THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 94 MINER STREETMIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 Strawberry Shortcake Festival (and craft sale)   Thursday, June 9th, 2011 from 11:30am to 4:30pm (Approx)   The Third Congregational Church on 94 Miner Street in Middletown, CT is holding its annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival, tomorrow, Thursday, June 9th from 11:30am to 4:30pm. This festival has been going on for over 120 years.. yes, you heard me correctly 120 years. People in the area look forward to this event every year. The strawberries are native to the area and picked fresh. Even the biscuits for this heavenly dessert are made from scratch.  Guess what is on top of fresh strawberries and homemade biscuits.. what tastes better... you got it REAL HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM. My mouth is salvating already. If you haven't... 06/08/2011

PAY IT FORWARD.... It only took a quarter.  After this holiday weekend, and having 5 teenage boys over my house, I needed to go grocery shopping... again.  Seems this is a neverending scenario. Someone recommended, Aldi's, Supermarket in Middletown CT.  I've been to this store, but not for quite some time, I completely forgot about it.  This makes a lot of sense, prices at this store are about ½ price there compared to others around. So this past Tuesday, I went to Aldi's, got a carriage and loaded up on food.  After putting the groceries into my van, I went to return the carriage.  At this store in order to get a carriage you need to deposit a quarter into a slot in each one in order to use it. As I was going over, I noticed a woman that was going through her purse, shaking it, trying ... 06/05/2011

FREE EVENT IN MIDDLETOWN CT.. come shred your papers.  The town of Middletown CT is extending their Earth Day, by having a "Shred Free Event".  This coming Saturday, April 30th, 2011 you can bring up to 6 boxes of paper to be shredded... FOR FREE.  This event is being sponsored by the Middletown Public Works and Water & Sewer Departments.   With all the cut backs we are seeing, it is nice to see Middletown CT put the people of the town first.   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 a... 04/28/2011

This does not happen every day, and I wanted to share that when you price a property correctly... IT WILL SELL. I did a CMA for a client at 843 Middle Street, Middletown, CT.  I spent time with her and went over all her options.  She took my suggestion of listing the property a *little* under Median price... which stood out from other listings in the area. She might have priced it a *little* low, but she doesn't want to sit on the property month after month waiting for an offer.  Only to have to lower the price again... to where it is NOW. After an open house I had.. thanks to my stuffed bear.... we had a multi offer situation... haven't seen this in years.  She might have priced it a little low initially, but the multi offer brought it over the Median price... IN LESS THAN 9 DAYS..... ... 04/19/2011

Please don't give my client a heart attack.. she's 88 years young!    This was the thought going through my mind last night when I received a call from the local gas company. My client is selling her home and is scheduled to close TOMORROW.  Last night on my way to dinner, when I was 40 minutes away from the area, I received a call from the local gas company saying that when the buyer requested us to switch the utility into his name, he mentioned that he smelt gas in the kitchen... 3 weeks ago when he was there for the home inspection. What the @#@%#???  Why wasn't this brought to our attention when the home inspection was going on?  Why didn't the buyer's agent call me to let me know this?  I was just in this home last week, and smelt NOTHING.  The dispatcher on the other end of the ph... 04/14/2011

What a bike was born to do from David Hellman on Vimeo.As I sit here and think back, I first became cognizant of cancer when I was in boy scouts.  A member of our patrol had what I think was leukemia, I can't recall exactly, but I'm pretty sure he needed a bone marrow transplant. He didn't get it, and he passed. That was nearly 17-20 years ago. Since then, I have worked many jobs. Paper routes, grocery stores, as an EMT, in the casino and hospitality business, and now in real estate. Every where I have worked and lived, from the east coast to the west, I can think of someone that I have had a friendship with that has been affected by the disease. Cancer can arise in any organ of the body and strikes one of every two American men and one of every three American women at some point in the... 04/09/2011

HOLDING AN OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH FROM 1:00 TO 3:00 PM (COME SEE *TEDDY*.. my mascot) OPEN HOUSE, 23 CANDLEWOOD LANE, MIDDLETOWN CT, SUNDAY MARCH 20TH FROM 1:00 TO 3:00 PM 23 Candlewood Lane MIDDLETOWN, CT Do you collect classic/antique cars? Then this home is for you. This home can accomodate up to 5 vehicles.. includes lift. 3BR/2BA Single Family House $349,900 Year Built 1988 Sq Footage 2,064 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 4+ Car garage Lot Size 35,719 sqft HOA/Maint $18 per month DescriptionPark like setting, built in 1988, Midway between Boston, New York, & Providence, 3 BR, 2 BTH, DR, LR W/FP, EI KIT, FR, 5 car garage, large treed lot. This home is in a private central CT community. Large heated enclosed porch for year round use, Can't stress enoug... 03/17/2011

