Understanding Equal Opportunity in Housing   Recently, on a listing, one of the sellers made the comment that they had to be selective when selling their home to not offend their neighbors. This was so wrong on so many levels, that I just had to stop and explain the legal rights and obligations when buying or selling real estate. I started to explain that their first obligations were to themselves and not their friends and neighbors. If we priced the home at a fair market value for conditions, and we were fortunate to get an interested and qualified buyer, nothing else was important. Whether or not the neighbors liked the new owners was not relevant, especially as they definitely would not be as concerned with them if their own homes were being sold. The Legal Aspects: The Civil Rights ... 11/03/2011

Cheshire CT Real Estate Sales Report for September 2011       Currently in Cheshire CT there are 147 active residential listings for sale. They range from a 770 square ft, 1-bedroom bungalow listed at $147,500 to a 5100 square ft, 4 bedroom contemporary ranch estate listed at $1,700,000.     The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire CT is $457,582. The average days on market for these homes is 155 days. For the month of September, there were 18 new homes listed for sale in Cheshire CT.      In addition, there are currently 15 homes under contract in Cheshire CT, with four (4) having gone under contract in the month of September. The average list price for the homes under contract is $454,313 an average days on market of 90 days.       In September, 15 ... 10/27/2011

This is the November 2011 Cheshire Connecticut Real Estate market report.   The Residential Real Estate market is actually UP in Cheshire CT, one of the only towns taht can say ths in New Haven County. The average asking price for a residential home in Cheshire CT for September is up 4% over August, and up 3% over six months ago. Looking back at the last 2 years, the average asking price is up 3% over one year ago and up 4% over two years ago.       If you have any specific questions on the Real Estate market contact us direct.  10/20/2011

Mums the Word, at Least for This time of Year . . . Sunday Photos Many of the flowers of summer are getting into their final colors as it won't be very long before the temps start to drop and kill them off. It is the time of year for the Mums to come out, Chrysanthemums, that is. Living in the Cheshire CT area affords us colors that most people may see, just not in as large an amount. Cheshire CT is home to some every large bedding farms, and their sprays of colors are always a delight to pass. In this field, the workers were already loading the Mums into carts to be sold to area outlets. This place was not selling any the day I went by, but I did find some at another farm. I got mine into the garden, along with a rather large Mum that grew out of a plant I had put in a couple of years ... 10/02/2011

Applying Common Sense to a Low Ball Offer   Sooner or later we have to face the situation of dealing with an offer that is much too low, or having a seller feel offended at an offer you present through their agent. This has happened to me, from each side, within the past 2 weeks. On behalf of a client, I presented an offer that was a touch low, but circumstances fully justified our value. The seller was insulted, and refused to even consider a counter offer. Two weeks later, however, after dropping their price an additional $10,000, the other agent sent me an email asking if my clients were still interested in the property. We ended up agreeing on a deal, $7,000 higher than my client's original offer. On the flip side, I was sent an offer to present to my client that is significantly be... 09/26/2011

Cheshire CT Real Estate Sales Report for August 2011   Currently in Cheshire CT there are 153 active residential listings for sale. They range from a 770 square ft, 1-bedroom bungalow listed at $147,500 to a 5600 square ft, 4 bedroom colonial estate listed at $1,770,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire CT is $461,695. The average days on market for these homes is 146 days. For the month of August, there were 18 new homes listed for sale in Cheshire CT.   In addition, there are currently 14 homes under contract in Cheshire CT, with four (4) having gone under contract in the month of August. The average list price for the homes under contract is $475,907 an average days on market of 227 days. In August, 25 homes closed in Cheshire CT. They rang... 09/20/2011

Connecticut Quilt Shop Hop 2011 No, I am not a quilter, but I certainly appreciate quilts!  This is imperative as I am married to an avid quilter.  September 8 starts the 10 day run of the Connecticut Quilt Shop Hop for 2011, so I am afraid I will see little of my wife for the next few days. The following 16 Connecticut quilt stores will be participating in the Connecticut Quilt Shop Hop: Dot's Quilt Shop in Prospect (where my wife spends a great deal of time) Yankee Cloth in Wallingford Yankee Quilter in Oxford Colchester Mill Fabrics in Colchester Fabric Tree in Danbury Lisa's Clover Hill Quilts in Berlin Quilter's Corner in New Milford Quilter's Cove in Durham Quilter's Dream in Willimantic (my wife loves to make this drive in the fall when the trees are at their peak) Quilting by th... 09/07/2011

