Real Estate, Photos, Life, Real New Milford CT by Andrea Swiedler

Center Chimney Colonials, a New England Treasure!

2010-03-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2010-02-28T06:58:00.000-05:00

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!

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

2010-02-11T06:47:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2010-02-09T07:57:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2010-02-07T08:33:00.002-05:00

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!

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

2010-01-30T12:17:00.002-05:00

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 of 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

2010-01-30T10:26:00.003-05:00

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.

Just listed: 80 Main Street 3B3, Kent, CT 06757 for $165,000

2009-12-03T20:48:00.000-05:00

Just listed: 80 Main Street 3B3, Kent, CT 06757 for $165,000

New Milford CT Market Watch, September, October 2009

2009-11-22T13:28:00.002-05:00

New Milford Connecticut Market Watch, Real Estate Statistics for New Milford CT.
Current Activity in New Milford CT:

Active Single Family Home Listings
249 homes
Average List Price: $491,875, Minimum Price: $65,000, Maximum Price: $5,900,0000
Average Market Time
151 days
Homes Under Deposit
13 homes
Average List Price: $333,692, Minimum Price: $179,000, Maximum Price: $569,900
Average Market Time
106 days
Homes in Pending Sale Status
17 homes
Average List Price: $352,906, Minimum Price: $79,200, Maximum Price: $1,475,000
Average Market Time
110 days

Although the following statistics say that the average sale price has continued to drop, we are seeing more activity as evidenced by the home that are currently in the "under deposit" and "pending" status. Most of the activity that agents have noted is the first time home buyer market. Pricing well is KEY, as well as preparing a home to enter the market! We are seeing an increase in foreclosures and short sales, we are a bit behind other parts of the country with this. I am thinking we have only just begun in this aspect.

September 2008/September 2009 Sales, New Milford, CT

October 2008/October 2009 Sales, New Milford, CT

Information is deemed reliable but not necessarily accurate, all statistics are gathered from the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service. (CMLS).

Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR, Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

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

Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!

Search for a home in the greater New Milford Area.

New Milford Connecticut Real Estate on Facebook

© 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.

Village Fair Days in New Milford CT, 2009, a fun weekend for all!

2009-07-20T20:07:00.001-04:00

Technorati Tags: New Milford CT Village Fair Days,New Milford Idol contest,New Milford CT real estate

New Milford Connecticut Village Fair Days will be held Friday and Saturday, July 24th and July 25th. Since 1967 Village Fair Days have been held in New Milford Connecticut, this year is Village Fair Days number 42! I have been going for 30 years now and loving every year. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a slice of Americana!

Village Fair Days are sponsored by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, and held on our picturesque and historic Village Green. The electrical boxes are up, the wires are coiled along the green in anticipation of the upcoming event. In a matter of a few days the tents will go up, activity around the green will rise until the the fair begins on Friday. It is truly a fun event, there are so many things to see, to buy, to EAT, I just love it! Local business, organizations and clubs will show you what they are doing at the south end of the green. Food tents with enough variety to please even the toughest critic will be in the center of the green, and the artisans and craftsman will sell their wares at the north end of the green.

The Greater New Milford Board of Realtors® will have a booth again this year. We are all taking turns manning the booth. Last year I was there quite a bit and met so many wonderful people, I really had a great time! I hope that you will take a moment and stop by our booth to say hello.

And let's not forget the New Milford Idol finals! Friday night, July 24th from 7 - 10 pm semi-finals and finals will be held under the tent. Our latest NEW MILFORD IDOL will be chosen! Here is a list of the semi-finalists, Beth Conkey, Chris DiFabbio, Jannette Dubray, Kari Frawley, Meghan Henriques, Denise Howard, Jenn Kopec, John Mackiewicz, Mollie McDonald, Karen Pavlik, Tom Powell, Tom Rapela, Josh Susco and Curtis Thompson. Well done to all of you and good luck!

If you missed the quarter finals there are many videos on YouTube, I picked "Soul Man" to show you here.

I hope to see you there on Friday and Saturday, July 24th and 25th on the Village Green in New Milford Connecticut for our 42nd annual Village Fair Days. A big thank you to all the volunteers who make this event possible, to all the vendors, the groups who work tirelessly to provide the food, the fun and the cleanup after. And thank you to the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Village Fair Days Committee who work all year for this fantastic part of our local heritage. New Milford Idol is sponsored by All American Waste LLC, First National Bank of Litchfield, Circuit Wizard and Litchfield Hills Kitchen and Bath, thank you for you generous support!

Don't forget, free parking at John Pettibone School with FREE shuttle transportation to and from the Village Green is available to all!

Are you looking to buy a home or sell a home in the greater New Milford area? Please contact me or visit my website to find out more.

Homes for sale, greater New Milford CT.

Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!

© 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 (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.

Condo for sale, New Milford CT, Old Farms Condos

2009-07-18T23:05:00.003-04:00

Andrea Swiedler | Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS | 203-460-1775

110 Old Farms Lane, New Milford, CT

Old Farms Condo in New Milford CT, Priced to SELL!

2BR/1.5BA Condo

offered at $179,000

Year Built	1971
Sq Footage	1,000
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$221 per month

DESCRIPTION

Looking for a peaceful setting for condo life? Old Farms Condominiums are set amid gently rolling green hills. You have wonderful views of the park like setting complete with sliders from the living room to enjoy the tranquility.

This 2 bedroom condo is priced to sell! The current owner has replaced the water heater and stove. There are newer windows and sliding glass door. The lower level has sheet rock and is currently waiting to be finished as a den, family room, office, whatever! There is a washer and dryer in the lower level. Also you have a very convenient covered parking area plus another designated space right in front of the unit.

For value, great commuting location, quiet country lifestyle in a condo setting, look no further!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

• Dishwasher	• Refrigerator	• Stove/Oven
• Attic	• Basement	• Washer
• Dryer	• Laundry area - inside	• Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

• Covered parking

• Guest parking

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3

Contact info:

Andrea Swiedler

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

203-460-1775

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 17, 2009, 11:26am PDT

Meadowbrook 4 Bedroom Colonial, New Listing in New Milford CT

2009-07-09T16:04:00.002-04:00

Andrea Swiedler | Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS | 203-460-1775

29 Revere Rd, New Milford, CT

Wonderful Meadowbrook Colonial, spacious floor plan, large great room, wonderful level yard.

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $379,900

Year Built	1977
Sq Footage	2,572
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	.92 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Look no further for that perfect home in New Milford, CT. This Meadowbrook Estates colonial is waiting for you!

Set back from the road with a fantastic level front and back yard and shaded by mature trees, this 4 bedroom home has an open, flowing floor plan. From the moment you enter into the foyer, the home is warm and inviting.

Featuring a large, eat in kitchen with ample counter and cabinet space, tiled floors and access to the covered porch for dining outside. There is also a formal dining room with hardwood floors and a large, bright and airy livingroom, spacious family room with vaulted ceilings, beautiful exposed beams, plenty of windows and a slider to the back porch. Just perfect for entertaining, watching TV, or enjoying the fire while taking in the views.

Upstairs are 4 generous sized bedrooms with wall to wall carpeting. The master suite has a walk in closet and private bathroom.

Meadowbrook Estates is located minutes from downtown New Milford and in close proximity to I-84, making this area a favorite. Easy access, quite Connecticut countryside, a winner all the way around.

Come and see for yourself! Great house, great neighborhood, great price!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

• Central heat	• Fireplace	• High/Vaulted ceiling
• Walk-in closet	• Hardwood floor	• Tile floor
• Family room	• Living room	• Dining room
• Dishwasher	• Refrigerator	• Stove/Oven
• Attic	• Basement	• Laundry area - inside
• Balcony, Deck, or Patio	• Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Andrea Swiedler

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

203-460-1775

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 9, 2009, 11:45am PDT

Upside down on your mortgage? Underwater? Help is available for New Milford CT homeowners.

2009-07-07T18:36:00.003-04:00

We all hear about short sales, but what does it mean to you, the homeowner who is now in the unfortunate situation of owing more than your house is worth. Top that off with a job loss or some other hardship and you may not be facing a short sale, you will be facing a foreclosure if action is not taken to sell your home. New Milford and the surrounding communities are not exempt from this problem. The amount of homes that were involved in some type of foreclosure or pre foreclosure notice for the month of June were 450! That is a staggering figure, but it tells me that there are so many of you out there that need help ASAP!

What can you do? Stop hiding, guessing and fearing the worst. You need to take action now, and you need to have a team of professionals guide you through the process. You are not alone, there is no shame in this. It is possible that a short sale can happen, an agreement can be negotiated with the lender(s) and you can move on and put your life back together. I have heard that after 2 years of a short sale, if your finances are back in order you can purchase a home again. This is not true of foreclosure, it will take far longer to get to that point again.

I have decided to team up with loss mitigation specialist Denise Marr from First Mitigation Group LLC. I know some agents are doing this on their own, but in all honesty, given the amount of work that needs to be done, the fact that different lenders have very different requirements, repeated calls have to be made daily, or multiple times a day, packets are kicked back for one item that may be missing, there is a high turnover rate with the lenders so the person you were dealing with yesterday is not the person you will be dealing with today, on and on. I want to spend my time marketing your home, and want you to use a loss mitigation specialist to give you the best shot at getting the bank to accept your short sale.

What can you expect from me? I will not take into consideration what you owe on the house when pricing it, so if you are looking for that miracle buyer to come along and pay all your debt you need to find another real estate agent. Remember, you know already that your house is worth less than what you owe, and surly an appraiser for the buyers lender will know that too. No secret. Every real estate agent who shows it to a buyer will know it too. I will tell you what the probable sale price is and show you what your competition will be. I will help you to show your house off so that it will be the best within its competition. I will also bring loss mitigation specialist Denise Marr from First Mitigation Group LLC with me when I present the market analysis to you. Any questions you have about the short sale process, or short sale vs. foreclosure will be answered by Denise.

