Brent Bell, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, Hartford County

Good morning and welcome to spring! Our clocks springing forward (and temperatures in the 50s) are welcome changes in Connecticut, where we have experienced an unusually cold and snow-covered winter.

The West Hartford market continues to be strong despite the news reports which can be both depressing and addictive. These times are a real test of your outlook on life - is your glass half-full or half-empty?

For students of history, times of turmoil are also times of tremendous opportunity. Many first-time buyers are taking advantage of low interest rates, more reasonable housing prices, fewer multiple-offer situations and the new $8,000 gift program from the federal government to invest in their first property. Many investors are returning to the market, realizing that prices and interest rates are excellent (while stock market returns are elusive).

Five years from now, the people taking action will look back on 2009 and say- I'm glad I had the courage to move forward. The people who waited will look back with regret on opportunities missed. Which group will you be a member of in 2014?

New property: For those of you looking to move up in West Hartford, check out this non-MLS offering at www.45BrightwoodLane.com. Truly a home for casual living and gracious entertaining!

For Hartford County real estate information, contact Brent to benefit from his 20 years of experience by visiting www.BrentSellsCThouses.com.

Most buyers are especially anxious about financial surprises during the first months of homeownership. What if the pipes leak, the refrigerator dies or the boiler self-destructs? None of these events are happy moments for any homeowners; for new homeowners on a tight budget, any of these mishaps could create extra financial pressure...

The home warranty is an insurance policy which protects the new owner of the home for the first year of ownership. If a covered appliance or home system breaks, the owner calls a 1-800 number, pays a deductible ($75 to $100), and has the satisfaction of having the problem remedied at no additional cost to them.

I have heard reports that this logical approach to protecting against the unknown (at a cost of roughly $500 for the year, paid at closing) is used in the majority of home sales. Unfortunately, these policies are not used as frequently in Connecticut.

Many of my clients have had excellent experiences with having anything from minor plumbing leaks to major boiler repairs completed. The warranty may be paid for by either the seller or the buyer. If the seller chooses to purchase this policy, they can also purchase protection for themselves during the marketing period of the listing (and not actually have to pay for this coverage until the closing!).

I believe these policies should be used more often in Connecticut, so I mention the option to sellers and buyers at least twice (when we meet initially and again as we are about to negotiate price, terms and inspection results). I would rather explain the option and have the seller turn it down, than neglect to do so and have the seller's hot water tank spring a leak the week before closing...

For Hartford County real estate information, contact Brent to benefit from his 20 years of experience by visiting www.BrentSellsCThouses.com.

As I wait for this last batch of snow to melt and listen to my gas boiler fire up, I am reminded that it is never too late to request a home energy audit. This is a positive audit which requires a small investment on the homeowner's part ($75 if you heat with gas or electricity, $300 if you heat with oil) and pays you back in several ways. First, you receive a report on making your home more energy efficient. Second, a contractor makes minor improvements on site as part of the inspection which will help you save $$$ immediately (new light bulbs, weatherstripping, etc.). Third, you will receive over $3,000 in valuable coupons to defray the cost of more major energy-saving upgrades to your home. Most important, everything you save will help our children and the environment.

So call the Connecticut Energy Information Center today at 1-877-947-3873 (toll-free). That's 1-877-WISE-USE. On the web, you can complete a request at www.ctenergyinfo.com.

For Hartford County real estate information, contact Brent to benefit from his 20 years of experience by visiting www.BrentSellsCThouses.com.

To the average homebuyer in central Connecticut, local real estate taxes are an important variable. The higher the taxes, the less monthly remains in the budget to pay the mortgage. The mill rate (or cost per thousand dollars of assessed home value) is set by each individual town and is recalculated each year.

For instance, the current West Hartford mill rate is 36.97. As an example, 572 South Main Street http://brentbellcrs.point2agent.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?ListingID=2104829 has an assessed value (after applying the tax phase-in) of $132,979. This yields an annual tax of $4,916.23.

To double check the taxes in West Hartford for a property you like, go to this town link and simply fill in the property address: http://www.westhartford.org/taxestimator/index.aspx

Here are some tips to save money on your taxes when choosing your home:

1) Buy OLD. The towns value properties based on the year built. If you can find a home built in 1920, your taxes will be less than for a similar home built in 1980 (even though the 1920 home may have more updates than the newer home.

2) Buy VERTICAL. The size of the foundation in the ground makes a difference. A 2,000 sf ranch-style house is assessed more in taxes than a 2,000 sf colonial (which only has a 1,000 sf foundation).

3) Buy SMALL. Since the amount of heated, above-grade living space (SF) is the major factor in your assessment, don't buy more space than you will need over the next 5-10 years. Please note that finished basement space (even walk-out, heated basement space) and 3-season enclosed porches and unheated walk-up attic space are all barely taxed. Having these features can lower your relative tax burden, while providing great supplemental living space for you and your family.

4) Land is NEARLY free. When compared to the value of the home itself, a larger lot adds very little to your taxes. If you want the property and are willing to maintain it in exchange for greater privacy, the increased tax level should be minimal.

For other ideas on saving $$$ every year on your taxes, just send an email and subscribe to my monthly newsletter.

For any additional West Hartford Connecticut information, contact Brent, a 25-year resident of the town...

From 10 until 8 today & from 10 until 6 tomorrow, you can escape our near-freezing temperatures for a breath of SPRING by visiting the Connecticut Flower Show! Admission is $14 cash for adults, $2 for children ages 7-14 and FREE for children 6 and under. This is a small price to pay for the sound of cascading water, the sight of butterflies and the aroma of bark mulch mixed with many fragrant varieties of flowers!