Connecticut

We are into the Presidential Election Year, and for better or for worst it looks like housing is going to be in the spot light. I say for better or worst, because this important issue will become a political pawn, but it will at the very least start to get some of the attention that it should have gotten a long time ago.

Housing has already started to play a big roll in the Republican Primaries. Newt Gingrich took one on the chin in Florida mainly because of his consulting connection to Freddie Mac. Mitt Romney who was at one point behind Gingrich in the polls in Florida, turned the table on Gingrich because of that issue and ended up with a convincing win.

It is also evident that Barack Obama is ready to make housing one of his main issues. That became very plain to see in his speech at Falls Church in Virginia earlier this week, when he rolled out his previously failed refinance proposal. Whatever the motivation, bring housing to the forefront can't do any more harm than we already have, and maybe just maybe some positive will come out of the heightened attention on housing.

We all know that the lack of jobs is one of the main reasons why we have the housing mess that we are in today. If the politicians can finally make the connection between the two, then maybe some meaningful proposals can start to be developed.

Without jobs the housing market is not going anywhere, but housing could be a major source for more jobs. If the ego's in Washington can somehow connect those two dots together the answer to both problems could be achieved through each other.

*************************************************************************************

Who To Call For Your Mortgage Needs In Connecticut:

George Souto NMLS# 65149 is a Loan Officer who can assist you with all your FHA, CHFA, and Conventional mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Higganum, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 gsouto@mccuemortgage.com, or visit my McCue Mortgage Homepage.

Sellers, It's Time to Accept the Reality of Our Connecticut Market

Sales statistics have just been released for Connecticut Real Estate Homes Sales for 2011 and they are not positive. Sales in Connecticut were at their lowest levels since the mid 1980's.

For 2011, sales of single family homes were 13 per cent less than the previous year and run a consecutive streak of 7 straight years of decline.

Sellers who have been in their homes for years, and had seen the value at the height of the market, have a difficult time accepting that their home, however grand it might be, will not be seen in the same light by buyers.

Record low mortgage rates are a lure for buyers, but they are also well aware of the price drops. There are buyers in the market, but they are reluctant to make a purchase and then realize within months that they are already underwater. Buyers are also wary of taking on too much debt with the job market being so tight.

The days of putting a home on the market at an inflated price just to test the market are gone. There are enough home sites available online for a buyer to realize true values and to be skeptical of an over-priced home.

Sellers that want or need to sell their homes should be given all data as to recent sales that impact their home, and this includes short sales and foreclosures. That is not to imply that they need to price their homes at distressed values, but a bank appraisal will probably carry a similar value for comparison and the appraiser may not be generous enough with adjustments on that home.

People look at the equity in their homes as they would an investment, especially when the market was high. Now that they are trying to sell, they feel they are giving away their savings, and in a way they are, but like any investment, it was not a real value unless they had actually sold it at it's height.

Stock prices rise and fall, and unfortunately over the past few years, home prices have fallen as well. Many a seasoned owner still has equity in their home, just not the windfall they thought they could get.

If the house needs to be sold, the reality is it needs to be priced at market value or it will just sit. If you need some assistance with selling your home, or would like to get a market analysis of your Connecticut home, give me a call at 203-206-0754, or send an email to me at edsilva@remax.net.

Selling homes is what I do, and getting a fair price for my clients is what we work to do.

Sellers, It's Time to Accept the Reality of Our Connecticut Market

I just published my year end report on the Black Rock Connecticut real estate market. 8 pages of analysis, trends, and graphs in full color, available only to subscribers of www.blackrockhomesforsale.com or www.blackrockonline.org

I've been publishing this report since 2005. The report includes trends from the year 2000 to the present as well as forward indicators that are suggestive of a good year in 2012.

No one knows the Black Rock CT market better than I do. I've been the top sellling REALTOR in Black Rock since 2007.

If you are considering living in a coastal community with easy train access to Manhattan (one hour ten minute train at the new Fairfield Metro Station, less than a mile from most Black Rock homes), you'll want to read this report.

You can have it all - urban lifestyle, natural beauty, shoreline community, and easy access to Manhattan. Explore what Black Rock CT has to offer. Call me today at 203-521-0768.

Full Disclosure; I'm a longtime fan of "GANG GREEN"...otherwise known as the NY JETS. So, in lieu of cheering on my team in the Big Game, Super Bowl - for me - has become more about eating too many wings & pulled pork sandwiches, washed down with my favorite adult beverage, followed by a flurry of non-sensible wagers sure to set me back at least the amount of next week groceries...but hey! - I can stand to loose a few anyway!

However, one thing remains true for me; I'm thankful to have Tom Brady on our team. He's been with us 8 years & has proven to be a valuable asset to CT Basement Systems Radon Inc. The ESPN segment was borne out of a consultation Tom made with one of our customers for a radon in water problem. Our client happened to be an ESPN producer & mused at the fact that Tom's last name was Brady. To take it a step further; Tom's son shares the same name.

Next thing Tom knew; ESPN was at his home filming him & his son playing catch in the front yard. Tom - being a fellow JET fan - made sure to wear his Jet jersey while the crew filmed. Fast forward to the original airing of the segment prior to the Monday Night Jet / Patriots game...all of us here at CT Basement were disappointed to see how much of the segment our Tom had filmed was edited out. Check out the clip...don't blink!...our Tom is at the 5 second & 33 second mark in the video. Regardless, we're a better team because Tom's on it!

Oh, did I mention?...the ESPN film crew was based out of Boston!...just a lil' bit of Jet bias??? ;)

This Sunday...anybody but the Pats!...go Big Blue!...maybe next year will be the "Greening of the Bowl"!