Need Advice on Buying or Selling Your Connecticut Home? We Have Hundreds of Articles!

If you are in need of advice about  buying or selling a home, we probably have the answer you need for all of your real estate questions in at least one of the hundreds of articles right here on The CT Realty Blog.  With 27+ years of experience in the real estate business, we most likely have heard your question before, and have created this site  to be the "answer place" whenever you need it. We don't require a membership to comment on our blog, nor do we require you to create an account to utilize our free MLS services. So why do we do it? .... We would just  like to be your Realtor when you need one.

Maybe you're just thinking about buying or selling a home right now, but there are a multitude of questions that arise in the beginning stages, as well as throughout the transaction. Find your answers here!

Use the "Search This Site" feature midway down on the right side of the website to see whether or not the answer to your question is already here. Alternatively, we have a directory of every article and tip on The CT Realty Blog, where you can search for an article of interest to your particular question or situation.

We also post weekly real estate activity and sale updates for the following towns besides quarterly market reports for most all of Southwestern Connecticut:

Each of our town blogs has weekly updates  for new listings and sold properties plus market forecasts.

Easton  (search articles here)     SEE EASTON HOME BLOG NOW

Fairfield   (search articles here)     SEE FAIRFIELD  HOME BLOG NOW

Norwalk   (search articles here)     SEE NORWALK HOME BLOG NOW

Trumbull   (search articles here)      SEE TRUMBULL HOME BLOG NOW

Westport   (search articles here)      SEE WESTPORT HOME BLOG NOW

As always, if you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, send us an email. If you 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. If you are buying or selling, I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :)   - Judy

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Connecticut Financing Update and Mortgage Rates December 23, 2011

The latest in shadow inventory- For every two homes available for sale, there is one home in the shadow inventory, new data shows.

According to CoreLogic, the residential shadow inventory totaled 1.6 million units in October, representing a supply of five months. Though down from 1.9 million units a year before, October's shadow inventory was approximately the same level as reported in January 2009.

The shadow inventory represents about half of the 3 million properties that are seriously delinquent, in foreclosure or in real estate owned (REO) status, CoreLogic explains. Of the 1.6 million properties in the shadow inventory, 770,000 units (2.5 months’ supply) are seriously delinquent, 430,000 (1.4 months’ supply) are in some stage of foreclosure and 370,000 (1.2 months’ supply) are already in REO.

“The shadow inventory overhang is a large impediment to the improvement in the housing market because it puts downward pressure on home prices, which hurts home sales and building activity while encouraging strategic defaults,” says Mark Fleming, chief economist at CoreLogic.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history to resolve allegations that Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers in their mortgage lending from 2004 through 2008. The settlement provides $335 million in compensation for victims of Countrywide’s discrimination during a period when Countrywide originated millions of residential mortgage loans as one of the nation’s largest single-family mortgage lenders. In addition, the settlement requires Countrywide to implement policies and practices to prevent discrimination if it returns to the lending business during the next four years. Countrywide operates as a subsidiary of Bank of America, but does not originate new loans. “Countrywide’s actions contributed to the housing crisis, hurt entire communities, and denied families access to the American dream,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We are using every tool in our law enforcement arsenal, including some that were dormant for years, to go after institutions of all sizes that discriminated against families solely because of their race or national origin.”

Today's Mortgage Rates

30 year fixed - 3.850% + 0% cost points for rate
20 year fixed - 3.750% + 0 % points for rate
15 year fixed - 3.250% +  0% points for rate
10 year fixed - 2.875%  + 0%  points for rate
5/1 ARM - 2.375%  +0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 2.750 %  + 0 points for rate
10/1 ARM 3.250% + 0 points for rate

FHA/VA
30 year fixed - 3.750% with +0 % points for rate
5/1 ARM - 2.750%  with + 0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 3.25 with +  .625 % CREDIT  point for rate

Jumbo - over 576,000 (in Fairfield County, CT)   to 2,000,000
30 year fixed - 4.625  % with 0 points  for rate
15 year fixed - 4.125% with 0  points for rate
5/1 ARM - 3.375% - 0 points for rate
7/1 ARM - 3.750 % - 0 points for rate
10/1 ARM - 4.375% with 0 points for rate

Jennifer Buchanan,  Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist at MetLife Loans is a seasoned veteran of the Mortgage, Banking and Broker Industry and specializes in mortgage loans throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut.
   Her attention to detail is unsurpassed, and her understanding of the marketplace makes it easy to find the right loan to fit her clients specific needs .  Jennifer's local processing and closing team are also known for their exemplary service.
   Understanding that the vast majority of mortgage brokers never discuss the long or short term  financial needs or goals with their clients, she set herself apart from the rest by obtaining the coveted CMPS  designation. (Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist)
    She is a member of the National Association of Responsible Loan Officers, and her commitment to ethics, understanding of the marketplace, and business acumen have earned her the respect of her peers and clients alike.

