Should You Remodel Your Connecticut Home or Move?

It happens. One day you wake up and think to yourself, "you have to make a change". That change could be an idea to remodel your home for that special room that you always wanted, to add on that special room, or... to move.

Living with contractors working on your house is no joy, as anyone who has done so  can attest to. They come late, the work is disruptive to the rest of the home, they don't come at all some days, and the job  never seems to be completed on schedule.

So is it time to remodel or just look for a new home?

Before you decide on any major home improvement project, speak with a REALTOR® (that's me!) who knows your neighborhood. Tell the area real estate agent specifically what  the changes are that you have in mind, and get an honest opinion as to whether you will be "over-improving" your home for your neighborhood.

Secondly, you want to have a good idea as to how much this renovation will cost, and how much it will add to the value of your home, or if it will at all. Is the cost ofthe improvement warranted on the investment?

You will only know if you take the proper steps. An improvement may be the smartest decision for you, but then again it may not. If you want to find out what is best for you, your home, and your situation, contact me and I will give you an honest assessment where you can make your plans accordingly with full information. And of course, there is no obligation. I'm happy to help.

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Selling Your Fairfield County CT Home: Is it as Attractive as You Think It Is?

The real estate market in Fairfield County  is improving, however it is still somewhat sluggish, due to a lack of sorely needed inventory. The number of available homes  for sale is seasonally low, but compounding that, is the fact that the homes currently for sale are not considered attractive.

Just to clarify, an "attractive" home for sale refers to its condition, aesthetics, functionality,  ability to sell on a timely basis, and/or price.

FIVE DETERMINING FACTORS OF YOUR HOME'S "ATTRACTION" QUOTIENT

1. Condition: Is the home  in good working order, and has it been maintained properly? Is it dated?

2. Aesthetics: A beautiful home inside and out priced incorrectly for the market will not sell, and is still unattractive in the marketplace.

3. Functionality: Has the home been personalized to such an extent that very few buyers will be able to see themselves living in it?

4. Ability to Sell on a Timely Basis: Short Sales and Foreclosures can be attractive to many buyers, but the length of time from offer o closing is much greater than other homes.

5. Price:  All three above conditions can be made more attractive by pricing the home correctly.

So what does a lack of "attractive"  inventory mean for the market?

If you are selling, or even considering selling, and  can meet the attractive quotient, then now is a probably a VERY good time to get your home on the market, as you will get TOP dollar in today's market, rather then waiting for Spring and fierce competition.

If you are buying a home, you  may get some of the best deals of the year that are out there RIGHT NOW, if you are willing to look past and be compensated for (by means of final selling price) one of the above conditions.

 If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Preventing Frozen Pipes and Ice Dams in Your Connecticut Home

Have you ever had the misfortune of cleaning up a smelly, wet and very cold mess on a freezing winter day? I hope you haven’t and never do. Thousands of people, however, suffer through this nightmare every year because unprotected water pipes in their homes freeze and break.

            A more subtle destructive winter wonder is the phenomenon known as ice damming. Snow on your roof can lead to ice dams that damage the roof, gutters, walls, interior ceiling and even items inside the home.

            There are ways you can prevent frozen pipes and ice dams, simple solutions to avoiding the hassles and costs of cleaning and repairing your home.

The value of two minutes

            Two minutes. That’s about as long as it takes to begin a small trickle of water from your home’s hot and cold faucets and to open doors of cabinets with water pipes running through them.

            Two weeks. That could be the length of time needed to find and hire contractors to tear out smelly, water-soaked carpet and wallboard, dry the remaining flooring of your house and replace all that might have been destroyed by flooding from burst, frozen pipes. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) break in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day, wrecking floors, furniture and keepsakes.

            As you can see, there can be a tremendous advantage to spending a couple of minutes taking simple, no-cost precautions to prevent frozen pipes. The saying, “time well spent,” is certainly an understatement when you consider the soggy consequences of doing nothing. Here are a few additional steps to protect your home or apartment:

·         Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic.

·         Use heat tape to wrap pipes. Use only products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. , and only for the use intended (interior or exterior). Closely follow the manufacturer’s installation and operation instructions.

·         Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located.

·         Close air vents leading under the house.

·         Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.

What are ice dams?

            After several days of melting-freezing cycles, it’s common for the melted water and ice to work up under the shingles until water enters the attic and eventually does damage to the ceilings, wall and contents.

