Archive for April, 2008
6 Reasons Why Buyers Need a Strong Agent on Their Team
April 29th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Talking Real Estate
Here a quick rundown of why today’s real estate buyers need a strong agent on their team.
Question: What is a Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: The law in Connecticut requires us to be your agent. This is a very good thing. As a Buyer’s Agent we work solely for you and have absolutely no legal or other responsibilities to the seller.* Our fiduciary responsibility is to you. When working with a Buyer Agent, you have the benefit of personal representation, independent counseling, loyalty, confidentiality, and trust.
*In a case where the property your agent is representing you to buy is also that agent’s listing, dual agency applies. Talk to us for more information.
Question: Will a Buyer’s Agent disclose more information to us?
Answer: Yes indeed. Because a Buyer Agent’s fiduciary responsibility is to you, he or she can be more forthcoming with any negative aspects about properties that you are investigating for purchase.
Question: Does a Buyer’s Agent make decisions for us?
Answer: No. As your personal ally, advocating your best interests, a Buyer Representative is obligated to provide you with maximum information about buying a home, each step of the way. That means disclosing specifics about location, property values, offering price, negotiations, counteroffers, contingencies, financing, and the entire closing process. Armed with such vital and detailed information, you’ll be thoroughly prepared to make decisions that are right for you and your family.
Question: Why is it important to choose the right Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: Since we work for you, we are required by law to look after your best interests. This means that we will work as hard to make certain that you buy the best home for the lowest price.
Question: Who pays the fees for a Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: The Buyer’s Agent is compensated by the sellers sales commission. The buyer is generally not responsible for any of these fees.
Question: What did you mean by “confidentiality”?
Answer: Since a Buyer Agent is legally obligated only to you, he maintains absolute privacy with regard to financial and personal information. This means that we keep private any facts about your situation that might signal to the seller your position in a price negotiation (things like why you might need to buy quickly).
Question: Can you answer more questions?
Answer: We can give you more details and answer all of your questions. Just post in the Comments.
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5 Ridgefield CT Homes That Will Sell Now
April 25th, 2008 categories: Talking Real Estate
If you read yesterday’s Ridgefield Press (unfortunately the Real Estate article has not been published on-line) , you saw that in Q1 there were 28% fewer home sales in Ridgefield. But you also read that the real estate market also experienced an uptick in home prices. There’s no denying that it’s a sluggish market but I gotta tell you that Ridgefield homes are selling. Which ones? The ones that provide buyers the most value.
In this market, buyers are shopping for value. They are looking long and hard on-line and driving around looking for the best combination of price and condition of home… value. “Today’s buyer expects more for the same and the same for less”. For every Ridgefield realtor and home seller that truly wants to get a house sold, the only word we need to know is value.
Price reductions are the best way to increase your home’s value to potential buyers. Current inventory is 255 homes for sale. 98 of these homes have reduced their price to become competitive. Combing through the MLS I found 5 homes that truly want to be sold. No one is giving their home away but these folks have realigned their value proposition by listening to what the market is saying and making some of the most significant price reductions.
Ridgefield Real Estate: Homes That Really Want to Sell
Buyers take notice! These sellers are ready to sell their homes now! Make offers!
(These are all listings of other agents.)
159 NORTH ST Price Reduced 22%
25 KETCHAM RD Price Reduced 16%
15 LAKESIDE DRIVE EXT Price Reduced 14%
7 MULBERRY ST Price Reduced 14%
27 COOPER HILL RD Price Reduced 9%
Click Here to see these 5 PRICE REDUCED Listings
Contact us to learn more about these properties or any other home on the market.
Related Posts:
- Ridgefield, CT Real Estate Market Report: Home Sales April 2008
- Home Sales Roundup – Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT Real Estate – March 2008
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How One Ridgefielder Beat the Tax Man and You Can Too
April 22nd, 2008 categories: Ridgefield, Talking Real Estate
You CAN fight town hall and WIN! I spoke to a longtime Ridgefield home owner about 2 months ago. He questioned the latest tax assessment – the one completed by Ridgefield’s Tax Assessor, Al Garzi, in 2007.
The home owner felt that his property was over-valued and that the town was demanding that he pay more than his fair share of the tax burden. I researched his property in Town Hall and determined that he was probably right. When Brad and I viewed the property, we agreed that the assessment was indeed too high for that particular house in that particular Ridgefield neighborhood.
Since we are the market experts, we offered our professional opinion on the property’s value and suggested that an appeal would very likely be successful.
The appeal succeeded and the property’s assessment fell by 6.5% which means these folks just saved 6.5% on their tax bill!
