Thinking about Selling? Make Sure You Know About (SBO) Strategic Buyer Optimization Techniques.

The manner in which we buy and sell homes is evolving, and one MUST embrace the technology and the more savvy buyers that come along with it.

This may be a little technical to you, but if you are selling your home, make sure you know about SBO.  (Strategic Buyer Optimization)

For starters, it includes professional photography and "buyer optimized descriptions", and it's all part of Strategic Staging. If you haven't heard of these terms, ask any one of my three seller clients who all benefited from these strategies, and closed on their home in the last 30 days from the power of SBO.

Call me or contact me to learn how these strategies can work for you

JUST IN THE LAST MONTH:

1)  Home went under deposit in just 22 days when two other nearby homes priced similarly have languished on the market for 155 days, and 267 days, respectively.
2) Condo went under deposit in  just eight days AND sold a the highest price in the complex in three years!
3) Home in need of cosmetic and structural work sold in a bidding war 2.5 percent above asking price.

 Ask me how I can help you.  Email me today

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. 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

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Our Newest Website www.BestWestportHomes.com

We invite you to visit the latest  addition to our family of real estate websites. This is our fourth real estate site serving the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, and our "Market Insider Reports" has already proven to be a big hit! Check it out!

Additional features include insider tips, comprehensive individual town analyses, community info, and local school information, as well as easy home searches.

www.BestWestportHomes.com 

A special note to sellers- Your home can be featured on the front of this website. Contact me for details. (203) 257-5892

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. 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

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Have You Checked Around Your House for Mold?

Mold is a relatively common household occurrence that can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces. Although most molds are harmless, some can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in sensitive individuals, so it's important to be aware of potential mold growth in your home. As with most things, a little knowledge goes a long way - read below for information that will help you identify a mold problem.

Mold Basics:
Mold enters your home as tiny spores, which need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Mold can grow on almost any surface, including wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation, given the right conditions.

Identifying the Problem:
Mold most often appears as small black or white specks in places like your damp bathroom or basement walls. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, leathery, powdery, and glassy. Mold colonies may appear to be black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink. Some mold may be hidden behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles, but is often visible to the naked eye.

Where to Look:
Mold grows best when there is an abundance of moisture, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

Trust your nose:
The compounds produced by molds have strong smells, which are volatile and quickly released into the air. Because these compounds often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can cause a "moldy" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A musty odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Trust, but Verify

Especially in winter, your nose can be irritated by a variety of causes such as allergies and dry air. It is suggested that you test your house for elevated mold spores in the air, and also for elevated levels of allergens. This can be especially useful if you’ve recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting. If you suspect a mold problem, you should address the issue as quickly as possible, as mold can spread quickly. A professional can help you spot water intrusion that you may not be able to see with infra-red detection. As long as the moisture problem is corrected, you can successfully clean up a small amount of mold yourself using a simple solution warm water and soap, however larger infestations should be tested and removed by a professional mitigation expert.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection here

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. 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

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates March 4, 2015

Rates have now been at the same levels for three continuous weeks.  Rates still look very attractive at these levels and it’s time to jump into refinancing your existing mortgage with my help or purchase a new home with Realtor Judy Szablak.  The 10 year is at 2.02

 Mortgage Rates:

 Conventional 30 year fixed – 3.99% - APR 4.047%

 Conventional 15 year fixed - 3.375% - APR 3.469%

 FHA 30 year fixed – 3.75% - APR 5.337%

 FHA 15 year fixed – 3.25% - APR 4.837%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016.

This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law.

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. 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

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Who Pays When Someone Falls on Your Icy or Snowy Sidewalk?

This is not as cut-and-dry as you might think it is, and it is one scary proposition if and when it occurs to you.

Mother nature has once again decided to remind of us what a true—eh, mmm, how can I say this --- not so nice lady she can be, by dumping more snow and ice on our streets, driveways, yards and sidewalks. It’s those pesky snow and ice covered sidewalks that send people flying and falling and getting hurt that cause so many problems and light up lawyers’ eyes.

What is the liability of a property owner, whose property abuts a public sidewalk, when someone slips and falls on a snow or ice covered sidewalk. The Connecticut Supreme Court, in November, 2014, in a case coming from the town of Enfield, Robinson v Cianfarani, 314  Conn 521 (2014), had the opportunity to again discuss the issue of liability as it relates to property owners when a person falls on an ice and snow covered sidewalk.