To qualify for a short sale you must be experiencing a true financial hardship, have no equity in your home, no assets, be in default, or be facing imminent default, and be in a market where you cannot sell the home for enough to cover your debt and all other associated closing fees.

If you would like more information about the short sale process, please feel free to contact me at 203.460.1775. All information will be kept confidential, and you can rest assured we will treat you with the utmost respect that you deserve.

Are you looking to buy a home or sell a home in the greater New Milford area? Please contact me or visit my website to find out more.

Homes for sale, greater New Milford CT.
Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!

© 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 (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.

Fireworks for the 4th of July over New Milford CT, fireworks, carnival, music, food and fun!

2009-07-02T16:36:00.001-04:00

Fireworks and fun over New Milford, Connecticut! This weekend will be full of fun, fireworks and food in New Milford.

Kicking off the celebration will be the carnival, complete with rides, games and food, to be held at Youngs Field. This event is sponsored by the New Milford Lions Club.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE....

On the 4th, opening ceremonies will take place on our beautiful Village Green at 5:00 pm. Come and dance to the big band swing sounds of the Sonny Carroll Dance Band from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and the Bob Marley tribute band Respect from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Both bands will be performing on the Village Green. Bring those dance shoes and your appetite! And if you don't find enough to eat downtown at our many eateries or at the carnival, the Woman's Club of Greater New Milford will be serving a giant cake on the Village Green!

Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 pm, or full dark. They will be set off from Fort Hill Still Meadow (behind Starbucks). The police department is reminding everyone that Town View, Pealger Hill and Fort Hill Road will be closed to traffic during the fireworks display. In case of rain, the fireworks display will be held on July 5th.

Thank you to all whose hard work made these weekend festivities possible, including the New Milford Lions Club, the Woman's Club of Greater New Milford and the Village Center Organization.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend, no matter what you decide to do! Please remember to drive safely and responsibly over the holiday weekend (and beyond).

Are you looking to buy a home or sell a home in the greater New Milford area? Interested in finding our about real estate in New Milford? Please contact me or visit my website to find out more.
Homes for sale, greater New Milford CT.
Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!

© 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 (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.

Technorati Tags: fireworks new milford ct,4th of July New Milford CT,New Milford CT carnival,New Milford CT real estate

Open House, New Milford CT at Fieldstone Estates this Sunday, June 28, ‘09

2009-06-27T07:19:00.001-04:00

Please join me for an open house this Sunday, June 28 at 10 Granite Road, New Milford CT. The open house will be from 12 noon until 2:00 pm. This home is truly a magnificent find, listed for $644,900.

Technorati Tags: Open House New Milford CT Sunday June 28,Fieldstone Estates Open House,10 Granite Rd Open House

FHA Origination Fees or Origination Fees - FHA Fees - FHA loans - What does it all mean?

2009-06-18T19:10:00.001-04:00

Another must read mortgage post from Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc.

It's time to have a quick class on FHA loans, the fees for FHA mortgages, and just a basic understanding on how all of this works. This is truly frustration on my part from some loan officers blatantly lying to borrowers, just to justify their fees and such. It's total BS and it needs to be talked about.

Just today, I spoke to a borrower that is having a concern with their 2nd lender, after the first lender failed them miserably. This lender is charging them 6.00% with 1 1/2 points as an origination fee. His credit scores are above 670 and the purchase price is $272,000 with the minimum down. And they are being charged a $495 commitment fee. With this scenario, they should be getting at least a 5.50% interest rate.

Here is what they are being told.....

So here is the story of one borrower after speaking to their current loan officer. They were told that they are getting 6.00% and not 5.75%, because of his credit score of 670. Well, I don't know one investor as of 6/13/09 that would charge you 1/4% percent, let alone, a 1/4 point, for credit scores above 670. He was told it was because he didn't have a credit score of 700.

Secondly, he was told that out of the 1 1/2 points of the FHA origination fee, that a 1/2 a point goes to FHA and the other 1 pt goes to the lender that they are selling this too. Even if the other lender was collecting something, FHA or HUD doesn't collect origination fees. Sadly, this is the 3rd time just this year that I have heard a loan officer tell a borrower that part of the origination fee goes to FHA. Rut Row... see Pinocchio's nose on the loan officer? His nose should be much longer, because this is one of the biggest lies that I have heard. The commitment fee being charged? Very average in most cases.

So, let's define FHA origination fee or just origination fee. It is explained to be a fee charged for the processing of the loan application. This is even the same definition in the HUD buying handbook. The fee is often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount, which does vary among lenders. The basics behind this, no matter who gives what definition? It is a point to pay for your rate. Either the lender is buying your rate down, or using it for extra profit. In my example above, it is being used for a larger profit.

So, what does HUD/FHA collect on all FHA loans? Just the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) and the monthly mortgage insurance MMI. The lender gets all other lender related closing costs. I hate saying this, but if a loan officer tells you that part of the origination fee goes to FHA, don't walk, run very quickly and far away. This is not my opinion, but a real cold hard fact.

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

Technorati Tags:

Technorati Tags: Loan Origination Fees,FHA origination fees,Jeff Belonger,mortgage information,first time home buyer,new milford ct real estate information,FHA Loans

Pet Friendly Real Estate

2009-06-17T09:53:00.002-04:00

Technorati Tags: pet friendly real estate,selling your home with pets,moving with pets,new milford ct real estate

Having pets when your home is on the market can be a very sensitive subject. Often because of the circumstances I have made myself available, or made arrangements with others in my office if I can't be available, for each showing. Sometimes it just is not possible to put your dog in a crate all day.

Recently I represented buyers in the purchase of a home. The sellers had a dog named Rocket. Poor dog, he was more like the first Sputnik, not a rocket! He is 17 years old, very deaf, probably not seeing as well as he used to, and to be honest, has a bladder control problem. The homeowners left Rocket loose in the house during the day, so if you had clients that were leery of dogs this might have been a problem. That is, if Rocket had been a bit younger.

While doing inspections, poor Rocket had an accident right in front of us on the rug. My clients were very understanding, Mrs. went under the sink to find something to spray on the carpet, and I searched for a leash to take the dog outside with. I didn't find his leash, but remembered I had a leash in my jeep. So, off we went, Rocket and I, for a saunter around the yard. He did all his business, and to be honest, looked quite relieved! I had called the listing agent and asked if she knew where his leash was, and she said no. I think she must have passed on poor Rocket's story to his owner, because the next time I came, the leash was on the front stairs.
The next 2 times I went to the home I took him out for a little walk. He really was happy. He even stood in front of a cabinet, nudging me, for his treats, which I found as soon as I opened the cabinet door.

Selling a home is hard enough on the human family, but animals suffer too. I know many times dogs are left to roam the home during the day. Sometimes they are caged, or removed for showings, but there are enough times I have seen dogs loose in the house. This can and will cost you a sale! Make provisions ahead of time, do not wait until the last minute. Also make sure your house does not smell like dog!

If you have cats, make sure you keep the litter box clean clean clean. Many buyers are very sensitive to the smell of animals, especially cats. For urine smells, try Natures Miracle or something similar. Do not try to mask the smell with air fresheners. You may want to consider hiring a professional if you are unable to remove the smell.

I am a pet friendly REALTOR. I have attended showings of my listings to take the dogs out of the house when my clients are at work. I make signs up and post on the doors if there are cats in the home that do not go outside.
Remember, pets are family members too! Make provisions for them when selling/showing a home.
I have bonded with Rocket. I wish him well in his new home. I have made yet one more 4 legged friend, and am proud of it.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in the greater New Milford area, please give me a call at 203.460.1775. I would be happy to discuss your options. If you prefer, send me an email, andrea@andreaswiedler.com.

I am a pet friendly REALTOR!

For information on moving with pets try these online articles:

Moving with Your Dog, by Kathy Diamond Davis

Moving Preparations for the Dog Owner

Your Cat and the Move, Soothing Post-Moving Stress by Gina Spadafori

The Art of Moving With Cats

New Milford CT Weekly Market Update, June 6, 09

2009-06-09T07:11:00.001-04:00

Are you looking to buy or sell in the greater New Milford area? Give me a call at 203.460.1775, sign up for a listingbook account to search the area MLS, or send me an email to andrea@andreaswiedler.com. I would be happy to discuss your options.

SINGLE FAMILY
	W/E 6/6/09	W/E 5/30/09
Active inc. under deposit	303	299
Lowest $	$89,900	$99,900
Highest $	$6,500,000	$6,500,000
Average $	$484,155	$480,640
Av. Days on Market	122	121

Under Deposit	18	21
Lowest $	$172,430	$229,000
Highest $	$499,000	$529,900
Average LP $	$337,086	$364,814
Av. Days on Market	110	103

Pending	18	16
Lowest $	$149,900	$100,000
Highest $	$550,000	$550,000
Average $	$372,872	$334,287
Av. Days on Market	117	151

Sold	3	3
Lowest $	$308,000	$240,000
Highest $	$325,000	$345,000
Average $	$334,900	$309,967
Av. Days on Market	212	83

Technorati Tags: New Milford CT market watch,real estate in new milford ct

Single Family Sales, May 08 compared to May 09

	May-08	May-09
SOLD	17	16	-5%
AV LIST PRICE	$344,235	$271,503	-21%
AV SALE PRICE	$332,676	$253,338	-24%
AV DOM	109	77	-29%

CONDOMINIUMS
	W/E 6/6/09	W/E 5/30/09
Active inc. under deposit	83	80
Lowest $	$59,900	$69,900
Highest $	$539,900	$539,900
Average $	$204,177	$208,705
Av. Days on Market	170	176

Under Deposit	5	4
Lowest $	$79,900	$99,900
Highest $	$189,000	$169,900
Average LP $	$139,740	$140,950
Av. Days on Market	105	96

Pending	13	15
Lowest $	$62,900	$62,900
Highest $	$400,000	$400,000
Average $	$163,554	$160,940
Av. Days on Market	110	114

Sold	0	1
Lowest $		$154,900
Highest $		$154,900
Average $		$154,900
Av. Days on Market		48

Condo Sales, May 08 compared to May 09

	May-08	May-09
SOLD	5	3	-40%
AV LIST PRICE	$176,890	$117,833	-33%
AV SALE PRICE	$172,800	$115,300	-33%
AV DOM	113	34	-70%

The information provided is only as good as the agents who list the properties. If the information is not entered into the multiple listing service in a timely manner, or incorrectly this will skew the data. However, I do believe it to be a fairly accurate assessment of the current real estate market in New Milford.

