Saturday, March 6, 2010

Center Chimney Colonials, a New England Treasure!

Center chimney Colonials, a New England treasure!

I saw the most amazing chimney today, I actually went back to my car, got my camera and had to take pictures of this. This is an old New England center chimney Colonial, built in 1786. It is a very impressive size at over 2,500 square feet, although when you see the size of the chimney in the basement you can understand that the house would have to be big to house this monster! Center chimney Colonials were the first really distinctive style homes in New England.

I love antiques, and this one is certainly a home that someone could sink their teeth into. The house has 4 fireplaces that I can see. 3 downstairs and one smaller one upstairs. (I didn't get a picture of the upstairs one though.) I was wondering if there were more upstairs that have been walled over, I can't tell. The largest fireplace still has the beehive oven, I couldn't resist sticking my head inside and getting a shot off! The real treat? In the attic (which is amazing, I am going back to shoot more photos, the beams are awesome!) there is a smokehouse attached to the chimney! Plus another attic above the attic.

Of course, like any self respecting New England antique center chimney Colonial there are beautiful hand hewn beams all over and wonderful chestnut floors. I was drooling, even though the house needs quite a bit of work.

As this was a working farm for years there are all sorts of old barns and buildings which gave me many photo opps. I will be going back when spring is here to get more photos for myself. There was an buggy parked out back, all I needed was a horse and I would have been all set! Across the street was the spring house which feeds water to the house. The water was crystal clear, it really is amazing.

I did a bit of research on the old center chimney Colonials, the funky staircases were so typical as they wrapped tightly around the chimneys. This one is no different. I was told that the banister and newel posts are believed to be original. I don't know about that, but it is pretty cool. The windows and doors were known as "bays", and you could tell if someone was prosperous by the amount of bays. As time went on it became the norm to have 5 "bays", 2 windows on each side and a front door.  Center chimney Colonials are very symmetrical, the rooms up and down mirrored each other, called 2 over 2.





 


There really is something quite special about a New England antique, I hope that this one finds someone who understands and appreciates its beauty and brings it back to the gem it must have been at one time. This one is on the market in Roxbury, CT for 1.3 million dollars, sits on 19 acres of pasture and wooded area. A real Connecticut beauty. I was pleasantly surprised by the lure of this wonderful center chimney Colonial I visited today!

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor®
Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

337 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Cell: 203.460.1775  Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Start your home search here.

Greater New Milford, CT area information. Litchfield County at its best.


Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

© 2009 Andrea Swiedler. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me at andrea@andreswiedler.com with your request. Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, please let me know before you decide to bestow this form of flattery on me! Thank you.




Sunday, February 28, 2010

Selling your house with those junk vehicles in the yard, New Milford CT real estate talk.

Help! We sold our house and have these old cars to get rid of!

To you it is your old beloved car, so many wonderful memories for you. To you Realtor® it is a potential stumbling block to reaching that all important "curb appeal" status that is so greatly desired. To the town, if there are more than one it is a fine waiting to happen. (Depending on where you live, the amount of unregistered vehicles allowed can vary) To your insurance company it is a hazzard. To a potential buyer it screams "run away run away".

And where there are one, there are usually two. Old, unregistered vehicles tend to attract more, it is law. There is always the relative or friend who saw the old car in your yard and asked could they just leave their old, beloved car with yours? Trust me, these old cars travel in packs.

You always meant to fix it up, somehow the car was relegated to the back corner of the yard. At one time there was a cover over it, now there are remnants of the blue tarp flying streamers from the back of the car. The mice have moved in, the tires died years ago, only you see the beauty shining through the eyesore in your yard. The neighbors stopped talking to you after they saw raccoons and mice moving in.

Best case scenario? The car should have been removed prior to the house being put on the market. Worst case scenario? You are two days away from closing, the ground is saturated and you can't move the car without tearing up the yard beyond repair.

There is nothing worse than your agent having to contact your attorney and telling them there is a problem two days before the closing. The ground is too soft to move the vehicles, it is going to cost an arm and a leg to have them moved, the guy who promised to take them never showed up, the person who really owns the car never came, you can't find the title to junk the car. Yes, money can be put in escrow, the problem is still looming over your head and now you have angry buyers waiting for you to come and remove the eyesore(s) without tearing up their new yard.

Other option is call the fire department, sometimes you can donate vehicles to be used in "Jaws of Life" demonstrations, or they set them on fire to learn how to put them off. You beloved friend will die a good death (again) and possibly save the lives of others. A totally worthy cause. Whatever you decide to do with it (them) don't delay!