Jennifer Buchanan
Metlife Loans
203-341-6949

Jennifer Buchanan- Your certified expert
 on mortgages offering Free Unbiased
recommendations based on your needs.

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.

Best Affordable Fairfield County CT Towns - Stratford, Connecticut

Stratford is Fairfield County's most affordable town along the coastline, and there's most certainly a house for everyone here.

Stratford, Connecticut Quick Facts: Land area is approximately 18 Square Miles and the elevation is 42 feet. Incorporated in 1639, Stratford currently has about 50,580 residents in 20,100 households, 78% of which are owner occupied.  Approximately 38.8% of the housing stock was built prior to 1950. The 2011-2012 property tax rate for Stratford is 34.15 mills.

On the Eastern border of Fairfield County, Stratford Connecticut is one of the most affordable towns along Fairfield County's sought after coastline.  Stratford's residents can enjoy beaches, a par 3 golf course, have access to the train, and a wide variety of shopping. The immediate area's only airport is here, and aptly nicknamed Sikorsky Airport. Stratford is the birthplace of the American helicopter industry, Sikorsky Aircraft remains the towns largest employer. No jumbo jets here, just small to mid size planes, and limited flights.

Rich in history, the town of Stratford was founded in 1639 by 25 families who settled along the Housatonic River, Stratford once encompassed part of Shelton and Trumbull. 

The location of the town, between Long Island Sound and the Housatonic River provides easy access to fishing, marinas, and boating sports. The Lordship area is known for its beautiful waterfront properties, Short and Long Beach, the seawall and the Great Meadow Marsh.

One of the earliest Connecticut towns settled, Stratford is home to an active historical society, and one of the towns gems is Booth Memorial Park, an interesting array of unique buildings and architecture, and beautiful gardens. The North End Oronoque section of town is comprised of more upsacle residential homes, and the rest of the town is a bit more mainstream. parks are aplenty, the easy commute is evident by its excellent network of transportation connections including in-town train access, the Merritt Parkway and I-95, as well as Route 8, and all are located within the towns borders. Homes range form the modest to elegant, but it still remains, 'Everyman's Town'.

SEARCH STRATFORD PROPERTIES HERE

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Stratford or anywhere else 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.

The CT Realty Blog Makes a Splash on Google+

Come and join our circles on Google+ ! We've went ahead and gone super-social and created twenty pages just for Fairfield County Connecticut Real Estate and where we post new listings and the latest real estate news.

Google+ for business was just rolled outto the public last month and we are dedictated to staying on top of the latest social trends and resources.

You can also find us all over facebook, with the latest real estate news and advice, on Twitter, where we are deemed as being in the  "Fairfield County CT Elite", LinkedIn, and don't forget to visit our YouTube channel with all the best advice in one place.

Connect with us everywhere and stay on top of the latest real estate news that's relevant to you and your town in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

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.

Is Your Buyer Agent Really Trying to Get You the Lowest Price?

If you are thinking about signing up with a buyers agent to represent your best interest, go ahead and test their negotiating skills first. If the agent that you are thinking about hiring to represent you can't pass your own litmus test, it will only get worse when it comes time to negotiate with another agent to get your home at the best price when that agent has better skills.

I have come across many agents who just really have no clue as to how to negotiate properly. Trust me, I don't care  if I am on the other side- their ineptness only helps my client. Harsh, but true.

One of the dumbest missteps from a number of buyer agents that I come across much more frequently than I should is right in the pre-approval letter from the buyer's bank. I cannot tell you how many times that I have seen these letters that say, "The buyer is approved for a specific loan amount". Those pre-qualification or pre-approval letters are not doing the buyer any favors, especially when they put an offer in on a house that's less than the stated amount. The buyer is then in an unnecessary predicament, because the seller's agent and the seller both know that this buyer can afford their house, and then some.  Come in with a lower than expected offer with one of these prequalification letters and your negotiations will be stunted. Completely unnecessary, and it will end up costing you money (if not the deal itself) because its worded that way.

Do you know if the agent that you are thinking about hiring habitually dots their "i's" and crosses their "t's?  Better figure that one, too. When it comes time to write an offer, that agent will be judged on how properly it is filled out. A few mistakes on that is a red flag to another agent, who probably rightfully would think that the agent is lax in their duties and follow through. Everybody has work to do to complete a transaction.  You do not want to lose out on the house of your dreams because of it.

And for heaven's sake, if the buyer agent is pushy, it's just a bad sign all the way around. Not only for you, while you are looking, but if that's the agent's style, it won't fare too well on the negotiating table with the other agent either.
 
Your buyers agent should be knowledgeable about the market, be a skilled negotiator, and as far away from pushy or combative as possible. and I just happen to know someone that fits that bill in  your area. (that's me!)

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.