connecticut real estate: The FaceBook Frenzy Found my Office - 02/15/09 07:31 AM
Typically I do not consider myself cutting edge but tend to be ahead of the curve with technology. In the case of Social Networking I have been at it for a few years during which time agents around the office brushed it off as something silly.  One agent that noticed me online as she walked by my desk stopped to comment that she thought it was cute that I had all these fictional friends.  Others shrugged off the theory of blogging as a time consuming task that didn't warrant the time.
Well....  I  Heard it through the Grapevine  that the latest … (19 comments)

connecticut real estate: The Running Realtor's Home Sales Report - September 2008 - 10/06/08 12:34 PM
The month of September was filled with gloom and doom from government officials who foolishly decided pumping 700 billion into Wall Street was the solution.  The stock market continues to slide downward and big banks are bickering about who gets to take over the fallen financial institutions.  With all that bull about it being nearly impossible to get credit I will pull a quote from the front page of today's New Haven Register,  "But even against that backdrop, Connecticut-based banks are faring well and have money to lend".
Single family homes sales continue to be sluggish.  September volume was down 20% from … (6 comments)

connecticut real estate: The Running Realtor's Home Sales Report - August 2008 - 09/02/08 10:59 AM
The market remained sluggish during the month of August with volume lagging last year by about 25%.  In my five primary towns a total of 92 Single Family Homes sold during the month compared with 125 in the same time period last year.
 
If you are thinking of selling and curious about the value of your home click the house on the right to request a Free No Obligation Market Analysis of the property.  With today's on-line databases I can give you a fairly good idea of the market price without even touring the house.
Anyone ready to undertake the … (7 comments)

connecticut real estate: Did I fall for a SCAM? - 08/13/08 01:59 PM
Typically I consider myself pretty conservative and tend to use extra caution while in unfamiliar territory.  While traveling I'm always keeping a watchful eye in congested areas like airports or train stations and  keenly aware of details that seem out of place.  In the age of Internet SPAM offering all kinds of SCAMS I have learned to skim the title and hit delete.
The On-Line World is such a big part of my daily routine that I check in quite often.  Before dinner Monday night I received and email that caught my eye with interest  thinking a couple from the UK that purchased a home a … (39 comments)

connecticut real estate: Not Your Typical 5k - July 16, 2008 - 07/09/08 08:05 AM
On Wednesday July 16, 2008 the annual Main Street Festival returns to Middletown.  This is one of the more spectator friendly events for a 5k race and offers plenty of activity to keep family and friends occupied during the 20-40 minutes it takes most participants to cross the finish line.
Not your typical 5k is a fitting name for this run.  The first time I ran in Middletown was the only time I have ever done a showing in my running gear.  I was working with a young couple that requested a second look at a house in Middletown so I … (8 comments)

connecticut real estate: The Running Realtor's Home Sales Report - April 2008 - 05/01/08 12:08 PM
Spring is heating up in the Northeast and sales activity picked up quite a bit during the month of April.  In the five towns that comprise my primary marketplace 62 Single Family Homes sold. 
 
If you are thinking of selling and curious about the value of your home click the house on the right to request a Free No Obligation Market Analysis of the property.  With today's on-line databases I can give you a fairly good idea of the market price without even touring the house. Anyone ready to undertake the adventures of searching for property in New Haven County … (10 comments)

connecticut real estate: The Running Realtor's Home Sales Report - March 2008 - 04/01/08 11:04 AM
All the media hype about the Mortgage and Real Estate Business makes it sound pretty dismal but if you are considering a move you will find there is activity.  March was a bit cool in Connecticut but 51 single family homes were sold in my primary area.  By far the most active are entry level homes and if they are priced right mulitple offers still happen. 
If you are thinking of selling and curious about the value of your home click the house on the right to request a Free No Obligation Market Analysis of the property.  With today's on-line databases … (3 comments)

connecticut real estate: Split Level home for sale in North Haven, CT 06473 - 03/16/08 11:17 AM
If your house hunting search criteria includes a split level home in North Haven this new listing might be just the property for you. The Town of North Haven ranked #86 on the latest Money Magazine Top 100 Best Places to Live.
Purchasing a home in North Haven gives you a prefect spot to commute to New Haven or Hartford without the heavily congested traffic of I-95. There is also easy access to the Merritt Parkway. Locally there are plenty of activities to keep you amused. During the summer months you can pack a cooler or picnic dinner and relax to Music … (5 comments)

connecticut real estate: Connecticut Real Estate - Free MLS Home Search Site at CTREAL.com - 03/13/08 02:24 AM
Today a new site CTREAL.com has been launched allowing the public FREE access to the Connecticut Multiple Listing service.  There are several ways to fine tune your search but for starters just pick the Find a Property tab, enter a Price Range and the Zip Code then press the SEARCH button.
The illustration below shows the simple steps required if you are looking for a new home in the Town of Branford.  If your price range happens to be in the half million dollar neighborhood I have a fresh new listing that may be of interest.  The MLS search will provide you … (14 comments)

connecticut real estate: Running Realtor Extends Real Estate Boundaries - 01/15/08 06:00 AM
In our expanding world economy Real Estate is still primarily a local business. Many people remain tied to the same geographic area where their friends or family reside and typically limit their search territory for a new home to a handful of towns. When people need to relocate they normally don't think of their local agent as a resource in the new destination.
As part of my ongoing effort to deliver service above and beyond the average agent I have been expanding my network of Realtors around the country. Unlike many agents that offer to toss your name into a Relocation companies … (37 comments)

