New Haven & Fairfield County Real Estate Video Blog with Jonathan Carbutti

A Home Makeover Contest for Frustrated Sellers

2017-07-25T09:14:00.002-07:00

The Carbutti Home Makeover Contest is now open! If you’re a frustrated home seller, you have a chance to win a free home makeover that will help you finally sell that property.

Today I’m excited to announce that we are running a small contest.

We are looking for frustrated home sellers. If you’ve had your house on the market for awhile and it hasn’t sold yet for one reason or another, this contest is for you.

We will do a complete home makeover on your property. Our treat.

We’ll bring in a professional home staging company who will bring in new furniture and beautifully redecorate and rearrange your home. We will even paint and make small repairs—with your permission. Remember, all of these updates are on us.

Our goal is to help you sell your home.

We will document the whole process from start to finish. Our goal is to succeed very quickly and sell your home, even if it failed to sell in the first place.

So, how do you enter the contest?

Simply send an email to jonathan.carbutti@gmail.com and include the subject line, “Carbutti Home Makeover Contest.” In the body of the email, briefly explain your situation and include your address and a valid phone number.

Then, we will reach out to you to ask a few more questions and interview you for the contest.

I look forward to reading your submissions and working on your home!

Summer 2017 New Haven Market Update

2017-07-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to give you an update on how the market is doing, and what that means for you as a seller.

Today I wanted to talk about how the market is doing, especially here in New Haven and around Wallingford.

The median list price in the Wallingford is around $299,900. The demand is actually increasing and the days on the market for properties are trending downward, so we’re actually seeing a lot more multiple offer situations on a lot of these properties, which is great for sellers. The market action index for Wallingford is around 36.2, which is incredible because about six months ago, it was under 30.

We’re seeing a lot more multiple-offer situations, which is great for sellers.

The market action index tells us how the market is doing by measuring what’s for sale versus what’s actually selling. Any market action index below a 30 implies a buyer’s advantage. Any index of a 30 or above implies a seller’s advantage.

So today’s value of 36.2 means a seller’s advantage, and it’s actually trending upward. What that means is if you’re thinking about selling your home, now is the time to put it on the market. There is high demand in Wallingford, New Haven, and Fairfield counties. In most of Connecticut, there is a high demand for homes. Yes, there is a lot of inventory, but there aren’t a lot of good homes for sale. Good homes tend to sell a lot quicker.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, give us a call and let us come down to take a look at your home. We’ll give you an honest, real estimate of what your home is worth. We’d also love to show you some of the innovative marketing that we’re doing to help get homes sold, like professional photography and videography.

If you have any questions about this topic or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, give me a call. I look forward to working with you!

The Importance of Marketing & Positioning Your Home Online

2017-06-19T10:09:00.001-07:00

Homes are getting left behind in today’s market because they’re not marketed properly online. There’s a way you can ensure your home doesn’t suffer the same fate.

If you’re a home seller, marketing and positioning your property online in today’s marketplace is critical.

Nobody knows better what buyers are looking for than the buyers themselves. They usually know whether a home is right for them within the first few minutes or even the first 30 to 60 seconds after walking in the front door. The problem is getting them excited enough to actually come see your property in person. If you can’t get them to commit to physically seeing your property, they’ll never have a chance fall in love with it.

One of the problems we’ve been experiencing in the marketplace is gorgeous properties being marketed and positioned all wrong. There are buyers in the marketplace whom these properties are perfect for, but these buyers overlook these properties because of the quality of their photos or videos or they lack professional photography and/or videos altogether.

There’s never been a better time to market your home online.

There has never been a better time to market your home online, and we can help you do it the right way. Our team offers professional photography, professional video services, professional floor plans, and 360-degree matterport videos that people can view from the comfort of their own home.

If you’re looking at selling your home and you’re looking to work with a professional real estate marketing company and not just a real estate agent, give us a call. We’d love to help you sell your house for top dollar.

What a Fantastic Endorsement From Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts

2017-05-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

Recently, we were fortunate enough to be endorsed by Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. Here’s what he had to say about our team.

We were fortunate enough to recently land an endorsement from one of our favorite musicians, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. You can check out the full endorsement in the video above, but what really stood out to us was that the message of his music and the message of our business aren’t so different after all.

