Wow! It’s been awhile!

Well, I finally made it … the BIG MOVE … from Connecticut to Charleston, SC.  A dream of mine for years, I must say, two months here and I have not been disappointed! While it’s difficult to get into the “I’m not on vacation” mode, getting to know the area and meet people has been a blast!  Now if I can get my real estate business up and running, life will be perfect!

The good news is that the market here is on the rebound. Sales are up more than 30% over last year, the economy is growing, and the inventory of homes is down.  All good signs for the future!  And what a terrific place to live!!!

Two New Listings This Week

Two terrific new listings in the Granbys this week.

11 Morningside Drive, West Granby is offered at $300,000.  If you want privacy, but in a neighborhood setting, this is the house for you! Nestled among the trees at the end of a cul-de-sac on 3+ acres is this well-maintained 3BR/2BA colonial. Featuring a large eat-in kitchen, beautiful fieldstone fireplace, all new carpet,  and freshly painted interior, you’ll love the open floorplan. The oversized garage lends itself to the home hobbyist with a separate workroom and loads of storage! There is also a home office in the lower level.

10 Tunxis Avenue, East Granby is offered at $479,000.  Originally built in 1894, overlooking the Farmington River, and completely re-built and updated throughout, this lovely home offers convenience and privacy. With more than 3600 sq. ft, there is plenty of space to stretch out and make yourself at home.  Featuring 4BR/2.1BA, a home office with separate entrance, spacious family room and living room, large eat-in kitchen, 2nd floor laundry, partially finished lower level and delightful grounds. With many more amenities and upgrades too numerous to mention here. Please see the attached link.

 

 

Contact me at 860-690-4207 for more information.

A 9/11 Message from my Team Leader

I want to share this message that my Team Leader, Matt Erdmann sent out to our market center this morning. At the age of 31, he is someone who really “gets” what is important in life. I am truly proud and blessed to work for him … as you’ll see.

“No matter how many years pass today is a day that we should all pause and take a minute to be thankful for everything that we have in our lives and everyone who has sacrificed to allow us to live those lives. We should pause and be thankful for our families, our jobs, our homes, our blessing and our challenges. We should pause to recognize and be thankful for every freedom we have, every decision we’ve been free to make in our lives and every breath of air we have the privilege to breathe! On this day in 2001 2,993 people lost that privilege and in the shadow of that terrible event our country came together in a way that I had never seem in my short life! For a moment we forgot about politics and racial, gender, or economic divides. Everything else became insignificant. I was in Fort Dicks New Jersey training to deploy to Bosnia on a peace keeping mission on September 11th 2001. I was on a shooting range firing 50 cal rifles at old tanks when the range was called to a cease fire. We where ushered into the bleachers and told to “wait one.” Our range Sergeant came back and told us that a plane just flew into the world trade center. We were all convinced it was some sort of a training exercise. A few minutes later there we were…about 30 guys gathered around a battery operated rabbit eared 8 inch TV watching the aftermath live on TV. We were speechless. I remember going to sleep that night in the barracks and thinking that at that exact moment as I lay there comfortable in my bunk in the darkness of my quarters there were people struggling for air in a totally different kind of darkness. I could not help but imagine the feeling of hopelessness that must come with that kind of a situation. Since that day thousands more of our citizens have given their lives to protect us from that feeling of hopelessness! These are people just like you and me…with families, hobbies, hopes, dreams and civilian lives. Those citizens and their families paid the ultimate price to protect our way of life! We should all, if not everyday at least today, make a conscious effort to remember their sacrifices and the incredible patriotism that rose from the ashes of that terrible day…take a deep breath and say thank you! Kiss your wife or husband, hug your kids, call your parents for no reason, pull into your driveway slowly when you get home tonight and look at your home…however magnificent or dilapidated it might be…then take another deep breathe and be thankful for all of it!!!!!!!! There is no nation with more to be thankful for than us!!!”

New Listings!

Spring is officially heating up!  I have listed 6 new properties in the past month.  Whether you are buying your first home, need more space, or are ready to downsize, there is something for you!  Check out the great deals!

275 Princeton Street, Hartford priced at $186,800.  An inviting 3BR/1.1BA colonial in a great neighborhood in the Southend.  Featuring an eat-in kitchen with new appliances, wood floors thru-out, french doors from the living room to spacious dining room with built-in corner cupboard, large bedrooms, walk-up attic and attached garage. This is a great property for the 1st time homebuyer or as an alternative to condo living.   The home inspection has already been done for you too!

