Amy's Blog

Cow Parade in West Hartford Center

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:30:54 -0500

The Cows have arrived in West Hartford Center. It's going to be beautiful the next few days, so go check them out. The pictures you see here are just a tiny sample. Most of the cows are located in the Center along Main Street, Farmington Avenue, and La Salle Road. While you're there, you can also see that the new Crate & Barrel sign has gone up, the store is opening October 18th.

Dueling with Dual Agency

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:08:35 -0500

I often hear agents talk about how they are representing both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. This concept is called single-agent Dual Agency and it is legal in the state of Connecticut. I do not agree with this practice and believe that it is not in the best interest of either the buyer or the seller to work with the same agent during a transaction.

When you have a Real Estate agent represent you in a transaction, they are compensated to represent you and look after your best interests. If that same agent is also representing your counterpart, then they also have the responsibilty to do what is in the best interest of that person. Since it's impossible to serve two masters equally, the end result may be that the agent is just trying to get the deal done as quickly and easily as possible, for them.

Consider this example: The seller is working with Agent Pat and tells Pat that the least they will accept for their house is $250,000. The house is currently listed at $265,000. Buyers come to an open house and decide that they like the house and want to put in an offer. They are not working with an agent at the time. Agent Pat offers to represent them and the buyers and sellers agree that this would be fine. The buyers tell Pat that they are qualified to spend $260,000. The buyers also tell Pat that they feel the house is overpriced compared to other comparable houses they have seen. They would like to initially offer $240,000 and will not go over $245,000 through the negotiations.

Now, what is Pat to do? Pat has a buyer willing to bring an offer for the house, but Pat knows that the buyer and seller are $5,000 apart from the most that will be paid and the least that will be accepted. What Pat should do is have the buyer submit their offer and present it to the seller. They will most likely negotiate back and forth to their upper and lower limits and then realize that there is no overlap.

However, $5,000 isn't really that big of a gap to bridge, so Pat may try to get the buyer to extend their maximum offer price, or get the seller to lower their minimum selling price. It's really tempting for an agent to "get the deal done" particularly if they have influence over both of the parties and know the size of the gap. If the agent feels the gap is surmountable, it's tempting to convince one of the parties that they should offer more or accept less.

If you have your own buyer's agent, this is less likely to happen. You tell your agent your maximum offer price. They present your offers to the seller's agent, who then presents to the seller. You negotiate back and forth until neither party wants to go higher or lower. Your agent says this is the highest you will go. The seller's agent says this is the lowest the sellers will go. You will walk away because you don't want to offer more and your agent will not put undue pressure on you to buy this house. It is their job to help you find another house that works.

If you want to protect your best interests in a real estate transaction, it is always prudent to have your own independent representation. Think about how attorneys work, they never represent both the plaintiff and defendent in a case. It's impossible to be impartial.

Fun at the Canton Barn

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:53:02 -0500

I'm always looking for new adventures to share and this weekend I found a great one in Canton. Every Saturday evening, the Canton Barn holds antique auctions, starting at 7:30pm. Now, this isn't some high-brow, snooty affair. It's downright low key and a darn good time.

The item preview begins at 5:00pm. Grab a pillow at the back of the room to hold your seat. Then get a slice of homemade pie (they usually have 8-9 different flavor selections) and wait for the fun to begin.

Richard Wacht, owner and auctioneer, does a great job quickly moving through items, in language everyone can understand. None of the garbled, fast-tongued guess-speak that usually is associated with auctioneers. If you want to bid on something, you just raise your hand during the bidding and throw your hat in the ring. Runners on the stage will acknowledge your bids and it goes back and forth until the highest bidder wins. Your name is taken down and you pay with cash or check at the end of the auction (no credit cards accepted).

Here are a couple of observations...

The majority of the crowd (about 100 people) appeared to be "regulars" and known by the staff. As first time visitors, and about 20 years younger than most of the patrons, we felt welcomed and comfortable with participating in the bidding action.
Several items went for, what I would consider, super deals. There were several items that had a "Pottery Barn flair" that went for well less than what they would cost at an actual Pottery Barn store. It was easy to feel losers remorse when you didn't participate in bidding on an item because you felt it would go for far more than it did. I missed out on a nice dresser that went for $35 and a beautiful settee that sold for $40 because I assumed the bids would go much higher. They didn't, so I lost out on those pieces. Fortunately there are unique things available each week.
There were collectibles and large pieces of furniture. If you look to collect certain items, or just need to furnish certain rooms of your house, you can find it at the Barn.
Buying a piece of pie was a good investment. My tummy thanked me.
Showing up to preview items around 6:45-7:00pm should allow enough time. We got there a little too early and had too much time to kill.