Middletown CT Market Report for February 2011   My market report gives you the real estate activity for the town of Middletown CT for the month of February.  Middletown is a great residential town with easy access into Hartford, and is an excellent location for first time home buyers because of the values of the homes.  If you are a seller and are strongly thinking of putting your home on the market, I would encourage you to see what your property is worth.   If you are looking to purchase a home, now is an excellent time to do so.  Real estate in Middlesex County is an excellent investment, prices or at their best, the selection is great, and the rates are still low.    Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs, whether you are a seller, or purchasing a home.  860.8... 03/16/2011

I was holding an open house today in Middlesex County in the town of Middletown... which some of you are aware of.  As I was walking around the grounds I came across this purple Crocus in bloom... this is also my favorite color.  You will also notice one ready to open up any day to the left of this one.  SPRING IS IN THE AIR!! 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 ... 03/13/2011

If you are thinking about listing your Connecticut Real Estate for sale anytime soon, you need accurate real estate market information.  You really need to consult with a full time REALTOR.  Working with an experienced Connecticut Real Estate professional can save you some serious time and aggravation. It's important that you have a Connecticut Real Estate professional that will not just tell you what they think you want to hear. I am that Connecticut Real Estate professional! You are thinking about selling your Connecticut Real Estate, and start checking out prices. WARNING: Just because your neighbors have listed their home for a certain price doesn't mean that they are right or that it will even sell.  IN ADDITION: For Sale By Owners (FSBO's) are also not a proper way to gauge what ... 02/17/2011

I am a little late in posting this, but I figured I better put up a couple of pictures, before the next storm hits this week.  I don't know about everyone one else in Middletown, Connecticut, but I am beginning to wonder if the "Snow In Middletown Connecticut ........ Will It Ever STOP!!!" I have lived in New England most of my life, and I have live through some years of a lot of snow.  I was even stuck in the Blizzard of 1978 for three days.  That snow storm dumped 33" where I lived in RI in one shot.  But I have never seen this much snow at one time on the ground.  We have had three huge storms in less than 30 days.  The first was dumped about 12", the next 24", and this last one 15" where I live in Middletown, Connecticut.  This was not it, because in between those three huge storms ... 01/30/2011

At the beginning of last month I wrote a blog FHA Condominium Expiration Dates Extended about HUD extending the deadlines on FHA Condominium Approved Complexes.  Last week HUD made it official by coming out with Mortgagee Letter ML 2011-03 formally putting it in writing the guidelines for the extension.  This Mortgagee Letter clarifies the guidelines for extending the extensions previously provided in Mortgagee Letter ML 2009-46A issued in 2009.  Mortgagee Letter ML 2009-46A provided the guidelines for approval of condominiums and expiration dates FHA case numbers assigned on or after December 7, 2009 through December 31. On December 10th of last year I wrote in my blog that the expiration dates had been extended, but with different extensions depending on when the Condo Complex was app... 01/14/2011

Fannie Mae announced last week it's new Loan Level Price Adjustments for  (LLPA) for all loans that are Rate Locked on and after Monday January 17th.  The revised Level Price Adjustments will also apply to conventional conforming loans locked prior to January 17th that request a rate lock extension with a new rate lock expiration date greater than February 18, 2011.   This means that if a Borrower is purchasing a home with a Conventional Mortgage that will be backed by Fannie Mae, and they have a Credit Score of 740 or higher, and are making a downpayment of 20% to 24.09% they will be assessed .25 points on their loan by Fannie Mae.  That to me is what I would call over the top, and unreasonable. A Borrower that has a Credit Score of 740 or higher is a great borrower, one that manages h... 01/12/2011

