Looking on the Bright Side! - 08/31/11 08:33 PM
Looking on the Bright Side!

 
So this is the first day since Sunday when Hurricane Irene hit that I am actually looking on the bright side. Now that I have power restored, I think I must put it all in perspective.
 
We lost power at 8:30 a.m on Sunday and didn't have it restored until today, Wednesday.  I had been commiserating with people who didn't have power and was envious of people who didn't lose it or had it restored earlier.   Now I just feel sorry for the people who are still without power.
 
I was lucky that … (7 comments)

South Windsor Condo Report ~ July 2011 - 08/27/11 05:32 PM
South Windsor Condo Report ~ July 2011

 
The condo market in South Windsor was a busy one in July 2011 with 12 closed sales and a median price of $165,250.  In July 2010, there were 10 closed sales with a median price of $172,000, so although the median price was somewhat lower this year, the number of sales was up.
To put this in perspective, however, we must take a look at condo sales month-by-month in South Windsor to really see how significant July was.  Here are the number of closed sales, and median price from January to July:
… (6 comments)

A Green Solution for Tick and Insect Control - 08/27/11 03:05 PM
A Green Solution for Tick and Insect Control

 
Yesterday, I was taking a walk around my neighborhood and was stunned to see a group of what I thought might be turkeys of some sort in one of the yards a few streets down from my house.  I live in a residential area so I am always surprised when I see wildlife.
The owner was in his front yard so I asked him if they were his animals, to which he replied that they were.  Then I asked him what they were, and he told me they were guinea hens and that … (11 comments)

Just Listed ~ Three-Bedroom, Two Bath Split Level on Cul-de-Sac in Bloomfield CT - 08/24/11 06:47 PM
I just listed this home in a great neighborhood in Bloomfield CT for $254,900. This split-level home is on the end of a cul-de-sac on .79 acres with a beautiful yard that abuts town open space. The home has an open floor plan on the main level and a separate family room just a few steps down. The best part, though, is enjoying the peace and quiet of gazing into the backyard surrounded by nature.

Beautiful Split-Level Home on Cul-de-Sac! … (6 comments)

Good News! Cruisin' on Main Street Rescheduled for September 18, 2011! - 08/22/11 09:16 PM
Good News! Cruisin' on Main Street Rescheduled for September 18, 2011!
Cruisin' on Main Street, one of Manchester CT's premier events, has had to be rescheduled twice because of the weather.  The new date is September 18, 2011 from 11:00 to 4:00.
 
Cruisin' on Main Street began in 2001 and is the largest downtown exhibition of vintage cars in the Northeast.  Anyone with a registered vehicle at least 25 years old is able to strut his/her stuff.  Beginning at 8:00 a.m., cars will register ($10 per vehicle) for the event and receive directions on where to park.  The first 1,000 vehicles … (8 comments)

Back-to-School Shopping ~ Tax-Free Shopping Week in Connecticut - 08/21/11 04:15 PM
Back-to-School Shopping ~ Tax-free shopping week in Connecticut!
Starting today, August 21, 2011 through Saturday, August 27, 2011, there is tax-free shopping for clothes and shoes under $300 throughout Connecticut.
 
Now is the time to start your back-to-school shopping and save money!  This year, Connecticut shoppers will save even more because of the increase in sales tax from 6% to 6.35%.  In addition, since clothing and shoes under $50 are no longer exempt from sales tax, the savings will be greater this year. 
 
This week is not just for back-school shopping, however.  Anyone who is thinking of purchasing shoes … (4 comments)

Good News! Tolland and South Windsor Make Money Magazine's List - 08/20/11 01:09 PM
Good News! Tolland CT and South Windsor CT Make Money Magazine's List
Every year, Money Magazine ranks small towns and comes up with a top 100 list of the Best Places to Live among small towns.  This year five Connecticut towns made the list.  Here are the top towns (in order):
Tolland (37th) South Windsor (38th) Simsbury (39th) Cheshire (73rd) Portland (88th) The criteria used to select the towns that made the list include population (between 8,500 and 50,000), job opportunities, schools, safety, recreational facilities, and economic strength.
For Tolland, a town of about 15,000 people, Money Magazine cited its historic charm, … (4 comments)

Real Estate Recovery? Good News from The Hartford Courant - 08/19/11 09:38 AM
Real Estate Recovery? Good News from The Hartford Courant

 
Those of us who track the real estate statistics every month know that July was a rebounder in terms of closed sales.  It was the first month that we didn't have to compare month-over-month (2010 vs. 2011) with the inflated numbers generated by the homebuyers' tax credit, which ended 6/30/10. 
 
Those of us in real estate also know that we not only have to battle the market but we also have to battle public perception of the market--much of which is fueled by bad press.
 