Information obtained from the Greater Fairfield County CMLS. All information deemed to be reliable but not necessarily accurate.

USDA LOANS – THE RURAL HOUSING LOAN – THE BASICS

2009-06-05T00:06:00.001-04:00

Another wonderful post for the first time home buyer from Jeff Belonger, Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc. This is a great product which can be used in New Milford, CT! If you are in the market for a new home, or are thinking about selling your property in the greater New Milford area, please give me a call at 203.460.1775. And if you want to find out about the USDA loan, don’t forget to contact Jeff! His information is at the bottom of his post.

I bet you thought USDA was just for your milk and beef. Read on!

Jeff, thank you again for a wonderful post!

USDA loans in many areas are becoming more popular, yet many loan officers still don't know much about them, hence why they still aren't talked about much. Just as FHA loans weren't used as much as they should have from 2000 - 2006, because subprime and some conventional loans were easier for the loan officer to give to the consumer, even though it might not have been the best loan for them. I am sure in some cases, FHA loans are given before the USDA loan because of the lack of education on the loan officers part.... just my .02.

Some great benefits that USDA loans offer -

It's one of only two types of mortgages that offer real 100% financing, with no money down on the property. The other would be VA loans.

Just because it says rural development doesn't mean farm land or properties that are miles apart from each other. Ask your loan officer if your property that you are looking to purchase might fit into the property location guidelines.

There is no monthly mortgage insurance, even with zero down payment. The only other mortgage like this, again, VA loans.

There is no seller contribution limit, just as in FHA loans, to where the seller can contribute up to 6%. It's look upon as reasonable closing costs. And keep in mind, each state has their own limits to what a lender can make anyhow, usually falling under section 32.

100% of the closing costs can be gifted.

The loan amount can include closing costs and repairs up to the appraised value. (call me or e-mail me for more of an explanation)

Credit scores of 580 and below are highly scrutinized by USDA. There are many things that need to be looked upon. Scores from 620 and above meet the normal credit standards and get an automatic credit waiver on such things as explaining derogatory credit and rental verifications.

Normal qualifying income ratios are 29%/41%. You can exceed these ratios if you have scores above 660 and you don't have to apply for a debt-to-income waiver. Those below 660, you have to have compensating factors and apply for an income ratio waiver.

There are income restrictions, yet as of April 20th, 2009, there will be new income limits for the better. Basically the 4 person income limits will now be for 1 person income limits.

One important thing to remember, you can't have an in-ground swimming pool if you are using USDA that came from the 2009 stimulus bill. If it's the normal USDA monies allocated yearly, then it's okay, but you need to check on this with your lender.

IMPORTANT - These are USDA's guidelines, yet lenders can after overlays, to where they might be more critical on credit scores or debt-to-income ratios. Please keep this in mind.

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

Technorati Tags: Jeff Belonger,USDA loans,rural housing loan,first time home buyer,real estate in new milford ct

First home? Dreams to reality!

2009-05-31T14:41:00.002-04:00

Still sitting on that fence and dreaming about buying your first home? Confused about how to get started? I don’t blame you, there is so much negative press in the media about people who are losing their homes that it can be a very scary thing. Remember up until recently, sub prime mortgages and over inflated prices were the norm. Now the game has changed in your favor. Prices have come down, interest rates are low, and lenders are far more cautious.

What should you do first? Look into what mortgage program is the best for you. I went on the web to see how you would get your information. Wow, is it confusing! All these promises, how to trust someone you have never met with the largest single purchase you will make in your lifetime? Which program is right for you? Although you need to get approval before looking for your new home, find the realtor you want to work with, yes, sit down, interview them, find out if this is the person you want to work with. Then ask your trusted realtor for help in navigating the confusing world of the mortgage business. Realtors have mortgage resources, they know who to trust, were to go, where not to go. There are so many programs out there that I for one give my clients as much information as I have at my fingertips, then give them the names of the people I am sure can help them. No fly by night internet scams, real honest to goodness mortgage professionals who get the job done.

Here are some examples of the programs that are available to first time home buyers. Remember, not all mortgage people can offer all these product so shopping around is a great idea. I would suggest contacting more than one person to find out what programs you qualify for, then do a comparison on the loan information to see which is right for you! (Most, but not all of this information is specific to Connecticut, and not all are in all areas of Connecticut)

The Housing Development Fund partners with certain lenders in the area to set you on the path to home ownership. A few different programs are available for you. Simply put, HDF will lend you the down payment, and the participating lender will lend the balance. There is even a fund for closing costs! These are not predatory loans, if you don’t have the credit scores, if you don’t meet their criteria they will tell you up front! You will have to attend a credit counseling session and there are sessions after the loan closes that you will also have to attend. My daughter used this program, it put her in a home that she loves at a price she can afford. No balloon payments, no surprises at all. She is happy as can be paying in total for her mortgage and taxes LESS than she did paying rent.

USDA Rural Development Loans are available for New Milford. Yes, this is the USDA that you know and love, that approves the milk and meat you eat! You too can get that seal of approval from the USDA to live in your own home. The home MUST fall within an approved address, there are certain requirements about the home, in Litchfield County the loan limit cannot exceed $285,000. The home must meet certain requirements which are clearly stated on their website. USDA Rural Development Loans can be used for up to 102% of the appraised value of the home.

CHFA loans are still alive and kicking! CHFA = Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Low down payments, low income limits, low interest rates make these mortgages very attractive for the first time home buyer. A few of the lenders I work with on a regular basis are on the approved list of lenders for CHFA.

FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Authority. Low down payments, low income limits, low interest rates make these loans very attractive for the first time home buyer!

VA loans for Veterans, guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are criteria you have to meet, either as a veteran, or on active duty. This is a great product that is well deserved by those that can use it.

There are many more programs available which a qualified mortgage person would be able to tell you about!

After obtaining a mortgage pre approval it is then time to find your home! Based on which loan product you decided to go with can dictate the price range as well as the area you will purchase in. If you are interested in purchasing your first home in lower Litchfield or upper Fairfield County, I would be most happy to speak with you. Send me an email to andrea@andreaswiedler.com or give me a call at 203.460.1775, your choice!

And don’t forget about the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit this year!

Looking to purchase or sell a home in the greater New Milford CT area? Please contact me , or visit my website to find out more about me. Search the MLS like I do, sign up for a Listingbook account.

What is good about New Milford and the surrounding communities? Check it out!

Before you hit copy and paste, please read the following….

Technorati Tags: First time home buyer new milford ct,m ortgage infomation for the first time home buyer

both written and in pictures, is the property of Andrea Swiedler. If you wish to use something you see here, please email me (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.

Candlewood Lake home for sale

2009-05-30T12:28:00.001-04:00

Andrea Swiedler | Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS | 203-460-1775

1 Beachside Dr, New Milford, CT

MOORINGS on Candlewood Lake, It's all about the views!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $385,000

Year Built	1950
Sq Footage	1,589
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	.63 acres
HOA/Maint	$33 per month

DESCRIPTION

THE MOORINGS ON CANDLEWOOD LAKE, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LAKE

From the moment you enter the home you will be mesmerized by the views of Candlewood Lake. Entertaining friends or quiet enjoyment, the views from the living room, dining room, office and sun room will take your breath away. Just seconds from the Candlewood Point private beach and Gerard’s Waters Edge Marina, lake life is right at your fingertips. Fishing, boating, swimming or just quiet enjoyment of the views, this home has it all!

Week ender or full timer, either way this home fits the bill. From the moment you enter the front door the views of Candlewood Lake are spectacular. The living room has a beautiful fieldstone fireplace, built in bookshelves, hardwood floors and a picture window to frame the views. Next to the living room is a sun room with a sliding glass door to a spacious deck, just perfect for entertaining or sitting and watching the boats go by. The dining room has hardwood floors and a slider to the deck for dinners al fresco. The kitchen has ceramic tile floor and delft tile backsplash and countertops, plus a large pantry and laundry area. Also off the kitchen is a cozy office space with a great view of the lake. The master bedroom has wall to wall carpet with hardwood floors under, and a private bathroom. The second bedroom on the main floor has hardwood floors. There is a large second bathroom on the main level as well.

The lower level spans the entire length of the home. There is a bedroom, an office or second guest room, a full bath, plus a great room with a walk out to a private patio. Just perfect for those lazy summer days at the lake.

This wonderful lake home sits on a .47 acre lot and includes a second .16 acre lot, all for $385,000. Come and enjoy all Candlewood Lake has to offer!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Bonus/Rec room
Office/Den	Dining room	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Attic
Basement	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - inside	Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Lake

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Fantastic Views of Candlewood Lake, Private Beach Community

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Views from the deck	Moorings
Living room views	Living room
Private Beach	Additional Views

Contact info:

Andrea Swiedler

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

203-460-1775

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 30, 2009, 8:19am PDT

Antique Bridgewater Home Awaits Its Newest Regeneration

2009-05-30T05:32:00.001-04:00

Andrea Swiedler | Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS | 203-460-1775

250 East Old Turnpike Rd, Bridgewater, CT

Bridgewater antique in a magical setting awaits its newest re-generation.

