"While many buyers have taken advantage of low down payment FHA- backed loans, REALTORS in Regions such as, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, reported that a majority of buyers, roughly 49%, put down more then 6% for their purchase". *
* This information is from The National Association Of Realtors-It is good to see in Connecticut, about half of the buyers put down more than 6%!!
By: Karin Stocknoff December 21, 2010 … (0 comments)
pricing: What Can Your Client Really Afford?
- 11/05/10 08:59 AM
I love meeting new people! Especially when they want to buy a home from me. It's hard when you meet with someone and they are eager to get out and start looking at homes only to have me slow them down to make sure we have everything in order.
Probably the most important thing I can do with and for my client is ask 'what can you afford monthly' ? This is WAY different then what the mortgage broker told them they can afford to purchase. Most people speak to a mortgage broker who provides them … (1 comments)
pricing: We love this house!!
- 09/21/10 04:15 AM
Love is Blind.... I really enjoy working with clients who are in love with the home they are buying! But be careful...like in real life, falling too hard too fast can lead to heart-break. Love-sick buyers spend their inspection day measuring for carpets and drapes. They only call me back when I'm calling them for the 'fun' stuff, like bringing the parents through. Buyers who love a home too much usually pay too much come mortgage time. Here's some advice. Keep your buyers focused by insisting that they 'participate' in their building inspection, not just show up. They need to shadow their … (2 comments)
pricing: Great Article... 10 Reasons to Buy a Home
- 09/17/10 02:49 AM
10 Reasons to Buy a Home Sure, maybe there's more pain to come in the housing market. But when Time magazine starts running covers that declare "Owning a home may no longer make economic sense," it's time to say: Enough is enough. This is what "capitulation" looks like. Everyone has given up. After all, at the peak of the bubble five years ago, Time had a different take. "Home Sweet Home," declared its cover then, as it celebrated the boom and asked: "Will your house make your rich?" But it's not enough just to be contrarian. So here are 10 reasons … (1 comments)
pricing: Home affordability
- 09/13/10 09:01 AM
Home affordability- Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index(HOI)... What does it mean? It is the Share of homes that families making the national median income, $64,400, can afford to buy. And, its remained above 70% for the 6th straight quarter... Good news, right? This index, like all economic indicators should remind us that Real Estate is a local business. We need to ask, "What is affordable here in Connecticut? In Fairfield County? In Trumbull, Stratford, Shelton, or Monroe? What is affordable for me?" When data comes out giving us good or bad news the important question to ask is, "what is my Personal Affordability … (0 comments)
pricing: Keep in touch
- 09/03/10 06:52 AM
Keep in touch! It's something we say all the time...but do we? I had the most interesting conversation with a client who I ran into at the grocery store. She said to me that she appreciated me calling, mailing and emailing all the time. She said she likes the updates and she felt special. She also said that because of my many reminders, she always mentions my name to people who she knows who are looking for homes. The best part is, she has sent me referrals. I took a moment to think. What was I doing that was working for her? I specifically … (2 comments)
pricing: This is sure to brighten your day!
- 09/01/10 06:52 AM
Have the end of summer blues? Well this video is sure to cheer you up. Thanks to Tom Ferry for this Real Estate Swagger Rap Music Video. By Stacy Pfannkuch on September 1, 2010 The Kasey Group Sells... … (3 comments)
pricing: Staging.. It can make or break a house.
- 08/27/10 08:03 AM
Want to sell in this competitive market place? Then you need to be the best product on the market. Not only do you need to be priced right but you also need to look right too. What does that mean? Your home needs to looks its best from the inside out. Take a look at this video for a few helpful hints. To Recap: You've heard it a thousand times, 'First impressions are the most important'. Showings don't last long and it is important to give people a reason to want to enter your home(curb appeal), and want to stay in … (0 comments)
pricing: Do you know what your significant others credit score is?
- 08/25/10 04:37 AM
Ladies, can we talk?... I cannot believe that I have just had yet another conversation with a client who found out to her horror her fiance's credit woes. This woman has really put her ducks in order, she has spent the past year saving for a down payment, paid off her car loan, paid down credit card bills and would you believe this, negotiated a lower rent with her landlord in order to continue socking away cash. In addition, she has a fabulous 740 credit score and a stable well paying job in the healthcare industry. This gal has a plan, she is engaged … (1 comments)
pricing: YADDA YADDA YADDA...
- 08/10/10 08:41 AM
YADDA YADDA YADDA...Remember that Seinfeld episode when Elaine is recapping a date and she says something like, "We had the bisque and then yadda yadda yadda." Jerry says, "Hey you left out the best part of the story", to which Elaine replies, "No. I mentioned the bisque." Think about your home....what would someone who comes to see it at an open house say was the best part? Here's some comments I've heard: "The colors here are just beautiful" "Obviously, this is the boys room"...decorated with pictures of half naked girls "Are these owners smokers?" "What is that smell?"...oh, just a … (0 comments)
pricing: Attention Renters!