The hubby and I had a fun evening and will probably now make this a regular event. It easily beats staying home and watching a movie on the couch. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to check out the Hartford-area auctions to see how they compare. Stay tuned...

Ginormous Tree in Simsbury

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:43:52 -0500

Yes, "ginormous" really is a word. And it's really the only word that can accurately describe the Pinchot Sycamore located in Simsbury, touted as the largest tree in the state. See the tiny red speck to the right of the trunk? That's a kid!

Located at the intersection of Nod Road and Rte. 185 in Simsbury, it's a great place to have an afternoon picnic. There is also access to the Farmington River at the site, so you can launch your canoe, kayak, or Labrador Retriever right into the water. Have fun!

Visit Your Local Farmer's Market

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:39:49 -0500

I know a lot of you are thinking "Hey dummy, you should have written about this at the beginning of the summer." I must admit that have been greedily enjoying heirloom tomatoes, organic fruit, and corn on the cob for weeks without writing about it. So sorry.

But in all seriousness, get out of your car and visit your local farmer's market or farm stand. Almost every community has one on different days throughout the summer into the early fall. Go here to find one in your town in Hartford County. Happy, healthy eating!

Huh? Local Condo Sales Down, But Prices are Up?

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:39:48 -0500

There was an interesting article published in the Hartford Business Journal yesterday regarding local condo sales. For the first six months of this year, condo sales are off by more than 16% in Hartford County compared to 2006. However, the median price is up 1.5% over 2006. Huh? With more inventory sitting out there longer, why aren't buyers paying less?

My guess is that we are talking median sales price vs. mean sales price. I ran a quick MLS search, and if you compare condo sales prices for the first half of 2006 to the first half of 2007 in Hartford County, the average (mean) sales price is down .5% in 2007. By using the median measurement (half the values below the middle point and half above the middle point), you are able to paint a positive picture.

Moral of this story: always question statistics because they can almost always be spun in a positive or negative light... And if you're a condo buyer right now, you should have some leverage negotiating a better price. There's a lot of inventory out there to choose from and sellers are sitting on their condos longer.

Holy House Batman!

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:02:17 -0500

50 (pronounced Fitty) Cent's digs in Farmington can't hold a candle to these houses...

My L.L. Bean Experience

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:32:51 -0500

This weekend I ventured East of the River to check out the new L.L. Bean in South Windsor. Yes, I know I'm a few weeks behind the grand opening, but I'm not a fan of crushing crowds and I needed a respite from the sweltering heat on Saturday. Any who, these are my observations about the store...

1. If you've been to the one-and-only true L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine- brace yourself. The L.L. Bean at Evergreen Walk simply does not compare. Now, I'm not saying it's worthless, it's just a mini, mini version. So be prepared emotionally before you go.

2. It's still super-crowded on the weekends. Bleh. You might want to try an evening after work or a weekday morning if you can't handle throngs of people.

3. If you're looking to buy an outdoor gadget/gear (fishing tackle, mountain bike, canoe, spelunking headlight, etc.) go to the store so you can check out the goods in person. If you're looking to buy clothing, I would recommend sticking to the catalog. I heard several people complaining that they could not find their size in a specific color that they wanted. I heard one person mention that they drove all the way from Massachusetts but couldn't find the flannel-lined jeans. Maybe because it was 95 degrees outside?

4. Vertically, there appears to be a huge amount of wasted space. The ceilings soar, but the merchandise is only on one floor. Why not put in a second floor if the main footprint of the building does not need to be changed?

5. The staff was knowledgeable and helpful. And friendly even though the place was overrun with visitors.

I'll be interested to see how Cabela's compares when it opens later this year in East Hartford.

Inventory's Up. How Do You Differentiate?

