IS THIS FUNNY OR SAD.. YOU DECIDE - 01/26/10 06:56 AM
It is amazing how times change.  We think we are moving forward... but are we?  What are your thoughts?

SCHOOL IN 1957 VERSES 2009
Scenario :Jack goes rabbit shooting before school, pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's rifle,  goes to his car and gets his rifle & chats with Jack about guns.2009 - School goes into lock down, Star Force called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again.. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into … (30 comments)

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR A POTENTIAL CLIENT.... - 01/22/10 12:30 PM
The company I work for is Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell CT, and we are a full serviced independent real estate company.  I'm sure most of you are away of this.
From time to time, we receive calls from potential clients (that might be looking down the pike to buy a home) but are looking to rent for a while,  looking to come in and interview us or have questions.  Being a full service I try to give them the most reliable information I have.
Today, I received a call but have/had no idea how to help this person.  Being there … (8 comments)

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS..... - 01/20/10 06:05 AM
The internet is the first source of information for most people when they looking to buy a new home;

and Realtor.com is the most viewed website for this source.  Usually when a potential buyer sees a property of interest they contact a local Realtor.
Not too long ago, I signed up clients who saw a home on line, and went with a local Realtor.. me... LOL.  The home they saw online ended up not being what they were looking for the one picture did not do the home justice.  However, this did not detour my clients and we continued to look for the ideal home. 
A … (16 comments)

WHY HIRE PROFESSIONALS, WHEN YOU WON'T LISTEN TO THEM???? - 01/15/10 08:31 AM
When it comes to buying and selling property.. even renting property for that matter, there is a lot of stress that comes along with this.  Potential clients are very aware of this.  Hiring a Realtor that looks out for your best interest, and helps in trying to relieve some of this stress.  This is why you have interviewed them and have hired one that you feel is professionial.  Realtors take classes, and continuing ed classes to ensure they are up on all current issues.  There are even Realtors that focus their career on buyers.  They have a designation of ABR (Accredited … (32 comments)

AFFORDABLE 3 BEDROOM RENTAL IN CROMWELL CT - 01/11/10 06:09 PM
FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT Info about the author: Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs. For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market. There is no … (4 comments)

CHANGE OF SEASONS in Cromwell CT.... - 01/09/10 06:51 PM
There are a lot of people that like the change of seasons, but don't enjoy snow.  It seems this year Cromwell, Connecticut isn't getting that much.... again.  Yesterday, Friday, we had a snow fall and as you can see it wasn't much... *maybe* an inch.

... most were happy with this.. I wasn't.  It wasn't even an inch of snow.  Whatever happened to the days when we used to get snow before Thanksgiving... and always had a white Christmas?
Looks like I should be moving further north.. say to New Hampshire, right Steve Loynd?
In the mean time, if you … (18 comments)

HOW TO PICK A LENDER IN TODAY'S MARKET - 01/08/10 05:55 AM
When looking to see how much you qualify for when it comes to buying a home, I'm sure buyers get over whelmed by this thought.  Also, agents when it comes to referring a mortgage officer to your buyers, what factors and qualifications are you taking into account when you decide whom to refer? 
Does the loan officer you refer meet the following qualifications that will give your buyer the best and smoothest transaction?  Here are some guidelines to think about when it comes to this process.
 1)   SERVICE   - Must be available not only 9 - 5 but after hours and weekends to … (20 comments)

43 CEDARLAND COURT, CROMWELL, CT - 01/05/10 08:34 AM
FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT Info about the author: Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs. For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market. There is no … (14 comments)

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION WORKING...!!!!! - 01/04/10 07:10 AM
I wrote a blog about New Year's Resolutions and wanted to let the members here that at this point, this resolution is working.
When it comes to moving forward one needs to be positive.. and I know at times this is hard.  I'm sure we all feel that we are working against the tide when it comes to people saying "How is the real estate market", "I hear real estate isn't moving".. etc.  I'm sure you've all heard this.. however, PMA (positive mental attitude) can change this.
Right before New Year's Eve, I received and email from a couple looking to rent … (18 comments)

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS... WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS??? - 01/01/10 10:52 AM


First, let me say, I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year's Eve last night.  It seems for the most part that ActiveRain members stayed close to home.  So did I. 
It is now the start of 2010, a new decade, and I'm hoping everyone is getting off on the right foot.  We all made resolutions of one form or another.. and I'm sure we are ALL going to stick with them.. at least for the first week. LOL.
I've seen a change in real estate, it is moving forward.. Mayor Bloomberg of NYC stated the same thing last night … (18 comments)