Litchfield County real estate information, local events and more.

Wow, a red tag sale on homes in New Milford, CT!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:21:35 -0500

According to my most recent real estate sales statistics for New Milford, Connecticut, homes sold for less than 14% of list price! Sort of...

That is 14% of the last listed price, not the original list price. Do you want to see what the original list to sale price was? Well, here it is, for all 11 homes that sold in January 2012 in New Milford, CT.

Original List Price (OLP), Sales Price (SP), Days on Market for the current listing (DOM), % off sales price

OLP 220,000, SP 79,500, DOM 49, 64% OFF the listed price
OLP 169,900, SP 90,000, DOM 209, 47% OFF the listed price
OLP 169,900, SP 135,000, DOM 108, 21% OFF the listed price
OLP 219,000, SP 192,000, DOM 212, 12% OFF the listed price
OLP 259,000, SP 200,000, DOM 417, 23% OFF the listed price
OLP 284,900, SP 245,000, DOM 231, 14% OFF the listed price
OLP 285,000, SP 260,000, DOM 64, 9% OFF the listed price
OLP 360,000, SP 299,900, DOM 113, 17% OFF the listed price
OLP 414,000, SP 380,000, DOM 101, 8% OFF the listed price
OLP 875,000, SP 635,000, DOM 180, 27% OFF the listed price
OLP 1,575,000, SP 1,050,000, DOM 253, 33% OFF the listed price

That looks more like a big box store fire sale than real estate sales to me. The actual average percentage off, when you look at the original list to sale price in New Milford, CT was 25% off the list price. WOW!

According to the latest issue of the Commercial Record, Connecticut saw a 13% decline in sales for 2011. The Warren Group has been keeping track of these numbers since 1987 and this is the seventh year in a row we have seen sales drop in Connecticut from the previous year.

What does this mean if you want, or need to sell your home in New Milford, CT?

When we started in January 2012 we had 189 homes for sale. At the end of January only 11 of those homes sold. That is only 5.82% of the inventory that sold.

I can't stress enough to price it right. If you need to sell, you really need to look carefully at the current competition when you list and keep track of them during your listing period. Adjust your price according to the competition. If you don't need to sell, but would really like to, the advice is the same.

But Andrea, we are not going to give it away..... No, you are not. At least not according to the current real estate market. The bottom line is, your house is only worth what a buyer will pay for it.

And when that really low offer comes in, think twice about getting upset. Take a close look at those numbers above. The actual average percentage off from the original list price to the final sales price is 25%, then combine that with some of the days on market and you have a recipe for disaster if you need to sell your home.

For more information about pricing your home to sell and learn about our Ultimate Marketing 24-7, a totally customized marketing system for your home, give us a call at 203.460.1775, or send an email to andrea@andreaswiedler.com.

New Milford CT Real Estate Market Statistics for January 2012

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

New Milford CT Real Estate Activity January 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:36:19 -0500

Listen up sellers! When a buyer asks the question, and they will, how much should they reduce their offer from the asking price in New Milford, CT I will have to tell them homes in New Milford, CT are overpriced on average by 14%! In a buyers market, this is not a good average.
As of February 2, 2012 in New Milford, CT there are 194 active single family homes for sale. Last month there were 189, after a few months of the inventory shrinking, it is creeping back up just a bit. 13 are short sales, (there could be more however) and 6 are foreclosures.

11 single family homes sold in New Milford, CT in January 2012. This is down 5 homes from last month. Of these homes that sold, the average list price was $375,019. The average sale price was $324,218. These homes sold at 86% of list price, not an average I would strive for.The average market time was 176 days. One short sales and 1 foreclosure were included in January 2012 sales.
The median sales price for a single family home in New Milford, CT for January 2012 was $222,500.

The average list price of single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT is $475,505, which is down $10,000 from January 2012.

The average market time for these active listings in New Milford, CT is 160 days, down 9 days from last month.

The median price of a home for sale in New Milford, CT is $339,900. This is down $4,100 from last month.
The highest price home for sale in New Milford, CT is $5,900,000, a beautiful estate belonging to a world famous comedienne, and located on the New Milford, New Preston, CT border. This home, as of today, has been on the market for 1008 days as of today.

The lowest priced home for sale in New Milford, CT is $71,900, a foreclosure that has been on the market for quite a long time, first as a sale, then as a short sale, now as a foreclosure.