“When 'I’m Moving On' won the award for ACM song of the year, it struck a chord with folks who understand the challenges that come with life’s big changes. For many, that time comes when they sell their home. If you’re moving on, you want a team that will make selling your home easy and stress-free.” - Gary LeVox

It’s always our goal to make things as stress-free as possible.

He hit the nail on the head there. It’s always our goal to make things as stress-free as possible for all of our buyers and sellers. We outsold every agent in Fairfield and New Haven County in 2016 and if we can’t sell your home at a price and deadline that we both agree to, we will buy it.

If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Kind Words From Danny Lyons About Carbutti & Co.

2017-03-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

We appreciate all the kind words we receive from our past clients. Here’s one of them, WEBE 108’s Danny Lyons.

We were recently fortunate enough to talk to Danny Lyons from WEBE 108 right in the Lyon’s Den. Danny has worked with us in the past and has a lot of nice things to say about his experience, such as:

“Jonathan’s a family man. That’s really important to me. He’s also loyal like I am. I’ve been loyal to my listeners for over 30 years and I know that if you were to hire Jonathan to be your agent, he would be loyal to you and commit himself completely to getting the job done.”

We’re proud to have Danny in our corner.

A lot of real estate companies have their phone lines set up to go to a switchboard or a team of ISAs who may or may not be able to connect you with the person you’re looking for, even if you just had a quick question. That’s not what we do, as Danny points out.

“When you call that number, I think it’s Jonathan’s cell phone. The first time I called it, he answered the phone. To me, that means a lot. To be able to get right through to the guy who has his name on the company? That’s customer service.”

Thanks to Danny for the kind words. We appreciate having him in our corner. If you have any questions for us or want to know what we can do specifically to help you with your real estate goals, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you soon.

Why HUD Homes Are Hidden Gems in Our Market

2017-02-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

HUD homes are a great option for buyers. Here’s why.

I know, I sound like a broken record talking about HUD homes. You’re probably sick of me talking about them, but listen. The reason I’m continuing to discuss these homes is because I want to get some of you off the fence by seeing the incredible value here.

Just this morning, a three bedroom, one bathroom home came on the market in Wallingford. It’s a 3-bedroom, one-bathroom, and a one-car garage home on a half-acre lot. This home is currently listed for sale at $149,000. It’s available to owner-occupants first, meaning that if you plan on living in the property, you get the first shot at it.

Here’s the other great news about this HUD home in particular. It’s marked as insurable. That means is that HUD will sell this property to someone who is going for an FHA mortgage and insure it for only a 3.5% down payment.

If you’re a first-time buyer, you would have to be crazy not to consider jumping on these homes. Yes, they might need a paint job or new flooring, but the bones are all there. If an HUD home is marked as insurable, that means the electric, plumbing, and furnace all work, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them, unless you find something different at your inspection.

An insured HUD home is ideal.

Another great thing about HUD homes is that you can inspect them. A lot of people think they can’t, but they’re wrong. It’s true that you do have to buy these properties as-is, but an inspection can be a very useful tool in deciding whether you’re making the right decision. If you have an inspection done and find something wrong with the home you didn’t know about before, you have two options. You can either make the decision to go through with the purchase or you can back out of the deal, get your deposit back, and go buy something else.

I’m oversimplifying the process, but the truth is that it is simple for me because I’ve sold and purchased so many of them. I’ve sold and bid on hundreds of HUD homes. If you have any questions about them whatsoever or would like more details about what the process is like, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Latest Trends in Our Local Real Estate Market

2017-01-27T11:15:00.001-08:00

How is the market doing in Wallingford and New Haven County? This January has been the busiest start to a new year that we’ve seen in awhile, and it looks like the spring market will be extremely busy, too.

Here is your market update for Wallingford and New Haven County:

The median list price is at $299,900. That is the median list price, not the median sales price. Inventory has been tightening and days on market are decreasing, which is great news for sellers.

Personally, I’ve noticed that January of 2017 has been the busiest start to a new year that we’ve seen in three years. If that’s any indication of how the spring market is going to be, things are looking good.

It looks like the spring market will be an extremely busy one!

If you are looking to upgrade from your first home, now is one of the best times to do so. You will get the most house for your money because of these low interest rates. Rates are expected to rise as the year goes on, so the sooner you can buy, the better. Remember, as interest rates go up, your buying power goes down.

