BUNKER HILL-WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE – MARKET UPDATE NOVEMBER 2009
Here’s a look at the recent data for the real estate market in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury , CT :
Active Listings
64
New Listings
0
Average List Price
$ 18 3,432
Median List Price
$179,900
Average Sq. Ft.
1583
Median Sq. Ft.
1517
There are 64 homes for sale in Bunker Hill-Waterbury, CT area, of which 10 were just listed in the lastmonth. The average size of the homes for sale in the Bunker Hill section of Waterburyhas remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury , CT:
List Price
Houses
%
< 150,000
13
20
150,000-200,000
33
52
200,000-250,000
13
20
>250,000
5
8
You can search for homes for sale in the Bunker Hill and surrounding neighborhoods of Waterbury , CT by visiting William’s Places !
And here are the home s for sale just listed in October in the Bunker Hill section of Waterbury , CT :
Address
L/Price
ADOM
17 KATINA DR
259,900
2
200 HERSCHEL AVE
119,900
3
68 DELAWARE AVE
115,000
6
73 GLENVIEW AVE
149,900
12
5 SPRING HILL AVE
189,900
13
40 VENICE AVE
154,900
14
60 OAKWOOD AVE
199,900
16
845 BUNKER HILL AVE
180,000
20
62 WHITE BIRCH DR
184,900
24
27 MAPLEWOOD ST
184,900
27
Now, for a look at what has sold in the Bunker Hill-Waterbury, CT area:
Closed Listings – 8
Average
Median
Days on Market
35
22
List Price
$168,275
$167,450
Sale Price
$161,044
$162,000
Sq. Ft.
1538
1503
LP/Sq. Ft.
$113.00
$110.3
SP/Sq. Ft.
$108.19
$107.87
SP/LP Ratio
96%
96%
These were the eight homes that won the homes sold contest in the real estate market for Bunker Hill-Waterbury, CT :
MERIDEN-WOODTICK WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE – MARKET UPDATE NOVEMBER 2009
Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury's East End real estate market :
Active Listings
31
New Listings
0
Average List Price
$167,539
Median List Price
$167,900
Average Sq. Ft.
1371
Median Sq. Ft.
1348
There are 31 homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury CT’s East End community, 8 of which were just placed on the market in the last month. The average size of the homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick neighborhood has remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices of homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick Waterbury, CT neighborhood:
List Price
Houses
%
< 100,000
1
3
100,001-150,000
13
42
150,001-200,000
10
32
>200,001
7
23
And these are the new homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury's East End :
Address
L/Price
ADOM
267 COURTLAND AVE
124,900
2
651 MERIDEN RD
124,900
4
54 BETH LANE
136,900
10
34 BLUE TRAIL DR
169,900
19
169 CHERYL JANE DR
229,000
27
159 BETH LN
138,000
29
54 PETERSON AVE
149,900
30
240 WOODTICK RD
124,900
30
You can search for homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick and surrounding East End neighborhoods of Waterbury, CT by visiting William’s Places !
Now, for a look at what has sold in the Meriden-Woodtick area:
Closed Listings – 2
Average
Median
Days on Market
20
20
List Price
$113,400
$113,400
Sale Price
$119,750
$119,750
Sq. Ft.
1245
1245
LP/Sq. Ft.
$92.48
$92.48
SP/Sq. Ft.
$97.20
$97.20
SP/LP Ratio
113%
113%
The Meriden-Woodtick area of Waterbury’s East End has seen a decline in the number of homes that have sold over the last month when compared to previous months.
These were the two homes that won the homes sold contest in the Meriden-Woodtick neighborhood of Waterbury’s East End :
East Mountain-Waterbury, CT Real Estate – Market Update November 2009
Here’s a look at what’s been happening in Waterbury’s East Mountain real estate market :
Active Listings
20
New Listings
0
Average List Price
$182,960
Median List Price
$177,450
Average Sq. Ft.
1561
Median Sq. Ft.