4BR/1BA Single Family House

offered at $425,000

Year Built	1890
Sq Footage	1,666
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	2.91 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Set in the quintessential New England town of Bridgewater, this antique sits on almost 3 magical acres. The grounds offer endless possibilities, calling to the nature lover or gentleman farmer, bring your horses, plant your gardens, whatever you desire. With mature plantings in place, you can sit on patio made of Roxbury granite and enjoy the peace and quiet of country living. Old stone walls and beautiful maples surround the property making for stunning scenery all year round!

This colonial farmhouse, listed as being built in 1890, probably predates that in parts. Many of the original features have been maintained, including chestnut wide board floors, a fireplace surrounded by chestnut paneling, wide board floors though out most of the rest of the home. So many nooks and crannies to delight the antique lover in you! The "meeting room" is wonderful, open beams, cathedral ceiling, wide board floors, stone fireplace, and a small library adjacent. There are 12 over 12 windows in the meeting room, a lovely custom built cabinet put in by the previous owner and the room is steeped in local history. This room was the place the local John Birch Society met, as well as Moral Re-Armamement Society! So rich in heritage and character, this historic gem and its remarkable beautiful surroundings is the perfect canvas for a masterful renovation!

The large barn, currently used for woodworking projects can easily be converted back to a horse barn or garage.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Fireplace	Hardwood floor	Family room
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Antique Barn

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

House Front	Grounds
Grounds	Rear of House
Meeting Room	Meeting Room

Contact info:

Andrea Swiedler

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS

203-460-1775

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 29, 2009, 1:00pm PDT

New Milford CT Weekly Market Update, May 23

2009-05-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

Technorati Tags: New Milford CT real estate information,Local area market watch

I have decided to change the format of my weekly market update, this should be easier to read and easier to compare to the previous weeks stats. I hope you enjoy it.

The following information is only as good as the agents who list the properties. If the information is not entered into the multiple listing service in a timely manner, or incorrectly this will skew the data. However, I do believe it to be a fairly accurate assessment of the current real estate market in New Milford.

Information provided by the Greater Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

	W/E 5/23/09	W/E 5/16/09
Active inc. under deposit	289	285
Lowest $	$120,000	$104,900
Highest $	$650,000	$6,500,000
Average $	$484,978	$486,717
Av. Days on Market	122	122

Under Deposit	$19	22
Lowest $	$144,000	$100,000
Highest $	$529,900	$550,000
Average LP $	$352,910	$371,313
Av. Days on Market	81	85

Pending	22	15
Lowest $	$100,000	$179,900
Highest $	$550,000	$545,000
Average $	$335,599	$324,333
Av. Days on Market	128	104

Sold	1	1
Lowest $	$314,900	$565,000
Highest $	$314,900	$565,000
Average $	$285,000	$565,000
Av. Days on Market	14	41

CONDOMINIUMS
	W/E 5/23/09	W/E 5/16/09
Active inc. under deposit	80	78
Lowest $	$69,900	$69,900
Highest $	$539,900	$539,900
Average $	$206,649
Av. Days on Market	172	177

Under Deposit	4	4
Lowest $	$99,900	$99,900
Highest $	$169,900	$169,900
Average LP $	$140,950	$140,950
Av. Days on Market	88	86

Pending	15	15
Lowest $	$62,900	$62,900
Highest $	$400,000	$400,000
Average $	$160,940	$163,007
Av. Days on Market	114	110

Sold	0	0
Lowest $
Highest $
Average $
Av. Days on Market	0	0

Good Faith Estimates - Knowing & Understanding the Power of the paper!!!

2009-05-21T17:27:00.003-04:00

Technorati Tags: Good faith estimates,mortgage information,Jeffrey Belonger,Important Mortgage Information,New Milford CT real estate information

It is time for another post by mortgage guru Jeff Belonger from Infinity Home Mortgage Company. Thank you Jeff for your spot on expertise! Jeff is ready, willing and able to help you obtain a mortgage for a home in the greater New Milford area. Want more information about a VA, FHA, USDA or conventional loan? Just ask Jeff!

Good Faith Estimates - Extremely important message below!!!

If you are a consumer looking to purchase or refinance, this is a must read. It could cost you thousands if you don't pay attention. This is not a threat, but a warning from someone that has over 16 years of experience in the mortgage industry.

When shopping for a mortgage, even if shopping with more than 2 lenders, you want to get a good faith estimate from everyone that you speak to.

So, here is my pet peeve. This is a major red flag - if you speak to a loan officer, on the phone or in person, and they didn't offer you a good faith estimate, don't walk, Run!!!

The Good Faith Estimate is an over abused term and can be misleading. If the loan officer qualifies you for a mortgage, no matter if its a FHA loan or a conventional loan, you should receive one in a few hours. In reality, if the loan officer qualifies you and tells you a rate, a payment, and your total costs, they should be able to give you that good faith estimate in a matter of minutes. Think about it, they had to do this already in order to give you those figures. There is no excuse. Sure, things happen, but just being busy is not good enough. Unless they specifically tell you that they will give it to you the next day. This can happen, but other than that, if they don’t communicate this with you, no excuse. And this could be indicative to how your loan process will go.

Let me ask you this. If you are shopping for a car, don't you want to see your payment, interest rate, and total costs? I know I would. If you have to keep asking for a good faith estimate and it's been 3 days, major red flag.

Overall, it doesn't matter if you are applying for a FHA loan, a conventional loan, or any other type of mortgage. If you have to beg for a good faith estimate, you are just asking for trouble in most cases.

THE GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE

So, what is a good faith estimate? Its an estimate of all your costs associated with buying or refinancing your home. But here is the catch. There are some costs that are known costs and not just estimates. These would be the lenders fees. The lender fees are all fees that are under lines 801 to 823. I enlarged this section below for you.

Three things that you want to look for when you first look at your GFE.

Look at the loan program and make sure this is the program that you want. If it was an adjustable, it would say differently. This would fall under the term of the loan.

Look at the mortgage rate. Make sure this is what you discussed when speaking to your loan officer. (Up top, middle of page, yellow highlight)

The 3rd issue are the fees. As I mentioned above, everything in section 801 to 823 would be the lenders fees or anything the lender is going to charge you. (left hand column with highlighted items) Don't ever be fooled if one lenders fee is higher than the other. You still need to compare the mortgage rate.

(Speak to your tax accountant to make sure what can be written off and what cant. But typically just the points can be written off)

What not to do when comparing good faith estimates.

Don't compare total fees at bottom of the GFE, which I will explain why below.

Just don’t compare the APR of the loan. (explained here)

Conclusion: Again, don't always shop and ask for total fees. Compare the lenders fees the most. In regards to your escrows, each state is different. I highlighted this in red. Your property taxes are paid either quarterly, twice a year, or once a year. I have seen some loan officers sometimes not show enough for your escrows in regards to the property taxes. Its very easy for a loan officer to say at closing, ˜these aren't my fees, so all I can do is give an estimate. Word of advice, yes, its an estimate. But I have seen some loan officers estimate less to make the overall cost look cheaper. And just be careful, because some of these figures are not worth the paper that they are written on. It's just that, an estimate based on good faith. Make sure that you always speak with a Mortgage Professional. And don't shop yourself right out of the market.

One other thing, if you have 3 good faith estimates in front of you, always go back to the person that you had the best feeling with, that you are comfortable the most with, and share the other 2 with them. Just don't run to the person with the best rate and or fees. I always like my clients to come back to me no matter what. I might be able to point something out to them. And this next topic must be discussed when receiving a GFE, otherwise this Good Faith doesn't mean squat. Locking or floating my mortgage rate !!!!

Lastly... if you are going to shop rate & costs, ALWAYS shop on the same day !!! Rates change daily...

UPDATE : The laws in some states are different, when a good faith estimate must be given. In Paul McFadden's example, comment #15, they have 3 days from the day they pull credit. According to RESPA, the lender has 3 days from the time of application. When just casually shopping, there is no time period or law.

In regards to my example, with the rate and points, this is just an example. Besides, not all rates or good faith estimates come with points. And I don't charge fees. But there is a cost of doing business with any lender or bank out there.

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

Price it accordingly, the new catch phrase

2009-05-20T20:59:00.001-04:00

Price is accordingly, it should be the new catch phrase. Yes, there are a glut of homes that aren't moving. However there are homes that are moving, homes that are well priced are being sold. What does that mean?

Well priced considering condition. If your find a home that sold that is very similar in many ways to your except one, condition, you need to price your home accordingly. If you are in better shape, you have done recent upgrades, you are clean, neat, ready to move in, you are on top of the heap. If you home requires work you need to be priced lower. Take for instance you know you need a new roof. You know what that is going to cost. What is your best option? Price it accordingly if you can't replace the roof yourself. Price it accordingly if you can't put in that new septic.

Well priced considering location. Are you on a busy road? Is there a half mile long dirt driveway to your house? Is your driveway steep up or down? These affect the pricing of your home too. You must consider these when pricing your home to sell. Finding the right buyer can be hampered by a severely compromised driveway, however pricing accordingly can help to get that offer.

Technorati Tags: Pricing your home to sell,price your home accordingly,real estate in new milford ct,selling your home

Well priced all the way around. Take a good long look at the comparables that have sold. It is very difficult to be objective about something we not only have so many memories tied into, but debt certainly plays a part in our ideas about what a house should sell for. Debts are never to be considered in the pricing of your home. A buyer is not going to care what your mortgage obligation is, or what your credit card obligation is. An appraiser will certainly not take your debt into consideration when giving an opinion of value to your home.

My strongest advice on pricing your home these days? You guessed it.

Price it accordingly!

© 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 (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.

Looking to purchase or sell a home in the greater New Milford CT area? Please contact me , or visit my website to find out more about me.

What is good about New Milford and the surrounding communities? Check it out! More information about local real estate, local happenings and local photography.

FHA vs Conventional Loans, 5% down, things you need to know.