One of the other things I want to point out is the market action index. The market action index tells us how the market is doing by measuring what’s for sale versus what’s actually selling. Anything 30 or below means that the buyer has an advantage in the market, while anything over 30 means that sellers have the advantage. Right now, the market action index is at 29.1, so the market is fairly balanced. However, that number is heading upwards, which is good news for sellers.

If you have any other questions about the marketplace or about selling your home, give us a call or send us an email. My team and I would be happy to help you!

Happy New Year

2017-01-04T13:49:00.002-08:00

Happy New Year!

It’s the start of a new year, and I wanted to give you an important real estate tip. The spring market starts now! Even if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in May or June, you should be speaking with a real estate professional now, to come up with a game-plan.

If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, please contact us for a free consultation. We’ll be happy to set up an appointment with you to go over the value of your home, and our marketing plans.

Holiday Greetings from Carbutti & Company

2016-12-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

As the year winds down, I wanted to send you a special message. Thanks for your support this year.

I just wanted to take a moment to stop by and wish everyone happy holidays and a happy New Year.

2016 was a record-breaking year here at Carbutti & Company, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported us and tell you how grateful I am that you chose us to help you with your real estate needs.

I am looking forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2017. God bless, have a great holiday, and I look forward to talking to you next year. If you have any questions or any real estate needs in the meantime, give me a call or send me an email. We’re always here to help.

What Renovation Loans Are Available?

2016-11-10T13:13:00.002-08:00

Home renovation loans are great for homeowners and investors alike. You can make your home look just the way you want it with any of these products.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding renovation loans. Can you really borrow money to fix up your home and make it exactly the way you want it to be?

The answer is yes. There are some really great renovation loan products in the marketplace right now. For example, the FHA 203k renovation loan is a federally insured mortgage that allows you to use just 3.5% of your own money. You can also build in the cost of the rehab right into the loan.

There are some great renovation loan products in the marketplace right now.

Another renovation loan you might not have heard of is the Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Mortgage. This program is for owner-occupants who want to fix up the home and live there.

If you are an investor, there is also a great product out there for you. You can use just 15% of your own money for the whole renovation, flip the house, and then resell for a profit.

We use a great company called Prospect Mortgage, one of the largest renovation loan providers in the country. We would be happy to refer you to them.

In fact, Carbutti & Co. Realtors will be teaming up with Prospect Mortgage to provide an informative seminar for people looking to buy a home. This seminar will help potential home buyers understand some of the in's and out's of the home buying process that you might not be aware of if you have never gone through this complex process. Click here to register for that seminar on Tuesday, December 6th from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

If you want to find out more about these renovation loans, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you out!

How Do Professional Home Staging Companies Work?

2016-09-15T12:46:00.001-07:00

We recently took a vacant home and had it professionally staged before it hit the market. Today, I wanted to introduce you to Jennifer Napolitano with Design House Interiors, the company that staged the property.

Jennifer is a certified home stager. She knows that selling a home can sometimes be very daunting. When people come into your home, they might not know where to put their furniture or how it’s going to look, which makes things very stressful for the buyers as well. Certain layouts and rooms can be difficult to stage, but home stagers are here to help you figure it out.

For example, keep in mind that scale is very important. You need the right-sized pieces in each room so that the rooms appear bigger and functional. Having the right furniture in each space also shows buyers the traffic patterns in the home.

When you work with Design House Interiors, you also get the benefit of working with professional interior designers. Jennifer and her team can help you make your home look great by choosing fresh, trendy pieces to make your home pop. Your home will be showroom-ready when it hits the real estate market.

This particular house had an island in the kitchen, and it is a nice-looking piece of furniture that stands out. When you are working with the bedrooms, it can be difficult to figure out where to put the bed because the bed is the focal point of the room. It needs to make a statement and look beautiful.

For this house, Jennifer and her team decided to put the bed a little off-center on the wall. It’s a great focal point and the buyer can still see that there is plenty of room to add a dresser and still walk around the space.

They also created an easy flow in the dining room by using a circular dining room table. As you can see in the video above, home staging is an absolute must to help buyers figure out how they can best utilize the space for their family.

Your home will be showroom-ready when it hits the market.