Of the 194 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT, 9 homes are under deposit. The average list price of these homes is $616,044. The reason this is up so high is that two homes are under deposit that are over 1,700,000. One is an estate in Merryall, the second is a lake home. The average market time is 86 days.

Currently there are 17 homes that are in the pending sale status in New Milford, CT.

The average list price of these homes in the pending sale status is $249,012. The average market time for these homes is 108 days. Four of these are foreclosures and 2 are short sales.

What does all of this mean? Again the inventory is lower than it was, which would be a good thing. However... buyers are still not happy with prices. Sales are low, and you can see the list to sale price is not good at all. Homes are still overpriced, which will cause them to sit on the market longer, or not sell at all. According to the statistics, homes are overpriced by 14%!

The key to selling a home in this market is to price it far better than the other competing homes in the same category. You must grab the buyers attention right from the start, not chase the market down or languish on the market because you outpriced yourself right out of the game.

If you don't believe me about pricing and buyers mentality, check out some interesting stats on The Great Real Estate Divide.

If you are thinking of selling in New Milford, CT check out our Ultimate Marketing 24-7, a custom marketing program that will dominate the internet.

Check out the previous home sale market activity report for December, 2011.

Interest rates are still low, are you are ready to buy a home in New Milford, CT? Click here to search for homes for sale in New Milford.

The above statistics are provided courtesy of Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (CMLS). Information provided is deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate. There may be discrepancies, as mistakes in inputing can be made, and the fact that Connecticut has more than one multiple listing service. There may be instances where a home was/is for sale in New Milford and is on the other multiple listing service. Most of the homes for sale are listed on CMLS, therefore that is where I base my statistical information. I do believe it gives a good sense of what is happening in New Milford.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

We have a cash offer for you!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:59:20 -0500

Then show me the money! If you are going to put in a cash offer for a property, you will have to prove you have the money to back up the offer!

Here in Litchfield County, CT we do often see cash offers. I have heard some agents say they won't ask their clients for proof of funds. They say the client will get offended, will refuse, it is not necessary, etc. Me? I disagree with that train of thought. I don't know about anyone else, but I have no idea how much cash someone has available because of who they are, what they drive, how they dress. And if that same person is selling a home, they would want to know the person putting that cash offer on their house can put their money where their mouth is!

Cash offers can be great, the time from offer to close can be greatly shortened. There will be no surprises from a lender at the last minute. But because there are no lenders involved there is no third party to appraise the house. Great for the seller, some buyers might consider that risky. A buyer does have a right to put an appraisal contingency in the offer, if the house doesn't appraise they don't have to go through with the purchase. (Buyer pays for the appraisal.) If a buyer is comfortable with the offer price, they don't have to do that. I recommend to cash buyers that they have an appraisal done in most cases.

Cash offers often turn into mortgages without the seller, the agents, the attorneys knowing. That can be a big problem. If you are not in contract yet, you have changed the terms of the original agreed upon offer which means... you may have nothing. The seller accepted the offer based on one set of criteria, and now it is a whole different game. If you are now under contract it can be a real problem. Real estate contracts, by nature, are bilateral, having consent of both parties. Making unilateral changes just doesn't work.

So before you tell your agent to put in a cash offer on a house in Litchfield County, CT, get all your ducks in a row. Make sure that is what you really want to do. Back up the offer with the proof that you have the available funds! And if you are a seller, don't get all excited when someone waves cash in front of your face. I have learned, more often than not, things can certainly change, without warning.

Cash offers in real estate, they can and do work. As long as the buyer shows, up front, they have the available funds to purchase the property at the agreed upon price. And as long as the terms aren't changed mid stream by the buyer suddenly deciding they want to get a mortgage after all.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Why didn't my house sell?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:47:03 -0500

You had your house for sale in Litchfield County... and it didn't sell. (You might be thinking.. why is she writing about that again?) In a nutshell, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TALK ABOUT IT, WRITE ABOUT IT, WE STILL GET THESE PHONE CALLS!

We have some tough questions for home owners. It is our roadmap, so to speak.

Did you have a dollar amount already set when you priced your home?
Did your price reflect what you want to get for the sale of your home?
Did your price reflect the current local real estate market activity?
Do you understand the current local real estate market?
Did your price reflect the actual condition of your home?
Are you really aware of the actual condition of your home?