Today is New Year's Eve, and my wife and I will be Bring In The New Year quietly together in our house, and enjoying a glass of Portuguese Port Wine.  Our years of partying and whooping it up are long gone, and we just enjoy a nice quiet evening together at home counting down the seconds to the New Year in front of our TV Set. Today was a productive day, I Pre-Qualified a First Time Homebuyer, and Locked in a rate for a Borrower that I will be meeting with early next week.  In fact the week even though it was a short week in which everyone seemed to be winding down, i turned in two loans, and have two more already lined up for next week.  For me this is a good way to end the present year, and a great way to bring in the new. Tomorrow will be of a day of celebrating with our family, and ... 12/31/2010

Thanks for stopping by to www.BuyCTRealEstate.com! Here is a link to the most up to date, current listings in Middletown Connecticut. Also feel free to click the additional links below for other features. Of course if you need help at anytime, just call me at 860-539-5373! Current Middletown CT properties for sale Search Everything! - Search all active listings in CT currently available from all agencies.   Auto-Search - Receive automatic notifications of properties that match specific criteria entered by you. Totally customizable, totally automatic, totally free! See Carl's Listings - See only Carl's current listings.   Carl's Sold Properties - A small sampling of recently sold properties by Carl. Carl's Testimonials - See what people are saying about Carl's service! Carl Guild provid... 11/26/2010

  This past week William Walton asked me if I would post a blog on Assuming A Mortgage.  William has been getting some questions on what is involved in  Assuming A Mortgage and wanted to see what is involved in doing that. First of all an Assumption of a Mortgage is in the simplest terms: An agreement between the buyer and seller where a buyer takes over a seller's mortgage and becomes responsible for making the monthly payments. This can be a big advantage to both the Buyer and the Seller.  The Buyer purchases the house without incurring some of the closing costs involved in the purchase of a home, and the Seller is likely to get a higher selling price for his house.  Also the Buyer assumes the mortgage at the Seller's existing interest rate.  Another advantage to the Buyer is that th... 11/13/2010

LADIES AID, HOLIDAY BAZAAR  THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 94 MINER STREETMIDDLETOWN, CT  06457 NOVEMBER 13, 2010  FROM 10:00AM TO 2:00 PM Are you getting into the holiday spirit.. or want to?  If so, the ladies Aid of the Third Congregational Church in Middletown Connecticut is holding their annual Holiday Bazaar tomorrow, November 13th, 2010 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Thinking you should have coffee first before you go?  Don't bother.. they are having a coffee and cookie bar.  So between the caffeine and the sugar from the cookiess.. you will be flying. Start your Christmas shopping early by purchasing handcrafted gifts and/or homemade cookies and baked goods.  Come with friends and meet some there.  You can even enjoy lunch of a quiche, corn chowder, clam chowder and homemade sandwiches (e... 11/12/2010

Don't believe everything you hear. Homes ARE selling here in Central Connecticut! Check this out!  List Price: $146,900 Sale Price: 145,000 Contract Date: 9/9/10 Close Date 10/15/10 DAYS ON MARKET ... 21! So what's the North Star Real Estate Recipe for Home Sale Success?  1. Combine the Right Price, with a pinch of time and money to make your home look it's very best.  2. Add the North Star Condo Marketing Experts, let simmer for a few days.  3. Add a pre-approved buyer to the mix, then let the North Star Real Estate Professionals work their magic negotiating the best deal and managing the transaction to the very end.      4. Savor your warm and inviting new home and share with your friends and family just in time for the holidays ... Enjoy!  SOLD in 21 Days! Quail Run Village 161 Cynth... 10/20/2010

Americans older than the age of twenty five may recall acquiring their first credit card through a parent's mailbox unsolicited around age 18, enabling them to be a credit card holder and to incur any debt associated with it.  In the past, young adults received credit cards having no credit history and no proof of income.  As late as 2009, it was very easy for people under the age of 21 to be approved for credit cards upon simple application.     Controversy surrounding credit card use by those under 21 has received attention as more and more Americans are haunted by bad credit. A recent study concluded that 9 out of 10 students attending college admitted to charging school expenses to their credit cards.  The trend remains as school costs continue to rise while teen and college employm... 09/12/2010

THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 94 MINER STREET MIDDLETOWN, CT  06457 Tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day here in Connecticut.  If you and your family are looking for something to do, and make a day of it.  May I suggest you attending the annual Fun Fair? I went last year and the BBQ alone is worth the trip.  OMG!!  I could not get enough.  There are games for the children, and entertainment to boot. So come on over to The Third Congretational Church on 94 Miner Road in Middletown CT.  You won't regret it.   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, Ro... 09/11/2010