This home sold three days after it hit the market, so I want to say a huge thank you to Design House Interiors. If you need to stage your home or if you have any questions about interior design, visit their website at designhousect.com or visit their showroom at 6 North Main Street in Wallingford.

As always, if you have any real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you!

Debunking Common Myths of the Home Buying Process

2016-07-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

There are many great New Haven County area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (203) 269-4910 x 12 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Today, Dave Beckman of Guaranteed Rate joins us to discuss the latest from the mortgage lending side of real estate, especially as it relates to first-time home buyers.

One of the most crucial things you can do as a buyer is get pre-approved before beginning the home search process. This will allow you to set yourself apart from anyone else who might be putting in an offer on a home. A letter of pre-approval is the holy grail that shows the seller that you’ve talked to a lender, submitted all of your documents, and that you’re a willing and able buyer.

Having a pre-approval letter will set you ahead of the competition. It shows that you have spoken with a lender and that they have qualified you. A pre-approval is a letter that says that a lender has analyzed your income, assets, and job history, among other things, whereas a pre-qualification simply says you might be eligible to get a loan down the road. If you have a pre-approval and your competition only has a pre-qualification, you stand the greatest chance of getting your offer accepted.

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There are many ways to mitigate the costs of purchasing a home if you know what you’re doing.

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There are some misconceptions out there among buyers that they need to put 20% down before they can purchase a home. Luckily, that is not the case; there are many options available to people who can’t afford to save 20% of the mortgage to put down. There are also misconceptions about mortgage insurance, but there are ways to mitigate those costs as well. Mortgage insurance is not as expensive as it’s made out to be, and if you can’t afford to put 20% down, it is a very affordable way to get into a home.

There are special government programs out there with the purpose of helping the consumer to buy a home with a smaller down payment. The VA loan, for instance, which is available for past and active members of the US military, allows people to get into a home with 0% down. The scrutiny on these loans are a bit greater, but if you work with a mortgage banker, as opposed to a bank directly, you will be in the right hands.

Another issue many first-time buyers deal with is the cost of closing. A lender can give a credit, in addition to the mortgage, that can help offset the closing costs. This is a great way to keep more money in your pockets as a borrower.

If you have any questions about how Dave can help you, don’t hesitate to reach out to him at (203) 641-8287 or DBeckman@GuaranteedRate.com. Or, if you want to apply for a mortgage now, visit www.GuaranteedRate.com/DaveBeckman and fill out the application.

Of course, if you have questions about this or any other real estate topic, or if you have suggestions for a future video, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Carbutti & Co. Realtors. We always love to hear from you!

Connecticut Sellers Are Finally Getting Desired Prices

2016-06-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

I’m excited to share some numbers from our market this year compared to last year.

In Connecticut, single-family homes have increased 17.8% in value, and the median sales price in our state is $248,000. This reflects a 2.4% increase from last year in our market. This is relevant because the market is increasing, and so are sales prices. Anyone who says that the single-family home market in Connecticut is not doing well is mistaken! The home market is alive and well.

Most sellers are pleasantly surprised at the prices they are getting.

If you are looking to get your home on the market, whether that’s to upgrade, downsize, or you’re returning and just want to take advantage of current home prices that will allow you to get top dollar, now is the time to do it. If you’re going to get your price, you’re going to get it in this spring market.

One of my listing agents or myself would love to come to your home to provide you with an honest realistic estimate of what it would sell for in this optimal spring market. Give me a call or shoot me an email and we’ll take a look.

One final thought from the buyer’s perspective is while values are going up, interest rates will be going up soon as well. If you’re on the fence about buying, now’s the time to get off the fence and start looking. There’s a lot of inventory to choose from, but it’s starting to shrink in our spring market. The good houses are getting bought up quickly. Likewise for buyers, if you’re looking for a professional to guide you along the way, give us a call.

What to Look Out for When Viewing Homes

2016-04-25T13:27:00.003-07:00

The weather is absolutely gorgeous right now, so we’re going to start seeing a ton of properties come on the market. You’re also going to see a lot of open houses, but you need to be careful when you view homes.

We have buyer brokerage here in the state of Connecticut, which means agents are allowed to represent buyers in real estate transactions. When you walk into an open house, you’re going to see a smiling real estate agent and you might assume that they’re there to help you. It’s important to understand that they do not have your best interest at heart; they represent the seller and do not owe you any fiduciary duty whatsoever.