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:24:28 -0500

The Greater Hartford Association of Realtors recently released their statistics for July. For the year (and July), the number of listings is up and closed sales are down. Add to that the shrinking number of available buyers due to the mortgage industry troubles. So, to put your home sale in business terms, you now have more competition and fewer buyers. Time to differentiate!

1. Most importantly, price your house right. Be sure the agent listing your home gives you recent closed comps, but also shows you the current competition in your price range. If you need a quick sale, and can financially stand it, price at the lower end of the range compared to your competition.

2. Make sure your house is clean and free of clutter, even if you don't have the most updated house on the block. Cleanliness and neatness go a long way with buyers.

3. Review the pictures your agent will be posting on the MLS, Realtor.com, their company's website, etc. before they are posted. Do they show your house in the best light? We see many crappy pictures on the MLS on a daily basis (which feeds the other websites), so make sure your agent isn't doing you a disservice. Good online pictures make buyers want to see houses.

4. Buy a 1 year Homeowners Warranty. It's like a gift to the buyer and will cost approximately $450 which comes out of your closing costs. It gives the buyer peace of mind and might make your home stand out from others.

5. Try to make your house as available for showings as possible. If your pets need to be crated, see if you can have a friend or family member watch them during the first few weeks of activity.

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you sell quickly.

On a more national note, here's a great inventory trends graph for the entire US... Click on the checkmark boxes on the left of the webpage to view different city trends.

The Making of a Landlord

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:50:25 -0500

The hubby and I recently became investment property owners in West Hartford. It's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Kind of like watching your teenager learn to drive, but with your car.

It took us about a month to get the place rented after our closing. Here are a few tips you might find useful if you're thinking about investing:

1. Craigslist is a free and easy way to find potential renters. We used it in combination with Postlets and that seemed to do the trick as far as finding people interested in our unit.

2. Try to do a phone pre-screen before meeting the people at the apartment. Do they smoke? Do they have pets? How many people will be living there and signing the lease? Make sure if you own a condo that they will follow the condo association rules and regulations.

3. ALWAYS run a credit check. We had a few people fill out the application and then bug out once they learned we were actually going to run their credit history. It will save you a lot of trouble and potentially money down the line.

4. Don't be lazy and make sure the place shows well. The unit we bought was in fairly good shape, but had bright yellow and baby blue walls. It was clean, so we didn't think much of it, and decided not to bother painting. After 3 weeks of no takers we decided to paint all of the walls a neutral color. It made a huge difference and the place was rented the next day.

ARM mortgages are just beginning to adjust and I believe that a lot of investors that bought at the top of the market are going to be squeezed soon, flooding the market with investment properties. Additionally, due to the tightened mortgage lending practices, there are going to be fewer buyers out there, so more people will need to rent. This will keep rental rates healthy. So, if you have some extra cash and think that being an investment property owner might be the thing for you, it might just be the time to start looking.

Doh! You Missed Out on a Great House...

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:41:02 -0500

If you are thinking about buying a house any time soon, please keep "speed" in mind. No, I am not talking about drugs. By "speed" I mean your ability to react quickly if you happen to come across the house of your dreams. Here are two perfect scenarios where you will almost always lose out:

1. You have a house to sell that is not yet on the market, and you can't afford to carry two mortgages at once.

2. You go open housing on the weekend and are not actively working with a real estate agent.

In the past two weekends I have seen this happen twice to two different couples. In the first scenario, the couple had just started thinking about moving into a larger home. So they went open housing on Sunday. And they fell in love with a house that is in perfect condition. The sellers of the house want nothing to do with a Hubbard clause, where the buyer has to sell their house before they can actually buy. The potential buyers now have to get their current home on the market pronto and hope that they can secure an offer before someone else comes in and has an offer accepted on their dream home. Chances of this happening are slim to none and, as they say, Slim just left town...

In the second scenario, the buyers were actually working with a real estate agent, just not very actively. They also went to an open house and fell in love with a house. But then they waited 2 days to contact their agent to let them know about it. Unfortunately in the meantime, another offer was accepted on the house. They missed out by about an hour. I am not kidding. And now they are very disappointed.

There are a few morals to these stories.
1. If you are in either of the two categories above and cannot deal with disappointment, please don't go to open houses on Sundays.

2. If you think you have one iota of interest in a house and are working with an agent, call them immediately. They will go look at the house with you and help you understand if it's really for you. And if it is, they should be able to help you react quickly enough to at least stand a chance of putting in an offer.

