~ South Windsor, CT

 
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Nevers Park in South Windsor CT, the sixth annual Paws in the Park will be held.  The event, which starts at 10:00, is free and welcomes everyone, including all dogs on leashes.
 
There will be more than 40 vendors, including food, animal shelters, and animal adoption services. If you are looking to adopt a new pet, you just may meet your new pet there.
 
 
Among the highlights of the day are:
VCA Animal Hospital, one of the sponsors, will be offering … (6 comments)

Happy Mother's Day - 05/08/11 03:00 PM
Happy Mother's Day!
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day! Whether you are a mother or not, you have or had a mother, and that is reason to pause and appreciate the day.
Some people think that Mother's Day is simply a commercial holiday, created to sell cards.  That may be how it started, but the idea of celebrating motherhood is still a valid and worthy one.
Mother's Day is, for me, a time of reflection, and I usually spend the day in my garden where I can let my thoughts flow freely about mothers, children, days gone … (1 comments)

March and April Market Report for South Windsor CT - 05/07/11 06:57 PM
March and April Market Report for South Windsor CT

 
Here we are in the midst of the spring market, and the South Windsor market showed a little sluggishness in March, but the activity picked up in April.  During March 2011, there were 8 closed sales and a median price of $237,250, compared to 13 closed sales and a median price of $232,000 in March 2010.
 
Here is the breakdown by price range for March:
 
One of the cautions that I need to point out is that one month's data isn't enough to make a trend, and it … (2 comments)

FAQs About Buyer Representation - 05/06/11 08:47 AM
When I am speaking for the first time with potential buyers, one of the most misunderstood aspects of buying a home concerns buyer representation. Although we have had buyer representation in Connecticut since 1996, many people still do not understand that, as buyers, they have the right to have an agent who solely represents their interests. Here are some of the most common questions about buyer representation. I hope this will clear up WHY you need buyer representation! What is buyer representation? When you agree to work with a buyer's agent, you have the benefit of someone representing your best interests … (87 comments)

Shred Fest in Manchester CT - 05/05/11 07:08 AM
Shred Fest in Manchester CT

 
Tired of shredding all your confidential documents three pages at a time?  Then head over to the 8th Utilities District office at 18 Main Street in Manchester for a Shred Fest.
On Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the 8th Utilities District will be holding its annual Shred Fest in the parking lot.  Any resident or property owner of Manchester may participate.  Each car is allowed two large boxes or garbage bags of paper, and assistance in getting it out of your car will be available.
The shredding is done by … (1 comments)

More Fun with a Can of Spray Paint - 05/04/11 08:46 AM
More Fun with a Can of Spray Paint!
A while ago, I wrote a post on Fun with a Can of Spray Paint.  But there's so much more you can do with spray paint.  Here's a way to give your chairs a facelift!
 
Let's face it! No matter how many people you have living in your house, your kitchen chairs take quite a beating.  Recently, I decided that my whole kitchen needed a little updating, so in addition to repainting the walls, I gave my chairs a facelift.  The black painted chairs with upholstered seats were looking a bit scuffed up, but … (7 comments)

Gardening Tips: Three Plants You Should Be Dividing Right Now! - 05/03/11 09:52 AM
Gardening Tips:  Three Plants You Should Be Dividing Right Now!
Our gardens are pretty mesmerizing right now, aren't they? After a very long winter, it feels almost euphoric to be staring at the bright green of new plants emerging from their winter habitat.  They seem to grow by inches every hour, and it's easy to get lulled into just watching them grow.
But don't get too comfortable! This is the perfect time to be dividing plants and replanting or giving them away!  These plants must be divided now before they get too big to handle:
Hostas Grasses Daylillies If you wait … (7 comments)

Mug Day at Birch Mountain Pottery - 05/01/11 10:07 AM
Mug Day at Birch Mountain Pottery is May 7, 2011!

 
Every year on the day before Mother's Day, Susan Gerr of Birch Mountain Pottery in Tolland, CT holds Mug Day.  She spends weeks before Mug Day creating many beautiful mugs in all shapes, sizes, and colors so that everyone can find their "perfect" mug. 
Mug Day will be held at 223 Merrow Road in Tolland, CT from 10:00 to 4:00.  There will be live entertainment from 11:00-1:00 and refreshments will be served (always delicious!). 
You can check out the mugs, but you are also welcome to browse the shop … (5 comments)