connecticut real estate: How much is my home worth? - 01/04/08 09:47 AM
Welcome to the Prime Spring Market in Real Estate for 2008!
You may be thinking the frigid temps outside are better suited for winter hibernation but time truly flies and if you are considering a move this year now is a good time to get started with the groundwork.  Many homeowners in the early stages of considering a move are reluctant to seek the knowledge they need to make an informed decision.  There always seems to be one more repair or a bit more cleaning that should be done before talking to "The Realtor"  Now is the perfect time to request a free … (12 comments)

connecticut real estate: Guilford CT, 06437 - 2007 Home Sales - 01/02/08 10:36 AM
Many buyers and sellers like to spend their time poking around on the internet long before they decide to seek the help of a Real Estate Agent.  Many sites will get you information about homes currently on the market but finding actual sales prices involves a little more work.  Below is a sampling of single family homes in Guilford, CT that closed during 2007 to give you an idea of prices based on the size and location of the home.
Many factors contribute to the sales price, if you are a homeowner within my market area and would like a no obligation … (6 comments)

connecticut real estate: Connecticut Shoreline Year End Home Sale Prices - 01/02/08 07:42 AM
Single family home sale prices show mixed results for 2007.  Although the real estate market has not seen the gloom and doom that was widely speculated during the boom years it has been adjusting and the number of homes sold during the year dropped in most areas.  The shift in sales has been towards lower priced homes so the demand for upper level properties has cooled and as supply exceeded demand the price drifted lower.
The most affordable towns in my primary market remain North Haven & North Branford where prices have been fairly stable in the low $300's for the … (8 comments)

connecticut real estate: Welcome to Guilford, CT 06437 - 01/02/08 07:04 AM
                   
GUILFORD - "This town, the seventh oldest, was founded in 1639 by an oppressed but optimistic band of English Puritans.  Henry Whitfield, a minister in Ockley, near London, was the moving spirit behind their emigrations. About forty of his friends and sympathizers formed a joint stock company to sail across the Atlantic. They were mostly young and energetic men, farmers, well-educated, and all of them persons of high standing in their community.  In a deed of sale dated September 29, 1639, the Whitfield Company purchased the lands between Stony Creek and East River from the Squaw Shaumpishuh, Sachem of the … (8 comments)

connecticut real estate: Guilford Frosty 5k - 2008 - 12/31/07 07:06 AM

 
How many of you are starting the year with a resolution to get into better shape? You can begin at the Guilford Rotary Club's FROSTY 5k.   The 3.1 mile road race might be a little ambitious if you have not been exercising but there is a 2k Walk that should suit any fitness level. Registration opens at 9:30 at the Church Street Community Center and the race will start and finish on the Guilford Green.
Event:   Guilford Frosty 5k
When:  January 1, 2008 at 11:00 am
Where: Guilford Green - Exit 58 off 95 and go south on Route 77
Last year a cold rain was pouring down so I decided … (18 comments)

connecticut real estate: Connecticut Property Tax Appeals - 12/26/07 12:02 PM
During the final week of the year many people will pay their property taxes due in January so they can take a tax deduction off this years income.  While you focus on the April 15th filing deadline for your income taxes you might want to consider a faster approaching deadline on February 20th to appeal property taxes.
Have you felt the pinch of skyrocketing property taxes?  According to this recent article property taxes have soared 50% nationwide from 2000-2006.  During that same time frame inflation has increased 17% while household income has dropped 2%.  
Being in the real estate business we see … (4 comments)

connecticut real estate: The Gloom and Doom of Foreclosures - 12/18/07 12:42 AM
Welcome to Tee'd Off Tuesday!   This may actually be the last one of the year unless Santa leaves me a lump of coal next week on Christmas morning!
I'm a man of routine and part of my morning ritual includes reading the newspaper with a few cups of coffee.  Today the front page headlines screamed more gloom and doom in the real estate world.  While reading the paper I also have the TV tuned into the morning news. One of the field reporters was live in West Haven with the camera panning a few for sale signs talking about the hard … (15 comments)

connecticut real estate: Tis The Season.... I'm Gonna Shop... - 12/15/07 01:44 AM
 
I'm Trying.... I'm Trying....  This year I just can't seem to kick myself into the mall. Ten days til Christmas so this morning I slipped into my Holiday Undies and grabbed my stack of Christmas Cash with a mission.... Shop Til I Drop!
Well.... I'm still here....  The thought of aimlessly wandering around on a Saturday just doesn't seem to get me in the Holiday Spirit.  I am defeated before I begin.  
Being in the Real Estate business we must learn to self-motivate ourselves.  Consumers hear the gloom and doom that the media sends everyday and we as agents feel the results … (28 comments)

connecticut real estate: Oh Danny Boy You Think Too Much - 12/13/07 08:56 AM
I'm sitting here this afternoon finally addressing all my "Holiday Cards" as the snow accumulates outside my window and as usual my mind begins to wander.  The first thing I realized as I glace from my Excel list to the envelope is the fact that I never heard the CD included with the card. 
I pop it into the computer and as I listen to the songs I begin to and think of all the politically correct baloney I have read this season. Remember not to say Ho! Ho! Ho! because it may offend some women.  Santa needs a slimmer look because after … (25 comments)

connecticut real estate: Christopher Martins Christmas Run for the Children - 12/08/07 09:49 PM
 
Today is race day!  The Christopher Martins 5k was my first running event when I started my latest fitness routine back in 2005.  After spending several weeks walking in preparation for a 2k Thanksgiving Day Event I enthusiastically took on running and made the rookie mistake of cramming my training into just a few weeks.
After that first 5k which I completed with a time only 23 seconds per mile faster than my walk I hobbled around for a week.  Severe knee pain slowed me down as I continued to train and realized the importance of stretching. 
In 2006 this race … (7 comments)