3. If you own a house, think you want to move, and cannot afford to carry two mortgages, at least put your house on the market with the contingency "Sale contingent upon seller finding acceptable housing." This at least throws your hat in the ring. Otherwise you are just sitting on the sidelines with no real chance.

Hopefully this helps because it's painful to see disappointed buyers doing "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda"...

Too Many Pets...

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:21:43 -0500

There is currently an ongoing drama in a town that I cover. A woman owns 22 Shih Tzus and the town has forced a legal battle to have her get rid of all but 3 of them. You see, there is a local zoning ordinance that only allows ownership of up to 2 dogs without a permit. Clearly 22 dogs is a tad more than 2 dogs.

The issue is that no one has really complained about her dogs. She keeps them clean and quiet. Most people in her neighborhood had no idea she even had so many dogs until the issue became public. She lives in a very desirable neighborhood in town. She has so many pets simply because she has taken them in because no one else wants them. Some have medical ailments and she is willing to pay their vet bills. Many of the dogs would have been euthanized if she did not rescue them.

At this point the case has gone to court and there was a ruling that went against her. Zoning fines will start piling up in a hefty amount after a short grace period. This breaks my heart because the woman is clearly properly caring for the animals and her surrounding neighbors have not complained. At this point she may have to move out of town in order to keep her family. How sad.

I am curious to hear your thoughts on this issue. Do you think this is reasonable? At what point should the town get involved? I understand their point from a health and safety perspective, but her situation doesn't seem to be causing a health and safety issue. Thoughts?

How Do I Calculate My West Hartford Property Taxes?

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:41:30 -0500

Now that the West Hartford budget has been amended and the mill rate has been set at 38.63, many are wondering how they will calculate their property taxes. One thing to keep in mind is that they will be based on a 5 year phase-in if your assessment from 2005 to 2006 increased by more than 25%. Let's do a quick example and hopefully this will help...

Let's say your 2005 property assessment was $100,000 and your 2006 property assessment was $200,000, so a 100% increase. Your taxes for this year will be based on 1.25 times your 2005 assessment. So,

$100,000 x 1.25 = $125,000

then multiply this by the mill rate to get your taxes

$125,000 x .03863 = $4,828.75 = your tax bill for this year

But what happens in the next 4 years? Well, the difference between your 2006 assessment and the 1.25 amount you're using this year will be dispersed over the next 4 years. So,

$200,000 - $125,000 = $75,000 / 4 = $18,750

In this example, your taxes for 2007 will be based on the assessment amount of

$125,000 + $18,750 = $143,750

Your taxes for 2008 will be based on the assessment amount of

$143,750 + $18,750 = $162,500

Your taxes for 2009 will be based on the assessment amount of

$162,500 + $18,750 = $181,250 and finally

Your taxes for 2010 will be based on the assessment amount of

$181,250 + $18,750 = $200,000

Presumably the mill rate will go DOWN over the next 4 years, so that as your assessment value rises, your taxes don't go through the roof. Because no one wants to see a mass exodus out of West Hartford.

If you have questions on any of this, please call or email me, I'd be happy to help explain it more thoroughly, (860) 655-2125 or bergquista@raveisre.com.

Berry Season is Upon Us...

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:15:38 -0500

June is finally here, which means that it's the start of berry picking season. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries. We kick off the summer with strawberries and then work our way through the rest.

If you're like me and don't mind getting some straw stuck in your knees and burning up in the sun, a great place for Pick-Your-Own berries is Rose's Berry Farm in Glastonbury. There are two locations, the main farm at Matson Hill and the Wickham Hill Farm Stand located on Hebron Avenue. It's always best to call before you go, as the different locations are open on different days and you never know when the crop will be ready, picked out, etc. Just dial 860-633-7467 and you'll get a recorded message telling you what's available and at which location.

In addition to picking berries, Rose's has excellent local food products for sale. They are also well known for their Sunday brunch (at the main farm only), so stop by to enjoy a delicious meal with the freshest berries available.