1458
There are 20 homes for sale in the East Mountain neighborhood of Waterbury, CT ; of those, three were listed in the last month. The average size of the homes for sale has remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the East Mountain-Waterbury, CT neighborhood:
List Price
Houses
%
< 150,000
6
30
150,001-200,000
9
45
200,001-250,000
3
15
>250,000
2
10
These are the newly listed homes for sale on the market in the East Mountain neighborhood in October:
Address
L/Price
ADOM
164 EASTSIDE BLVD
184,900
23
380 PEACH ORCHARD RD
149,900
19
883 PEARL LAKE RD
94,900
12
You can search for homes for sale in East Mountain or the surrounding neighborhoods by visiting William’s Places!
Now, for a look at what has sold in the East Mountain area:
Closed Listings – 6
Average
Median
Days on Market
98
28
List Price
$121,050
$126,750
Sale Price
$120,167
$129,500
Sq. Ft.
1232
1244
LP/Sq. Ft.
$97.48
$103.04
SP/Sq. Ft.
$97.01
$105.96
SP/LP Ratio
100%
98%
Six homes have sold in the month of Octoberin the East Mountain area of Waterbury, CT real estate market . This is double the number of homes that have sold, on average, over the last several months.
The East Mountain neighborhood is the only one in Waterbury so far that has its own website, so to get a look at what's happening in the East Mountain neighborhood of Waterbury , CT , stop by http://www.eastmountainct.com/ .
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Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT Real Estate – Market Update November 2009
Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the Bucks Hill real estate market in the past month:
Active Listings
21
New Listings
0
Average List Price
$ 190,318
Median List Price
$17 6,900
Average Sq. Ft.
1 561
Median Sq. Ft.
1 555
There are 21 homes for sale , 4 of which were just listed in October in the Bucks Hill neighborhood of Waterbury, CT . There are some rather decently sized homes in the Bucks Hill neighborhood. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT neighborhood:
List Price
Houses
%
< 100 ,000
0
0
100,001-150,000
4
19
150,001-200,000
11
52
>200,001
6
29
You can search for homes for sale in the Bucks Hill and surrounding neighborhoods by visiting William’s Places!
And these are the latest homes for sale to join the market in the Bucks Hill area:
Address
L/Price
ADOM
28 FIELD WOOD RD
239,900
14
8 HIDDEN POND RD
209,000
6
0 RED MAPLE LANE 15
294,000
23
4 RUNNING BROOK DR
199,900
20
Now, to see what has sold in the Bucks Hill area of Waterbury, CT :
Closed Listings – 3
Average
Median
Days on Market
37
41
List Price
$162,683
$174,900
Sale Price
$163,150
$180,000
Sq. Ft.
1631
1750
LP/Sq. Ft.
$103.23
$108.51
SP/Sq. Ft.
$103.00
$108.11
SP/LP Ratio
100%
100%
The 3 homes that sold in the Bucks Hill neighborhood of Waterbury, CT in October showed a remarkable improvement from September’s performance.
Even in a severe buyer's market, it's possible to get multiple offers on a property within the first week of placing a home on the market. The key is to have the property in move-in condition. According to a CAR report, here in our state of Connecticut, home sales are down over 20% through September, and prices are down almost 15% compared with 2008. However, houses that are in move-in condition have not dropped in value within that same period, and can also experience not only multiple offers, but offers over asking.
Perception vs. reality: Buyers perceive this as their market, and many are willing to wait until the right house comes along, which is usually one that does not need a lot of work. With interest rates being low, it makes sense for buyers to pay a little more up front and wrap the cost into their low interest mortgages, rather that to just buy a house that will require thousands of dollars in renovations. When those ‘just right' houses come on the market a buyer's market can turn into a seller's market, as those previously patient buyers all rush to the same property. If someone wants a house that is all dressed up with nothing to do, there becomes little room for negotiations. The houses do have to be competitively priced, but they're still in a different league than homes that have a lot of wallpaper, old carpeting and a dated kitchen. Cosmetically challenged homes just don't sell!
Move-in Magic: Not every house can achieve that special aura without a substantial investment, but if the kitchen is already updated and the house is in generally good condition, sellers can make small improvements that can lead to a big payoff. Getting rid of clutter and depersonalizing a home is the first step in that direction. The home needs to show it's best features and be inviting to a prospective buyer so that they can visualize them in the house and not the current occupants. When they walk through the front door, they want to live there. Doing little things like removing oversized furniture that really doesn't belong there is a first step. Cleaning up the outside and repairing the exterior is the beginning. Packing up all the excess possessions and either storing them neatly in the basement, or in a rental unit also helps. The house needs to look neat and not like a storage locker.
