December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing ~ Gingerbread Festival in South Windsor CT     I had a chance to visit the Gingerbread Festival at Wood Memorial Library in South Windsor CT.  The wonderful smell of gingerbread overtakes you as soon as you walk in the front door.  What a fun event!  There are over 50 gingerbread houses built by various businesses, groups, clubs, and individuals (both adults and children).   There were replicas of the Wadsworth Atheneum, the East Windsor Hill Post Office, a Victorian house, as well as many whimsical pieces.  I think my favorite was the old post office, but many of them had an amazing amount of detail, from frosted windows to curtains to landscaping.     The event began November 28 and runs through December 15.  On December 15, many of the gi... 12/08/2011

South Windsor CT Market Report for November 2011   The weather following our freak snowstorm on October 29 was wild and crazy, but the real estate market was pretty tame in South Windsor CT during November 2011.  There were 13 homes sold compared with 14 homes sold in November 2010.  The total homes sold per month were at the lowest since March 2011. In November 2011, the median price was $240,000, compared with a median price of $281,950 in November 2010.  Here are the properties that sold in November 2011 in South Windsor CT.     Address List Price Sold Price DOM         294 Hilton Drive    $135,000 $125,000 2 595 Strong Road $164,900 $151,200 149 261 Skyline Drive $189,000 $172,000 80 35 Brook Street $184,900 $181,000 9 92 Hillside Drive $219,900 $217,500 101 154 Pine Tree Lane $229,... 12/07/2011

    Every family has its own traditions. Ours is going to pick a perfect Christmas tree at the best Christmas tree farm in South Windsor. We do it every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It became a tradition of ours.    Every year I would lead my men: my sons Nikita, Andrei and my husband Oleg, in the procession which included maneuvering to getting them all (as fast as possible in the car) and drive to the best Christmas Tree farm in Hartford county: Dzen Tree farm.        There, we would get a saw, park our car, and march alone the long line of beautiful, best Christmas trees. Unfortunately, no matter how much we try, the process of picking a perfect Christmas tree for us doesn’t take more than 10 minutes, simply because almost all Christmas trees at Dzen Tree Farm in South Wind... 11/28/2011

                Happy Thanksgiving!   Today I ran 4.8 miles in the Manchester Road Race. It is considered to be one of the top 25 races in the country, and the number one race in Connecticut. I thought I have to be in a good shape to keep up with my buyers and sellers. I’ve been running for a while now, with my dear friend and neighbor, Tina. We run three times a week, 8 miles. So, as you can imagine, 4.8 was no sweat for us.    It was a lot of fun hearing people cheering, and local bands (basically based on one house family) playing classics, to keep us moving.    That sure was a memorable event, and I look forward to next year’s race!                      I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving!    So, if you, or someone you know are looking for a new homes in CT, or want ... 11/24/2011

  May this Thanksgiving be a time that overflows                        with happiness...   And may the beauty of this season  warm your heart               in all the days that follow.   During this season of gratitude my thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made my success possible. Thank You ,all my friends,  and may you always have bounty on your table and friends and family to share it with. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!   11/23/2011

South Windsor Market Report for October 2011   During October 2011, there were 14 closed sales in South Windsor CT with a median price of $275,000. There were 14 closed sales in October 2010, but the median price was $259,900.  So year over year comparison for October shows that sales were the same, but the median price rose.   Another interesting statistic is that while days on market (DOM) increased in October 2011 compared to October 2010 (64 vs. 33 in 2010), the sale price to list price ratio increased (97.4% iin October 2011 vs. 95.25% in October 2010).   Here is the breakdown by price range:   Price Range October 2011 October 2010 Under $100,000 1 - $100,000-$149,999 - 1 $149,999-$199,999 - 3 $200,000-$249,999 5 2 $250,000-$299,999 1 3 $300,000-$349,999 3 4 $350,000-$399,999 1 1 O... 11/11/2011

Property Sales   October Property sales were 13, down -7.1% from 14 in October of 2010 and -18.8% lower than the 16 sales last month. October 2011 sales were at their lowest level compared to October of 2010 and 2009. October YTD sales of 164 are running 1.2% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 162. Prices   The Median Sales Price in October was $300,000, up 15.6% from $259,500 in October of 2010 and down -4.4% from $313,875 last month. The Average Sales Price in October was $315,934, up 22.1% from $258,821 in October of 2010 and down -7.1% from $340,203 last month. October 2011 ASP was at highest level compared to October of 2010 and 2009. Inventory & MSI   The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of October was 97, down -12.6% from 111 last month and down -14.9%... 11/11/2011