Discover Farmington Avenue- Saturday June 9

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 30 May 2007 19:59:34 -0500

"DISCOVER THE AVENUE" is on Saturday, June 9th, 12-5pm, rain or shine, on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. This street festival is sponsored by the Farmington Avenue Alliance and celebrates the arts, culture, architecture, and history of our Farmington Avenue neighborhood. There will be trolley rides, activities at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, music at the corner of Girard and Farmington Avenues, architectural walks in the neighborhood, an exploration of the Park River, artists exhibiting their work for sale, clowns, plein air artists painting neighborhood sites, and more. Here's an outline of the events:

MAIN EVENTS
Noon to 5:00PM
Harriet Beecher Stowe Birthday Celebration
Location: Forest & Farmington

Nook Farm Green Arts & Crafts Show & Music
Location: Farmington & Woodland

Corner of Girard/Farmington
Swing to gospel, soul, R & B, and reggae in an afternoon of music sponsored by West End Civic Association featuring Tony Harrington, Precise and local performers.

TOURS
Hartford Preservation Alliance Walking Tours
Meet at Nook Farm Green, Farmington & Woodland
12 noon - Nook Farm
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Park River
4 p.m. Asylum Hill (Woodland/Niles)

Immanuel Church
Location: Farmington & Woodland
Sanctuary open all afternoon, organ and bell ringing demonstrations

MUSIC
Stowe Center
Strolling musicians, drumming, community choirs

Nook Farm Green
America's Music...Celtic Roots. The Boys of Wexford featuring P.V. O'Donnell, fiddle, John Taub, accordion, Paul Recker, "Old Time Country," Claudine Langille, banjo and mandolin.

Immanuel Church
Organ

Corner of Girard/Farmington
Tony Harrington, featured vocalist. Gospel, soul, R & B, and reggae

The Hartford Insurance Group
10-piece salsa band, Mikata

ART/DANCE
Art and crafts for show and display at Nook Farm Green.
Clowns, mimes, street entertainers, Praise Dancers at the West End Community Center.
International art exhibit at The Hartford, with salsa band and free dance lessons.

KIDS' ACTIVITIES
West End Community Center
Location: 461 Farmington Ave.
Children's Playscape, face painting, water balloons games, pony rides.

Stowe Center
Carriage rides, hat decorating, drumming, lawn croquet

Nook Farm Green
Bead table

Immanuel Church
Face painting

Noah Webster School
Location: 5 Cone Street
June Fair - games for young children

FOOD
Refreshments at Stowe Center, Mark Twain House café, Nook Farm Green, West End Community Center, avenue restaurants.

GETTING AROUND-FREE
Trolley - 8 stops runs all day
CT Transit bus - no fare with day pass (at information table, Nook Farm Green)
Walking - all Farmington Ave events are within 6 blocks

PARKING
All legal spaces on street
Clemens Place (enter Mark Twain
House driveway on Farmington Ave.)
Sherman Street - UConn Law School
Sherman Street - Hartford Seminary
Forest Street - lots with signs
Woodland Street - lots with signs
Farmington & Kenyon - Kinko's lot (aka West End Plaza)

Celebrate West Hartford- June 2 & 3

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:47:47 -0500

Every year West Hartford has a weekend-long community celebration. This year's event will take place next weekend on June 2 and 3. You can enjoy a multitude of vendors selling arts and crafts, games and rides for kids, a 5K race, and some great food. The celebration takes place in West Hartford Center along Main Street.

Celebrate West Hartford is held rain or shine. Make plans to stop by for a few hours to check out the sites and the progress of Blue Back Square. Here's a link to the official website if you'd like more info.

West End Market Data

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:02:23 -0500

How Much Do You Love Your Neighborhood?

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:26:37 -0500

I live in the West End of Hartford and really love my neighborhood. The houses are charming, unique, and have great history behind them. We can walk to excellent restaurants and downtown Hartford is just a short bike or bus ride away. The roses at Elizabeth Park are about to bloom and free evening concerts will be starting in June. There are so many reasons that I love where I live.

There is one group of neighbors though, that really celebrates their block and have a strong sense of community. The first block of Kenyon Street created a website that outlines the history of their block and all of the fantastic activities that they participate in throughout the year. It's a unique occurrence these days to see neighbors so involved with each other, and I think they should be commended.

How do you go about building a sense of community in your neighborhood?