2009-05-04T23:07:00.004-04:00

Technorati Tags: FHA mortgage,ct mortgage information,FHA vs Conventional mortgage info,Jeff Belonger,Infinity Home Mortgage,first time home buyer new milford ct

Jeffrey Belonger, Branch Manager of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc., has laid out such a detailed explanation of FHA vs Conventional loans, this is really a must read for buyers and realtors alike. Jeff has agreed to be a guest blogger for me, I am thrilled. He is able to close loans for this area in Connecticut, so give him a call or send him an email for more information!

Expect more posts from Jeff, and enjoy!

For several of you that read my blogs, I try and do a FHA vs Conventional purchase comparison once every few months.

FHA loans have been more wisely used in recent months as the choice of mortgages. What I hate hearing is that they have taken the spot of the subprime loans. This is not true by any part of the imagination. This statement is from those that are inexperienced in both the mortgage and the real estate industries. The realization has been that 30% of the subprime mortgages in the last 5 years previous to the last 2 years should have been FHA mortgages, not subprime. A recent survey has stated that FHA loans could be more than 60% of all loans originated for the 2nd quarter of 2009.

To compound this, so many said just because you had a conventional loan, you had the better loan. This was not always true when putting 3 percent down or even 5 percent down. In most cases, you were told this, because that particular lender was not FHA approved. Now? Even with 10% down and credit scores less than 700, FHA loans in many cases, will be the best mortgage for you.

So you could argue the fact that this is just my opinion, that FHA mortgages in many cases would be better for you. True, even though I have over 16 years of experience as a loan officer in the mortgage industry. But numbers don't lie. Let me show you..... and in this scenario,

The example below is based on a $300,000 purchase price with 5% down. One reason why conventional rates are a little higher in this scenario as in FHA rates is because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added penalties per se. If you are putting down less than 30% and your credit score is less than 720, certain fee penalties would apply to you, which would increase your rate. The FICO (credit score) that I am going to use is 679, which is above the average credit score and I will still show in this example that FHA loans are cheaper, even with 5% down.

***And keep in mind, some lenders have penalties on FHA mortgages with credit scores under 660 now. We don't. And many lenders can't do FHA loans under 620. I can still do them down to 600. Just beware of those promising you FHA loans under 600, they don't close as much as promised.***

Disclaimer : These rates are examples, but the spread shown in the example is real. To compare this scenario apples to apples, the fees are the same and with 1.75 points. In this scenario, there are no lender fees. The conventional rate also includes the penalty for the 679 credit score.

Okay, Jeff, you used 4 total examples. I am confused. A better than average loan officer will use all 4 comparisons, to show you the bang for your buck. I will explain each one below.

Conventional vs FHA - Your monthly savings is $170.36, favoring the FHA loan. Some of you might be saying that you will be adding $4,897.00 onto your principal balance if you did the FHA mortgage because of the FHA one-time mortgage insurance premium. This is correct and I don't want to confuse you with more numbers and charts. But here is a quick breakdown. If you kept your house for 5 years, which most people sell in a 6 year period, you would have saved $11,115.00 in payments in 5 years. This is a difference of $6,218.00 that you have saved!!! And one other thing that is very small, but still makes a difference.

Conventional Financed MI vs FHA - On the conventional loan, you can get a huge discount by adding the mortgage insurance onto your loan amount. Now your FHA monthly savings is only $37.83 a month, but you are now adding $4,560 to your total loan amount on the conventional loan. That comes out to an additional $76 a month over a 5 year period, if you wanted to pay down your mortgage to the same as the FHA loan. So now your total monthly savings is $113.83. Yes, you do get a larger tax write off on the mortgage insurance being financed, but with the lower rate on the FHA loan, you also subtract more off the principal quicker.

Conventional Lender Paid MI (LPMI) vs FHA - On the conventional loan, you are paying a higher rate, which part of it pays for your monthly mortgage insurance. Your monthly savings on the FHA loan is only $74.44. In 5 years, you saved $4,466. But you added $4,897 onto the FHA loan, which means that in 5 years, you came out $431 better on the conventional loan in 5 years. But hold the presses... You get a higher tax write off, because you added more money onto your FHA loan and you are slightly reducing your principal because you have a interest rate that is 1.25% lower than that of the conventional loan.

The end result on the 3rd comparison? You will still come out ahead on the FHA loan. But let's take it a step further. Take your savings of $74.44 a month and add it back into your payments monthly for 5 years. Guess what, my principal balance in 5 years on the FHA mortgage is $5,199 lower than that conventional mortgage.

Again, a very good loan officer should understand these comparisons and be able to show them to you, if you need to see the numbers to help make your decision. I have heard many borrowers in the past say that their loan officer did these comparisons and suggest the conventional loan. Rut row... I didn't fudge these numbers. ... just a FYI.

Another Footnote : You will be subtracting a few more dollars per month from your principal because your interest rate is lower, which would offset the interest that you would write off on the higher rate. Just something else to remember, but consult your tax consultant or CPA.

For more updated information on Conventional PMI (private mortgage insurance) - Please read this detailed blog by Robert Rauf. The new world of PMI - update (FHA loans save the day)

For more FHA loans vs conventional loans comparisons :

FHA loans vs Conventional loans - A true numbers comparision with 5% down - Using a 710 credit score
FHA loans vs Conventional loans - A real comparision with 5% down - Using a 659 credit score
FHA Loans vs Conventional Loans - 20% down - A Rude Reality Check - Would you believe that FHA loans could be cheaper even with 20% down? Come see why and how.
FHA Loans vs Conventional Loans - 5% - 4 comparisons that you need to know - Comparing a FHA loan against 3 types of conventional loans with different types of monthly mortgage insurance. Guess who won while still using a 679 credit score.....

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

President Lincoln comes to New Milford

2009-05-01T08:12:00.002-04:00

This Sunday, May 3rd at 2 p.m. the New Milford Historical Society will present “Simply Lincoln”, a wonderful theatrical performance by Howard Wright.

Mr. Wright is a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, a rather interesting group of men who portray Mr. Lincoln. The motto on their website is “Would I Might Rouse The Lincoln In You All”.

According to Mr. Wrights website, his purpose is to bring the amazing words written by Mr. Lincoln to all, to give us a chance to better know this great man. The Presidents own words are used, taken from Roy. P. Basler’s eight volume set, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln.

Of course President Lincoln will appear in his usual garb, complete with his black frock and stovepipe hat. For more information please call the New Milford Historical Society at 860.354.3069. Admission is $5.00.

30 Birchwood Drive, New Milford, CT

2009-04-28T15:22:00.000-04:00

What about New Milford CT?

2009-04-27T20:58:00.005-04:00

Located in southern Litchfield County, New Milford is sometimes referred to as the gateway to Litchfield Hills. We are 90 minutes from New York City, an hour from Hartford and three hours from Boston. If you are looking for a train into the city, Metro North Railroad runs trains on either the Hudson Line or the New Haven Line, both convenient drives from New Milford. New Milford is the largest town area wise in the state of Connecticut at 64.8 square miles. For a wonderful history of New Milford and the surrounding towns, visit the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Website. Bordered by Sherman, Kent, Warren, Washington, Roxbury, Bridgewater and Brookfield, New Milford offers hiking, boating on Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah, fishing, easy access to golfing at world class golf courses, Bulls Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, The Club at River Oaks in Sherman as well as Candlewood Valley Country Club, a public golf course located on Route 7 in New Milford. There is canoeing or rafting on the Housatonic, minutes to the Appalachian Trail in South Kent at Bulls Bridge, many fine town and state parks. There is so much to do. We have fine restaurants, art galleries, and perhaps one of the most scenic greens in New England! Drop by and check it out for yourself. Try a driving tour through New Milford, mapped out for you by the Chamber of Commerce. As you can see, there is something for everyone in New Milford and the surrounding communities. Drop me a line, or come and see for yourself. Are you looking for a home in the greater New Milford area? Sign up for a Listingbook Account, a free service I offer to my clients. Search the multiple listing service through my account. No strings attached. Are you thinking of selling? Contact me for a confidential market analysis at andrea@andreaswiedler.com.

Real Estate Snapshot, Week in Review May 2, 09.

2009-04-27T07:12:00.003-04:00

Single Family Homes

We are still seeing signs of improvement!

There are currently 273 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT. That is down 1 listing from last week. Lowest price: $100,000, average list price: $488,298, average days on market, 127. Highest price: $6,500,000. Out of these, 21 are under deposit, that is down 1 from last week, lowest price $100,00, highest price $550,000. Average list price: $328,324, Average market time: 103 days. (Days on market still coming down!)

There are currently 18 homes that are pending, 9 more than last week. Lowest price: $179,900, highest price: $629,900. Average list price: $317,197. Average market time: 130 days.

3 homes are showing as sold, same for the third week in a row. Average List price $419.933, average sale price: $399,500, average market time, 113 days.

Condominiums

There are currently 77 active condo listings in New Milford, CT, this is 11 more than last week. Lowest price: $62,900. Highest price: $532,900. Average market time, 170 days.

Out of these, 7 are under deposit, same as the last 2 weeks, lowest price $98,700, highest price $169,000. The average list price: $146,800, average market time: 63 days. The days on market have dropped significantly!

There are currently 12 condos that are pending, up 1 from last week. Lowest price: $89,000, highest price: $400,000. The average list price of these is $173,117. Average market time: 119 days.

3 condos are showing as sold. Average list price: $151,633. Average sale price: $146,000, market time was 91 days.

(The above information is only as good as the agents who list the properties. If the information is not entered into the multiple listing service in a timely manner, or incorrectly this will skew the data. However, I do believe it to be a fairly accurate assessment of the current real estate market in New Milford.)

Information provided by the Greater Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

Getting those buyers into your home

2009-04-23T07:07:00.003-04:00

Spring is in full swing here in Connecticut. The trees are starting to leaf out, the daffodils and tulips have been up for a bit, some of the flowering trees are showing off for us. Things are looking great! Soon our gardens will be in full swing too.