The State of Connecticut requires that each town revalue all real property every 5 years. This maintains real estate tax equity amongst all Ridgefield property owners. Since last year’s revaluation, we have answered so many questions from people looking to better understand how the the process works and whether their actual reassessment is fair.
Whether you are an existing client or not, don’t ever hesitate to call us for help. We’d love to discuss your new assessment or anything real estate. We are always available to help in any way possible.
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Daycares and Preschools: Find Some of the Best in Ridgefield, CT
April 19th, 2008 categories: Keep Your Kids Busy, Ridgefield, Schools
“It takes a village to raise a child”… well, maybe not a whole village but every parent does need some help. Ridgefield’s parents rely on a network of reliable providers for preschool education and daycare assistance.
As a Ridgefield realtor, home buyers often ask about our preschool and daycare options. Parents need to trust their daycare to provide educational and social opportunities for their youngsters. Knowing you have “the right” early education situation for your child will keep your mind at ease. Your kids will benefit as well by making friends and participating in learning and physical activities that enhance early childhood development.
Preschools and Daycare Facilities in Ridgefield:
Almost Home
Ridgefield Community Kindergarten
St. Mary’s Early Education Center
Ridgefield Montessori School
St Stephen’s Nursery School
Creative Children’s Korner
Growing Tree
Methodist Nursery School
The Children’s Corner
All For Kids
Kaleidoscope Kids
My Nursery School
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Ridgefield, CT Real Estate: 3 Reasons Why the Luxury Segment Remains Strong
April 14th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Market Data & Statistics, Recent Transactions, Ridgefield, Selling Your House, Talking Real Estate
When you look at the numbers it’s clear that the high end of the Ridgefield, CT real estate market remains strong. Over the last several years, housing stock priced in the over $1.5M bracket has grown due to new construction as well as price appreciation.
Taking a look at all Ridgefield homes that sold for over $1.5M transaction volume has remained stable for the past 3 years (see table). So far in 2008, we are tracking 2007 exactly. Demand remains high in the luxury segment of the market for several reasons including:
- Ridgefield continues to offer an extremely desirable mix of small town, country, great schools, culture, entertainment, proximity to NYC, value and more
- virtually all new construction is at the high end
- interest rates remain at historic lows
Click here to view all luxury Ridgefield CT homes currently for sale
[TABLE=13]
Related Posts:
- Ridgefield, CT Real Estate Market Report: Home Sales April 2008
- Home Sales Roundup – Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT Real Estate – March 2008
- All Luxury Ridgefield, CT Homes Currently for Sale
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Home Sellers: Don’t Make This Mistake!
April 10th, 2008 categories: Selling Your House, Talking Real Estate
You just sold your house, well almost. An accepted offer means you’re on the 5 yard line… just a few yards from pay dirt. And if you’ve properly prepared for this day, the hard work is over. The only thing standing between you and the goal line is the buyer’s home inspection.
The inspector is searching for defects and systems that are either failed or likely to fail. As a seller, you want be sure that the home inspection doesn’t turn into “negotiation-round 2″. Or worse, a deal breaker.
Sellers: fix the issues before they become a problem and kill your deal. This YouTube video offers some good insight into what problems inspectors find most. View it now so you can be as prepared as possible to successfully market you home.
An Avoidable Deal Breaker in Ridgefield, CT
My own experience of the last 2 weeks drives this point home.
My buyer fell in love with a new real estate listing in Ridgefield. Even in this challenging market there was a competitive bid on this property and we ended up winning this house by paying over asking price. When the inspection uncovered some previously undetected termite damage, the deal fell apart and my buyer moved on to buy a different house.
Had the seller fixed the damage prior to marketing the house, it would have been no problem. By losing this buyer, the seller made it to the red zone but couldn’t score the touchdown.
Contact Brad or me and we’d be glad to help you eliminate inspection issues before they become a problem in selling your house.
Related Post:
- How to Save Money and Add 20% to the Value of Your Home
- 4 Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home In 2008!
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Ridgefield, CT Real Estate Market Report: Home Sales April 2008
April 7th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, For Agents, Market Data & Statistics, Ridgefield, Selling Your House, Talking Real Estate
Ridgefield Real Estate Market Commentary
March is always a transitional month in Ridgefield. As the spring weather arrives in Connecticut, so do the home buyers. Contrary to the doom and gloom news reports, Brad and I have been working with buyers that are actually making reasonable offers and buying homes. In the past few weeks, several Ridgefield homes went under agreement within days of listing. No doubt that it’s a challenging market but this tells us that the good houses listed at realistic prices have no problems getting sold… quickly. Although buyers maintain a power position in the market, they are making buying decisions and will continue to do so.