Asylum Hill Spring Walking Tour and Open House

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:21:18 -0500

If you love the historic architecture in Hartford, there is a great event for you to attend this weekend in the Asylum Hill district. The Hartford Preservation Alliance is hosting a guided walking tour through the Ashley Street historic neighborhood on Saturday May 19, starting at 12:00pm. On Sunday May 20, from 12:00pm-3:00pm, there will be an open house tour of vintage Victorian homes and gardens in the same area. You can also enjoy local cuisine and performances by the Hartford Children's Theatre as they portray Victorian children from the 19th century.

Tickets are $10 for each day or $15 for both days. The events will happen rain or shine and the meeting spot will be Veeder Place at 20 Sargeant Street in Hartford. You can get more info by calling (860) 570-0331 or emailing info@hartfordpreservation.org.

Gardener? Check Out Hartford's Regional Market

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Fri, 11 May 2007 12:02:43 -0500

If you have any interest in gardening, you might want to check out the Hartford Regional Market at 101 Reserve Road for fantastic deals on annuals, perennials, ornamental shrubs, and warm weather vegetable seedlings. The Spring season draws farmers and growers from the greater Hartford region each Saturday, starting at 4:00am. Yes, I did say 4:00am, you really need to be an early bird to participate in this event. But if you love gardening or need some shrubs for your yard, it's a great place to choose from a wide variety, typically for 50% of the price you would pay at a local gardening center or Home Depot.

A few tips I've picked up over the years..

1. Arrive early, before 6:00am if possible. There are typically about 2,000 people that will come to shop, so you want to get there early so you can avoid traffic and choose from the best selection possible.

2. If you have a wagon, bring it. Because of the crowds, you'll park away from the vendors. You'll be buying flats of plants that aren't easy to carry. So if you can put them in a wagon, your excursion will be more enjoyable.

3. No need to shower. No one else wants to get up at 5:00am on the weekend (or weekdays for that matter), so just put on a baseball cap, some sweatpants, and you're good to go.

4. Directions. If you can avoid using Exit 27 off I-91, by all means, please do so. The traffic can be a pain. Here are some alternate routes that are suggested.

A Referendum on the Way in West Hartford?

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:23:01 -0500

According to an article today in the Hartford Courant, the West Hartford Taxpayers Association (WHTA) is about 400 signatures away from forcing a referendum on the recently adopted town budget.

While I understand the concern that property taxes will rise by approximately 6.6% for all West Hartford homeowners, I don't believe cutting the budget is the way to go. West Hartford draws and retains residents because of the perception of excellent services and the public school system it offers. Every weekend I see evidence of this when people from Bloomfield, New Britain, Newington, etc. flood open houses. The reason they are looking to move? "I want my kids to go to the West Hartford schools."

If the WHTA is successful in collecting the necessary signatures, their recommendation will be to cap the budget at increases of no more than 2.5% each year. Since inflation is typically 2.5-3%, essentially they are suggesting that the town remain at status quo and just grow with inflation. However, the West Hartford school system cannot afford to shift to status quo. Since 1996, the WH public schools have seen total enrollment increase by 16.3%. Additionally, the district faces the challenge of 18% of students with English as a second language and 12% of the students qualifying for special education programs. The result of capping the budget increase would be to reduce the spending on the bulk of the students to provide necessary special services. If West Hartford wishes to maintain its reputation regarding public schools, then it needs to continue investing in the education of its youngsters. That will not be achieved by arbitrarily capping the budget.

Newington Ridge Town Homes

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:48:39 -0500

Yesterday a client and I visited the Newington Ridge town homes, a new Toll Brothers community of 72 town homes off of Routes 5 and 15 in Newington. Sales of the first phase are moving quickly and they will be deciding in the next few days if they will continue construction to build out the entire 72 units.

Newington Ridge offers five different floor plans, with 2 and 3 bedrooms, an option of the master bedroom on the first or second floor, and a standard 2.5 baths. While floor plans are somewhat fixed, I was impressed with the flexible options available to meet buyer's needs. For example, if a buyer wants a master bath with a tub and shower, some plans were flexible enough to accommodate this.

Floor plans are open and airy. The square footage ranges from 1520 to 2298 square feet, depending on the model. Base pricing for the homes we saw ranged from $282,975 to $350,975. The features in the base models are well appointed, with additional trim packages and extras available that move towards the extravagant. It seems that any buyer's needs could be met.