What does this have to do with real estate? Plenty! If you are planning to sell your home, take a good look at the outside of your home. Curb appeal is the way to get the buyers inside your home. I can tell you for a fact that some buyers won’t even get out of the car if the outside isn’t appealing.

What can you do?

Make sure you clean up the yard. Not just the leaves from last fall or the branches that might have fallen in the yard. Take a look at what you might be storing outside and get rid of it. You need to use a buyers eye, pretend it isn’t your house, take pictures and see how it looks. Too much “stuff” in the yard will turn buyers right off. The worst offence is old vehicles stored on the property.
Paint your front door. A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for the home.
Get some flowering plants and place them by the entrance, but keep them weed free!
If you have a front porch, does it also need a fresh coat of paint? Is the furniture broken down? Make sure the porch is clean and inviting.
Check your flower beds. Make sure they are weed free, perhaps a fresh coating of mulch will help.
Keep the grass mowed, address any dead or brown zones in the yard.
If you have a fence, make sure it in good shape.
The driveway should be in good shape. If you have pot holes, fix them!
Find a place to store those garbage cans. You don’t want potential clients getting out of their vehicles and seeing overflowing garbage cans before they see anything else!
Check your garage doors. Are they worn out? Do they need a coat of paint? Is the wood in good shape around the doors?
How is your deck? Make sure the wood is clean, the railings are in good shape and if it is painted, and the paint is peeling, give it a fresh coat.
Check your gutters, clean them out and keep the leaders clear and in good working order.

If you want to get them out of the car and into the house you need to look at your yard and the outside of your home with a new eye! There are many websites with great ideas and photos to help you out. I found a few interesting ones, try Myhomeideas.com or a great article written by Elizabeth Weintraub about curb appeal on About.com.

© 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 (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.

Looking to purchase or sell a home in the greater New Milford CT area? Please contact me , or visit my website to find out more about me.

What is good about New Milford and the surrounding communities? Check it out! More information about local real estate, local happenings and local photography.

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-04-18T18:34:00.007-04:00

April 18, 2009

Week in Review, New Milford, Connecticut

Single Family Homes

The market is definitly showing signs of improvement. Not only in the numbers, but in speaking to other agents, they seem to be MUCH busier than they have been with buyers!

There are currently 268 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT. That is up 4 listing from last week. Lowest price: $100,000. Highest price: $2,100,000, Out of these, 22 are under deposit, that is up by 6 from last week, lowest price $100,00, highest price $629,900. Average list price: $341,634, Average market time: 139 days. (Days on market seems to be coming down!)

There are currently 4 homes that are pending, 4 less than last week. Lowest price: $179,900. Highest price: $384,000. The average list price of these is $281,950, average market time: 103 days.

3 homes are showing as sold, 1 up from last week. 2 of these homes were foreclosures. Average List price $242,967, average sale price: $198,333 average market time, 50 days.

Condominiums

There are currently 81 active condo listings in New Milford, CT, no change from last 2 previous weeks.

Out of these, 7 are under deposit, up 3 from last week, lowest price $98,700, highest price $220,000. The average list price: $153,000, average market time: 78 days. That is down 6 days!

There are currently 2 condos that are pending, down 9 from last week. Lowest price: $89,000, highest price:$135,000. The average list price of these is $112,000. Average market time: 122 days.

1 condo is showing as sold. . Sale price was $125,000, market time was 135 days. This information seems to be off, we will wait to see what happens for next week. There should have been more condos showing as sold.

Information provided by the Greater Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

Local Happenings, New Milford CT

2009-04-17T19:02:00.009-04:00

Looking for something to do locally? Check out these upcoming events in New Milford.

A FREE DAY ON THE GREEN, ARTISTS, FOOD AND MUSIC!

On April 25th from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm, The Village Center for the Arts, located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776 is hosting a FREE event, fun for all ages! To mark their entrance into the non profit realm, the Center is hosting "Artist Lockdown", showcasing local artists. There will be demonstrations by artists, work for sale, sampling of cuisine from local restaurants, and music entertainment all day. For more information about this event please contact The Village Center for the Arts at 860.354.3418.

The Village Center for the Arts is a great place for all ages. It is a fully stocked art supply store, a "paint your own pottery" place, a "drop in" open art studio, and offer classes in fine arts for all ages. There is also a "Birthday Party Program" available.

AN EVENING OUT AT THE THEATER

Looking for other events? How about Theatreworks New Milford. The month of May The Fourth Wall by A.R. Gurney is running. A hilarious comedy about a woman who redecorates her living room to mimic a theater set, and her frustrated husband, it is sure to please all. Theatreworks New Milford has had some great reviews, and for the price of $20 per ticket, why go any further? To read more about the production, about Theaterworks or to order tickets online, visit their website, Theatreworks New Milford. They are located at 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford, CT, 06776.

MUSIC AND MORE IN MERRYALL

On May 9th at 8:00 pm, the Merryall Center for the Arts will host an evening of Irish music and laughter. The Kerry Boys, Mark James from County Kerry, and Pierce Campbell, the 2007-2008 Connecticut Troubadour will perform Irish music with audience participation. Come listen, laugh and sing along! Price for a ticket is $20 per person.

The Merryall Center for the Arts is located at 8 Chapel Hill Road, New Milford, CT, 06776. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 860.354.7264.

Why travel elsewhere when you can see it right here?

So, you think you want to buy your first home.

2009-04-14T17:16:00.005-04:00

The news is all good, interest rates are lower than ever. Housing prices are down. The first time home buyers $8,000 tax credit is a great incentive to purchase a home this year. Check out what the National Association of Realtors has to say about it. What to do first?

Find a reputable lender. Find out how much you are qualified for, make sure that you look at what your mortgage payment will be per month, include your real estate taxes in this computation. You want to know this first, before even looking at homes. I insist on this with my buyers. Looking at homes with a price range you think will work often leads to heartache. Check out tips for finding a reputable lender by Mortgage RX.

Ask about first time home buyer programs. There are many good programs available to you, make sure you investigate all the options. One I have had great success with is the Housing Development Fund. Take a look at what they have to say.

Find a reputable Realtor. Remember, you will be spending time with this person, looking to them for advice, putting your trust in them to assist you with the largest purchase you will make in a long time. This is not a car, this is your home! About.com has written some very extensive articles that will answer questions you may have or didn't even know you had about chosing a Realtor.

Be ready to make changes. You should have a wants and needs list. But be prepared to make adjustments in these lists as you visit more homes. Perhaps the homes in your price range will not have that extra half bath you thought you couldn't live without. Maybe the home will not have a granite countertop. Be flexible and realistic. Here is a great article from about.com on things to think about when making the choice of what is important to you.

Be honest with yourself. If you fall in love with the idea of a particular home, but for instance, it will require too much work that you are not capable of doing or paying for, move on. This Old House has some good information on this subject.

Don't assume that all homes are overpriced. Putting in low ball offers can really become problematic. Let's say you find the home of your dreams, you really want this home and put in an offer. Because you have read somewhere that all homes are overpriced by at least 25% you base your offer on that premise. The seller does not have to sell, and never responds to you. You may anger them so much they may not look at any other offer you make as serious. Ask your Realtor to do a buyers market analysis for you. Trust your Realtor to do their job! A good Realtor will tell you if the house is priced correctly or not.

If you want that bargain priced home, look at foreclosures. Even short sales have to be approved by the bank, and they are not so willing to let it go for the price it might fetch when it has been foreclosed on and left vacant for a year. This is a reality of todays market.

Be patient. It could take time, especially in the lower price range.

Yes, it really is a good time to buy. But are you honestly ready? Have you done YOUR work? I will do my part for you to make your first home purchase a smooth transaction. If you are looking to purchase a home in the greater New Milford area I would love to hear from you. Give me a call, 203-460-1775, or drop me an email and we can discuss your options. I have great resources for you to check out lenders, I have a program called Listingbook that allows you to search the multiple listing service just like I do. Drop by my blog, real estate, real photography, real life and learn more about me and about the area, leave me a comment, tell me what you think. I hope to hear from you soon!

Silo Art

2009-04-12T14:56:00.004-04:00

But how did he do that?

I love art outdoors. People decorate their barns, yards, garages, homes, whatever. They are often very clever about it. This particular work is by C. J. Flynn, and called "Pride of the Pasture".

Check back, I will post more as I find them.

Check my photography out at my Picasa Web Album.

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-04-12T07:33:00.003-04:00

April 10, 2009

Week in Review, New Milford, Connecticut

Single Family Homes

Although the numbers don’t show it, I know that I am busier than I have been, and my office is busier! I believe we are seeing an improvement in the market.

There are currently 264 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT. That is up 2 listing from last week. Lowest price: $100,000. Highest price: $2,100,000, Out of these, 16 are under deposit (same as last week), lowest price $179,900, highest price $495,000. Average list price: $357,568, Average market time: 144 days.

There are currently 8 homes that are pending, 2 less than last week. Lowest price: $163,800. Highest price: $449,000. The average list price of these is $287,746, average market time: 147 days.

2 homes are showing as sold. Average List price $201,850, average sale price: $202,800 average market time, 49 days. This is down by 9 homes!

Condominiums

There are currently 81 active condo listings in New Milford, CT, no change from last week.
Out of these, 4 are under deposit, lowest price $99,900, highest price $220,000. The average list price: $164,475, average market time: 84 days.

There are currently 11 condos that are pending, up 1 from last week. Lowest price: $129,500, highest price:$400,000. The average list price of these is $170,936. Average market time: 129 days.

2 condos are showing as sold. This is up 2 from last week. Average List price $140,500, average sale price: $131,750 average market time, 91 days.