            In cases where the ice dam goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, it can do significant damage to the building and its contents.

            There’s no way to guarantee an ice dam won’t damage your home, but you can take steps to cut the chances of an ice dam forming in the first place:

·         Thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks and other debris from your home’s gutters and downspouts.

·         Make every effort to keep snow on your roof to a minimum. Long-handled devices on the market called “roof rakes” let you stand on the ground and pull the snow off the roof. Keeping heavy snow loads off your roof reduces the chances for both ice dam formations and roof failure due to the weight.

·         All winter long, keep gutters and down spouts clear of snow and icicles.

·         Evaluate the insulation and ventilation in your attic. Most experts agree the R-value of attic insulation should be at least R-30 (R-38 is preferable in northern climates).

Article submitted by Brennan Purdy of State Farm Insurance

My vision is to be an insurance professional whose actions are driven by keeping the customer's best interest as my primary goal. My staff will treat all my customers in a caring, friendly, and professional manner. My office will provide warm, efficient, and seamless services to our customers at all times. I expect my business to be comprised of knowledgeable, multiple-line customers who see my office as their first and best choice for all their insurance and financial service needs

For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit www.brennanpurdy.com. My office is conveniently located in downtown Bethel. 203-798-7300.                   211 Greenwood Avenue , Bethel, CT 06801

What Qualifications Should You Look for in Your Next REALTOR?

If you are ready to buy or sell, and are looking for a Realtor to represent you in buying or selling your Fairfield County Connecticut home, there are a number of qualifications that even  agents in the field recognize and respect  from their colleagues. They should be important to you, too.

The Top Five Real Estate Designations That You Should Require From Your Next Agent Are:

(REB) Licensed Real Estate Broker. Not all agents are brokers. As a matter of fact, less than 30 percent of all the  REALTORS in the entire state of Connecticut hold this highest form of real estate licensure.

(ABR)  Accredited Buyers Representative- Requires  Intensive all day courses with a required passing grade of 80%, and a numebr of documented buyer controlled transactions

(CRS)  Certified Residential Specialist-  Requires  Intensive all day courses with a required passing grade of 80%,  and/or completion of up to 150 verified transactions within any five years

(GRI)  Graduate, Realtors Institute- completing the REALTOR® Institute program consisting of a minimum of 90 hours of coursework about such subjects as the Sales process,  Legal and regulatory,  Technology and  Professional standards.

(e-PRO) Certified Internet Specialist- Cutting-edge technologies and digital initiatives to link up with today's savvy real estate consumer

... and here's my own shameless plug.  You can stop looking for an agent that has attained all of these designations, because you've just found me. Take a look at my other credentials

and email me when you need a great REALTOR.

You can also call me anytime at (203) 257-5892

-Judy

Federal and Connecticut Law About Telemarketers Contacting You at Your Home

Has your evening or weekend ever been disrupted by a call from a telemarketer?

If so, you’re not alone. In 2003, federal do-not-call legislation was signed into law, and commercial telemarketers must comply with the provisions of the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); it is a list of telephone numbers from consumers who have indicated their preference to limit the telemarketing calls they receive. The registry applies to any plan, program, or campaign to sell goods and services through interstate phone calls.

You can register your phone numbers for free, and they will remain on the list until you remove them or discontinue service – there is no need to re-register numbers. To register your residential telephone number, including wireless numbers, on the national Do-Not-Call registry go www.donotcall.gov or to register by telephone call 1-888-382-1222. Additionally, you must call from the phone number you wish to register.

Make the best choice for your home purchase, sale and refinance closing needs. Contact The Law Office of Only Closings! Visit our website at www.onlyclosings.com or call us at (203) 581-1712.

The weekly Tip-of-the-Week* is supplied by Only Closings --

a law firm devoted to real estate closings.

      - Our closing staff is made up of seasoned, experienced real estate attorneys.
      - Close where it is most convenient for the client (home, office, job or bank)
      - Very competitive closing fee and no hidden fees!
      - No fee consultations.
      - Personalized, responsive service from all of our attorneys and paralegals

  To learn more about Only Closings and how they can help you quickly close a property transaction, call them at 203-563-9677 or visit them online at www.OnlyClosings.com

*The content within the "Tip-of-the-Week" is strictly for informational purposes and not intended to be interpreted and/or used as legal advice. Only Closings and OnlyClosings.com is a service provided by Tamara L. Peterson Attorney at Law LLC.

And a note From Judy: If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.