Good Night Irene! As the rain falls steadily, I thought I would share the sign that I saw in Prospect CT this morning--very well done on what I would imagine was relatively short notice! Once the storm is over, if your bird feeders have not fallen victim to the storm, be sure they are well supplied for our hungry winged friends.  I filled mine up this morning with a special blend that kept our feeders busy all day.  Now let's just hope that we can say Good Night Irene soon!   08/27/2011

Will they Call off the FIRST Day of School? There are many children looking forward to the first day of school, and for Cheshire, CT, that day is supposed to be Monday, August 29, 2011.  However, with Irene on her way, that plan may change!  I went to check the website for Cheshire Public Schools to see if they made any mention of the hurricane only to find that it was not working.  I called the high school to see if they had changed their web address.  The best answer that I could get was that it was being updated.  So for those of you who are wondering if the first day of school will be held as planned in Cheshire, CT, here is the Connecticut Weather website which usually keeps us updated on school closings.  As I am writing this blog, there are already six communities posting cancell... 08/26/2011

It's A Buyer's Market and I want to get a Deal! Yes it's true, it is definitely a buyer's market and the deals are out there waiting to be plucked, but are you attuned enough to the market to appreciate the deal that's in front of you?  I have been working with some very particular buyers, that are well qualified for their specific purchasing power, but are insistent that they should be able to really steal a deal. We have been through homes that will satisfy their needs for space, comfort and financial needs. They have seen a few homes that would be perfect, they are priced competitively for the market, yet they still feel that the sellers should drop down to their offering, period. As their agent, I have offered them all the history of their home choice, including complete time on mar... 08/16/2011

Cheshire CT Real Estate Sales Report for July 2011   Currently in Cheshire CT there are 163 active residential listings for sale. They range from a 936 square ft, 3-bedroom ranch listed at $169,900 to a 5600 square ft, 4 bedroom colonial estate listed at $1,770,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire CT is $445,045. The average days on market for these homes is 145 days. For the month of July, there were 24 new homes listed for sale in Cheshire CT.     In addition, there are currently 19 homes under contract in Cheshire CT, with five (5) having gone under contract in the month of July. The average list price for the homes under contract is $403,847 with an average days on market of 159 days.   In July, 26 homes closed in Cheshire CT. They ranged... 08/11/2011

An Evening Under the Stars . . . Pay it Forward We attended an even recently for an organization whose mission statement is "to provide innovative clinical and educational programs that promote the healing benefits of the human-animal bond and nature for children". The name of this group is called Soul Friends. Soul Friends provides their service by integrating animals into the therapy, either in group sessions or on an individual basis. Through their various programs, they assist and help children coping with grief, loss, trauma and socio-emotional challenges by interacting with the animals, and combining this involvement with special related stories. Soul Friends has been recognized by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and have also been recipients of grants to furt... 08/08/2011

Cheshire CT Real Estate Sales Report for June 2011 Currently in Cheshire CT there are 191 active residential listings for sale. They range from a 1,196 square ft, 3-bedroom ranch listed at $169,900 to a 5600 square ft, 4 bedroom colonial estate listed at $1,990,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire CT is $437,359. The average days on market for these homes is 132 days. For the month of June, there were 38 new homes listed for sale in Cheshire CT.   In addition, there are currently 19 homes under contract in Cheshire CT, with five (5) having gone under contract in the month of June. The average list price for the homes under contract is $386,963 with an average days on market of 121 days.   In June, 17 homes closed in Cheshire CT. They ranged f... 07/12/2011