Finally, I would like to mention the helpful staff at the community. We were escorted through various models, both finished and under construction, so my client could see all of the options available. Our guide mentioned how they were able to alter various units to meet specific buyer needs. It's always refreshing to see that the cookie cutter approach is not taken and client's needs and wants are heard and can be realized.

I would recommend visiting this town home community if you are looking for newer construction in the Hartford area.

Brimfield Antiques and Flea Market Show

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:54:57 -0500

Spring is here and with it comes one of my favorite events, the week-long Brimfield Antiques Show, located in Brimfield Massachusetts. For those of you that have never been to Brimfield, it's quite an experience. Thousands of antique dealers come from across the country to peddle their wares from Tuesday through Sunday. There are numerous fields along a mile-long stretch on Route 20 that host the event. Certain fields are open all week, and others are only open for a day or two. The May show (May 8-13 this year) is actually the first of 3 shows for the year. There will be two others, one in July (July 10-15) and one in September (September 4-9).

If you are a new homeowner, Brimfield is a great way to begin furnishing your home. You can find quality older pieces that often cost less than new furniture at a local furniture store. There is an eclectic mix of time periods. My husband and I love furniture from the 1930s and 1940s. Our friend likes the Danish modern style of the 1970s. Brimfield carries it all. And it isn't just about furniture. If you are a collector, you can find just about anything; records, dishware, old prints, vintage fabrics, gardening items, etc. It is truly an overwhelming experience the first time you attend. Plan to spend the good part of the day browsing, as there is so much to see.

Here are a few tips that I've learned over my many visits:

1. Dress comfortably and in layers. You are going to be walking A LOT and most likely you'll be hot by the afternoon.

2. Bring a backpack with water and an easy snack. You can also use this to carry your small treasures. Brimfield also has an outdoor eating area so you can get a more substantial lunch or snack if you choose.

3. If you plan on buying furniture, bring or borrow a truck or SUV. Furniture can be shipped to your house, but it will be expensive.

4. If you go on a Saturday and the weather is going to be nice, get there early because parking will fill up. "Early" is before 10:00am. The fields are typically open from 8:00am-6:00pm.

5. Be prepared to negotiate! This is half the fun. You should always be able to negotiate the price down on an item. Bring cash, checks, and credit cards. Some vendors don't take credit cards, so you need to be prepared with other forms of dough.

6. If you can, make a list of what you're looking for before you go. There is so much to see that it is easy to get distracted and you'll never get through most of the fields.

7. If you have an older home, Brimfield is a great place to find replacement items like glass door knobs, antique lighting fixtures, stained glass windows, etc. My husband and I were lucky enough to find a vintage oak door that we needed for a bathroom addition. Total cost was $25! Try getting that at Home Depot!

Localism Worked! Follow Up...

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:18:00 -0500

Here's the article that was published after I was found through a Localism blog post... Just a little blurb about me, but better than nothing. And now I can use it for publicity!

Conceiving of a Renaissance
West Hartford
offers glimpse
of the future for Naugatuck Republican-American (Waterbury, CT)
April 22, 2007
Author: BY PAUL SINGLEY
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN Estimated printed pages: 5

On a typical weekday night, the downtown is bustling with people eating at restaurants, shopping or sharing a laugh over a drink or an ice cream.

It's not Naugatuck; it's West Hartford. But it's what Naugatuck officials imagine the borough's downtown could become.

Like other communities with struggling centers such as Waterbury, Torrington and Seymour, Naugatuck is looking to revitalize its downtown, and officials there hope to do so by developing a pedestrian friendly town center through "smart growth" planning.

"The concept behind smart growth is that people drive economies," said Chester Cornachia, chairman of Naugatuck's Economic Development Commission. "You live, work and play in the same area. That is what people are looking for these days.

"This concept is not new," he said. "This type of downtown revitalization is happening all over the country. People aren't interested in big box developments on every corner, or urban sprawl."

While there is no one standard definition for smart growth, planners who initiate such strategies usually invest time, attention and resources into restoring a sense of community and vitality into the centers of cities and suburbs, according to the national Smart Growth Network. That group's Web site says modern smart growth is town-centered, transit and pedestrian oriented, and has a mix of housing, commercial and retail uses.