Next, a walk around the home. Have you learned to live with things that you no longer see? Do you really understand how a buyer will see your home?

Routine maintenance. A new roof is routine maintenance. Septic repairs are routine maintenance. How is your heating system? Is it new? That is routine maintenance by the way. Because if it is broken, leaking, not working properly it should be repaired or replaced. But here is the key.... and easy to remember.

If it was repaired or replaced, it is not going to cost you money off the price of the home! Yeah!
If it wasn't, if your roof is at the end of its life, if you need a new septic system, if any of your mechanicals are not working properly it will cost you.

If you did keep up with the routine maintenance of your home, you get a gold star, a pat on the back, an atta boy atta girl, but you don't get extra money. But you don't get money deducted!!! It is a great selling point though, something to be featured prominently in the marketing of your home.

Are you the nicest house on the block? Are you the only new colonial set in a field of 1980's raised ranches? Does your neighbor have a graveyard of dead vehicles in his back yard? These things also affect the price of your home, the desirability of your home.

Why didn't my house sell? Here is the real answer to that question. It didn't sell because buyers didn't find it attractive enough to make an offer. If it is not priced for condition, for location, according to the current local real estate market you will not sell.

And here is something you may not even realize. If it is overpriced they won't even consider it because it is off their radar in the first place!

When you call us and ask why your home didn't sell in Litchfield County we will let you know. The proper diagnosis will help you make the most important decision of all.

Are you really ready to sell your home in Litchfield County, CT?

Because if you price it ahead of the competition, if you price it according to the current local real estate conditions, if you price it according to the condition of the home, conditions of your neighborhood, you stand a far better chance of selling. If not, you will be asking that question over and over again.

"WHY DIDN'T MY HOUSE SELL???

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

I met a man who sold a house....

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:16:52 -0500

I met a man who sold a house
He sold a house just like a mouse
Just like a mouse who sneaks around
He sold the house without a sound.

(OK, as a poet I am lacking... but stay with me here) And how did he sell the house without a sound? The story is rather odd, yet to me it was so telling I asked him if I could blog about it.

Blog? He had that look on his face... My business partner chimed in and said "blab, she wants to blab about it all over the internet." He shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't mind.

All day long yesterday I thought about his story, there are so many lessons, each time I think about it I think of yet another lesson. Let me get right to the story here.

He told me he sold a house at a tag sale... I love tag sales at listings I have. Let me do the open house on the same day you do your tag sale (We call them tag sales in CT, some may call them yard sales, garage sales, you get the point.)

A few years back he heard about a house, a couple who could no longer live in their home due to age and illness. The family had told the accountant they just wanted to get rid of the home because mom and dad were hoarders. The man I met bought the house with all the contents in it. Bought it for a very low price I might add.

18 dumpsters later....

It took 18 dumpsters ... but the house was in good shape! He held tag sales there while cleaning it out. He was not intending to sell the house, but someone who came to the tag sale offered him what they thought was a low price for the house.

IT WAS $100,000 MORE THAN WHAT HE PAID FOR IT JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER!

He took the money and ran. I mean, who wouldn't? So here is what ran through my mind.

Why didn't the family speak with a Realtor? He said because they were too embarrassed, didn't want to deal with it, on and on. That cost the owners $100,000.

Why didn't the family just hire someone to come in and clean the house out when the parents moved out? Did they have the resources to do that? Yes they had the resources, but felt it was too much trouble.

OK, now I am just shaking my head here in total disbelief. The moral to the story? I think there are many.

Clean it up, clean it out.
Speak to a Realtor if you are thinking about selling.
Tag sales are a great thing, hold a tag sale and let your Realtor hold an open house at the same time.

I don't know about you, but I am still shaking my head here! I am sure I can come up with more lessons learned. It is a fantastic story. Will this gentleman use a real estate agent when he wants to sell another house? You bet, he knows this happened only because someone else didn't want to, he's no dummy!

I met a man who sold a house....

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

I know a guy...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:36:23 -0500

Do you know a guy who can.....???

I hear this all the time. Yes, I do, I know a guy who... cleans up and out, paints, pulls oil tanks, is a master carpenter, plows, mows, is a fantastic electrician, great plumber, on and on, tried and true, tested over and over again.

As a side note, every time I hear that question "do you know someone...", I can't help thinking about one of my most favorite movies, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". The police chief says "A man owes me a favor. Rene the Knife. He is a master with a stiletto and a magician at hiding a body." Of course that just may illustrate how my mind works and might have been better left unsaid. As an example...