Thursday, February 11, 2010

You better be the pick of the litter when selling your home in New Milford CT, not the mangy mutt down the street.


You better be the pick of the litter, not the mangy mutt down the street if you want to sell your home in New Milford, CT. After all, it is a buyers market in New Milford, CT.
You need to sell your home in New Milford, CT. It is a buyers market, there is no doubt about it. Although the absorption rate is getting better (absorption rate it how long it will take the current inventory to sell) in New Milford, CT it is still a buyers market. We are at a 12 month absorption rate for New Milford, CT, better than the 24 month absorption rate we showed last year at this time. (At 6 months we are in a "balanced market", anything under that is a sellers market, over that, buyers market.)

You want to sell your house in New Milford, CT. What should you do? So, you contacted local Realtors® to do a market analysis for you. As you sit and listen to each one your eyes glaze over. The bottom line, the price is too low, you don't even hear the rest of the conversation, each Realtor® starts to sound like the adults in the "Peanuts" movies. Like a saxophone with a mute on it. Marketing strategy? What difference will that make? The price is too low.

Consider a few things.

Overpriced listings don't sell. For every month your house doesn't sell add up your expenses. Your monthly nut to live in the home, then subtract that from the price you think you should get for your house. If you have signed a 6 month listing, times your monthly nut by 6. If you signed a 12 month listing, figure it out. You just lost all that money.

Overpriced listings don't sell. If you are in danger of falling behind on your payments if you don't sell, you can pretty much count on falling behind on your payments because... overpriced listings don't sell.

Condition is KEY. If you can't do the work needed, price it accordingly. De-cluttering and cleaning, a bit of elbow grease goes a long way to making your house look better.


If you want to sell your house in New Milford, CT, make sure you understand the current market and how your home relates to the current market. Ask if your Realtor® has a strong internet presence, find out what type of marketing will be done. Once you make your choice, realize that your Realtor® is a professional and follow the advice given.

The Realtor® who gives you the highest price for your home may not necessarily be the one that is going to help you get it sold. (We call that "buying a listing") The Realtor® who explains the current real estate market conditions in New Milford, CT, who gives you a fair and honest price for your home, who has valid suggestions about how to get your home ready for sale, the Realtor® who will market your home in the best light, this is the Realtor® you want to pick.

For more information check out the following:

Remember, if you want to sell your home in New Milford, CT you better be the pick of the litter instead of the old mangy mutt that has been on forever. If you want to find out how to be the pick of the litter, give me a call. I would be happy to map out a marketing strategy for you based on current market conditions as they relate to your house and give you a realistic price as it relates to the current real estate market conditions in New Milford, CT.


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Market Watch January 2010 New Milford, CT. Real Estate Sales in New Milford CT

Market Watch New Milford CT, Real Estate Sales New Milford CT

Things seem to be improving in the New Milford CT real estate market! We are busier and the numbers prove it. It is still a buyers market. The absorption rate (how long it will take to sell what is currently on the market) is 14 months. This shows an improvement over last year. I calculated the rate just about a year ago, it was almost 28 months at that time. 6 months is considered a balanced market, under 6 months is a sellers market, over 6 months is a buyers market. We are still in a buyers market here in New Milford, CT.

As I write this there are currently 216 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT. The average list price of these homes is $482,845. The average market time is 152 days. Highest list price: $ 5,900,000, Lowest list price: $84,900.

Of these active listings, 20 are under deposit, average list price of these is $292,356, average market time is 133 days.

Currently there are 17 homes in a pending status, awaiting closing. The average list price of these homes is $392,735, average market time is 119.

What does this mean if you are selling? In the greater New Milford CT real estate market you must price it right. Buyers are savvy, lenders are not apt to let them overpay. Call me for a market analysis of your property.

If you are buying? You have some good choices, rates are STILL low, if you act quickly you can still get in on the tax credit. Call me, I will be happy to discuss your options with you. Join me February 23, 2010 for a home buyers seminar. Rod Moore from Flagstar Bank will be there to discuss mortgage options, I will be there to discuss the buying process and the current real estate market in the greater New Milford, CT area.


All statistical information provided by the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (CMLS). Information provided deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Overloaded with Books in New Milford CT? Clean your house, help New Milford CT Library

Overloaded with books in New Milford Connecticut? Help yourself and help the New Milford Public Library in New Milford, CT.

