Looking for a New Home, and Need What Seems to Be the Impossible?

The excitement of searching for a new home  is all- consuming, but what if what you desire in your next home seems next to impossible? You don't necessarily have to lower your standards.

I repeat, you don't necessarily have to lower your standards.

A great real estate agent will help you to begin the process by asking lots of questions, and LISTENING. Questions like, what are your must haves, what are your "absolutely nots", and what are the nice to haves, and what are the "it doesn't matter one way or the others".

The initial conversations about your home search criteria, and subsequent discussions with your agent will help you determine if your expectations are reasonable or not. And guess what? Your expectations may not be unreasonable. It may just be a matter of your agent working hard for you to get you that home.

As a buyer client, you don't ever need to  apologize for putting an agent "into a box". A good agent should never feel like you did, and would welcome the challenge to get you that perfect home. (I know I do.) While we are on the subject, don't ever feel the need to apologize   to your agent because you want what you want, or  because you don't like the home they just showed you, if that's the case.

There are plenty of agents that will be happy to find you your next home, as long as it doesn't take too much time or effort. Weed those agents out, and find an agent who is diligent on your behalf. The rest is easy.

Check out some of my own customer reviews- My prior clients were happy to write them, and I am happy to share them.

Your next Realtor,

Judy

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County? We'd love to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

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

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates 8/12/12

The rates are still looking good and it looks like a perfect time to purchase a home and/or refinance your existing mortgages.  Treasuries yields reach their highest levels in several weeks as the latest initial claims comes in better than expected.  Initial claims for unemployment benefits slipped by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 361,000, below the expected rise to 370,000. And the Commerce Department said the U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 10.7 % in June to $42.9 billion, the smallest gap since December 2010.  Later today is the last auction of the week; a $16 billion offering of 30 year notes. 

Today's Mortgage Rates

Conventional 30 year fixed          3.625%                  APR 3.671%

Conventional 15 year fixed          2.875%                  APR 2.956%

Conventional 5/1 ARM                  2.625%                  APR 3.078%

Conventional 7/1 ARM                  2.75%                    APR 3.065%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 740 and a 20% down payment.

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)

 NMLS #110681

send Nima an email

Mobile: 203-913-6016
Fax: 877-804-5752

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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County? We'd love to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

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

Another Great Idea For Your Home's Resale Value - Storm Windows

Not every home has storm windows, mainly because many homeowners have not recognized their importance for safety, efficiency, and resale, not to mention noise reduction.

High temperatures, humidity, strong winds and hurricanes can really take a toll on homes. You can protect your home against the extreme elements by adding storm windows.
Less expensive than complete window replacements, storm windows add a layer of protection to your home and help increase your comfort. If you’re adding or updating storm windows, here are some things to consider:

Intense sun rays: Look for storm windows that feature low-emissivity (low-e) glass coatings. These panes have been treated to reduce the sun’s radiation. Your home will be more comfortable and your furniture and indoor surfaces will fade less.

Heat transfer: Storm windows have been shown to lessen air movement between the window units. When you slow the rate of heat transfer, you may find you spend less cooling your home. Look for storm windows with a low U-factor, which means the panes will better resist heat flow.

Condensation: When humid exterior air meets a surface cooled by air conditioning (your window), condensation forms on the inside of the pane. Not only does condensation block your view, the moisture can damage sills, walls and furniture. Because storm windows trap air between the window units, they lessen the effects of condensation and keep residual drips away from your interior surfaces.

High winds: Strong winds and flying debris can damage your windows. Look for storm windows that feature tempered glass—it’s far stronger than normal glass and that crumbles rather than shatters upon impact. Or consider glass that’s built specifically for hurricane protection. These windows typically have a polyvinyl layer sandwiched between two layers of glass for added durability.

Noise abatement: If your home is in a particularly noisy area, storm windows can help mute outside sounds by “trapping” them in the air space between panes. Look for windows that have a high Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating, which indicates better acoustical performance.

Find more information on window features from the National Fenestration Rating Council.
Whenever you upgrade or improve your home, you may increase your home’s estimated replacement cost. Contact you State Farm® agent to adjust your policy to meet your coverage needs.

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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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County Connecticut? We'd love to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

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

2013 FEMA Map Connecticut Revisions Are Here. You Might Be Affected!

2013 FEMA Map Revisions are Here in Fairfield County and Southwestern Connecticut, and nearly 20 percent of all Connecticut towns are affected. It's time to check!

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has proposed changes to their maps that will affect certain homeowners insurance  policies , and requiring Flood Insurance  for others.

Out of the 169 towns and cities in Connecticut, and homeowners in  nearly 30 areas/towns will be affected.

In Southwestern Connecticut, the eight towns in Fairfield County that are affected have an effective date for the new maps of February 6, 2013. Milford's effective date is May 16, 2013

A complete list of towns affected in Connecticut are as follows with varying effective dates, so be sure to contact your town's Planning and Zoning Department for information, and to see whether or not there is still time to appeal the maps, if your property is now considered to be in a flood zone.  

As a very important note- There are also properties that are being REMOVED from the prior maps, and you may or may not have been notified- so either way, it's important to check!

Fairfield County
Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Westport

New Haven County
Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Haven, West Haven

New London County
East Lyme, Groton Long Point Association, Groton City & Town, New London, Noank Fire District, Old Lyme, Stonington Borough & Town, Waterford.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County? We'd be honored to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

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

What Do All Those Letters Mean After a Realtors Name?

If you have decided to sell your home, a purchase a new one, you have probably performed searches online to find an agent to represent you.

Some of those agents have initials after their name, however most do not. Should you care if an agent has those initials, or multiple sets of initials after their name? The short answer is yes.

Those initials are only for agents who have completed  (and passed) advanced education in real estate through  the National Association of REALTORS, and are referred to in the industry as designations.

A few of the most prestigious designations to look for when hiring your next agent are:

ABR - Accredited Buyers Representative. Extensive training on negotiating and representing buyers. Documentation of a number of buyer controlled sales is mandatory for completion.

CRS - Certified Residential Specialist. A very structured course on how to best represent sellers. Documentation of a number of seller controlled sales is mandatory for completion.

GRI - Graduate, REALTORS Institute. Overall detailed review and training on how to be the best real estate agent.

E-PRO - Internet Certified. Training and hands on implementation on technology for real estate professionals.

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Training on  and unique real estate needs of senior citizens.

Yes, I have attained all of these designations. (See my bio here)  I believe, as a real estate agent, that the more education and training I can get, the better for my clients, and the better for my knowledge of the business.

When you need a Realtor in  Easton, Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull or Westport, you will see very few, if any, agents with ALL of these same designations. My commitment to education is also a commitment to my clients, and I sincerely hope that you are one of them some day.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County? We'd be honored to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

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