"Our job is to advise you, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure you have a good experience."

When looking for homes, you need to take advantage of buyer brokerage and hire an agent to represent you and your interests. We have buyer agents on our team who specialize in the buying side of real estate and will walk you through the entire process. We also have a home buyer’s guide that explains in detail every single step of the buying process. We understand that it’s not our job to tell you which house is right for you; our job is to advise you, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure you have a good experience.

To learn more about how we can help you, or for real estate assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always available to help and would love to hear from you!

How to find an inexpensive property

2016-04-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today, I want to show you an example of a Fannie Mae HomePath property. We’re at a property in Wallingford that’s not even on the market right now.

My goal is to educate some of the home buyers out there, especially first-time home buyers, about all the options available to them in our marketplace. There are a lot of great deals out there, but the most important thing to do is work with a competent real estate broker, someone who is up on the market and knows what’s going on.

"Some HomePath homes are priced as much as 35% below market value!"

HomePath properties are the kind of homes that we can share with our buyers who have have been searching for a home for months. If you’re looking for an affordable home and you don’t mind doing a little bit of work -- like painting, flooring, and remodeling -- you’re going to be able to purchase a home that is priced as much as 35% below market value!

If you’re looking for a good deal, or if you’re a first-time buyer, I urge you not to overlook some of the HomePath properties available in our marketplace. The best part about these homes is that they are only available to owner-occupants, so you won’t have to compete with investors looking to flip them.

If you have any questions about HomePath properties, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always available to help you with your real estate needs, and we would love to hear from you!

Spring Has Sprung in Wallingford and New Haven Counties

2016-03-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Looking to improve your real estate career? I'm here to help you make a smart decision when it comes to growing your business, improving your bottom line, and choosing a place to work in real estate sales. If you'd like to learn more about working with Carbutti & Co. Realtors, contact me at (203) 269-4910 or Jonathan@Carbutti.com.

The spring market is finally here. We are almost into our third week in March, but it feels like this active market started months ago. Houses are moving quickly, and buyers are out in full force. Across the board, the median list price in Wallingford and New Haven County is around $299,0000. Homes that are priced between $250,000 and $299,000 are moving the quickest.

"Now is the time to be setting up your marketing strategy."

If you are thinking about selling a house right now in the spring market and you haven’t spoken to a real estate professional yet, now is the time to be setting up your marketing strategy. If you have a home and are looking to sell, now is the time for us to come out to your property, take a look around, and give you an honest and realistic estimate of what your home would sell for. Now is the time to come up with a great marketing strategy so that we’re not leaving any money on the table.

If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Don’t Miss out on This Waterfront Property in Madison

2016-03-15T11:00:00.002-07:00

We have a wonderful home available just outside of Madison, and it’s located on 2.6 acres of pristine marshland right next to the ocean. There is a hundred-foot private dock where you could park a 30-foot yacht or other boats.

The home fits in very well with the natural setting, and features a modern plan that is very open. There are lots of glass windows on the home as well, so it feels like you’re in constant contact with the elements. There is a main house that is 1,200 sq. ft. and it is compact yet cozy. It’s very similar to what you would find in a beach home.

There is also a small 1-bedroom guest house that could also be used as an office or an artist’s retreat. It could be converted into many different things.

It’s not uncommon to see deer, foxes, and other wildlife roaming around this property. This is amazing, considering that the home is only minutes from downtown Madison.

Please let us know if you would like to see 11 Salt Meadow Lane.

Other features include:

3 bedrooms, 3 baths
1,282 sq. ft.
Set on a 2.68 acre lot
Built in 1980
Private drive with waterfront access

We look forward to hearing from you, we think this property will be going fast!

There Is a Better Way to Sell

2016-01-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

Today’s post is geared more towards sellers, specifically sellers who have been on the market with little to no activity or offers and are wondering if there is a better way to sell your home.

At the end of the day, experience and reference points matter. We just had a situation where we had a seller who was listed with another agency, and believe the best offer she could possibly get was $270,000 and was ready to accept it. We spoke to this seller and explained to her that her home wasn’t being properly marketed, and we could get her an even better offer. Within 2.5 weeks, we had sold the home for $290,000.