The Court relied upon its 1937 decision, Willoughby v New Haven, in which it stated that it is the sole responsibility of the municipality to keep its public streets (which includes sidewalks) reasonably safe and that it is not the duty of private property owners to undertake that task. The Court further stated that the only way that the municipality could shift the burden was by statute or ordinance. It took the Connecticut General Assembly 44 years to heed the Court’s advice and, in 1981 it adopted a statutory provision which allows a town to shift the liability to the abutting property owner. See §7-163a C.G.S.

Many towns have adopted this provisions, and, as such, property owners in towns that have adopted the provision, whose property abuts the public sidewalk, will be held liable in the event that someone falls on the sidewalk which runs along their property, if the property owner did not properly maintain the sidewalk for public use. It should be noted, however, that some towns only impose a fine or penalty upon the abutting property owner for failing to keep the sidewalk clear of snow and ice. For those lucky people who live in those towns, that Court has ruled that simply imposing a fine or penalty upon the abutting property owner for not clearing the snow or ice, will not trigger a transfer of liability to the abutting property owner and the town would be the entity that is liable if someone is injured as result of falling on an ice or snow covered sidewalk.  The town must specifically adopt the provisions of §7-163a C.G.S. to have successfully relieved itself of liability.

The moral of the story is, know your town’s local laws. Just about every town has its ordinances online. But regardless of whether liability is with you or the town, be nice to your neighbors and clear the snow from the sidewalks, it makes walking the dog so much easier.

Article courtesy of Benjamin S. Proto, Attorney at Law

If you have any questions, please feel free to email  Fairfield County Real Estate Attorney Ben Proto at ben@protolawfirm.com.  Call him at (203) 378-9595 or find Ben online at  www.protolawfirm.com

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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. 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

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

WHO PAYS WHEN SOMEONE FALLS ON THE ICE OR SNOW COVERED SIDEWALK?

                 Mother nature has once again decided to remind of us what a true—eh, mmm, how can I say this --- not so nice lady she can be, by dumping more snow and ice on our streets, driveways, yards and sidewalks. It’s those pesky snow and ice covered sidewalks that send people flying and falling and getting hurt that cause so many problems and light up lawyers’ eyes.

                 What is the liability of a property owner, whose property abuts a public sidewalk, when someone slips and falls on a snow or ice covered sidewalk. The Connecticut Supreme Court, in November, 2014, in a case coming from the town of Enfield, Robinson v Cianfarani, 314  Conn 521 (2014), had the opportunity to again discuss the issue of liability as it relates to property owners when a person falls on an ice and snow covered sidewalk.

                 The Court relied upon its 1937 decision, Willoughby v New Haven, in which it stated that it is the sole responsibility of the municipality to keep its public streets (which includes sidewalks) reasonably safe and that it is not the duty of private property owners to undertake that task. The Court further stated that the only way that the municipality could shift the burden was by statute or ordinance. It took the Connecticut General Assembly 44 years to heed the Court’s advice and, in 1981 it adopted a statutory provision which allows a town to shift the liability to the abutting property owner. See §7-163a C.G.S.

                 Many towns have adopted this provisions, and, as such, property owners in towns that have adopted the provision, whose property abuts the public sidewalk, will be held liable in the event that someone falls on the sidewalk which runs along their property, if the property owner did not properly maintain the sidewalk for public use. It should be noted, however, that some towns only impose a fine or penalty upon the abutting property owner for failing to keep the sidewalk clear of snow and ice. For those lucky people who live in those towns, that Court has ruled that simply imposing a fine or penalty upon the abutting property owner for not clearing the snow or ice, will not trigger a transfer of liability to the abutting property owner and the town would be the entity that is liable if someone is injured as result of falling on an ice or snow covered sidewalk.  The town must specifically adopt the provisions of §7-163a C.G.S. to have successfully relieved itself of liability.

                 The moral of the story is, know your town’s local laws. Just about every town has its ordinances online. But regardless of whether liability is with you or the town, be nice to your neighbors and clear the snow from the sidewalks, it makes walking the dog so much easier.

                 For more information on this, and other legal issues, please contact me at ben@protolawfirm.com

- See more at: http://protolawfirm.com/lawyer/2015/02/09/real-estate/WHO-PAYS-WHEN-SOMEONE-FALLS-ON-THE-ICE-OR-SNOW-COVERED-SIDEWALK_bl17697.htm#sthash.70ShwZE3.dpuf