About New London County, CT

Usually CITI is a fairly smooth short sale, but this deal was not without it's fair share of excitement.

We were able to secure a buyer for the property in right around 60 days. SO we get all of our short sale documentation submitted to CITI, everything moving along smoothly, when all of a sudden the processor drops off the map. No return emails, phone calls nothing. After calling in EVERY day for 2 and a half weeks to try and find out what was going on, I was able to figure out the processor was on medical leave. A few days later, I finally got an auto response from the processors email stating that all her files were being reassigned.

So back in the saddle, we get our new processor and CITI can not locate the BPO. 2 MORE weeks go by, and they were able to locate it. Apparently, the person who the bpo had accidentially gotten sent to was on vacation. Grrrrrr.

File moves onto the negotiator, and the negotiator says that the system is telling her that it is more profitable for them to foreclose than approve the short sale. She doesn't understand why because the valuation is right in line with our sale price, so she sends the file to Freddie Mac for approval anyway, via a manual review, which takes up to 2 weeks.

But wait, THERE'S MORE! While waiting for Freddie approval, the buyer decides he has had enough and walks, despite me telling him it will only be another week or so. So we frantically get the property back on the market, to try and find a new buyer in an expedient fashion. Here comes the approval letter 1 week later! Sigh......

On a whim, I made a call to the buyers agent letting him know I had an approval letter with his buyers name on it..... AND THEY CAME BACK! Finally, we catch a break and successfully put this short sale in the books.

The Numbers:

Sale Price: $225,000

Allowed closing costs:$24,000 ( Citi and Freddie Mac allowed for the buyer to be credited $6,000 in closing costs from the net proceeds)!

Net to lender: $201,000

Principal balance: $270,000

Debt forgiven: $69,000

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DIY: Home efficiency and maintenance tips. Over the past few years I have been working toward living a "greener" lifestyle and at the same time saving some "$green$". I have come across a few tips that are simple and effective at shrinking your carbon footprint and growing your savings account. Here we go...

1. If you have a forced hot air furnace, change your filter. The filter simply slides out and can be replaced with slide-in, ready-to-fit filter, from most hardware stores. Change the filter in the fall and each month of the heating season. The efficiency of your furnace is affected by clogged filters. You can also usually find bundled packages of the filters and save by buying in bulk.
2. Have your furnace serviced and cleaned each year. Not only does this decrease the chances for failure and safety issues, it improves the overall efficiency and life expectancy of your heating system.
3. Wrapping the heating duct work in your basement or attic with duct work insulation can keep your heat working in the living area of your home, instead of heating up your basement or attic. If you already have insulated duct work, a quick once over to make sure there are no leaks or tears is a great way to ensure your prior work is still doing its job.
4. Unplug your electronics chargers when they are not in use. The yield may seem small, but if you are like me, there are devices everywhere that require power. By unplugging the various chargers, you are doing yourself and the earth a favor.
5. Run the vent fan in your bathroom for twenty minutes after taking a shower or bath. I know this may seem contrary to the energy efficiency idea, but the fan has a relatively small energy pull and the effects on your home can be considerable. By using the vent, you can reduce the amount of moisture in your bathroom. By decreasing the chance for mold and mildew growth, you increase the life of your paint job. One other thing to verify is that your vents' ductwork pumps the air outside. This can easily be dislodged and let the moist air pump into your attic.

I hope these tips are helpful to you and that you save some energy and money.

Connecticut Christmas: Helping Those in Need

This is the time of year when many people's thoughts turn to those less fortunate than themselves, and in today's economy the number of people in that group continue to grow. We all want to help, but sometimes we just don't know what to do or where to start, but four women with a burning desire to make a difference have just the recipe.

About a month or so ago, Heather Colby, WTNH's Ann Nyberg, Carol Dahlke and Anna Rubino were having coffee and came up with the idea for a benefit to help two deserving factions: The Connecticut Food Bank, and Tiffany Farms in Lyme, whose barn full of hay and antiques burned down on September 22nd. The farm dates back to 1841 and is one of the few remaining working dairy farms in the state. The Connecticut Food Bank usually sees its greatest need during the holidays, and the farm hit close to home for three of the women: they are all granddaughters of dairy farmers, while the fourth owns a farm herself.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 11th from 1 -4 PM at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., located at 36 Town woods Road in Old Lyme. Admission to the event is a food donation, for example high protein, non-perishable items like soup or tuna fish. Just one item per person will do it, and children under 3 years of age will be admitted free.

The event will be an indoor market featuring over 50 vendors of items such as fresh produce, arts, ornaments, olive oils, oil cloths, toys, books, biscotti, soaps, jewelry, rugs, canvas bags, purses, artisan breads, pasta sauces, wooden sculptures, fleece wraps, children's clothing, and Four Mile River Farm natural beef. Fifteen percent of your purchases will go to Tiffany Farms. The event will also feature the following live music performances:

1 PM - 1:30 PM: Blue Plate Radio Jazz

1:30 PM - 2 PM: Lyme/Old Lyme High School Select Singers

2 PM - 2:30 PM: Blue Plate Radio Jazz

2:30 PM - 3 PM: The Sanctuary Bell Choir (Branford First Congregational Church)

3 PM - 4 PM: Strolling guitarists Kip Sturgeon & Dan Bernier

In addition, there will be complimentary coffee from Ashlawn Farm & Cider, kids can have their picture taken with Smoky the Santa Pony, and Santa Claus himself will also make an appearance. If you're looking for a joyous and heart-warming way to spend your Saturday afternoon, look no further than A Connecticut Christmas!

Masons Island is the island you have dreamed of - picturesque and unspoiled - preserved for the recreation and enjoyment of those who love nature and wish to dwell comfortably and conveniently amid beautiful surroundings. The natural contour of Masons Island along with its sweeping views of two great bodies of water, superior dockage capabilities, 47 acre nature preserve and rich history make this destination unequalled for the quintessential summer home or year-round resident.

Those who are familiar with the island's unique beauty can understand why the Masons Island Company has long protected one of Connecticut's natural gems from overdevelopment. The Allyn family, who has now lived and owned property on the island for five generations founded the Masons Island Company in 1912, enables them to shape the direction of the island's future - preserving the integrity and intrinsic value of the islands landscape.

The Mason Homestead Subdivision is an exclusive eleven home Nantucket-inspired development project that goal is to enhance the islands present purity while assuring a solid future and continuity. Currently four of the eleven lots have been sold and three have constructed custom homes lead by Tier One Development.

Located on the southern side of Masons Island, the Mason Homestead Subdivision is part of a gated community providing open space, private roads, walking trails, beaches and private dockage. Property values are maintained by deed restrictions on any land purchased from Masons Island Company and any new development has to pass an Architectural Review Committee.

As an added bonus, residences of the new Mason Homestead Subdivision are invited to apply for membership to the private Masons Island Yacht Club. The Yacht Club provides facilities and instruction for sailing and small boat racing, swimming, tennis and bocce. There are also extensive social programs and several regattas throughout the year.

Equally concerned with the heritage and enduring quality of life on Mason's Island is Peter A. Giordano Jr. of Tier One Development. Experienced in custom home development, the Mystic-based builder has earned rave reviews from upscale clients and has been chosen to develop all sold lots in the Mason Homestead Subdivision date.

"Mason's Island has always been a special community," said Mr. Giordano in a recent interview. "We feel a sense of responsibility not only to its past, but to preserving and affirming its present and future." Tier One has evolved a unique approach t homebuilding that emphasizes collaboration with each individual client and a larger sense of each neighborhood's identity. "Our customers have very high standards."

20+ page marketing packet

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