On May 7 borough residents will decide the fate of a downtown revitalization project called Renaissance Place, which local officials say is an example of that type of smart growth. They say Renaissance Place, which has been planned and discussed for more than four years, would create an enticing downtown area that past local government administrations have promised for almost three decades.

That was about the time when the former Uniroyal Chemical Co., a manufacturer for the U.S. Rubber Co. that once employed more than 9,500 people here, laid off most of its Naugatuck-based work force and moved out of town. Naugatuck has struggled since to replace jobs and find new sources of tax revenue.

"It was poor planning when we had all our eggs in that one basket," Cornachia said. "I grew up in Naugatuck in a generation that watched its best and brightest leave the community and not return largely because this is a community that lacked a positive image of itself after Uniroyal left."

He said if Naugatuck had a plan in place before Uniroyal left, the borough would not be in the situation it is now, where many downtown businesses struggle.

"It's just common sense," he said. "It's always better to pre-plan than to than to crisis manage."

Fairfield-based developer Alexius C. Conroy, who proposed Renaissance Place to Naugatuck officials after being contacted by Cornachia almost five years ago, said Blue Back Square in West Hartford is the only project in the state that is like Renaissance Place.

West Hartford has had a vibrant downtown area for many years. And due to an increasing demand for professionals looking to live and shop close to their work places, the center is being expanded through Blue Back Square - a more than 550,000-square-foot mixed-use development in the town's center. The project, still under construction, is already West Hartford's largest taxpayer, recently surpassing the West Farms Mall to top the town's grand list.

"I've heard many Naugatuck residents say that they spend time in the West Hartford center because they love the environment," Conroy said. "They have a pedestrian-friendly downtown area that makes sense, and it works. We're trying to get to that point in Naugatuck, and there is no other plan like this on the horizon for the borough."

Conroy has vowed to put up $152.6 million to build 387 condominium units, 223,800 square feet of retail/commercial space, 170,000 square feet of office space and a 44,300-square-foot movie theater in phase one of the project. If approved and all goes as planned in phase one, Renaissance Place LLC would remain the preferred developer for all four phases, each of which would have to be approved by local officials.

Naugatuck would have to secure $29.2 million to complete phase one, and will look for state and federal grant money to offset the public investment. That money would pay for parking garages and other infrastructure improvements.

Like plans for Renaissance Place, Blue Back Square will bring new shopping and dining venues, professional office space, condominiums and apartments to West Hartford's already vibrant downtown. Two years ago, voters there approved the plan 2 to 1 at a referendum, thus allowing the town to bond more than $48 million to build parking garages and make other infrastructure improvements, including renovations to town buildings. Blue Back Square developers will put up $110 million for their projects.

Amy Bergquist, a residential Realtor in West Hartford, tracks downtown real estate concerns in that town on her Internet blog. She stays tuned into the talk of the town, and has blogged many times about Blue Back Square's impact on the downtown area.

"I think a majority of the people here believe it is a good project because it will bring more economic development here," said Bergquist, who does not currently have any clients who have purchased homes in Blue Back Square.

She said most people see the project as a big draw for West Hartford. Still, she said, some longtime residents, who don't want to see their downtown transformed and worry about increased traffic, have fears about the project.

In Naugatuck, there are similar fears about Renaissance Place in part because of its size and scope.

But judging by the numerous "vote yes on Renaissance Place" signs that line storefront windows in downtown, business owners in the borough have no reservations about the proposal.

"All of the businesses down here have been saying Naugatuck needs a draw for a long time," said Steve Williams, owner of Naugatuck Pawn and Jewelry on Church Street, who supports Renaissance Place. "We need a project that gets people out and about because the business community down here has been struggling, and many good businesses have moved out."

Iggy's House- Free MLS Listings

Amy Bergquist, ABR, GRI (William Raveis Real Estate) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:44:22 -0500

I just learned about Iggy's House today, an online site that lists homes on the various MLS' for free.

Have any of you seen this in action? I had heard of BuySide Realty, but never Iggy's House. It appears that no one is using this in my area, yet. When I do a search, I get no results.

Have you seen buyers start demanding a portion of the commission yet in your area? I'm under the belief that CA is usually the leader in "new strategies" and then it eventually spreads across the US.

Care to share your experiences?