Andrea, do you know someone that can pull this oil tank? I remember saying exactly this, "I know someone who is a master with a backhoe and a magician at making the tank disappear!" Now do you see why I think of that movie?

Most real estate agents have a list of guys and gals, companies who are tried and true. I know I do. And they don't get on my list just because I know them. They get on my list because my clients love them, because they don't disappoint, because I know I can trust them. Getting on my list is not easy, getting off the list is easy peasy. Bad review from a client and they are off, off, off.

Why is this important? If you are thinking about selling your home in lower Litchfield County CT and your house needs work, you will want to have access to my list. Because if you don't clean it up and out it will cost you. Don't believe me? Read my story "I met a guy who sold a house". Or you haven't kept up with home maintenance yet you want to get as much as possible for your home, read this story "Why didn't my house sell?". (Pay close attention to the comments of other real estate agents, they know what they are talking about.) Then you will understand why it is so important that I have my "I know a guy/gal" list. They are masters of their trade, magicians at getting the job done. One of the THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS about GETTING A HOUSE SOLD in Litchfield County CT is the condition of the house.

Priced according to local real estate market conditions
Priced according to the condition of the house
The marketing skills of the real estate agent

And by the way, my list is just as important for a buyer! Trusted mortgage professionals, home inspectors, local insurance agents, people who can help you make the home you want to buy the home of your dreams!

So yes, I know a guy...

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

3 bedroom home in Northville section of New Milford CT for sale

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:06:10 -0500

Located in the Northville section of New Milford, CT this great raised ranch is looking for its newest owner. Take a look here!

3 Bedroom Home in Northville, New Milford CT

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description
Neighborhood

$225,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Partial Bathroom
Interior: 2,392 sqft
Lot: 0.47 acre(s)
Location

14 Cornell Rd
New Milford, CT 06776
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

Andrea Swiedler, Swiedler & Adams

Prudential Connecticut Realty
(860) 355-2646 X 19
andrea@andreaswiedler.com
http://www.andreaswiedler.com

Listed by: Prudential Connecticut Realty

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Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

David vs. Goliath, and Goliath has a lousy work ethic

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:07:59 -0500

Sometimes I feel as if it is David vs. Goliath. Living in what I consider to be a rural area I have watched as large companies either force out local businesses or buy them out. Time and time again. And the sad part is, we lose. When it happens we often see job loss, we can see a loss of quality of service, we lose a sense of community. I know there is often no way to combat this tide, yet it doesn't make me happy.

A few years ago I was helping a dear friend find a company to replace his oil burner. A well known local family owned company had just been bought up by a company based out of Canada. I spoke at length with a sales rep there who insisted that the new company was committed to the same level of service. They were even thinking about keeping the old company name as it was so well known and well respected here. (they never kept the old company name, and a good thing or the old man would be turning over in his grave right about now)

Fast forward a few years.... I used this same company to set up oil delivery on a vacant home. NO, it is not a foreclosure.... I received the first bill and called them immediately. They tangled all sorts of different homes on the invoice, from two different companies mind you, dating back to 2006. And there was no way to identify where the oil delivery was made and when. We went back and forth about this, each person I spoke to just couldn't understand why it made a difference. Or perhaps they just didn't care.

I was polite, but insisted that if they were going to be paid in a timely fashion they would have to provide me with a bill that pertained to this particular property only, or at the very least would have to identify the property in question as well as dates of delivery. I was also dealing with a global company I had to answer to, and plus I never thought my request was unreasonable.

They had their own take on the issue. They cut delivery off and never informed me. Thankfully no damage occurred, but we were close. And when contacted again, they were nasty, arrogant and were not willing to work with me to make the changes we needed on the invoice. Nor were they willing to deliver oil until the bill was paid. The attitude was amazing actually. And no changes were going to be made to the invoice. They would not remove the old balances (as I said, they had combined two separate companies on the invoice in the first place), we would play their way or no way. The only way I would have of identifying the delivery address would be the delivery ticket that was left outside at the house. Interesting...

Just to be clear, the overdue amount was not that overdue, we are talking weeks here, and I thought we were working together to resolve the issue at hand, to have an invoice that was acceptable to submit for payment.