Recently I had listed a home where the owner was in a nursing home. The children had POA and signed the paperwork and put the house “on the market”. I went to the town hall to make sure the deed was in order only to find out that the house could not be sold until the mother was not living in it for at least one year… This posed a problem with the listing, so we took it off the market immediately. We now have to wait the time out before re-listing it. It could have been an awful situation if I hadn’t read the deed very carefully. As it turned out I saved this family a lot of wasted time by listing it, showing it, getting into contract and then having problems towards the potential closing. As people are living much longer and staying in their own homes, it is of great concern as to how t... 11/10/2011

Property Sales October Property sales were 6, down -14.3% from 7 in October of 2010 and -33.3% lower than the 9 sales last month. October 2011 sales were at their lowest level compared to October of 2010 and 2009. October YTD sales of 62 are running -33.3% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 93. Prices The Median Sales Price in October was $180,000, up 29.5% from $139,000 in October of 2010 and up 18.4% from $152,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in October was $216,000, up 43.6% from $150,429 in October of 2010 and up 37.9% from $156,589 last month. October 2011 ASP was at highest level compared to October of 2010 and 2009. Inventory & MSI The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of October was 54, down -3.6% from 56 last month and up 12.5% from 48 in October... 11/10/2011

As you already know from my previous blog post, we are out of power since Saturday night... But! We were able to have a little fun at our party just before we lost the power. Unfortunately, only our neighbors who live in the walking distance from us were able to come due to the heavy snow storms and I have to tell you, it felt more like a New Year’s night then Halloween. I have to admit... I became a Halloween fan just a few years ago, thanks to my sons Nikita, who is now 14 :O, and Andrei, who is 7, big boy trapped in the little boys body. My youngest son (as a lot of boys these days) is into scary stuff.. And, of course, what can be scarier than zombies? That is why he chose to be a Zombie Hunter. My lovely husband decided to play along with him and got himself the Zombie costume. (W... 10/31/2011

   As many of you heard New England got hit by snow storm Alfred couple of days ago... We were prepared for hurricane Irene a few months back: got food supplies, water, batteries, etc... But storm Alfred caught us totally unprepared. I think I was too preoccupied by preparing to host a Halloween party and didn’t pay much attention to our weather report, or didn’t expect anything “serious” in October. Oh boy was I wrong! An unseasonable October storm dumped heavy, wet snow across the eastern United States, knocking down trees and power lines and cutting electricity to more than three million homes and businesses.    If you have never lived through a nature disaster of such magnitude you haven’t seen nothing yet, and I wish you and your families will NEVER have to go through that. Imagine... 10/31/2011

South Windsor Condo Report for September 2011   During September 2011, there were 9 closed condo sales with a median price of $152,000.  During September 2010, there were also 9 closed sales, but the median price was $136,500.  So that's a nice rally in median price.  Here are the units by complex that sold: Bryrewood 206 Twin Circle Drive - 2BD/2BA/1066SF sold for $124,900 611 Twin Circle Drive - 2BD/2BA/1066SF sold for $131,000 Cinnamon Springs 50 Cinnamon Springs - 2BD/1BA/975SF sold for $91,900 Pleasant Hills 16 Arthur Drive - 2BD/2BA/1174SF sold for $187,500 Plum Ridge 719 Sandstone Drive - 3BD/2.1BA/1900SF sold for $223,000 Strawbridge 701 Mill Pond Drive - 2BD/1.1BA/1300SF sold for $149,000 403 Mill Pond Drive - 2BD/2.1BA/1485SF sold for $165,000 203 Mill Pond Drive - 2BD/2.1BA/1... 10/25/2011

South Windsor CT Market Report for September 2011   After reporting an Awesome August for the real estate market in South Windsor CT, I was waiting (and hoping) to see if this upward trend in number of closed sales could continue.  The results are mixed, in that September's closed sales were down (16 compared to August's 25) but they were up compared to last September (7).   However, in terms of median price, we would have to say that September was sizzling with a median price of $313,385!  It seems that we are finally seeing a rise in sales in the upper price ranges which is always a good sign.  This is starting to become evident in other towns as well so, at least for now, we can be moderately hopeful that the real estate market is on the rise.   Here is the breakdown by price range: ... 10/10/2011