But this morning … (8 comments)

Outdoor Movie at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor CT ~ FREE! - 08/17/11 06:53 PM
Outdoor Movie at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor CT ~ FREE!
 

Doesn't this sound like fun? On Friday, August 19, 2011, Toy Story 3 will be shown on a giant two-story blow-up screen at the Rockville Bank Park near L.L. Bean at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor.  Everyone is welcome and admission is FREE!
 
The movie starts at 8:30 but you can come early, set up your chairs or blanket, bring a cooler and relax while you are waiting for the movie to start.  Other free activities for kids before the movie include a moon bounce, prize wheel, face painting, and … (6 comments)

Back to School Information ~ Uniforms for Illing Middle School in Manchester CT - 08/15/11 02:09 PM
Back to School Information ~ Uniforms for Illing Middle School in Manchester CT

 
Last spring, the school board approved the policy requiring uniforms for Illing Middle School in Manchester CT.  According to Illing Principal Troy Monroe, uniforms will eliminate distractions and promote an emphasis on learning.
 
Parents and students have had opportunities to purchase uniforms over the summer, but there will be a fifth and final in-school sale:
When:    Thursday, August 18,2011 Where:   Illing Middle School, School Cafeteria Times:   2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Thursday, there will be polo shirts, sweaters, jackets, and sweatshirts with the Illing logo that … (3 comments)

East Hartford CT Market Report ~ July 2011 - 08/12/11 02:03 PM
East Hartford CT Market Report ~ July 2011

 
The East Hartford CT real estate market was a busy one in July 2011.  There were 25 closed sales with a median price of $160,000.  This compared favorably to July 2010, which showed 22 closed sales and a median price of $149,000.  So the number of sales is up and so is the median price. 
 
Here is the breakdown by price range:

 
It has also been fairly steady for the past four months.  Here's how July compared to June, May, and April:
July:  25 closed sales, median price $160,000 … (3 comments)

South Windsor CT Market Report ~ July 2011 - 08/09/11 02:37 PM
South Windsor CT Market Report ~ July 2011

 
All in all, July was a great month for real estate in South Windsot CT.  There were 20 closed sales with a median price of $285,900.  If we look at the average price it was $329,238 (see Median vs. Average) as a result of several homes sold in the over- $400,000 range.  With 56 median days on market and 97.45 sale price to list price ratio, homes are moving well in South Windsor.
 
With last July's numbers at 12 closed sales and a median price of $294,750, closed sales are up … (3 comments)

What Are You Grateful for Today? - 08/08/11 02:30 PM
What are you grateful for today?

 
This morning was the first morning in six days that I was able to make coffee in my kitchen.  I was replacing the countertops which required removing the sink and faucet, so for the past week, I had to get water from the bathroom, wash dishes in the tub, and eat mainly cold food so I didn't have to wash any pots or pans.  This morning as I filled up the coffee pot from the kitchen sink, I realized that I am grateful for some of the small things that I take for granted.  So … (13 comments)

Market Report for Manchester CT ~ July 2011 - 08/08/11 02:06 PM
Market Report for Manchester CT ~ July 2011
Finally, we are able to view market statistics without having to compare to last year's numbers that were inflated by the homebuyers' tax credit.  Going forward, we should be able to get a clearer view of what the real estate market is by town.
 
In Manchester, there were 32 closed sales in July 2011 compared to 29 from last July.  That's a positive change for this year.  The median price, however, was down considerable with this July showing a median price of $167,500 compared to $210,000 for last July.
 
On the plus … (2 comments)

Radon Testing: Myths and Facts - 08/02/11 08:02 AM
Radon is a concern in Connecticut, and I always recommend that home buyers have a radon test done.  Radon gas can cause health issues, so it must be tested for and addressed if found.  If radon is found in the home or the water, there are mitigation systems that will bring the radon levels to within governmental standards.  Reuben Saltzman of Minnesota has written a great post on the myths about radon and radon testing.  Thanks for an informative post, Reuben!
Via Maple Grove Home Inspections - Reuben Saltzman (Structure Tech Home Inspections):
As a Minnesota home inspector who does a lot of … (12 comments)

Market Report for Tolland CT ~ June 2011 - 08/01/11 01:55 PM
Market Report for Tolland CT ~ June 2011

 
During June 2011, there were 12 closed sales in Tolland CT with a median price of $281,000.  During June 2010, there were 13 homes sold with a median price of $292,900. So the median priced has dropped somewhat over last June.
 
If we look at the previous two months, April and May, the housing market in June in Tolland was more active.  In  May there were 7 closed sales with a median price of $225,000, while in April, there were also 7 closed sales with a median price of $168,000.

Here … (6 comments)