So now I am preparing to move the account to one of the few remaining local companies. What was I thinking in the first place? Well, a long standing history of doing business with the original company, the thought that local people still work for the new company. The memory of the conversation I had with the sales rep a few years earlier. What is clearly apparent is the old company is long gone, the new company has a lousy sense of customer service and has lost my business for good.

Of course word will get out... if they happen to care or realize that local people yap. What was it I heard the other day? Oh yeah... the three fastest ways of getting something out there..

TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, TELL-A-REALTOR!

David will smash Goliath this time. David has a choice. I am calling a very local company today and setting up a new account. I know the level of customer service will be one that I can rely on. We may pay a few more pennies for the oil delivery, but I know if there is a problem I can actually speak to the owner. I also know if there is a problem he will work hard to resolve the issue because of a good work ethic, there is the sense of community, the realization that a satisfied customer means everything to the success of a business.

What is most unfortunate is that these larger companies just don't care. When they take over a smaller company they need to make sure they understand the lay of the land and make sure their employees are giving good old fashioned local customer service, as if it were a mom and pop operation.

I should have made this choice the first time around, live and learn I guess.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Unemployed in Connecticut with a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Loan?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:14:29 -0500

Help! I just got a pink slip, how am I going to pay my mortgage??? You may be entitled to some help, mortgage forbearance, or more to the point, deferring payment for a period of time. Of course you will have to repay the amount, and it won't be tacked on to the end of your loan. Rather when you get back to work you will have to pick up your mortgage payment again plus an additional amount to repay the amount that wasn't paid. They may also report your mortgage as delinquent and you should check on their specific policy on this.

If you find yourself unemployed (if your spouse/partner is on the mortgage too, but they are still employed, they still may give you a reduction or accept no payments for a time) you need to make sure you have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan. If you are unsure, call your loan servicer and ask. The guidelines rule out assistance if you financed with an FHA, VA, or USDA Rural Housing mortgage. The home must also be your primary residence.

There are very specific rules and regulations. I strongly urge you to contact your loan servicer to find out if you qualify, and always a good idea to discuss loan forbearance with a real estate attorney to understand how it will impact you later on down the road. For some the program will help to keep them from losing their home. The initial time frame allowed is 6 months, in some cases it can be extended up to 12 months.

What is the first thing to do if a job loss is threatening your mortgage payment? Contact your loan service provider immediately, don't wait until you haven't made a payment. Ask if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac owns or has guaranteed your mortgage. If the answer is yes, have them explain the mortgage forbearance program to you, go over the long term effects and ramifications with you. I also suggest you may want to speak with a real estate attorney to understand how this program might affect you in the long run. The initial time frame allowed is 6 months, in some cases it can be extended up to 12 months. This forbearance policy becomes mandatory for Fannie Mae loans on March 1, 2012, and for Freddie Mac loans is it February 1, 2012.

If you lose your job in Connecticut and have a Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae mortgage there is hope. Contact your loan servicer to find out if you can participate in the loan forbearance program and save your home. If you don't qualify, if this isn't for you, give me a call to discuss a short sale of your home.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Washington Connecticut Year End Market Report 2011

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:08:39 -0500

How is Washington, CT doing in the current real estate climate? There are no surprises here, most of our luxury market towns in Litchfield County are down from their heights of 2005. But people are still buying and there are plenty of homes to choose from in Washington, CT.

Currently there are 77 active single family homes for sale in Washington, CT. Average list price is $1,389,225, average days on market is currently at 253 days. In 2011 we saw an average of 2.83 homes sell per month. The year end, 2011 shows 34 homes sold in Washington, CT.

At the current level of activity it will take 27 months to sell what is currently on the market.

This is certainly a buyers market in Washington, Connecticut!

For anyone selling their home, or thinking of selling their home in Washington, Connecticut you have fierce competition. Pricing to sell, as well as an agent with an aggressive marketing program is necessary. Not to mention time and patience.

Washington, Connecticut is a beautiful town located in Litchfield County. I am especially fond of Washington as it was my home for a few years. Admittedly it is hard to pick from the area towns, each has a different flavor to it, just a bit of a different feel, all with the beauty of Litchfield County that I have come to love so dearly.

Let me show you a bit of what I think make Washington, Connecticut so special.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

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Roxbury CT Real Estate End of Year Wrap Up for 2011

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:03:03 -0500

Roxbury, Connecticut, located in the southern Litchfield County, continues to be a highly desirable place to live for those seeking that spectacular weekend country estate as well as those who live here full time. Home sales in Roxbury, CT for 2011 were a bit slower with fewer homes selling at a lower average sale price. However, Roxbury is still showing large, pricey estates are selling.