Information provided by Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

April Skies over New Milford CT

2009-04-09T08:35:00.006-04:00

Picture taken on Ridge Rd, New Milford, CT April 8, 2009.

"April Skies"

Looking to sell your home?

2009-04-07T08:15:00.006-04:00

Looking to sell your home? In this real estate market you have to offer the buyer a reason to see your home, and then to like your home well enough to make that coveted offer. Just being on the market is not going to get the job done. Here is a checklist to see if you are ready to list your home.

Curb appeal. It all starts here. When a prospective buyer pulls up to your home, what are they going to see? Discarded items in the bushes, branches all over the yard, large areas of dead grass? I hope not. Set flowers by the entryway, clean up the yard, mow the lawn, paint the front door and garage doors if necessary. If you can't get them past the outside and in the front door, you can't sell them the house.

The Entrance. Make sure when a prospective buyer walks through the front door they see clean, they see fresh paint if needed, make sure there are no strange odors emanating from you house!
De-clutter. You must de-clutter and organize. What you have become accustomed to living with may really turn off a potential buyer. Keep items off the floors and counters. Keep your closets organized, if they can't see the closet for the junk accumulated in it, they will think you don't have enough storage space in the home for their own "stuff".
De-personalize. That wall that has the 50 portrait pictures of your family will do 2 things. It will highlight to the buyer that there will be 50 holes in the wall to repair, and it will distract them from really looking at the house. They will be too busy looking at the photos, and they will see YOUR family in the home, not theirs.
Clean. I can't stress this enough, the house MUST be kept clean. Clean floors, clean windows, clean tile and grout, clean towels in the bathrooms, clean all the way around.
Paint. Does your home need a fresh coat of paint? Probably. This could make all the difference in the world. That orange color that you just had to have in the dining room may just kill the deal.
Call a professional stager. It really is a monumental task to assess the situation when you are so close to it. If you find that you are overwhelmed, perhaps you need to contact a professional stager to help you reorganize, re think design, get it ready for sale.
Price it right. This is a BUYERS market. In order to sell your home needs to be priced to reflect a realistic selling price. Adding $50,000 for "negotiating room" will discourage prospective buyers from even looking at your property. Be realistic, reasonable, and listen to what your realtor is telling you!

If you are ready to make that move, contact a real estate professional. They will guide you through the process. If you owe more than it is currently worth, there are options available to you. Make sure you let your Realtor know in the first meeting that this is the case.

If you are in the greater New Milford area and would like to meet with a real estate professional, give me a call or drop me an email. I would be happy to discuss your options.

Local Happenings, New Milford CT

2009-04-05T23:44:00.009-04:00

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!

When was the last time you had breakfast with the Easter Bunny? On Saturday, April 11th the Easter Bunny will be having breakfast at the New Milford VFW Post 1672. Breakfast is from 9-11am, followed by an egg hunt. The VFW is located at 11 Avery Road in New Milford, behind Peggy's Coffee Shop, just off Route 202. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information call 860.354.7995.

Easter Egg Hunt and More!

Egg hunt, games, refreshments and fun fun fun! Saturday, April 11th at 1:00 pm the Northville Baptist Church will host an Easter egg hunt for youngsters through the 5th grade. Bring your own basket. There will be refreshments served, and crafts and games! Please call 860.350.8397 for more information. The Northville Baptist Church is located on 9 Little Bear Hill Road in New Milford.

Merryall Nostalgia

2009-04-05T13:22:00.005-04:00

I pass this place every time I go to Merryall, I love this old barn. The owners have really done a good job making it look very nostalgic.

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-04-03T14:01:00.004-04:00

April 3, 2009

Week in Review, New Milford, Connecticut

Single Family Homes

The market is showing signs of improvement!

There are currently 262 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT. That is down 1 listing from last week. Lowest price: $100,000. Highest price: $2,100,000, Out of these, 16 are under deposit (up 6 from last week), lowest price $179,900, highest price $495,000. Average list price: $357,568, Average market time: 123 days.

There are currently 10 homes that are pending, 4 less than last week. Lowest price: $163,800. Highest price: $449,000. The average list price of these is $270,574, average market time: 127 days.

11 homes are showing as sold. Average List price $350,283, average sale price: $329,909 average market time, 110 days. This is up 9 from last week!

Condominiums

There are currently 81 active condo listings in New Milford, CT, up 3 from last week.
Out of these, 7 are under deposit, lowest price $62,900, highest price $220,000. The average list price: $155,414, average market time: 97 days.

There are currently 10 condos that are pending, up 1 from last week. Lowest price: $129,500, highest price: $400,000. The average list price of these is $174,530. Average market time: 122 days.

No condos are showing as sold.

Information provided by Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

Farm Fresh Coop in New Milford CT

2009-03-29T22:02:00.006-04:00

Kim was looking for a field to plant and a way to teach her children all about farm life, Chick was looking for help on the farm. Perfect match you say? Yes indeed, couldn't be better. But they didn't know each other.

Chick has 5 acres on one side of his farm that he grows corn for silage on. He calls this 5 acres "The Ponderosa", and he loves looking out from his kitchen window at the corn. Now he doesn't need as much corn as he used to. He had to stop shipping milk last summer and sold the majority of the milking cows due to his health. He still has cows, even still milks a few, but since the cow population is way down he doesn't need as much corn silage.

Kim grew up on a farm, and she also has eight children that she home schools! Feeding eight children from the grocery store is very expensive, especially for fresh items. She really wanted to have a garden this year, and was thinking about having one in her own yard.

That's where I come in. Kim's husband is my Sprint dealer. I was in his store getting a new phone, and he saw my cows picture I had as wallpaper on my phone. He was very curious so I told him about the farm, and from there things just grew and grew. His oldest son Elliott now works with us on the farm almost every day. But that is not the whole story.

I stopped in one day at his store to tell him just how much we appreciated his son at the farm. There were lots of customers in his store that afternoon, and only he was there, so while I was waiting for him to be free I started talking to a woman who is the director for a non profit type of organization, connected with a church diocese. She was talking to me about how hard her job was these days with the economy in the toilet, and I started to think that maybe we could somehow help.

So, I put Kim and Chick together on the garden idea. I was thinking about more than a garden, I was hoping it might help people who were unable to afford fresh produce. Kim and Chick agreed. Kim is trying to form a co-op of sorts, looking for people who will help her take care of the garden in exchange for fresh produce.

The co-op is still in it's planning stages. The seed has been ordered, the field will be plowed in the next few days. Kim has it all drawn out, she will plant about one half of the field, which has the potential to feed over 200 people. Chick will plant sweet corn on the rest.

A match made in heaven? Time will tell. Kim has agreed to plant sweet potatoes, which makes me happy as can be.

If you are interested in helping, give me a call. I will put you in touch with Kim. She is working on a "My Space" page for her project. I think it's a win win situation.

10 Granite Rd, Fieldstone Estates Price Adjustment

2009-03-27T11:48:00.003-04:00

SLIDESHOW
10 GRANITE RD, NEW MILFORD CT

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-03-27T07:44:00.002-04:00

Single Family Homes

There are currently 263 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT. That is up 7 listings from last week. Lowest price: $100,000. Highest price: $2,100,000, Out of these, 10 are under deposit (up 3 from last week), lowest price $179,900, highest price $615,000. Average list price: $349, 170, Average market time: 142 days.

There are currently 14 homes that are pending, 2 less than last week. Lowest price: $80,000. Highest price: $359,999. The average list price of these is $296,611, average market time: 127 days.

2 homes are showing as sold. Average List price $314,950, average sale price: $311,500, average market time, 108 days.

Condominiums

There are currently 78 active condo listings in New Milford, CT, down 2 from last week. Out of these, 5 are under deposit, lowest price $129,000, highest price $220,000. The average list price: $153,180, average market time: 100 days.

There are currently 9 condos that are pending, down 2 from last week. Lowest price: $129,500, highest price: $179,900. The average list price of these is $154,933. Average market time: 122 days.

2 condos are showing as sold. Average list price $116,950, average sale price $108,450, average market time: 116 days.

Information provided by Fairfield County CMLS. Information deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate.

Do you recognize this?

2009-03-26T22:37:00.002-04:00

I went out the other day taking pictures. Do you know where this one came from? I would love to hear from you! Please consider posting a reply, even if you don't know where the picture was taken. I will post the answer soon!

Found Cat in New Milford CT- UPDATE

2009-03-21T20:11:00.004-04:00

UPDATE:KITTY IS AT ANIMAL WELFARE. I called Animal Welfare and they took her in. She is actually young, around 6 months old. So, if you recognize her, contact Animal Welfare at 860.354.1350.

I found this cat up on Ridge Rd by Chapin Rd in New Milford, CT. If this is your cat, she is safe, but shaken. She is not young, and appears to be missing a "fang". I can't bring her in to my house, however I am feeding her, and have made her a little house on my back porch. She is very friendly and a bit frantic to come inside. Please call me if this is your cat, or if you recognize her.

Bulls Bridge, Kent Connecticut

2009-03-21T17:00:00.003-04:00

I took a walk by Bulls Bridge today with my camera. Although the leaves aren't out yet, the views are spectacular! I love it there, yet often forget how beautiful it is. A great trip for the family, and the cost is zero!

Enjoy my slide show, these are a few pictures I took today.

Week in Review, Market Watch

2009-03-14T18:52:00.003-04:00

March 14, 2009, Week in Review, New Milford, Connecticut

Single Family Homes

There are currently 260 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT.
Lowest price: $100,000
Highest price: $2,100,000
Out of these, 9 are under deposit, lowest price $179,900, highest price $699,900
Average list price: $370,189, Average days on market: 133

There are currently 5 homes that are pending.
Lowest price: $199,900
Highest price: $500,000
The average list price of these is $299,829. Average days on market: 98

No homes are showing as sold on the multiple listing service for the past week. That may be due to sold property not being entered into the service yet.