STAGE, STAGE, STAGE! When I was first contacted by decorators offering staging services years ago, I was very cynical.  I felt it was just a money making opportunity.  It wasn't until a few years ago while selling my own home that it's value became so clearly evident.  I had been thinking about selling for a few years prior to actually marketing my home so it was relatively easy for me.  Add to the fact that I love to paint and love to shop!  By simply painting my interior with fresh popular colors, decluttering and purchasing a few reasonably priced wall hangings, bowls and cabinet hardward,  I was able to sell my home quickly and for a very good price!  Homeowners who just don't have the knack for home decorating can hire a staging specialist for between $100 and $300 to give them a s... 07/05/2011

What happens next with our short sale listing? We've sent our paperwork to the bank and are waiting for the bank to assign a person to the file. In the meantime we have the house on the market. What is going to happen now? Well, the house will be put into the system with a notation that it is a short sale listing. The price in the system reflects current market value, which is less than the outstanding balance on the mortgage but a fair representation of values in the system. After a few weeks, a new analysis will be done on the listing price, and will make a reduction based on latest market value. The real determination of value will be done by the bank once an offer has been sent to them. Once we get an offer on the house, a HUD-1 sheet is prepared detailing all costs and credits to t... 07/05/2011

CRAIGLIST SCAM ALERT! IF THAT RENTAL LISTING ON CRAIGSLIST SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...it is!  Craigslist scams in real estate are very common. Especially, it seems, with rental properties.  I recently had a beautiful colonial home for sale in Cheshire, CT listed for $450,000.  Although not for rent, this property would rent for over $2,000 per month. One morning I received calls from 3 people asking about a Craigslist posting advertising it available for rent for $800.  Fortunately they were suspicious enough to research the address online and contacted me directly.  The individual posting the ad gave a telephone number.  When a potential tenant called the number to reach the "owner," they were told that the owner was out of the country doing missionary work.  They were told that the ... 07/01/2011

Large Private Collection of approximately 1500 books will be sold this weekend at 440 Wallingford Rd, Cheshire CT.  Books include history, philosophy, travel, fiction and theater.  Hours are Friday 9 - noon,  Saturday 9 - 1, Sunday 9 - noon.   Directions: Rt 10 to Wallingford Road.  Bear left on the private driveway. 06/23/2011

Cheshire CT Real Estate Sales Report for May 2011 Currently in Cheshire CT there are 200 active residential listings for sale. They range from a 907 square ft, 3-bedroom cape, listed at $107,900 to a 5600 square ft, 4 bedroom colonial estate listed at $1,990,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Cheshire CT is $442,901. The average days on market for these homes is 121 days. For the month of May, there were 49 new homes listed for sale in Cheshire CT.  The average list price of the new listings available for sale in Cheshire CT  is $425,437.  In addition, there are currently 17 homes under contract in Cheshire CT, with five (5) having gone under contract in the month of May. The average list price for the homes under contract is $474,800 with an averag... 06/16/2011

Yesterday I Walked Real Estate with 144 New Friends Yes, it was a cool, drizzly morning, but there they were at 10:00 AM ready to go, 144 charged golfers waiting for the horn to start the 53rd Annual Golf Classic sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Hartford County. The day's festivities were held at the Blue Fox Run Golf Course in Avon CT It was a packed event, and to anyone that knows golf, that meant 2 foursomes per tee. The days events was to raise money to support the charitable work done by the Home Builder's Association of Hartford County, and it was well supported by all of the other chapters in the state in addition to the suppliers of goods and services that depend on the home builders for their business.      Our team from RE/MAX Professionals was represented by our ... 06/15/2011

Huge Tag Sale - 255 Nob Hill Road Cheshire CT Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4, 2011 from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. Large Moving Sale – Cherry dining room furniture, Queen Ann living room furniture, sofa recliner, trampoline, 32 inch Toshiba television, crib with mattress and bumpers, Maytag washer and dryer, desk, chairs, universal exercise machine, treadmill, set of three bar stools, cedar chest, large bird feeders, antique chest of drawers, Coleman generator (never used but started), air compressor, sofa, glass coffee table, glass sideboard table, antique cast iron yard urn, quilting fabric and equipment, computer equipment, sewing table, storage cabinets, books, Marvel and DC comics (X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Justice League of America, Spiderman), and much more. View Larger Map 06/01/2011