The highest dollar amount in 2011 that sold in Roxbury, CT was for $7,750,000. A 10,775 square foot custom home, built by a designer, on 66 acres. In any market, that is a good sale.

Roxbury Connecticut Real Estate Statistics

Currently in Roxbury, Connecticut there are 57 homes for sale, ranging in price from a small antique on Church Street listed at $189,500 to a dramatic contemporary with walls of glass overlooking 9 beautiful acres, complete with horse barn listed for $4,800,000.

The average list price in Roxbury, CT is currently $1,427,376
The average market time for the active listings is 229 days

In 2011, 24 single family homes sold in Roxbury, CT.

Average List Price:         $1,067,027
Average Sale Price:        $930,842
Average Market Time:     264 days

What does all this mean? Sales of homes in the smaller towns of Litchfield County, CT are down, especially in the estate areas such as Roxbury. Yet Roxbury has had the highest recorded sale in the county and is still attractive to buyers. It does take time to sell a home, and there are some great homes to purchase in Roxbury. All in all, not to bad considering the market overall.

A bit about Roxbury, Connecticut

Located in the Shepaug River Valley in lower Litchfield County, Roxbury, CT is a wonderfully picturesque town. Covering 27 square miles of rolling Connecticut countryside, Roxbury is home to approximately 2,340 residents, some full time, some weekenders escaping the hustle and bustle city life. Roxbury is a unique little corner of the world in Litchfield County, the lure of the lifestyle here has attracted many. From the most famous to the people who grew up here. A great blend of people in the most amazing setting.

See Roxbury, CT through my eyes.

The Roxbury Land Trust works hard to preserve the character of the land for future generations. Currently 17% of land in Roxbury is conserved as open space. This makes
for some scenic hiking trails, the mines, fishing along the Shepaug along with other great outdoor activities!

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Cold Homes, Warm Hearts - Walk for Heating Assistance in New Milford, CT

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:08:24 -0500

We have all heard of the cuts made to heating assistance programs by the Federal Government. After what we went through in New England last year it doesn't make sense to me, but then again, nothing does. I know many who make hard choices lately because the cost of heating their homes has risen while their incomes have fallen. According to the town of New Milford, last year, $850,000 in heating assistance was given out to residents that qualified, this year, due to the cuts, they anticipate only $510,000 to be available. More people have less money these days, the costs associated with heating homes has risen.... it is a terrible situation.

The Town of New Milford is committed to raising money for our own Fuel Bank program. This Sunday, January 8th, is the Walk for Heating Assistance Fund Raiser, a 5K walk to raise money. The walk begins at 1:00 pm at the Richmond Senior Center on Main Street. To join the walk you need to give at least $10, but get people to sponsor your walk in order to raise more money! Registration begins at 12:30 in the Richmond Center dining room.

There will be prizes to the highest adult and youth pledge collectors! They are hoping to raise $20,000 with the walk, which is a drop in the bucket, all things considered. They want to load the streets of New Milford with walkers for this event, so come on down! (It was noted that this is a walk, not a run.)

This event is organized by New Milford Social Services, New Milford Senior Center and New Milford Parks & Rec department. The major sponsors of the event are ABC Fuels, Norbert Mitchell & Company and Marandola Fuel Service. Leahy's Fuels and Superior Plus Energy Services are also sponsors of the event.

So come on down, have some fun, join in and fill the streets of New Milford with people walking for a very worthy cause!!!! It might be your neighbor, a friend, a family member who goes without heat this year because of these budget cuts. No one should go cold, no child, no senior, no person in our town should go without heat. Yet many will, I have no doubt of that. Do what you can, even if it is just the $10 donation!

For more information and for pledge envelopes you can contact the New Milford Social Services Department at 860.355.6079 or New Milford CT Senior Center at 860.355.6075.

(Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.)

Cold Homes, Warm Hearts
5K Walk for Heating Assistance in New Milford, CT
Sunday January 8, 2012
Registration begins @ 12:30, Richmond Senior Center dining room
5K Walk begins @ 1:00 pm

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

CL&P eee UUUU... you really DO stink!