- 08/10/10 05:26 AM
WANTED: Responsible Renters Dedicated, full time real estate professional seeking responsible renters. Qualifications include: good payment history, high credit scores and steady income. Call now, you will receive sought after real estate advice and information, care and attention which will wisk you off to a pleasant and successful home closing.
Some days, I just think, maybe it's just that simple. Good renters make great home-owners.
By Megan O'Connell Albright on August 10, 2010
The Kasey Group Sells... … (0 comments)
pricing: Big Changes
- 08/09/10 08:23 AM
Change..It can be a good thing but it can also be a little scary. There are few changes bigger in life then moving our family to a new home. This could involve changing schools, communities, and even states. Here are a few tips that can ease the stress when moving out of the area:
Involve the kids- Let them see some homes, talk about their rooms with them, and highlight the amenities the new home/area has like pools, playgrounds, etc... Explain the process- Let them know why this move is a good thing. Maybe it means more time together … (1 comments)
pricing: Deal of the century?
- 08/06/10 02:34 AM
You want to buy a home and it seems like everyone you know has advice to give you but you still don’t know who to listen too. Check out the video below on items that you should pay attention to when looking for a home. It could save you a lot of headaches in the end. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy To Recap: Water in the basement- look for water marks on the walls and if items are stored off the floor. Water issues in the basement can cost a lot to repair – … (2 comments)
pricing: Don't just assume
- 08/04/10 09:11 AM
You ask your friend who cuts their hair but not who sold their home? I am always surprised that buyers sellers would just call an office and work with whomever is on floor(meaning whoever answers the phone). Agents on floor time can be really great, but is the only criteria for picking an agent the one who happened to answer the phone when you called? With hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, specific criteria for the job to be done is important. Does the agent have an aggressive marketing plan? How many homes has the agent sold? … (0 comments)
pricing: Is it all about the Kitchen and Baths?
- 07/30/10 07:27 AM
Looking for the perfect home can be a time consuming and challenging process but it can also be a great learning experience. We all know that kitchen and baths sell homes and of course Location, Location, Location but don't forget the BASEMENT! Ask your agent about the furnace/boiler, the hot water heater, the electric panel, and if applicable any central air or well equipment. While agents aren't experts in heating, cooling, etc... The good ones have sold enough homes to learn what to look for. Ask them-you can always remodel the kitchen later.
By Stacy Pfannkuch on July 30, 2010 … (3 comments)
pricing: House Sitting Services Available....
- 07/29/10 08:50 AM
Job Offering: House Sitting Services Sunday afternoon 12-3:00 I know no Realtor would offer this because they are probably booked at an open houses on Sunday at that time. However, if all you are doing is marketing the open house in the local paper, isn't this really what is being offered? Haven't we all had open houses where only 1 or 2 people showed? If I am going to take my Sunday afternoon and hold an open house, I want them to be efficient, so I do the following: Knock on at least 50 of the neighbor's houses to invite them (we know … (3 comments)
pricing: They call it a 'closing' for a reason
- 07/22/10 08:46 AM
When selling your home you might think you're already there when the offer comes in --But that's just the start of the journey. You still need to get through inspections, appraisal, and the mortgage process before you get the the closing. A couple tips... leave out some cookies and a note for your buyers at the time of the inspections. It's a stressful time and knowing what you've enjoyed about the home and a snack can help. Leave any receipts for repairs too. It's great for the inspector to reference. And don't forget, while packing designate a kitchen drawer for all the … (0 comments)
pricing: Timing is everything!
- 07/21/10 07:21 AM
Timing is everything! Have you ever heard that one? Well in real estate no truer words have ever been spoken. You know this can apply to the up market, the down market, the interest rates. How about this.. getting through the door to that really great new listing! Timing is everything. Are you working with an agent who is actively looking for your next home? If you are really ready to move you need to see the homes first, as soon as they hit the market. Great homes come..but they also go...if your agents timing is off, you will miss out. … (0 comments)
pricing: New Mill Rates
- 07/14/10 05:04 AM
New Mill Rates went into effect as of July 1, 2010. Bridgeport- 39.64 Fairfield- 19.27 Milford- 28.44 Monroe- 28.26 Newtown- 24.00 Shelton- 18.61 Stratford- 33.32 Trumbull- 24.54 Multiple your assessment by the mill rate and you will have you new tax amount. ex: 250,000(assessment) x 33.32(Stratford mill rate)= 8,330,000 new tax amount- $8,330 Due to the market fluctuation some towns have done a blanket reassessment while others have reassessed properties on a case-to-case basis. Contact your town hall for more information.
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