The way we positioned and marketed that home made the difference in the sale. If you are thinking about selling your home now, or 6 months from now, we want to speak with you. Give us a call or send us an email, and we’ll get down there and take a look at your home and give you a professional estimate of what you could expect to sell your home for. We look forward to hearing from you!

Predictions for the 2016 Connecticut Real Estate Market

2016-01-14T07:54:00.001-08:00

Connecticut real estate expert wants to know what you're interested in learning about for this year's market.

Although 2015 was a fantastic year, today, we have a few predictions about the market this year.

2016 will be a very busy year for the home buying and selling season. Interest rates are supposed to go up this year, and that increase will really drive the volume in the real estate market, as well as home values.

Many people think that when interest rates go up, home prices come down. Actually, the opposite is true. As interest rates rise, so will home prices. If you've been thinking about buying, now is the time to get into the marketplace before rates and prices increase!

Let's consider the following question: What real estate topics are you interested in? This year, my team and I want to focus on providing valuable information to our loyal clients. Simply reply to this email with any questions you want answered -- we have your back!

Finally, I want to thank you all on behalf of my team for your referrals in 2015. It was a record-breaking year for referrals, and we are truly grateful to all of you.

As always, if you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you.

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran

2015-12-02T10:06:00.004-08:00

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan side-by-side with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran.

Corcoran is Shark Tank’s resident real estate mogul and a prominent self-made multi millionaire. She is now endorsing a select few of the best real estate minds in the country, Jonathan being included. Jonathan will appear in a commercial airing in several episodes throughout the season.

Jonathan's company, Carbutti & Co Realtors, is a dominant leader in the real estate industry, providing phenomenal service and expertise to a wide base of clientele in the New Haven and Fairfield area.

“To sell your home on time for the most money, you need a sharp agent with a marketing strategy that creates the most demand,” Corcoran said. “Bottom line, you need a partner willing to put their own money on the line for you …. Jonathan Carbutti knows how to attract the right kind of buyers and create so much demand that if your home doesn’t sell at a price and deadline you agree to, Jonathan will buy it!”

Corcoran is an iconic figure in the New York real estate scene and nationally known as the real estate contributor to the NBC TODAY show. She has invested in more than two dozen businesses to date on Shark Tank, and has written several well-received books including Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.

Why Is Now the Time to Make Your Move?

2015-11-17T09:22:00.002-08:00

Today, I want to talk to some of those buyers that are on the fence right now.

If you're on the fence about buying right now, you really shouldn't be. There is a ton of inventory in our market right now, especially for first-time home buyers. There are a lot of bank-owned properties and we're being flooded with HUD properties, which are priced perfectly for new buyers.

The best news of all is that interest rates are just incredible. I have some clients getting rates as low as 3.75% fixed with no points, and other clients getting 4-4.25% fixed without points depending on their credit, income, and job history. Long story short, rates are fantastic and you have a lot of options. FHA, CHFA, and VA loans are only a few examples of the many opportunities you have to lock in a low rate.

If you are thinking about buying but haven't yet spoken to a lending partner and gotten pre-approved, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. Our lending partners have some of the best programs in the state and some of the best rates around!

If you haven't yet gone out into the marketplace to take a look at some homes to see what you can afford for your money, don't hesitate to give me a call. I would love to sit down with you and pair you up with an expert agent and advisor who could take you out to the marketplace to find your dream home.

Ultimately, you're the only one who knows what you want; it's not our job to tell you what is right for you. However, it is our job to ensure the process goes as smooth as possible and that you get the best possible deal.

Where Is the Connecticut Market Heading?

2015-10-15T15:00:00.001-07:00

October is here, so I thought it might be a good time to take a look at where the market has been over the last few months and where it might be heading!

The average days on the market are increasing here in Connecticut, as they are across the country due to school starting and the colder weather starting to take hold. In New Haven County, the median list price is around $260,099 and the market action index is at about 30.1.

In other words, it seems to be pretty even between inventory and the number of buyers in the marketplace. Some of the properties are sitting on the market a little bit longer, inventory is growing, and we will see less activity on the buying side as we get closer to the holidays, which is traditionally what happens.

If you're a seller right now, you're definitely going to get market value as far as price is concerned. Buyers are buying properties right now, but now is not the time to try and set a sales record for your given neighborhood by getting the highest price that's ever been had.