The above sellers spent $1,700 to get the driveway repaved and created an immediate marekt for theri home as it became more inviting.
Getting rid of old wallpaper will make the home look cleaner and more inviting. Thoroughly cleaning out the bathrooms and at least giving it a new coat of paint will off set the older tiles. Little thing and small dollars will go a long way to having a home be more presentable and attractive to a buyer with limited resources.
Market with Opportunity: Fixer uppers will always carry their place in any market. There are investors with vision and a lot of contractors that need work. When buyers see past cosmetic issues like wallpaper and carpeting, they will be able to grab a bargain. Once buyer's start to see dollar signs they no longer see potential. The key is to allow the buyers to see the potential and have them understand that a little bit of effort and work will get them a great deal of value. If the seller is accommodating and willing to make some changes, interest can pick up immediately.
Whether looking to buy or sell, we service the Greater Waterbury towns of Beacon Falls, Bethany, Cheshire, Naugatuck, Middlebury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown and Wolcott
Helping someone gain experience is never easy. One can always try to be helpful, but there are just too many questions to be answered, and only so much time to do it. What experiences should I share? What events should I include? Which ones do I leave out? If I tell this story, will it have the intended effect? What if I don’t sufficiently answer the question, or provide what the person is looking for?
To gain experience in anything here, all one has to do is ask…or look. Here on ActiveRain, so many have provided simple, yet brilliant, ways in which those of us who are just starting out in whatever endeavor (whether it be as new real estate agents or new bloggers, it does not matter) can get better at our business, whether it be through sharing advice, or providing new tools to use.
Sometimes less is definitely more. I was recently asked by a new Rainer in my area, Aaron Ramkalawan, to share some tips to help him become a better agent. I had started out writing The Road To Experience... with just that purpose in mind, but realized that my personal narrative might not have been the best vehicle in which to deliver the results that he was expecting. So, I’ve compiled a list of blogs that I’ve come across in the Rain that address very pointedly the question: How do I become a better real estate agent? I’m quite sure that there’s more, so if anyone wants to suggest some other blogs that you’ve seen, leave a link in the comments!
I wonder how many of us realize that our experiences did not come from sitting in class after class of useful but otherwise mindless tedium. I say that tongue in cheek, of course, because we all know that experience doesn't come from listening so much as it comes from doing. As the old adage says, experience is the best teacher...
There is wisdom to be gained from making mistakes. Do I sound cliché’? The truth of the matter is, without having messed up somewhere along the way, how would we have known that what we were doing, or how we were doing it, wasn’t quite right? And would we have recognized it ourselves? More often than not, it was the observation of someone more experienced than us in whatever endeavor we were engaged in who pointed out that there was a better way…
One has to be willing to try anything in order to become better at it. The willingness to take risks and be exposed to ridicule if one fails is at the heart of every person’s attempt to gain experience in whatever field they are in. Especially if they are in real estate …
Everyone’s road to experience starts in the same place, but not in the same way. I distinctly remember my first experience as a real estate agent. I had an aunt who passed away two years prior to my becoming an agent and my cousin, her nephew, was designated as the executor of the estate. He wanted to get rid of the property, and fast. We listed it in July and it was sold within a month. Great, right? Nope. Within days of having received that initial offer, I received several more, at a higher price....but had already accepted the first offer. Lesson learned: when dealing with properly priced properties, never jump at the first opportunity.
The road to experience is different for everyone. As I continued, I started making cold calls…but it wasn’t a cold call to an expired listing that landed me my next listings. As soon as we sold my aunt’s first property, a property that her recently deceased niece had was also placed in my cousin’s hands to deal with…and we listed that one. Had a ton of showings, but it wasn’t until December that that one closed. In the meantime, I was riding around looking for FSBO’s and for properties that looked like they needed to be sold – abandoned properties that were an eyesore or just looked pitiful and in desperate need of someone to love them enough to fix them up. Sure enough, I found quite a few. There was one in particular I had found that I was lucky enough to actually speak with the owner, who was a local man who indeed wanted to get rid of the property. That one was listed at the end of October, and was sold before Christmas. Lesson learned: you have to try to get business in order to get business.
