Judy Szablak Named Five Star Professional for the 2nd Consecutive Year

Judy Szablak, REALTOR with Coldwell Banker in Westport, Connecticut  was recently honored with the Five Star Professional rating for the second year in a row!

As part of an in-depth research process, real estate agents are evaluated by consumers based on customer service, integrity, market knowledge, communication and negotiation skills, closing preparation, helping you find the right home, marketing the home being sold, and overall satisfaction.

Five Star Professional follows standard survey practices used by other professional research organizations. The research also includes feedback from industry peers and leaders, and a regulatory review to provide necessary checks and balances.

The Five Star Professional research team applies a vigorous research and evaluation process to identify service professionals who provide quality services to their clients. Professionals do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star award winners.

The research methodology allows no more than 7% of service professionals in a given market to qualify for the Five Star award.

Judy's information can be seen in Westchester Magazine's  October 2013 issue.

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1,349,900 See the virtual tour 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:

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

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

Happy July 4th!....Here's a Bit of Independence Day Trivia - Did You Know?

First, have a happy and safe holiday!

Did you know what founding father John Adams wrote about how we should  celebrate Independence Day?

He wrote, and I quote "...It ought to be commemorated as a day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bell, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

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

This Week's Edition of National Real Estate News 7/01/13 (Video)

This week's national real estate news update - Home prices up 10, 12 and 13 percent! Big cities are experiencing growth revival for the first time in 90 years, third hand smoke affects  property values.  Click here for more- about tips for hiring home movers. and interest rates.

Click here for this months newsletter and our video news channel.

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

2013-2014 Mill Rates for Fairfield County and Southwestern CT Change as of 7/1/13

Property taxes are subject to change each year as of July 1st. 

All Connecticut towns prepare a budget for the year and set a new mill rate for property owners to pay for that budget. If you look at the record of your property as it exists in Town Hall, you will see that your property is appraised at one value, and assessed at another value. Your new property taxes are determined by multiplying the mill rate by the assessment, which is 70 percent of the appraised value.

Do you love your town? So do we. Please  click on the "F" facebook logo next to your favorite town(s) and give it a "Like".

Just click on the Facebook    to give that town a like on Facebook, or click on the town name for the town's history, biography, stats and demographics. There is also a place to "Like" that town on Facebook there as well, and our Facebook Town pages feature MLS access, local news, our blog posts, as well as up to the minute real estate news.

We have obtained the 2013-2014 mill rates for the following towns that we service: 

... in Fairfield County

   Darien ......................13.17 mills
   Easton ......................29.3 mills
   Fairfield........23.93 mills
   Greenwich *No Sewers..............10.675 mills
        Greenwich  *With Sewers..............11.311 mills
  Monroe..............30.41 mills

  New Canaan............14.586 mills  (with sewers 15.219 mills)
  Newtown ..........33.32 mills
       Newtown (additional tax for Borough residents).......00.89 mills
  Norwalk Districts 1,2,3 *With Garbage.............22.142 mills
       Norwalk Districts 1,2,3 *No Garbage..........21.636 mills

       Norwalk District 4 *With Garbage......22.187 mills

       Norwalk District 4 *No Garbage...21.681 mills    

       Norwalk District 5 *Services Only......21.682 mills     

       Norwalk District 6 *Services Only.......20.157 mills

  Redding...............28.95 mills
  Shelton.........22.31 mills 

  Southport ........23.93 mills
  Stratford.........34.64 mills
  Trumbull........  31.286 mills
  Weston.........23.89 mills
  Westport.........18.07 mills

  Wilton.........25.9896 mills

and New Haven County

  Ansonia.............39.34 mills
  Derby.........35.34 mills
  Milford........26.28 mills
  Oxford..............24.75 mills
  Seymour...........33.23 mills

Please note, if you do not have a mortgage, or your bank does not collect property taxes, they are payable on a semi-annual basis for each town listed above, with the exceptions of Fairfield, Trumbull and Westport, where they are paid quarterly.

NOTE: Compare Last Year's Mill Rates (2012-2013) HERE

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1,349,900. See the virtual tour 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:

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

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

Taking Care of Your Fairfield County CT Home and Cleaning Up After a Flood

Hurricane Sandy let us all know in Fairfield County, Connecticut that we have to be  prepared for flood waters, and the aftermath that can wreak havoc on our homes and our everyday lives.

One of the most devastating things that can happen to a homeowner is not only a flood, but also the cleanup. Even if you've taken preliminary emergency planning steps, flood cleanup can present a real challenge. It requires a great deal of caution because much more than just water can be left behind, like mold, broken gas lines, and unwanted wildlife. In addition, much of the cleanup will be for contaminants you can't see. That's why it's important to take some precautions to help you stay safe.

Safety  FIRST Before the Cleanup

•    Wait for clearance. Return home only after authorities advise it is safe to do so.
•    Contact the appropriate authorities. If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, report it immediately to the utility company, police, or fire department.
•    Check for structural damage. Before reentering your home, make sure it is structurally sound. Do not enter if there is any chance of collapse.

•    Keep power off. Don't turn on the power until an electrician has inspected your system for safety. Also, do not wade into standing water in your basement unless you are sure the electricity to your home is off.
•    Make sure electrical equipment is dry. Electrical equipment, such as the sump pump and furnace motors, should be dry before use to avoid producing severe shocks.
•    Avoid open flames indoors. In case of gas leaks, use a flashlight instead of candles or anything with an open flame.
•    Check for leaking gas. Inspect gas and oil furnaces and gas hot water heaters for leaks and to ensure that pilot flames are lit. If gas is escaping, do not light a match until the gas supply has been shut off. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, contact your local gas company or a professional heating contractor.
•    Beware of wild animals in your home. Keep an eye out for snakes or other animals that may have taken refuge in your home after being driven to higher ground by floodwater. If you see a wild animal in your home, try to find a safe and humane way to help it exit your property.
Safety During the Cleanup
•    Minimize skin exposure. Wear protective clothing such as rubber gloves, goggles, and heavy-duty boots. Wash your hands with warm water and soap even after wearing gloves.
•    Protect existing cuts or scrapes. Make sure any cuts or scrapes you might have don't come into contact with contaminated floodwaters. If you receive a puncture wound when working in a contaminated area, see your doctor immediately.
•    Sterilize or discard anything touched by floodwaters. Due to potential bacterial contamination, clean and disinfect everything that was touched by floodwaters or mudflows. Since fabrics can harbor harmful bacteria for long periods, take special care when laundering clothing, bedding, and other similar materials. Throw out all packaged and unpackaged food items, medicines, medical supplies, and cosmetics that were exposed.
•    Boil water. To kill harmful microorganisms, boil water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
•    Protect against mold. Remove wet contents immediately, such as carpeting, furniture, and bedding, to help prevent mold. Set up dehumidifiers and oscillating fans around affected rooms to dry the area.
•    Keep children and pets away. Wait until the after cleanup is done before letting your kids and animals return home.

By following these flood cleanup tips, you can help protect your home and family from further harm. And remember, if you have flood insurance coverage, call your insurance agent to file a claim. Have a list of damaged or lost items from your inventory ready, along with photos of damaged property.

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

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1,349,900. See the virtual tour 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:

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

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