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:56:45 -0500

Here in Connecticut we have two power companies, Connecticut Light & Power, a division of Northeast Utilities, and United Illuminating. I have the (dubious) pleasure of only being able to use CL&P, UI does not cover this part of the state. Northeast Utilities and CL&P are under intense fire right now after the October snowstorm and all the power outages that occurred as a result of the storm. Or more precisely, their response time to the disaster.

So one would think they would be more careful with the poll of public opinion. For instance, more careful to give the appropriate credit to those that were without power. But no.... you have to call and ask for your credit. (Calling the power company is an exercise in patience if you ask me, but I digress.)

I ran across someone today that was fuming over an encounter Connecticut Light & Power. She has been a customer for 32 years, never been late with her bill. She has been paying her bill online at the CL&P website for quite a while now, until today that is. The bill is in her husbands name, but he has never paid a bill as long as they have been married, just to set the stage.

She logged into their CL&P account online and tried to pay the bill. A popup came up and said they wanted the social security number of the account holder. She opted out, and because of that was not able to pay the bill online. She called, and was told they needed the social security number, they could not allow her to use the online bill pay without it. BUT... she was told she could send a check in and bypass the question. Interesting..

She asked why they needed it. They insisted it was for security, to make sure no one else was paying her bill online. OK, that gave us all a laugh. IF someone wants to pay my bill for me, why should CL&P care? Or perhaps they have had a rash of terrorists paying our bills. Not that I would complain about that. I guess it would be an awful thing if someone paid your electric bill for you, terrorist or not. Wouldn't it? Just sayin...

They also offered to allow her to pay over the phone... for a $3.00 fee. Without giving out the SS#. (I love it when a company charges me money to pay my bill, NOT!)

They locked her out of the online account for failing to give the social security number by the way.

She called the complaint number on the back of the bill, it is apparently a company who runs interference for CL&P. The woman who took the complaint even agreed that she would never give her SS# out like that. If you already have an account (for over 32 years mind you) why the heck would they require it now, and ONLY if you were paying the bill online?

I think CL&P needs to start all over again. We are in the top 5 in the nation for highest electrical rates. When you pay top dollar, you expect good service. All the way around. That includes not harassing existing customers for social security numbers you don't need. And.. providing the best electrical service in the country, ok.. the 5th best. That would mean no power outages... no making your customers beg for the refunds you should have given them on the bills automatically. And I should never, ever lose power just because of a storm.. not for that kind of money.

CL&P eee UUUU... you really DO stink!

PS.... CL&P has NO problem starting service on a relocation home, ordered by a real estate agent without anything but a "Hi, this is Roxy the Realtor... can you change over the service at bla bla bla". Without a Social Security number mind you... very interesting if you ask me. Next Christmas you think Santa will bring me a windmill? Wonder if I have to provide him with my SS# in order to get one...

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Wrapping the real estate year up in New Milford CT.

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:37:25 -0500

Here is my year end wrap up for the New Milford CT real estate market. I have compared sales volume and price from 2001 through 2011 to see where we came from and what has happened. It has been quite the ride, to say the least.

2011 did not go out with a bang, it crept out with a whisper as far as the real estate market is concerned. The sales volume is down from the previous year, as is the average sales price. I wish I could make some fantastic prognostication about the 2012 real estate market, however someone took my crystal ball.

YEAR   AV. SALE $     # SOLD
2011    $306,176          207
2010    $337,896          221
2009    $307,886          195
2008    $377,674          209
2007    $406,790          280
2006    $417,420          310
2005    $408,816          442
2004    $381,974          495
2003    $343,850          438
2002    $309,569          397
2001    $284,508        434

I do have good news. Last January, 2011, I posted the real estate absorption rate for New Milford, CT. That tells us how long it would take us to sell the CURRENT inventory. (It does not, however, take into consideration any new listings that might come on the market.) A balanced market is 6 months worth of inventory. A buyers market is anything over 6 months, a sellers market is anything under 6 months. January of 2011 we had an absorption rate of 22 months. Currently we have an absorption rate of 8.5 months. In that respect things are looking up! I would rather see an 8.5 month absorption rate than a 22 month one! However, I assume that more homes will be coming on the market over the next few weeks, bringing the absorption rate back up again.