2 Field Rock, Farmington  $233,000.   Newly updated condo at Meadow Farms.  Freshly painted thru-out.  All new carpet.  New granite countertops in kitchen.  Finshed and heated lower level.  2 large bedrooms and 2.1 baths. Attached 1 car garage.  Meadow farms amenities include basketball and tennis courts.  Ready for immediate occupancy.

41 Ichabod, Simsbury  $288,500   Charming ranch style home in one of Simsbury’s most convenient neighborhoods!  3BR/1.1BA.  C/air, eat-in kitchen, family room, fireplaced living room.  Deck overlooking private yard. Beautifully maintained and updated. If you are looking for “country living” in a neighborhood setting, but within minutes of everything, then this is the house for you!

64 Parkview Drive, Avon   $368,500   Great price on this wonderful split level home.  4BR/2.1BA  Open floor plan that lets in lots of light.  Spacious living room and familiy room make this house perfect for entertaining or gathering with friend and family. 2 fireplaces and built in barbecue too!  Newer kitchen, furnace and hot water heater.  Gorgeous wood floors.  Great value at this price!

9 Fox Chase, Bloomfield  $379,900   Wow, What a Value!!  2271 sq. ft of living space with an additional 1000 sq. ft. in the finished walk out lower level!  This lovely home offers an open & inviting floorplan. Updated thru-out. New kitchen with cherry cabinetry and granite counters. 3BR/3.1BA. Bright & spacious 4 season sunroom for year round views of the professionally landscaped gardens with approximately $100,000 in specimen plantings.  The feeling of country living only 7 minutes from Hartford!!

11 Anderson Way, East Hampton   $469,900  Just built in 2005 this home shows like brand new!  A contemporized farmhouse style colonial, this lovely home features a wrap-around porch, large rear deck and fenced in yard.  Inside you will find soaring ceilings and an open floor plan. Gorgeous open kitchen with granite , center island cooktop, custom cabinetry, and breakfast nook.  The great room has a stone fireplace, lots of windows and french doors leading to the porch. The formal dining room measures 14×16.  The master bedroom suite (16×20)  is located on the first floor. It has an open sitting area, spacious master bath with jetted tub, and french doors leading to the deck and rear porch area.  The 2nd floor had two additional bedrooms and a full bath.  There is also room to expand over the garage with the ability to access it from the 2nd floor hall. 

For additional information about these homes, please contact me at 860-761-3707 or by cell at 860-690-4207

275 Princeton St. Hartford

2 Field Rock, Farmington

41 Ichabod, Simsbury

64 Parkview, Avon

9 Fox Chase, Bloomfield

11 Anderson Way, East Hampton

Homebuyer Tax Credit to Remain in Stimulus Bill

As you have probably heard, the Senate and House conferees have reached an agreement on the Stimulus bill totaling $789 billion. Thank you for all of your efforts. More than 75,000 Realtors sent over 225,000 letters over the past few days. It was a dramatic turnout on short notice.

 While the details of the stimulus are still subject to minor changes, here is the latest:

1. Tax Credit a. The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

b. The size of the credit is $7,500.

c. There will be income limits ($75,000 for an individual; $150,000 for a couple).

d. First-time homebuyers only.

e. Tax credit expires in September 2009 ( probably the 1st of September) and we are trying to confirm that it is retroactive to January 1 so people do not have to wait for the President to sign the bill to close.

Basically the House bill prevailed as conferees tried to get the bill to “score” under $800 billion while increasing spending items reduced by the Senate.

2. FHA & GSE Mortgage Limits

a. The bill restores the 2008 limits for the country. If an area increased in 2009, the 2009 current limit would be retained.

Timing of the Stimulus Bill It is expected the bill will be passed this week and signed by the President early next week. The mortgage limit change could be effective immediately since there are no calculations required.

Courtesy of Kenneth R. Trepeta Esq. Director – Real Estate Services National Association of Realtors

 

 OH, BY THE WAY… if you know of someone who would appreciate my services, please call me with their name and number and I will be happy to help them.

