About Tolland County, CT

Equestrian Farms for Sale in Connecticut

An equestrian farm that is right for your horse can be an arduous endeavor. There are many factors that you should consider while looking for the right facility to board your horse. Below are some suggestions that may help you find your horse the perfect equestrian farms for sale in CT.

Begin by exploring the barn. A respectful equestrian horse farm will have organized aisles with rubber mats on the concrete. Concrete can be very slippery if it is wet which can cause injury to either you or the horses. The stalls should be cleaned at least two times a day.

While visiting the barn, take some time to watch the horses for a while. If the horses look at all nervous and/or pacing, you might like to find another equestrian horse farm for boarding. If the horses are tied to hitching posts with cross ties, make sure the ropes are secured to the tie ring with bailing twine. In case of an emergency, you want a horse to be able to break away from its tie.

Equestrian farms for sale in CT should have a large pasture that has adequate grass for the horses to feed on. Once you have gone through the barn, take a nice long walk outside in the pasture. The pasture should to be kept free of toxic weeds and trees. It should be managed so that horses are off them in wet weather. Ideally, more than one area of the pasture should be fenced so that they can be rotated to provide the healthiest crop cover for the health of the horses.

Adequate water supply should be available for the horses while they're outside in the pasture. A creek that runs through it year round is ideal. If there are automatic water systems, look to see if the system is clean and safe. A horse pasture waterer should be designed without sharp angles where a horse might snag the mouth, tail, or foot. It should be tall enough so that a horse cannot get their foot caught in it. Ask if there is a heater in each one, and don't be afraid to ask about the temperature used to warm the water. If the water source is a tub, make sure they keep it clean. It should be filled with fresh water one to two times a week. Also, make sure they have heaters in the winter to prevent freezing.

Good equestrian farms for sale in CT will have adequate fencing. Wood or synthetic fencing is ideal with three to five panels for each section. Watch to see if the fencing has been maintained well. Make sure there are no nails sticking out or if the wood is rotting. Don't hesitate to wiggle some posts, ensuring their ground security. Smooth wire fencing is tolerable however, it should be tight, and flagged or has a top wooden rail so the horse can see it. Barbed wire is a major hazard and should be avoided at all costs. If horses get caught within the barbed wire, the barbs can sink into their skin and cause severe injury.

Observe the health of the other horses at the equestrian horse farm. Look to see that the horses have shiny coats and look well groomed. Are they together in one field or separated? It is best to keep your horse in its own pasture, but with horses nearby. You want to see happy relaxed and good natured horses at the equestrian horse farm.

If the equestrian farms for sale in CT feel like a good fit for your horse, don't commit yourself on the first visit. Visit again and watch a riding lesson and/or people working their horses. Research the equestrian farm before completely committing your horse and yourself to the property. Ask for references so that you can speak with others that board their horse at this equestrian horse farm.

Many equestrian horse farms offer lessons and training. Although you might not be boarding your horse with the intent of taking lessons, the communication between the instructor and the horse or student is a good indicator of who you will be communicating to. If possible, watch a lesson to see if the instructor communicates well and that the horse is happy. Also, pay attention to the students to see how the students are learning what is being taught. Additionally, notice the arena footing. It should not be too deep nor should the horse be slipping at all.

Finding perfect equestrian farms for sale in CT is a crucial element in raising a happy and healthy horse. If you are in need of an equestrian Real Estate realtor with extensive experience in dealing with equestrian properties I can help you. Please feel free to contact me anytime at 860-798-3272 or email brian.burke@cbmoves.com.

CT Realtor Brian Burke, ABR
RANKED Top 1% Nationally
RANKED Top 10 in CLOSED SALES for 2009 (out of 2,500 agents)
International President's Circle
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Cell: (860) 798-3272
Email: burkecthomes@gmail.com

When I came home from my last trip to France, the thing I missed most (besides my daughter who is living there) was the BREAD!!!!

What is it about the bread? It's available on almost every street corner in France, always crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

We ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Like pizza in Italy, I just could not get enough bread while I was in France. We had it with butter for breakfast, with ham and cheese for lunch, and of course in a basket of small rolls with dinner.

In France, bread is not just a product; it is part of everyday life. Bakeries open very early and people will run in for their daily croissant or long baguette.

One of my most memorable images is of well-dressed French men walking on a Sunday morning with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and two long baguettes in the other.

For us in the United States, bread has become anathema, stigmatized as the cause of all our obesity, but in France it is a reason for living. They have an expression to describe any arduous ordeal:

Translation: Long like a day without bread. Amen. Bread should be celebrated not denigrated.

When I came home, I tried to find bread like I had in France, but our "French" bread was an imposter. It looked like French bread on the outside, but inside it was Wonder Bread--no texture, no taste, no substance.

I even tried baking bread, but I just couldn't get the crunchy crust. It helps to have a bread-baking oven, but I don't have one. I even tried to put a pot of water in the oven to create steam, but it didn't work for me.

So imagine my surprise when a saw a sign for La Brioche, a French bakery located at 36 Ward Street in Vernon, CT. Of course, I stopped in right away. I found out that the owner had previously run a local favorite bakery in Stafford, CT and sold it and moved to Vernon. When I mentioned my discovery, everyone seemed to know of the Stafford bakery, and all had rave reviews.