Buyers right now are very educated and are looking at a lot of the same information you're looking at. There is something to be understood about putting your house on the market: any house is going to get the most activity and the highest and best offer in the first couple weeks if everything is done right.

Keep in mind that there is a fine line between pushing the envelope on price, which we can definitely do, and overpricing your home. The last thing you want to do is cross that line and overprice your home, and that's really where the real estate professional comes in.

Right now, the most popular homes are four-bedroom/two-bathroom upgrader homes. There are a lot of first-time home buyers who bought a home five to seven years ago, they've outgrown the house, and they now need a bigger, four-bedroom home. Many of these people are looking now, as it's a great time to buy due to low interest rates.

Are You Looking for a Beautiful Place for a Horse Farm?

2015-09-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today, we want to share an incredible listing with you that's a bit different. Make no mistake about it, this home at 29 Hunters Trail, Bethany, Connecticut is a horse property. It's perfect for anyone who wants a farm on a spacious 5.3 acres in Bethany.

As you enter the front door of this custom-build, colonial home built in 1976, you're going to see the many extras the sellers took into account when they originally had the home built. There is an open foyer and hallway straight ahead, while to the right there is an open and spacious living room with a lot of natural light. Once walking through the living room, you'll find yourself in a fully functional kitchen with space for an eat-in area as well. Moving on, you'll see a very functional and comfortable family room that has a sliding door that opens up to the deck out back.

As you make your way upstairs to the second floor, you're not walking into a cramped hallway. Rather, you walk into an open hallway that leads into three spacious bedrooms with a lot of closet space. Overall, the home has a lot of the updates and features you would expect to find in a custom-built colonial.

This is the perfect location for the horse farm you've always wanted. The property sits on 5.3 beautiful acres of forest and has two separate stalls and barns for horses and outdoor equipment. Everything that you need to run a fully functional farm is here.

There are beautiful stone walls outlining the edge of the property, and there is a fenced-in area for horses, all the equipment you need for farming, and a fully stocked pond, as well. The best part of this property is its seclusion; on and around the area are numerous horse trails that stretch for miles. Just next door, the neighbor has a state-of-the-art horse facility and has an arrangement with any potential buyer to allow them to use her facility as long as she is allowed to use the horse trails to walk her horses.

If you have any questions about this incredible property, or if you know anyone interested in buying a horse farm, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. I would love to help you out!

Who's the Best Interior Designer in Wallingford?

2015-08-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Today I will be introducing a great new business into the community as part of my Small Business Spotlight. Design House Interiors is run by Judi Granucci, who says that she has always had a passion for surrounding her clients with beauty. She has been in the business since the mid-80's and has had multiple businesses since then.

Judi loves having her business located in the restaurant district, and she also thinks that Wallingford is a great location for her business, as it is in the middle of the state and has become a destination of sorts.

At Design House Interiors (http://www.designhousect.com/) Judi can help from concept to completion. Some people come in and speak about paint consultation, and others come in for a full makeover. The main thing that Judi does in her business is to provide solutions for her clients.

No matter how large or normal your budget may be, Judi can work to meet your needs. Please feel free to contact her if you need any assistance when sprucing up the interior spaces of your home.

As always, reach out to me with any and all of your Connecticut real estate needs!

Why Do We Love Madison?

2015-07-07T08:05:00.002-07:00

Madison, Connecticut, is a quintessential New England beach town that appeals to both vacation and year-round home owners, and it's surprisingly affordable. A lot of people we know have moved here recently because they are tired of the crowded streets and overpricing that happens so often in the cities. This is a great place to raise a family.

The terrain of the town is relatively flat, so there are a ton of great places to take a walk or bike ride. Whether you are in the historic district or at the beach, you can have an awesome walk with a great view.

When you think of Madison you think of beaches, and they have some of the best in Connecticut. They have three private beaches for residents to use, as well as one of the largest state parks in Connecticut, Hammonasset State Park. Surf Beach is a place that my family loves going to. We love to head to the beach, start up the grill, and go crabbing during low tide. We have a blast each time we go.

Downtown Madison is as diverse as it is wonderful. The culinary scene here is the best in Connecticut. The Madison farmer's market is year-round, and this isn't just a summer community. It's centrally located as well, and not too far from NYC.

If you have any questions for us about Madison or want to take a look at some properties in the area, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!