Condominiums

There are currently 78 active condo listings in New Milford, CT.
Out of these, 4 are under deposit, lowest price $129,900, highest price $179,000
The average list price: $148,975, Average days on market: 115

There are currently 2 condos that are pending.
Lowest price: $124,000
Highest price: $145,000
The average list price of these is $134,500. Average days on market: 127

No condos are showing as sold on the multiple listing service for the past week. That may be due to sold property not being entered into the service yet.

Sugar Days, The Sullivan Farm in New Milford, CT

2009-03-10T19:22:00.004-04:00

FARM DAYS! MAPLE SUGARING

The Sullivan Farm, operated by the New Milford Youth Agency, is having an open Sugar House on March 14 & March 15, 2009. Sullivan Farm is a fully operational farm, including seasonal produce and maple sugar production.

The Open Sugar House runs from 10 am to 4 pm. Come and learn the history of maple syrup beginning with colonial times thru the present day. They will show you how to make syrup the old fashioned way, and show you how to make maple candy.

Come by, taste the maple syrup and enjoy! Admission is free.

The Sullivan Farm is located on 140 Park Lane East, (Route 202), in New Milford. Look for the big red barn on the right hand side of the road after the intersection of Rt. 109 & Rt. 202.

Telephone: 860.354.0047 The Sullivan Farm

FARM FRESH IS ALWAYS THE BEST

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMER!

Merwinsville Hotel, a night at the Opera

2009-03-10T19:17:00.003-04:00

MERWINSVILLE HOTEL, GAYLORDSVILLE, CT

March 21, 2009. 7:30 pm. The Merwinsville Hotel is hosting an evening of opera to benefit the hotel restoration. Zoe Vandermeer will perform her own “Zoe’s Musical Fairy Tale, Upon A Time”. Timothy Alexandre Wallace will narrate and accompany on keyboard. Wine and Cheese to follow the performance. Seating is limited, it is suggested to call for reservations.

The Merwinsville Hotel has some interesting events throughout the year. I would highly recommend you check their calendar of events and make a trip up there. A piece of our local history that is certainly well worth preserving. Located in Gaylordsville, CT, the hotel was a meal and train stop in the late 1800’s for the Housatonic Railroad. Take a moment to see what they are all about; I think you will like it.

The Merwinsville Hotel Restoration

1 Browns Forge Road
Gaylordsville, CT 06755
Telephone: 860.350.4443

Great Photo Day

2009-03-08T18:08:00.002-04:00

I took the camera out today, such a wonderful day to take a few pictures.

Photos taken in New Milford, Connecticut

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-03-07T13:21:00.003-05:00

March 7, 2009

Weekly Market Activity, New Milford, Connecticut

New Milford Active Listings:

Single Family Homes

There are currently 266 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT.
Out of these, 11 are under deposit, lowest price $219,000, highest price $615,000
Average list price: $479,307, Average days on market: 137

There are currently 11 homes that are pending. The average list price of these is $236,456. Average days on market: 145

3 homes sold in the past week. Average list price was $345,383, average sale price $330,350, Average days on market: 350

Condominiums

There are currently 73 active condo listings in New Milford, CT.
Out of these, 3 are under deposit, lowest price $124,000, highest price $179,000
Average list price: $202,168, Average days on market: 155

There are currently 10 condos that are pending. The average list price of these is $172,530. Average days on market: 112

No condos sold in the past week.

Home Staging

2009-03-04T16:58:00.001-05:00

Here in the north-western corner of Connecticut home staging has not caught on. I am not sure why though. Every time I mention that I am a realtor, people start talking about all those shows on TV about getting your home ready to sell. They LOVE those shows. Isn’t it amazing how different the before and after is, or comment how quickly the house sold after it was staged.

Now I don’t know about you, but for my money I would want to get those same results if I was selling my home. I would want to sell quickly and for the most money I could get, especially in this market. Yet not one person I know of here has hired a qualified professional to stage their home.

Why? I am not sure. People in other parts of Connecticut are doing it, and seeing results! Don’t believe me? Why not? You believe the TV shows.

Enough said?

Local Area Photos

2009-02-28T20:14:00.003-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite pictures I have taken around the area, in New Milford and at Steep Rock in Washington, plus a few others! Enjoy.

New Milford Weekly Market Watch

2009-02-28T09:49:00.003-05:00

February 21 thru February 28, 2009

Market Watch

New Milford, CT

Single Family Homes

There are currently 261 active single family home listings in New Milford, CT.
Out of these, 7 are under deposit, lowest price $244,444, highest price $500,000
Average list price: $485,763, Average days on market: 140

There are currently 16 homes that are pending. The average list price of these is $255,143. Average days on market: 142

3 homes sold in the past week. Average list price was $506,217, average sale price $459,875, Average days on market: 356

Condominiums

There are currently 71 active condo listings in New Milford, CT.
Out of these, 4 are under deposit, lowest price $124,000, highest price $179,000
Average list price: $144,475, Average days on market: 93

There are currently 10 condos that are pending. The average list price of these is $170,930. Average days on market: 114

No condos sold in the past week.

I want a house but...

2009-02-27T19:02:00.006-05:00

I prefer to think the market is righting itself, getting back on an even keel. I can't turn on the news and not hear how mortgages are impossible to get, homes prices are tumbling. While it is true that mortgages are no longer available to those who should not have had a mortgage in the first place, they are available. If you have taken care of your credit then it is very possible you can get a mortgage. And the best news for you, there are bargains to be had! So, what is it that stops you? I suggest that before you listen to the news you call a reputable mortgage banker and find out if you qualify. Start with our smaller, local banks. Ask about any first time home buyer programs they may have. Check online with the Housing Development Fund for their first time home buyer program. New Milford real estate has some great prices for the first time home buyer. Don't give up your dream because someone else told you that it is impossible. It is possible! Prices are down, interest rates are down, inventory is up. It is absolutely a buyers market!

How JobAngels (And You) Have Changed My Life

2009-02-24T19:37:00.001-05:00

How JobAngels (And You) Have Changed My Life

Posted using ShareThis

Market Watch for New Milford CT

2009-02-21T13:07:00.003-05:00

What is happening in New Milford, CT? For a snapshot of today, here is what is happening:

Single Family Active Listings: 258, 9 of which are currently under deposit

Single Family Pending: 14

Condo, Active Listings: 71, 5 of which are currently under deposit

Condo Pending: 8

I looked at single family and condo sales, from 2006, 2007 and 2008. Here is what I found.

2008 SALES

SF Sold 210 (down 28% from 2007) Condo Sold 86 (down 32.2% from 2007)

Average Market Time

SF 139 days (up 21% from 2007) Condo 114 (up 28.08% from 2007)

Average List Price

SF $369,189 (down 14.79% from 2007) Condo $206,745 (up 1.78% from 2007)

Average Sale Price

SF $375,587 (down 9.94% from 2007) Condo $204,263 (up 2.26% from 2007)

2007 SALES

SF Sold 292 down 7.3% from 2006) Condo Sold 125 (down 2.3% from 2006)

Average Market Time

SF 115 days (up 23% from 2006) Condo 89 (up 25.35% from 2006)

Average List Price

SF $433,270 (up 3.14% from 2006) Condo $203,166 (up 8.4% from 2006)

Average Sale Price

SF $417,063 (up 2% from 2006) Condo $199,736 (up 8.6% from 2006

2006 SALES

Single Family Sold: 315, Av Market Time: 93, Av List Price: $420,066, Av Sale Price: $408,893

Condo Sold: 130, Av Market Time: 71, Av List Price: $187,425, Av Sale Price: $183,936

What does this mean if you are selling? You need to be aggressively priced, looking at the competition on a regular basis and pricing your house accordingly. You should be priced in the top 5 of comparable homes. Clean it up, stage the home, make sure you follow all the recommendations of a real estate professional in order to sell.

What does this mean if you are buying? With interests rates at an all time low it does make sense to buy now. If rates rise, and they will, it will make the lower prices of a home not as attractive in the long run. A higher priced loan means higher monthly payments!

Interested in searching for a home in the greater New Milford CT Area? New Milford CT Real Estate

ActiveRain

2009-02-19T20:27:00.005-05:00

Have you ever heard of ActiveRain? It is a great place to get all sorts of real estate information. Come on by and visit me there, get up to date tips from other professionals, add your own input if you like! I look forward to seeing you there! ActiveRain

Do You Drink Milk?

Listingbook

2009-02-18T18:40:00.004-05:00

Have you ever been frustrated when searching for a home on the internet? I would love to provide you with a FREE Listingbook Account. Search the MLS like I do! Just follow this link and sign up, and I will be happy to set you up with your very own account.

1. Set your own search criteria, change it as your wants/needs change.
2. Ask me questions about listings you might be interested in.
3. Get the address of the house you are interested in!
4. Get as many photos as I do, instantly.
5. Get area sales reports
6. Get a loan report

All online, all confidential. Please, go to http://www.andreaslistingbook.com
Sign up for your own account.

See you around!
Andrea Swiedler, REALTOR
Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS
203-460-1775
andrea@andreaswiedler.com

FIRST BLOG!

2009-02-18T18:19:00.002-05:00

Interested in real estate in and around New Milford? Tune in, I will be giving you the latest stats for the area. Also, tips on buying and selling. I am also very interested in photography and will be posting some of my work here.

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS SEMINAR

I will be hosting another first time homebuyers seminar at my office in early spring. I will post the date asap. A representative from the Housing Development Fund will be there, Newtown Savings Bank, and local real estate attorney Ann E. Fisher will be presenting. Don't think that you can't buy a home. If your credit is decent, there very well could be a program out there for you. My daughter just bought her first home using the Housing Development Fund in conjunction with Newtown Savings Bank, what a great experience it was! She was eligible for down payment assistance from HDF, and combined with the loan from NSB her mortgage payment is GREAT!

Stay tuned for more information! I would love to hear from you!