Jim Treanor, CT RE Broker ABR CDPE CRS GRI

I have been pondering getting the eKEY for my phone for 6 months now (that is the main reason why I bought my TREO 755p in the first place).

I decided to wait until my current electronic key subscription expired and instead of renewing I would get the eKEY for my phone instead. I also wanted to wait long enough so that anyone with an older electronic box SHOULD have replaced it with the new blue box.

When I picked the key up at my local board (Greater Waterbury) I was informed that I was one of the first people to make the switch. That kind of made me nervous, it made me think that something was wrong with the eKEY since no one else had gotten one.

The install was easy. I have it setup where it renews the code every night so when I wake up its ready to go. When using it to open a lockbox it couldn't be any easier. Hit a few buttons, put in your code, hold it near the box, and 5 seconds later its open. Very similar to the iKEY.

There are a few negatives though. First, supra charges extra for the convenience of having the program on the TREO ($195 vs. $100 for the regular key). Then there is always the possibility of not being able to open the older style boxes (which I haven't seen any of in 6+ months).

Overall I am very happy with my switch over to the eKEY from the iKEY. I can't tell you how many times I had to drive all the way back home to get my iKEY when i forgot to bring it to a showing. Well at least from now on I hope I don't forget my cell phone.

This recent picture is a sign that is outside a gas station that closed about 2 or 3 years ago near my house. About 6 months ago, when gas prices were $4.30, we would drive by this station and think about how nice it would be to pull in and fill up for the price on the sign. Now 6 months later, no one would even go to this station because those prices are too high. I don't think anyone could have predicted prices coming down this low, but it would be nice to see it get below a $1.00 a gallon.

Yes you heard that correct, we eat grinders in Connecticut. I am not talking about the machine that grinds large objects into smaller pieces, I am talking about a sandwich. In CT we understand that other parts of the country call these creations hoagies or subs, but no one seems to recognize grinder.

From what I understand is most of the country wouldn't know what is sold in a "Package Store". No, they don't sell moving supplies or empty boxes, this is where we buy our booze (most are in much better shape then the one in the picture). In Connecticut, liquor stores sell everything including beer, wine, and liquor. In contrast, I was in NY one time when I was younger and went to a liquor store to get some beer. After 5 minutes of not finding even 1 can of beer I had to ask the person who worked there where I could find any. Turns out that I had to go to the pharmacy next door to get it, which was interesting since they aren't allow to sell liquor here in CT.

I'm sure most states have their unusual names for foods and stores, feel free to share. Who knows, it may come in handy if someone wants to get a sandwich or a beer in a state they never visited.

After having too many deals fall apart, I had to put together this list to show to clients. I have had a deal fall apart or almost fall apart for all of these reasons.

•1. Pay all of your bills on time. A late payment can result in a lower credit rating, lowering your chances of being approved for a loan.

•2. Don't take out any loans or make big purchases. A big purchase (car loan, new furniture, vacation, etc) can change your income/debt ratio. An increase in debt can reduce the amount of money left over for your mortgage payment, reducing the amount of a loan you will qualify for.

•3. Don't quit your job. It is important to keep the job you had when you applied for the loan. The day of closing they will check to see if you still have your job. Without a job the bank will not lend you any money.

•4. Get all of the documents in to your mortgage broker as soon as possible. Delaying the paperwork can cause problems in getting the loan approved on time.

•5. Shop for homeowners insurance. Once you have a home under contract, it is good to start shopping around for homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance is required to be paid in full prior to closing.

•6. Keep in mind closing dates are always subject to change. Even though we all like the plan ahead and know our closing date well ahead of time, more often then not something always comes up delaying the closing date.

A lot of those were when the market was good, I'm sure there are even more reasons a deal can fall apart at the last minute now.

Not that I know what a nanny-cam looks like nor do I look for recording devices, but I always tell my clients not to say particular things about a house while they are still in the house. It sure ruins your negotiation power when the seller knows what your bottom line is right away. Do other agents tell their clients the same thing or am I just being too over cautious?