Good septic systems will last 50 years or longer. The longevity of a system will be determined by the quality of the soil, the maintenance of the system and its usage. Whenever I am getting ready to list a home over 20 years old I insist that the homeowner get a complete inspection. This is not the same as having the tank pumped out or even the inspection by the town where the sanitarian walks the property every four to five years to make sure that sewage in not breaking ground. A thorough septic inspection will cost approximately $400 and is done by a septic company.Continue Reading

There is a feeling among real estate professionals, including Realtors, Attorneys and Mortgage Bankers that the home selling market has come to a stretching halt during these first 2 months of 2019. I really did a deep dive into statistical numbers and spoke with my trusted professionals to try to come to some determination on what is happening. I used a composite look at 6 towns which included New Fairfield, Danbury, Bethel, New Milford, Brookfield and Newtown. The inventory levels have fallen. In 2017 there were 1517 and 1547 homes and condos for sale in January and February. In 2018 those numbers fell dramatically to 727 and 770 which is about half of what they were the year before. This year the numbers rebounded slightly to 784 and 842 but it was the feeling that the quality of the homes was significantly lower than in previous years.Continue Reading

After getting personal recommendations, interviewing agents at open houses or checking reviews on Zillow, it is time to HIRE a Realtor. A Realtor is NOT a door opener. A Realtor is your trusted real estate advisor. Yes, you can find your own house on line. A Realtor will give you incites, recommendations and perspective to connect all of the “INFORMATIONAL DOTS”. This is the largest financial and personal decision you may ever make. You need professional guidance.

A professional will invite you to sit down for a needs assessment appointment, more often called a BUYER COUNSELLING SESSION. This appointment serves several purposes. Your agent needs to understand your lifestyle. Do you need room for 5 dogs, or are you a busy professional with no time for yardwork. Maybe it is distance to work, or more often distance from COSTCO. What are your interests? It isn’t just about the number of bedrooms and style of home. I worked with one client who had seen “100 colonials” with another agent. After assessing her needs, I showed her 2 homes, both 3 bedroom contemporaries in developments. Community was her primary NEED. She bought one that day.Continue Reading

Does anyone else out there feel totally overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done over the holidays? Christmas can be totally overwhelming with the expectations of family, friends and work. I have found that the best way to enjoy the season is to first put YOURSELF on the calendar. You may have already figured out that I time block EVERYTHING. It is time to get out the calendar and put EVERYTHING on it. How do you eat an elephant- or get through Christmas? You do it one bite-or task at a time. Don’t stress over Christmas dinner now, just plan and schedule. You can’t give to others with an open, kind heart without filling your own heart first.

1- Treat Yourself; schedule hair/ nail appointments as well as any other special activity that will feed your soul. It could be a trip to the Botanical Garden to see the train exhibit, a concert or holiday play you would like to attend or a special “Friends Night”. I host 2 wreath making parties at my house. One other thing I did last week was to go shopping for a holiday outfit for myself.

2- Family Obligations– We all LOVE the kids concerts and parties but put them on the calendar NOW so you don’t conflict with other obligations. Aside from the kids and grandchildren, schedule some ADULT family time as well.

3- Gifting- Make a list of people that you need gifts for and set a deadline for shopping, either online of in stores. Put shopping on your calendars. Don’t forget to remember all of those gifts for grab bags or thank you gifts for co workers, teachers or other service providers. Buy in bulk for the later and keep several extras in the closet for those last minute hostess gifts. Also set aside a location and time to wrap ALL gifts at the same time.

4- Decorating– Hopefully everything is already done here. If not what DAY are you clearing your calendar to get it done?

5- Parties– They should all be on your calendar by now with hostess gifts and anything else you are going to bring planned. Make sure you have a good mixture of business gatherings, as well as personal parties.

6- Charitable Giving– Which toy drives are you going to support? What are you going to do for those in need? Call your local social services to find out if you can adopt a family or just make a donation of heating fuel. The Bags and Bears Toy drive at Chick fil A Brookfield is my favorite as it benefits all of the states foster children.

7- Food- Plan the menu for the entire month. Then you only have to think about it once. I just made 3 batches of crab dip for 3 parties I am having/going to this coming week. Assemble all of your needed recipes at the same time. Clear your calendar for baking-whether it is for cookie exchanges, gifting or to freeze for the big event.

8- Christmas cards– This is aa tradition I gave up a couple of years ago. All year I put my clients and referral partners into SENDOUT CARDS, design and personalize one card and send it to 100 people with a click of the button. I do not send out personal holiday cards. I do, however, spend one evening toughing people by phone.