The road to experience often has unexpected twists and turns, and an occasional pothole or two. Or even more. It was now January of 2008, and I was determined to continue making cold calls, and sending letters, to expireds and distressed property owners in the hopes that I could contact enough of them to have the same success that I had in my first 4 months as an agent. It didn’t happen. Oh, I got a listing – one that was so hopeless, that even after a price reduction and an extension, could not be sold. I let that one go. Another listing I got, the owner had needs that the market at that time couldn’t bear -yet I took the listing, and, with only three or four showings on it, when its time was up, we let that one go, too. I soon began to despair. Another listing was procured, but this one was hopeless, too, but for different reasons – uncooperative tenants. Upon the advice of their lawyer, the owners withdrew that one from the market…and at some point thereafter, it became a bank-owned property. December was now upon me, and I had nothing to show for it. I had buyers who wanted to buy a home, but were not able, or were not ready – and thus, no closings. Sellers? Forget it. It just didn’t happen for me in 2008. Lessons learned: nothing is certain in real estate; many variables can make or break a deal; I had to do something different in order to be successful.
The only way to gain experience is to stay on the road. Indeed, that’s exactly what I did at the beginning of 2009, and I am so glad I did. Our coach, Ralph Williams, gave me the needed boost that I needed, and it was that very day that I embarked on my incredible journey here on ActiveRain . I started doing less of what was not working for me as an agent, and started laying the groundwork for a spectacular year, with more to follow. I have picked up so many new ideas and tools to use in listing presentations, in my buyer consultations, and just for my business as a real estate agent in general that even though I have not yet gotten where I want to be, I am further along now than I have ever been. Lesson learned: don’t quit, even when it seems hopeless.
But I could be even further along if I had some help. I said earlier that it is usually someone else who points out to us where we can do better, and in real estate, having a mentor from the start is definitely the way to go. Sure, talking with your broker, attending meetings and training sessions are all good, but nothing beats having that one-on-one relationship with another realtor who has been where you are now and can show you, as you go along, what pitfalls to avoid (if possible). My particular situation– being a “part-timer” – was noted by a friend of mine recently as a detriment to having such a mentoring relationship (side note: He could be my mentor, but he’s the broker for a competing firm. Drat.), but I have made up in my mind to find such a one in my office. I should have done that a long time ago. That way, I can continue on the road to experience, and eventually get to the place where I can help someone else along the way.
Looking for information about homes in the Greater Waterbury area?
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Driving on my way to school on last Saturday, I noticed rows upon rows of pumpkins lined outside of Prospect Town Hall . On my way back home, I was able to stop by and see what it was all about.
Every year, the students in the Prospect elementary schools, from pre-K up to 6 th grade let their imaginations come to life in their decorations of pumpkins, which are then put on display for everyone passing by to see in the Prospect, CT Pumpkin Festival .
It was truly amazing to see what these youngsters came up with. From fairies to princesses to Santa’s to pirates to comic book characters, the Prospect, CT Pumpkin Festival was truly a sight to behold, and a joy to watch.
Of course, it just had to be raining on the day of the Prospect, CT Pumpkin Festival , but it did not matter – people still stopped by to look at the wonderful creations of Prospect’s children. It will be very interesting to see what these creative youngsters come up with next year!
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These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before closing because they had bought furniture for their new home before it actually became their home. Both of them now have beautiful furniture with no home to put them in.
These two buyers were not my clients but it always hurts when I hear of transactions falling apart for reasons that could have been avoided. These 10 commandments (from KWU) are part of the buyer packet I give all my clients when we first meet and I always stress that once they get pre-approved and the process is started, they can't do anything that might affect their credit.
1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.
2. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)!
3. Thou shalt not use credit cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind.
4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing.
5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.
6. Thou shalt not buy furniture.
7. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.
8. Thou shalt not make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.
9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts.
10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.
If you are in the process of buying a home, remember that your credit must not change or be affected in any way until you actually sign the paperwork and get possession of your new home. Lenders will not only look into your credit when you first get pre-approved, they will check it again (and sometimes again and again) before they let you sign the mortgage. If you want to buy new furniture for your home or change jobs, just be patient. There will always be time to do it after the closing.
Looking for information about homes in the Greater Waterbury area?
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Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.