Even with the current lull in transaction volume, the Ridgefield real estate market is certainly not on life support. Demand will always remain relatively strong here for several reasons: great schools, affordable homes, proximity to lower Fairfield County, Westchester County and NYC and an overall quality of life that people really, really enjoy. If you already live her, you know what I’m talking about.
Market Stats for Ridgefield CT Real Estate
The numbers say that Ridgefield real estate is still tracking behind last year. Inventories are a little higher (6%) and the number of single family home closings are down by 27% compared to March 2007. Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll see inventory climb (normal for this time of year). We never sell through all of these homes. This spring it will be the owners with realistic expectations that are going to be the most successful. For buyers, this market brings together three major factors in their favor: historically low interest rates, a great selection of homes to choose from and prices that are the most reasonable in recent memory.
We are always available to help you understand what’s going on in today’s real estate market and what it means to you. We know the market numbers better than anyone and always make certain that our clients are armed with the most important market data and the best real estate advice to get the best deal possible. Contact us anytime to talk about your situation.
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Getting Connected: Ridgefield, Wilton & Redding CT Utility Companies.
April 3rd, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Redding, Ridgefield, Talking Real Estate, Wilton
When you move to Ridgefield, Redding or Wilton, CT you’ll need to “plug-in” to the local utility companies that serve your town. Here are the main contacts to call to “turn you on” when you move -in!
Ridgefield Utility Companies:
Electric Service:
Connecticut Light and Power: Click Here For CL&P Website – Tel: 1-800-286-2000
Digital Television:
Comcast: Click Here For Comcast Website – Tel: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
Telephone Service:
Comcast: Click Here For Comcast Website – Tel: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
High Speed Internet Access
Comcast: Click Here For Comcast Website – Tel: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
Fuel Oil Supply
Casey Fuel: www.caseyfuel.com – Tel: (203) 438-6500
Branchville Oil: Tel: (203) 544-8460
Servco Oil: www.servcooil.com – Tel: (203) 762-7994
Montanari Fuel Co. : Tel:(203) 438-2688
Petro: www.Petro.com
Community Well Water
Rural Water Company – Tel: (203) 744-5459
Trash Collection:
Country Disposal Co.: Tel: (203) 438-9500
Trojan Horse Sanitation: Tel: (203) 792-2525
Lostocco: www.lostocco.com – Tel: (203) 743-9940
Wilton Utility Companies:
Electric Service:
Connecticut Light and Power: Click Here For CL&P Website – Tel: 1-800-286-2000
Digital Television:
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 847-6666
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
Telephone Service:
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 847-6666
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
High Speed Internet Access
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 847-6666
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
Fuel Oil Supply
Casey Fuel: www.caseyfuel.com – Tel: (203) 438-6500
Branchville Oil: Tel: (203) 544-8460
Servco Oil: www.servcooil.com – Tel: (203) 762-7994
Montanari Fuel Co. : Tel:(203) 438-2688
Petro: www.Petro.com
Trash Collection:
Country Disposal Co.: Tel: (203) 438-9500
Trojan Horse Sanitation: Tel: (203) 792-2525
Lostocco: www.lostocco.com – Tel: (203) 743-9940
Ferris Refuse Co.: (Wilton) – Tel: (203) 762-2746
Redding Utility Companies:
Electric Service:
Connecticut Light and Power: Click Here For CL&P Website – Tel: 1-800-286-2000
Digital Television:
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 438-7783
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-202
Telephone Service:
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 438-7783
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
High Speed Internet Access
Optimum Cable: Click Here For Optimum Website – Tel: (203) 438-7783
AT&T: Click Here For AT&T Website – Tel: 1-800-288-2020
Fuel Oil Supply
Casey Fuel: www.caseyfuel.com – Tel: (203) 438-6500
Branchville Oil: Tel: (203) 544-8460
Servco Oil: www.servcooil.com – Tel: (203) 762-7994
Montanari Fuel Co. : Tel:(203) 438-2688
Petro: www.Petro.com
Trash Collection:
Country Disposal Co.: Tel: (203) 438-9500
Trojan Horse Sanitation: Tel: (203) 792-2525
Lostocco: www.lostocco.com – Tel: (203) 743-9940
Please use the space below to let us know your favorites!
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Home Sales Roundup – Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT Real Estate – March 2008
April 1st, 2008 categories: Market Data & Statistics, Recent Transactions, Redding, Ridgefield, Talking Real Estate, Wilton
Closings in March reflect home sales that were negotiated in the prior 30-90 days. Each of these transactions closed during the month. The list includes all of the single family home sales for Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton, Connecticut for the month of March 2008. Contact us with your questions regarding today’s shifting real estate market.
[TABLE=10]
Click Here to Search All Homes Currently For Sale
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