The Friends of New Milford Library of New Milford, CT are at it again, helping the library and helping us to clean out our homes. They are accepting donations of books for their Friends of New Milford Library Book Sale.

They are accepting books that are in good or better condition and clean. They are also taking VHS tapes, CD's, DVD's, computer games and cassettes that are in working order! (Now you know what to do with all those VHS tapes!) Also, textbooks that are dated 2004 or newer.

They are NOT accepting Encyclopedias, Readers Digest Condensed Books, Records, Magazines, books on computers and software, text books dated 2003 or earlier or albums (records). Also, check your books, if they smell musty, moldy or mildewy, are written in, have torn and ripped pages or hi-lighted, they cannot accept them.

If you have a large quantity of books they can even arrange for pickup! You can contact them at 860.350.4657.

Not only can you clean out your home (especially those of you who have your home on the market and are planning on moving and are overwhelmed by books, old VHS tapes, etc) this is a great way to help out the New Milford Public Library in New Milford, CT.

Fun historical fact about the New Milford CT library. The very first library in New Milford, CT was established in 1796 and had 350 volumes. The library was housed in the homes of "public spirited citizens" and was only open 5 days per year. It was called "Union Library". (I wonder what the fees were for overdue books if they were only open 5 days per year, or did they have drop boxes?)

Help yourself, help the New Milford Public Library in New Milford Connecticut and donate those old books, VHS tapes and more! 

Saturday, January 30, 2010

It is a buyers market in New Milford, CT, how to sell your home

It is still a buyers market in New Milford, CT.

This is a buyers market in New Milford, CT, no doubt about it. As a result it is imperative that your home be ready to sell. Before you sell you should be aware of what issues may prevent the sale of your home, or prevent you from getting the best price possible. You see your home one way, a buyer sees it in another light, and you can take that to the bank... (or not).

With current market trends issues or potential issues should be addressed prior to placing your home on the market. Lenders are reading the disclosures and listings, they are also reading the inspectors reports. Have you done renovations yourself? Did you get the proper permits as needed?

You may have owned your home for a few years and not even realized there is an open building permit at the town hall for work started by the prior owner. This can really cause problems for you if you wait until you have a buyer for your home.

Your Realtor® should be checking for potential issues at the town hall. Don't hold your breath and hope no one notices. Someone will notice and it will cost you in the end. Cost you $$, cost you the sale, cost you in many ways.

You may not have the money to hire an inspector, and with the economic climate this is understandable. But you can eyeball a few things and point them out to your Realtor® as they walk around your property with you getting ready to list your home. This will NOT replace a full inspection, but it may bring to light some obvious issues you need to think about. If you can hire an inspector pre-listing, even better!





Some very common issues that pop up today are:

  • No permits or CO's for decks or additions.
  • No permit for new roofing.
  • No permits or CO's for anything that it was required for actually!
  • Decks improperly built. If you are able to walk under your deck, do so and LOOK UP. Are there joist hangers? Is the deck bolted to the house? Of course standards change, and your deck may have been built with older standards, but if there are apparent structural issues, if the wood is rotting, if the deck wobbles, if the railings are loose it will be a problem.
  • Electrical issues. I have an unnatural fear of electricity, looking inside a box gives me instant stomach churn. However I know enough that if I see exposed wires or a rusty box there may be bigger problems. And if you can't turn on the hair dryer and the microwave without tripping the circuit breakers then you already know you have a problem. And if you don't even have circuit breakers, this will be an issue too.
  • How about your roof? If there are 3 layers of shingle on your roof that is it, the next time all that has to come off and it will cost big bucks. Are the shingles loose? Are they looking old and worn? And more importantly, does your roof leak? If you can get upstairs to your attic, look up! Are there water stains on the underside of the roof?
  • Clogged gutters, missing gutters, loose gutters. This is not only unsightly but it can cause so many problems.
  • Is your basement wet? Does it get wet on a regular basis? Address the issue!
  • Check your home with your nose! Pet smells will deter buyers, a mildewy smell will raise a red flag. Mold is a big problem for homes. Find out what is going on. If you see a bit of mold on the outside of the wall you may have a far larger problem behind the walls. A note, please don't try to attack this yourself, mold spores are very small and will spew into the air and travel all around the house!
  • If you are on well water, take a water down to be tested. There are many places that do this testing and they will tell you how to pull the water for the test.
  • On the well issue, look at your well head cover, if it is close to the ground that may not fly. Is the cover cracked? Broken?
  • When was the last time you had your septic pumped? In older systems I find a big problem is there is no riser installed, the opening is buried beneath current standards.  Since 2000, no matter how old your system is, access to the tank for clean-out cannot be more than 12 inches below the surface of the ground. If it is, risers must be installed.
  • How does your heating system function? Do you get your furnace/boiler cleaned regularly? Have it cleaned and checked. Buyers and agents check the side of the furnace/boiler for information telling how regularly it has been serviced. Something that looks like it came out of the dark ages will scare the pants off a buyer!
  • If you still have an in ground oil tank this will stop a sale dead in its tracks. This is something that must be addressed, speak to your Realtor® immediately for solutions to handle this issue if you don't have the resources to pull the tank right away.
  • Check under your sinks for leaks. If the cabinets are moist, if there are stains on the wood get it addressed!
Remember, you are not a licensed home inspector, electrician, carpenter, plumber or septic installer. But you and your Realtor® certainly can look around for potential issues before you put the house on the market. And sometimes you just know there is something wrong. Face it head on, don't put your head in the sand!