Out of the 207 homes that sold in New Milford, CT this past year, 25 were foreclosures. That is 12 percent of our real estate market. 12 show as short sales, however we really do not have a great way of tracking them at this time in our multiple listing service. At least 18% of the homes that sold in New Milford in 2011 were distressed homes of some type. This is a large amount, one we need to sit up and take notice of. This affects homes that are currently on the market, as well as the people who lost their homes either to the foreclosure or the short sale.

The reality is that it is very difficult for many people to put their home on the market at a price that will bring offers and sell the house. There are many reasons for this, most of them financial. Read about the Great Real Estate Divide here.

If you find yourself in that situation, if you need to sell but you owe more than your home is worth, you can read a very good Q&A on short sales. Then give us a call at 203.460.1775 to discuss the options of a short sale.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

New Milford CT Real Estate Activity December 2011, Homes Sold!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:52:11 -0500

How's the real estate market in New Milford, CT? Check it out.

As of January 3, 2012 in New Milford, CT there were only 189 active single family homes for sale. Last month there were 209, the number has been dropping for the past few months. This is the lowest I have seen it in a long, long time. 16 are short sales, (there could be more however) and 7 are foreclosures.

Does a year make a difference?

January 2011 there were 211 single family homes active. 10 were foreclosures. Average list price: $454,249.
January 2012 there were 189 single family homes active. 7 were foreclosures. Average list price: $485,657.

16 single family homes sold in New Milford, CT in December 2011. This is the same amount as November 2011. Of these homes that sold, the average list price was $267,484. (Down quite a bit from the November average list price of $331,100.) The average sale price was $250,417. Again this is down from November when the average sale price was $317,007. The average market time was 118 days. Two short sales and 2 foreclosures were included in December 2011 sales.

The median sales price in December was $237,500, down considerably from November, 2011.

The average list price of single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT is $485,657, up a few thousand over last month.

The average market time for these active listings in New Milford, CT is 169 days, down from last month.

The median price of a home for sale in New Milford, CT is $344,000. This is down $5,000 from last month.

The highest price home for sale in New Milford, CT is $5,900,000, a beautiful estate belonging to a world famous comedienne, and located on the New Milford, New Preston, CT border. This home, as of today, has been on the market for 978 days as of today.

The lowest priced home for sale in New Milford, CT is $96,900, a foreclosure, will require quite a bit of work and is not finished yet.

Of the 189 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT, only 8 are under deposit. 11 homes are under deposit. The average list price of these homes is $458,963, which is up almost $100,000 from last month. The average market time is 130 days.

Currently there are 19 homes that are in the pending sale status in New Milford, CT.
The average list price of these homes in the pending sale status is $339,900. The average market time for these homes is 143 days. Two of these are foreclosures and 4 are short sales.

What does all of this mean? I am a bit surprised at how few homes are on the market, I have not seen it this low ever. Many did expire on January 1st, and only time will tell if they gave up, or if the homes will come on later. Pricing seems to be the key factor, and as we have more and more foreclosures and short sales on the market, pricing to sell is the only way for a seller to go.

The key to selling a home in this market is to price it far better than the other competing homes in the same category. You must grab the buyers attention right from the start, not chase the market down or languish on the market because you outpriced yourself right out of the game.

If you don't believe me about pricing and buyers mentality, check out some interesting stats on The Great Real Estate Divide.

If you are thinking of selling in New Milford, CT check out our Ultimate Marketing 24-7, a custom marketing program that will dominate the internet.

Buyers can take advantage of some pretty amazing deals these days, between jaw dropping interest rates and home prices, as long as the seller realizes that the best price they will realize from the sale of their home is the one a buyer is willing to pay and the bank is willing to loan on it. I hope that this new year brings buyers and sellers together.

Check out the previous home sale market activity report for November, 2011.

Interest rates are still low, housing prices are low, are you are ready to buy a home in New Milford, CT?

Click here to search for homes for sale in New Milford.

The above statistics are provided courtesy of Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (CMLS). Information provided is deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate. There may be discrepancies, as mistakes in inputing can be made, and the fact that Connecticut has more than one multiple listing service. There may be instances where a home was/is for sale in New Milford and is on the other multiple listing service. Most of the homes for sale are listed on CMLS, therefore that is where I base my statistical information. I do believe it gives a good sense of what is happening in New Milford.

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate

Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!

Search Homes for Sale in Litchfield County CT.

Selling your home? Check out Ultimate Marketing 24-7

Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT

Swiedler & Adams

Call us at 203.460.1775

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain