Margaret Shea

The cost of money is one of the biggest factors in determining housing affordability. Fixed interest rates are at all time lows for owner occupied housing. The long term affect of these rates can far outweigh over the life of the loan any buyer credit which potential buyers may have "missed" this past summer.

Now more than ever, qualified buyers with great credit scores can leverage their downpayment and good credit histories to secure a piece of the USA. As we move forward in our cyclical economy, Buyers will likely view today's opportunities as a hedge against the inevitable inflation. Rather than rolling downhill with a wheelbarrow full of money for the monthly rent, enterprising, thoughtful homeowners will have expenses fixed in pre-inflationary times and the right of peaceful enjoyment of their own home.

There may come a time when today's mix of low interest rates and reasonable prices for real estate will be mourned as "dirt cheap."

Rather than bemoan the fate of " middle class America, " more of our citizens need to focus on leveraging income and opportunity with an enterprising nature. Otherwise, can 'landed class" and the "tenant class" be far behind?

September 28, 2010 Prospect Monthly Town Tour featured 7 homes on the tour:

15 Woodcrest Drive

14 Plank Road

62 Summit Road

8 Highland Drive

4 Dorothy Avenue

98 Clark Hill Road

6 Oak Lane where lunch was provided by JoAnn Bredenberg of Coldwell Banker. Thanks JoAnn!

Pavlik Real Estate, Dave Jones Realty, Coldwell Banker Real Estate and William Raveis Real Estate participated in this month's tour. the Prospect Monthly Town tour is a cooperative effort of local Realtors. Realtors view all homes on the tour ,enjoy lunch and the additional exposure the tour brings to featured homes. If your home is listed and in Prospect, CT 06712 ,call your Realtor for information on how YOUR home can be featured on the next Prospect Town Tour.

For agents, please contact Margaret Shea sheam@raveisre.com

(203) 525-5837 for additional information.

Margaret Shea, Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offers as Connecticut is experiencing an increase in "distressed" homes that are or will soon be in some stage of the foreclosure process.

A short sale allows a qualified, cashstrapped seller to repay the mortgage at a dollar amount lower than what is owed on the property. This proactive measure can save many homeowners from the devastating effects of foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

Distressed proerties occur in all price ranges. Many time, an accumulation of minor issues can cause an otherwise financially stable family to spiral quickly into distress.

"This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with seller and lenders on complicated shor t sales," said Shea. "It's been rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure."

For a confidential consultation at no charge about how a CDPE can help you or someone you know, contact

Margaret Shea, Realtor 203-525-5837 or sheam@raveisre.com

Prospect Monthly Town Tour for May 2010

The Prospect Town Tour is supported by your local Realtor and is an opportunity for Realtors to view the homes on the market in a caravan style each month. Many of the homes featured on the monthly caravan have sold and closed. Call your Realtor! The tour is the 4th Tuesday of the month. May's "Lunch House" was hosted by Jo DiSantis of William Raveis Real Estate

Brokers participating in May's tour included:

Pavlik Real Estate

ReMax Partners

Smedes Realty

William Raveis Real Estate Cheshire and Southbury

For information call your agent or for general info call:

Margaret Shea sheam@raveisre.com 203-758-3548 or 203-525-5837

William Raveis Real Estate

Open Sunday May 31st 1-4 PM

Brook Garden Estates! New listing set on private acre is a National Wildlife Habitat! This 4 BR colonial with farmhouse porch features master suite with whirlpool bath, double walk-in closet, expanison room for office or nursery. The first floor features a spectacular entry foyer with large coat closet, a 28 ' kitchen with center isle, hardwood, tile & berber carpeting, living room with gas fireplace, and first floor office with French doors, There's plentyy of room in the lower level walk-out for expansion. A must to see with perennialsand herb garden! $389,500

Margaret Shea, Exclusive Lisitng Agent 203-525-5837

sheam@raveisre.con