As I said, it is a buyers market in New Milford, CT. Not only does your home need to look good visually, it needs to be in good "working order". And if you can't address some o
f the issues you know about, make sure you price it accordingly and that you disclose potential issues up front.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor®
Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

337 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Cell: 203.460.1775  Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Start your home search here.

Greater New Milford, CT area information. Litchfield County at its best.


Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

© 2009 Andrea Swiedler. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me at andrea@andreswiedler.com with your request. Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, please let me know before you decide to bestow this form of flattery on me! Thank you.

Doctor Electric, Electrical Contractor in New Milford, CT

Doctor Electric still makes house calls! Thank goodness for that, cuz I am a certified elecri-phobe! Really, it's true, Doctor Electric of New Milford, CT will make house calls for whatever ails the electrical systems in your home. Doctor Electric is a full service, fully licensed electrical contracting company serving most communities in Litchfield County and Northern Fairfield County in Connecticut . Doctor Electric is extremly reliable, has years of quality service backing their reputation. Doctor Electric is independently owned and operated by Michael Fairclough. I personally think Mike Fairclough IS Doctor Electric and he is committed to a highest level of customer service.

Electrical stuff makes me cringe, I am an electri-phobe. If you start telling
me about problems with electrical systems I get all sick to my stomach, weak in my knees. I have an almost unnatural fear of electricity. A breaker box can send me into a total tizzy! A few years ago I needed my house rewired. I was thinking perhaps I should move instead, but Mike Fairclough from Doctor Electric took care of everything. Bing bang boom the house was rewired, I lived through the ordeal and was able to use my blow dryer and have the microwave on at the same time. It was a miracle!

The other day we had a monsoon here in CT, or close to it. The wind was whipping, the rain was coming down sideways. I called Doctor Electric to see if they could check out a listing I have. I found out the electrical box outside was loose and I was very worried rain would get in to the box and create a problem, or the wind would blow the cover off. Within an hour Mike Fairclough of Doctor Electric was there, standing in the pouring rain, checking out the entire house, inside and out. Me? I was wearing a rubberized suit, on the ready to run just in case. Electricity scares me to death.

After only a few hours I had a detailed estimate in my email inbox! The major part of the work has been finished, the meter box is new, the whole system is new actually. And it was done the right way, a permit was pulled at the town hall, and the building inspector will be coming to the house next week to sign off on the work. Mike Fairclough of Doctor Electric rocks, no doubt in my mind. My client is happy, I am happy, things are good! I can put away the rubberized suit for a bit.

So if you live in New Milford, CT or surrounding towns and you need electrical work done from general wiring, building a custom home, pools, outdoor lighting, or whatever your electrical needs are, do not hesitate to call Doctor Electric at 860.350.1980.

Doctor Electric services New Fairfield, Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Bridewater, Kent, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Southbury, Washington, Weston, Easton, Wilton and MORE! Give them a call, you might even be lucky enough to talk to Diane, who runs the office!

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor®
Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

337 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Start your home search here.

Greater New Milford, CT area information. Litchfield County at its best.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

© 2009 Andrea Swiedler. Unless otherwise noted, the content, both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me at andrea@andreswiedler.com with your request. Most likely I will oblige, with a link back to my original content as well as an acknowledgment. Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, please let me know before you decide to bestow this form of flattery on me! Thank you.