west hartford real estate expert: Excellent Sales Activity in West Hartford for February 2010!
- 03/03/10 05:55 AM
February is a short month which buyers used to purchase just over 2 homes per day in West Hartford! We had 58 homeowners accept contracts (not including sales with hubbard clauses) during this month of snow, winter vacation and two tax credits (up to $8,000 for new buyers and up to $6,500 for existing homeowners purchasing a new primary residence). First, sales in February are up for single-family homes compared either to February, 2009 (58 compared to 37 one year ago) or to January, 2010 ( 34 in January versus 58 in February). The median days-on-market for the sales was 29 days and the median list price was $279,900. … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Home Buyer Tax Credit Misconceptions - Check out this versatility!
- 02/10/10 02:02 PM
Many people have not looked at the generous details of the repeat home buyer tax credit! (Please remember that this information is general advice; consult your tax professional or the IRS for the most definitive interpretations of this benefit!) Myth 1: A repeat buyer must buy a more expensive home or "move up" to claim the $6,500 credit... TRUTH: The repeat buyer must have owned and lived in their home for at least 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years prior to the purchase date of the new property. Repeat buyers may purchase any home to be their new primary … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Strong sales finish expected in West Hartford for 4th Quarter!
- 10/17/09 02:27 AM
The West Hartford market remained solid for the first nine months of 2009 (with less sales at the higher end of the spectrum). There were 456 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year through the end of September (down from 517 during the same timeframe in 2008). One of the most encouraging numbers was the median Days on Market for these sales at 35 days. This shows that well-priced properties are still selling quickly (and in multiple offers). The Days on Market is a week longer than in 2008 (27 days). Given that there were only 130 closed sales in the final … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: The new IKEA Catalog has arrived--download a free planner for your kitchen or office
- 08/07/09 11:03 PM
Are you ready to update your home? Whether you need a few new accent pillows for the living room, a cabinet for your flatscreen, or an entirely new kitchen--- IKEA is worth a look... As we look forward to the recession's end, the new catalog (prices good through June 30, 2010) features many items priced lower than last year. They also offer a few specially priced items each month. We are lucky to have an IKEA in New Haven, just 40 minutes from the Hartford area (I-91 south to I-95 south to exit 46). This showroom is worth a visit (and … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: West Hartford Market Remains Robust for the first half of 2009
- 08/04/09 10:30 PM
The West Hartford market was steady for the first half of 2009 (with less sales at the higher end of the spectrum). There were 254 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year through the end of June (down from 283 during the same timeframe in 2008). One of the most encouraging numbers was the median Days on Market for these sales at 34 days. This shows that well-priced properties are still selling quickly (and in multiple offers). The Days on Market is a week longer than in 2008 (27 days). For 2009 sales, the median list price was $289,900 … (0 comments)
To qualify for the $8,000 First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit, you must complete your purchase (have the closing and take title to the property) by December 1, 2009! Even if you do not owe the federal government any tax, you can file and receive a check for $8,000 … (1 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Steady Sales in West Hartford for May 2009!
- 06/09/09 01:05 AM
Overall, West Hartford homes sales (measured by deposits taken) are on pace with one year ago (83 in May 2009 compared to 80 in May 2008)... If we look back to last month, we had 70 deposits taken in April 2009 (so activity is up, as expected, from April to May of this year). Looking within price categories, sales were up versus last year with homes priced below $450,000 (75 last month compared to 62 one year ago. For properties priced above $450,000 the decrease was dramatic (8 last month compared to 18 one year ago). Check my earlier blog for April sales details. Note that homes on … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Buyer tip: Invest the time to choose the right Home Inspector
- 05/30/09 12:42 AM
After choosing the right home & negotiating a sales contract successfully, most buyers next look at protecting & maintaining this important asset. The quality of your home inspector is key to learning how to care for you new home. Home inspectors should fulfill three important functions: 1) to perform a general physical examination of the home (like going to your doctor for a physical) and create a report for you, including specific tips for you which will help you to maintain the home. Just like regular oil changes for your car, your home will need regular maintenance so that it functions well. … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: West Hartford April Sales are UP!!!