9- Gifts to Yourself-

a. Hire a housecleaner to do a deep cleaning either before or after the holidays.
b. Commit to loosing (not gaining) five pounds by January 1st.
c. Listen to Christmas music while sitting by the tree.
d. Wear stupid light up necklaces or antlers.
e. Do your business/life plan for 2019 BEFORE January 1st.
f. Get a massage after Christmas.
g. DO NOTHING THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS OTHER THAN RELAXING AND ENJOYING
THE HOLIDAY.

Let me start off by saying that the best t time to list your home is WHEN YOU ARE READY. Many people out there, however believe that spring is the best time. Here are 10 reasons why you may not wait to wait until the spring market.

1- MOTVIATED BUYERS– Motivated Buyer shop all year round, even if it is the holiday season. There is an urgency in their search. These are typically higher quality, no nonsense buyers. These are the Buyers, as opposed to just lookers or nosy neighbors, that you want to come through your home.
2- BUYERS HAVE MORE TIME TO SHOP AND SEARCH- It is my experience that because people take time off during the holidays, they have more time to search on line and in person than any other time of the year.
3- THERE IS LESS COMPETITION– Many Sellers pull their homes off of the market during the holidays and many other choose not to list until spring or at least into January. Less competition is always a good thing.Continue Reading

With the seasonal rush of business that is typical to most businesses in the Spring, Summer and early Fall most of us are looking at a little more “free” time coming into the colder months. The question was raised at a meeting of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Before Breakfast, “How are you preparing your business for the winter?” What seemed like a simple question raised some very helpful and insightful answers.

1- RELAX- Some use this time just to recharge, take vacations and spend time with neglected family members. Others noted eating differently, taking more vitamins and using different products for skin and hair. It is
time to use that gym membership to overcome seasonal blues. It might also be a good time to get some of those PERSONAL projects completed like renewing a passport, revising your will, or painting a room.Continue Reading

Tis the season of gift giving but there are FREE gifts that we should be doling out every day of the year. Below are the 10 important gifts that you should be thinking about. These are the ones that really matter, will deepen relationships and just make the world a better place.

1- GIVE ENERGY– Energy is contagious. Be upbeat and enthusiastic whenever you interact with anyone.
2- GIVE A SMILE– Lead with a smile. A smile is contagious, cost nothing but gives so much.
3- GIVE EXTRA EFFORT– Do that one extra thing for someone and it will make them feel special and appreciated. Just lend a helping hand when one is needed.
4- GIVE TIME– This is our greatest asset. Write a note, make a phone call, spend time with others.
5- GIVE A COMPLIMENT– It must be sincere. There is a correct way to give a compliment. You make a statement; tell why you noticed or it is important to you; ask a question about the thing, idea that you are giving the compliment about.
6- GIVE PATIENCE– Everyone has different perspective on life. Slow down and listen. Be present, ask questions and just listen.
7- GIVE ATTENTION– Dial into the other person’s needs. Stop talking and listen. Ask questions, lean in, no distractions, comment and use open body language. Lock in.
8- GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT– If you are right it does not mean that the other person is wrong. Don’t jump to conclusions. Question to understand.
9- GIVE RESPECT– The sun does not revolve around you. You and your opinions or needs are not more important than others. Be polite and hospitable.
10-GIVE THANKS- Appreciate what you have and what others give to you.
If you are not happy with what you have it ultimately means you are
unhappy with who you are.

Merry Christmas

Almost as important as the negotiations of the price of a home for sale is the closing date. Before I craft an offer from one of my Buyers, I ALWAYS call the Listing Agent to see what would be the ideal closing timeframe for the Sellers. The Sellers may not have found a home yet and need a longer closing OR they may have found one or have already moved out so a short timeframe would be a benefit. Do they have a tenant or older child who they need to find housing options for?

Time of year also plays a part in the Sellers desires. Are they waiting for the end of the school year or want to stay in the house over the holidays. What family limitations are looming? Is there a wedding, a surgical procedure, expecting a new baby, a vacation, a graduation? Do they need to be at their new location for a job change?

If you can accommodate the Sellers’ ideal closing time frame, they might be more negotiable in price. I recently had a Seller who was building a new home. They accepted $15,000 less than the value because the buyer allowed them to stay in the house until they were ready to move into the new home eliminating the need for 2 moves and temporary housing. I had another Seller refuse an over list price offer and accept a lower one because the higher buyer would not wait until after a family wedding.

Part of your negotiating strategy should be, “what benefits do you bring to the table”? They include price but also financing, money down, no house to sell, extra items included AND closing date. It is a package that is not ONLY about the price. DON’T LEAVE THE CLOSING DATE AS A FOOTNOTE. You will end up negotiating an offer and then finding out it doesn’t work for either party because of the closing date.