As I stepped into the small bakery and cafe on Ward Street, there were croissants, small tarts, and other desserts behind the glass, but I was only interested in the bread. In the baker's rack were the breads that I had been searching for since my return from France. I had a friendly conversation with the man behind the counter where I learned about the Stafford bakery and their move to Vernon. I even got to practice my French (which needs a lot of practicing). I bought two baguettes and promised to return.

I had no sooner gotten into my car when I tore off a piece of the baguette! Tres delicieux! It was everything I remembered! By the time I was home, I had eaten half the loaf of bread.

If you are craving great bread, visit La Brioche at 36 Ward Street, Vernon, CT just down from the hospital (almost on the corner of Ward and Union Street). The bread is authentic, the people are friendly, and Vernon is lucky to have them!

For other rave reviews, visit Yelp. Or better yet, stop in, try the bread, and write your own review.

Next, I'll try the croissants!

Ellington CT Real Estate Market Report
December 2009

Welcome to Ellington, Connecticut!! Having a better understanding of the current Ellington realty market conditions is critical in order to help you make a more informed decision when buying or selling a home in Ellington. To keep you up to date, I have included December 2009's market profile and trends for your consideration.

Property Sales
December Property sales were 11, equal to 11 in December of 2008 and -21.4% lower than the 14 sales last month. December 2009 sales were at their highest level compared to December of 2008 and 2007. December YTD sales of 144 are running -9.4% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 159.

Inventory & MSI
The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of December was 98, down -1.0% from 99 last month and down -6.7% from 105 in December of last year. December 2009 Inventory was at its lowest level compared with December of 2008 and 2007.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers. The December 2009 MSI of 8.9 months was at its lowest level compared with December of 2008 and 2007.

Market Time
The average Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average Property is on the market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market. The DOM for December was 78, up 59.2% from 49 days last month and up 100.0% from 39 days in December of last year. The December 2009 DOM was at a mid level compared with December of 2008 and 2007.

Selling Price vs Original Listing Price
The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price reveals the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The December 2009 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 97.1% was up from 93.8% last month and up from 94.7% in December of last year.

Ellington CT Realtor Brian Burke, ABR
RANKED Top 1% Nationally
RANKED Top 10 in CLOSED SALES for 2009 (out of 2,500 agents)
International President's Circle
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
cell: (860) 798-3272
email: burkecthomes@gmail.com

P.S. Are you considering buying or selling a home in Ellington, CT? How about the Tolland County area? Selecting the most experienced agent dedicated to the Ellington, CT area is imperative to promoting your home correctly as a seller or bidding on a home aggressively as a buyer. Call or email me to setup a no obligation consultation, and I'll outline each of the many strategies I utilize to gain the best results for my clients.

Cell: (860) 798-3272
Email: burkecthomes@gmail.com

Ellington CT Real Estate Market Report
November 2009

Welcome to Ellington, Connecticut!! Having a better understanding of the current Ellington real estate market conditions is critical in order to help you make a more informed decision when buying or selling a home in Ellington. To keep you up to date, I have included November 2009's market profile and trends for your consideration.

Property Sales
November Property sales were 14, up 16.7% from 12 in November of 2008 and the same as the 14 sales last month. November 2009 sales were at their highest level compared to November of 2008 and 2007. November YTD sales of 133 are running -10.1% behind last year's year-to-date sales of 148.

Inventory & MSI
The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of November was 99, down -7.5% from 107 last month and down -10.8% from 111 in November of last year. November 2009 Inventory was at its lowest level compared with November of 2008 and 2007.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers. The November 2009 MSI of 7.1 months was at its lowest level compared with November of 2008 and 2007.

Market Time
The average Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average Property is on the market before it sells. An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market. The DOM for November was 49, down -34.7% from 75 days last month and down -31.9% from 72 days in November of last year. The November 2009 DOM was at its lowest level compared with November of 2008 and 2007.

Selling Price vs Original Listing Price
The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price reveals the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The November 2009 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 93.8% was down from 95.5% last month and down from 94.4% in November of last year.

Ellington CT Realtor Brian Burke, ABR
RANKED Top 1% Nationally
RANKED Top 10 in CLOSED SALES for 2009 (out of 2,500 agents)
International President's Circle
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
cell: (860) 798-3272
email: burkecthomes@gmail.com

P.S. Are you considering buying or selling a home in Ellington, CT? How about the Tolland County area? Selecting the most experienced agent dedicated to the Ellington, CT area is imperative to promoting your home correctly as a seller or bidding on a home aggressively as a buyer. Call or email me to setup a no obligation consultation, and I'll outline each of the many strategies I utilize to gain the best results for my clients.

Cell: (860) 798-3272
Email: burkecthomes@gmail.com

Residents we need your help! Please Recycle!

We estimated Tolland would save in the first year 10% or $35,000 with our switch to single stream recycling through reduced solid waste disposal fees. We are halfway through the fiscal year and we are estimating to save about 7.4% or $25,711. Thanks for your efforts so far, but please keep up your recycling so we can try to meet our original goal of 10%.