- 05/06/09 12:00 PM
For everyone reading about the general doom & gloom in the housing markets (there is no denying that both Fairfield & Litchfield counties have been hit hard in the first quarter), here are some fresh & encouraging numbers in West Hartford: First, sales in April are up for single-family homes compared either to April, 2008 (70 compared to 60 one year ago) or to March, 2009 ( 61 in March versus 70 in April). In almost all price categories, sales were up compared to last month's activity (the exceptions were in the under-$200,000 range and the $650,000 to $750,000 range). Check … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: West Hartford: The Best Small City in Connecticut
- 04/07/09 10:57 PM
According to CNN & Money Magazine, West Hartford is among the top 100 small cities in the United States (#76). West Hartford is the only city in Connecticut to be mentioned in the top 100 (there are just 3 cities selected in neighboring Massachusetts). Our town scored well in terms of average house price being a bit more affordable than the average of the top 100 group, our residents being highly educated, crime relatively low, air quality better than average, commute time to work being shorter than average, more public libraries than average and better state spending on the arts. This … (1 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Wolcott Elementary District Posts Solid Real Estate Sales
- 04/04/09 12:20 AM
In West Hartford, many homeowners look for housing in just one elementary school district, especially if they already have children in that school. For a school district, having diverse housing stock is a real asset; parents appreciate being able to move to larger, smaller or different style homes without having to uproot their children from the school they call home. Wolcott Elementary School is a winner for this (and for many other) reasons. This is not your ordinary school website--click on the tree to learn about the outdoor classroom adjacent to the school. Click on the fish in the aquarium to meet the … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Bring Spring into your home (& and to your friend's home, too) Flower sale today only
- 03/21/09 12:17 AM
For those of you living in greater Hartford, the Elizabeth Park Spring Flower Sale is today from 10 until 2. You can buy a pot of tulips or hyacinths in bloom at a budget price (last year's prices were between $5 and $10 per pot. Bring the scent of spring into your home or light up someone's kitchen or living room and support the park. The super savers will show up at 1 pm, when some flowers may be marked down by 50%! For more details on all the activities available at Elizabeth Park, visit www.ElizabethPark.org.
To learn about homes for … (1 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Are you ready to be a Millionaire by age 30?
- 03/18/09 03:11 PM
Although you might not guess from the title, Douglas Andrew's latest bestseller, Millionaire By Thirty: The Quickest Path to Early Financial Independence, stresses the importance of real estate compared to the risks of the stock market for people dedicated to improving their financial situation. This book, which Mr. Andrew co-authored with his two newly-millionaire sons, Emron & Aaron, aims its stong financial advice at recent college graduates. Several important ideas are discussed. First, not all debt is bad. Mortgage debt and student loans are desireable within reason. Credit card debt, on the other hand, is to be avoided. Second, once you … (0 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Buyers & Sellers: Consider a Home Warranty for your peace of mind!
- 03/06/09 12:06 PM
Most buyers are especially anxious about financial surprises during the first months of homeownership. What if the pipes leak, the refrigerator dies or the boiler self-destructs? None of these events are happy moments for any homeowners; for new homeowners on a tight budget, any of these mishaps could create extra financial pressure... The home warranty is an insurance policy which protects the new owner of the home for the first year of ownership. If a covered appliance or home system breaks, the owner calls a 1-800 number, pays a deductible ($75 to $100), and has the satisfaction of having the problem … (1 comments)
west hartford real estate expert: Homeowner Tip: It is never too late to save energy-- Schedule an audit today
- 03/05/09 03:34 AM
As I wait for this last batch of snow to melt and listen to my gas boiler fire up, I am reminded that it is never too late to request a home energy audit. This is a positive audit which requires a small investment on the homeowner's part ($75 if you heat with gas or electricity, $300 if you heat with oil) and pays you back in several ways. First, you receive a report on making your home more energy efficient. Second, a contractor makes minor improvements on site as part of the inspection which will help you save $$$ immediately … (1 comments)
February is a short month which buyers used to purchase just over 2 homes per day in West Hartford! We had 58 homeowners accept contracts (not including sales with hubbard clauses) during this month of snow, winter vacation and two tax credits (up to $8,000 for new buyers and up to $6,500 for existing homeowners purchasing a new primary residence).;)
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