Cathy Fischer, Keller Williams Realty         860.761.3707

A Promising Step Forward to Boost Home Ownership

Wednesday evening the United States Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan amendment, offered by Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), to the Economic Stimulus Bill creating a $15,000 tax credit to individuals who purchase a home in the next year.   Specifically, the Isakson-Lieberman amendment to the pending economic stimulus bill would provide a direct tax credit to any homebuyer who purchases any home. The amount of the tax credit would be $15,000 or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less. Purchases must be made within one year of the legislation’s enactment, and the tax credit would not have to be repaid.   The amendment would allow taxpayers to claim the credit on their 2008 income tax return. It also seeks to prevent misuse by only allowing purchases of a principle residence and by recapturing the credit if the home is sold within two years of purchase. The amendment would sunset the current $7,500 housing tax credit on the date of enactment.   While the final details of the Stimulus Bill are still being debated, this amendment represents a tremendous step forward in efforts to stabilize housing markets around the nation.    In relation to this effort a group of REALTORS® met Monday, February 2 with Senator  Lieberman and a group of local bankers to discuss initiatives to help home sellers and buyers.  All agreed that getting dollars actively into the housing market would help motivate the housing market in Connecticut and the economy overall. The $15,000 tax credit and other aspects of the Stimulus Bill were discussed and encouraged.    “The REALTORS® of Connecticut thank Senator Lieberman for his efforts in passing this legislation in the Senate which will increase the homebuyer tax credit, expand the number of people eligible for it and expand the time available to use it.  It is good news at a time when such measures are needed.  If signed into law, these initiatives will boost home ownership, home sales and the economy,” said Linda St. Peter, President of CAR.   Article Courtesy of the Connecticut Association of Realtors

Senate Adds Homebuyer Tax Credit to Stimulus Bill

The Senate on Wednesday voted to expand the economic stimulus package with a tax credit for homebuyers of up to $15,000, a provision championed by Republicans as addressing a root cause of the recession.

The vote to add the tax credit, at a cost of about $18.5 billion, came as Senate leaders seemed to be nearing completion of negotiations. The majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, suggested that a final vote on the stimulus plan could come on Thursday…

The tax break for homebuyers, which the Senate approved by voice vote without opposition, was the second amendment in two days intended to encourage consumers to make major purchases. On Tuesday, the Senate approved a tax incentive for car buyers, sponsored by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Democrat of Maryland, that would allow the deduction of sales tax and loan interest on purchases made this year. Read more at The New York Times

by David M. Herszenhorn Feb. 5, 2009 Photo, by flickr user

Is it Spring?

The Super Bowl is over. It must be Spring. 3 new listings are in the works. A charming ranch in Simsbury, a spacious colonial with beautiful gardens (under snow right now) and a stylish condo convenient to everything in Farmington. Watch for their listings in the next few weeks!

Next Tuesday, February 10th from 6 to 8pm is our next workshop, “De-Clutter and Re-decorate for Spring”. Stephanie Rogers, a professional home stager and decorator will be presenting the workshop for us. Dan Westbrook, a local contractor will also be present to answer questions. So please join us at Keller Williams, 60 Avon Meadodw Lane, Avon for an evening of great info, fun & wine & cheese!

The Market’s Heating Up!

Hooray! The temperatures may be below freezing, but the phone is starting to ring again. It doesn’t hurt that interest rates are dipping below 5%. 

Every Tuesday is Brokers Tour Day.  One thing I noticed yesterday while on tour is that there seem to be fewer listings coming on the market each week. And of those listings, the houses and condos that stand out are the ones in the best condition with the most realistic pricing  … Nothing new there!

I’m hopeful that this will be a great Spring for real estate. If you are on the fence, better start moving!

Snow, Snow and More Snow!

 

With all of the snow we’ve been getting lately, is it any wonder I’m ready for Spring? If you love the snow and all of this wintry weather, there are plenty of things to do right now. Interested in cross-country skiing?  Do you know that Winding Trails in Farmington and Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury are two local and convenient spots to try out your skis? Check out these websites for locations, and facilities for skiing, skating and outdoor winter fun:

                                                                                          www.a1trails.com/xc_ski/xc_ct.html

                                                                                 www.ultimateskiguide.com/windingtrails.html                                        

                                                         www.mountaintravelguide.com/Connecticut/Hartford/Ski/StrattonBrookSP.htm · 

                                                                                                     www.skisundown.com  `

                                                                              www.isccskate.com

 Oh by the way, if you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling their home, I would love to help Just let me know.