Open House Sunday 10/9/2011 from 1-3pm at Mill River Meadows Condos. Come and check out 49 Candlewood Dr, South Windsor  CT. This is a move in condition 2br 2bath first floor ranch style condo that is currently being offered at $119,900 and is definitely the best deal on a 2br condo in South Windsor.  This Mill River Meadows condo offers cherry floors in the living room and dining room.  The large living room has 12’ sliders that lead to a patio.  The kitchen has oak cabinets and newer appliances with a glass top oven range.  49 Candlewood Dr , South Windsor also has new windows and has been freshly painted.  OPEN SUNDAY - MUST SEE   If you are looking for a South Windsor condo for sale then Mill River Meadows is a great condo complex conveniently located off of  Ellington Rd. in South ... 10/08/2011

2 Br South Windsor Townhouse – Cinnamon Springs If you are considering buying a South Windsor Townhouse then you have to check out this beautifully updated 2BR Cinnamon Springs Condo. Priced to sell at $138,500 this 2BR South Windsor townhouse has amazing views of the pond from the patio and living room. A large kitchen with maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.  Cherry floors in the dining room area. Two story foyer. Master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and bonus room that can be used as dressing room/ office/ or walk-in closet. Updated bathroom with tile. Second floor laundry. Two patios.  This unit is an absolute must see! Cinnamon Springs is a great condo complex conveniently located on the corner of Pleasant Valley Rd. and Clark St. in South Windsor CT. The complex consists... 10/06/2011

Property Sales September Property sales were 16, up 128.6% from 7 in September of 2010 and -38.5% lower than the 26 sales last month. September 2011 sales were at their highest level compared to September of 2010 and 2009. September YTD sales of 151 are running 2.0% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 148 Prices The Median Sales Price in September was $313,875, down -3.4% from $325,000 in September of 2010 and up 30.8% from $240,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in September was $340,203, down -2.9% from $350,200 in September of 2010 and up 26.4% from $269,213 last month. September 2011 ASP was at the lowest level compared to September of 2010 and 2009. Inventory & MSI The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of September was 113, up 2.7% from 110 last month... 10/05/2011

  Best Restaurants in South Windsor CT – Part 1 Burtons Grill   Burtons Grill is my favorite restaurant in South Windsor CT and considered by many people to be one of the best restaurants in the area.  Burtons Grill serves contemporary American cuisine in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. The menu offers an excellent variety of dishes including fresh salads, sandwiches, pastas, steaks, and seafood all made with the freshest ingredients and sure to please. They also offer a gluten free menu and will try to accommodate any food allergies the best that they can.  One of my favorite dishes is the Swordfish Risotto and my grandparents swear by the Salmon. Burtons Grill is located at the promenade shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor CT.  There is a large outdoor seasonal patio for y... 10/04/2011

  Westage Condos South Windsor CT – Just Sold 2-D Amato Dr South Windsor CT has just been SOLD and was a great opportunity to own a large townhouse at a great price in a fantastic town. This unit featured 2 large bedrooms, walk in closet, a patio, a deck, cair, fully finished basement, laundry in unit, eat in kitchen, and a formal dining area.   Westage Condos are a nice condo complex conveniently located off of Pleasant Valley Rd in South Windsor CT. The complex consists of 142 ranch and townhouse style units built in 1973. There are three different style floor plans in Westage. All units offer central air. This is a pet friendly complex with in unit laundry for the townhouses and common laundry areas in the basements for units that don’t have in unit laundry.   Westage Condos are prof... 10/01/2011

       The summer is gone and we are all getting ready for fall. Autumn is my absolute favorite season. I enjoy taking my run on a crisp, sunny morning and watch beautiful foliage. Who can ignore amber and gold yellows, ruby reds, viridian greens... Or go on a family bike ride.      Of course during these months I always “dress-up” my house inside and outside. To decorate the outside, I put mums and pumpkins. For the last few years I went to go pick-up the best mums and pumpkins at Foster Farm in South Windsor. They have absolutely the best price on the best Mums in South Windsor.    The hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM—Everyday. All Mums are sold in 9” Pots. You will find a large variety of colors.   Mum Prices:  $7.00 each; or 4 plants for $24.00. Foster Family Farm90 Foster ... 09/28/2011

GET OFF THE RENTAL ROLLER COASTER!    Today is a perfect time to buy your first home. Even if it is a condo, townhouse, or a single family home. The rates are at a historic low: 30 Yr Fixed at 3.875% no points! (as of September 22). Follow your American dream! Now it is more affordable then ever.    Home ownership builds equity which can help send a child to college, start a business, fund retirement, or be passed on the future generations. Check the chart below to see how much you could be directing toward a growing investment. Why rent when you may be able to buy your own home for not much more than you are paying for to your landlord? NE Moves Mortgage offers affordable first-time buyer programs that features low down payments, easier qualifying quidelines, and money-saving closing o... 09/25/2011