Olga Simoncelli, Realtor Licensed in Connecticut and New York

Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to register for some classes offered by the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury CT programs. Some classes have already begun, but many don’t start until April, so it may not be too late. If not this spring, be on the lookout for the next session of some of the wonderful, fun and educational classes made available to the general public by the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury CT effort. Non-residents are welcome!

The course selection of the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury CT is broad and subjects quite varied. One could indulge in arts and crafts such as knitting and crocheting or photography; enhance one’s career by training his voice or brushing up on computer skills, learning to write a good business letter or becoming a better SAT taker. If it’s your face you wish to “enhance”, there’s a class for that - “Work to Week-End Make-Up”; you can learn to be your own hair stylist or to fall in love with your own unruly curly hair in only one session! If it’s sports and fitness you prefer, there is no lack of choices, which range from golf to yoga with strength training and Zumba to round out the spectrum.

Personally, I find the dance opportunities particularly alluring among the selections at the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury CT program: who can resist salsa, the hustle or ballroom dancing, all available at several different levels of proficiency - from beginner to advanced! One could also learn guitar or Spanish. To complete high school education, GED courses and testing are available.

For the more business-minded, Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury CT has a generous line-up of accounting, finance, investment, leadership, sales and marketing as well as grant-writing and web design courses. To make it easier for those working full time, or too busy to attend classes, online options are available. Those can be taken anywhere, at ones convenience. To explore those options, go to www.ed2go.com/danbury.

All classes at the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury program are economically and affordably priced - the online courses are $89.00; others are based on the number of meetings. Some of the costlier offering are the more adventurous travel opportunities - the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury program also offers regional “theme” trips and tours, such as visits to the Rhode Island Flower and Garden Show, to the Boston Freedom Trail, to the Washington DC. Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration and so on.

If you have an idea for a course or an amazing talent you’d like to share, you could apply to become an instructor at the Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury. Design your own course, apply and receive a competitive salary. No formal teaching experience or certifications is required. Deadline for teaching applications for the fall semester is June 15th. For more information, email continuingeducation@danbury.k12.ct.us or call 203-731-8290. For general information about Danbury and surrounding area towns, visit www.candlewoodgreenbroker.com. Our amazing Adult and Continuing Education, Danbury is just another good reason to live in this neck of the woods!

ARTISAN FAIR AT TARRYWILE MANSION, DANBURY - We can’t complain about our winter this year, but still hope that the weather will become even more inviting for outings by the end of March. When selecting a destination for Saturday, March 31st, you have a perfect choice - come out to the Spring Artisan Fair at Tarrywile Mansion, located at 70 Southern Boulevard, Danbury, CT from 10:00am - 3:00pm.

Tarrywile Mansion in southern Danbury is a City treasure with public gardens, 21 miles of hiking trails, ponds and nature. The Tarrywile Mansion itself is a stunning historic late19th century estate, built in the shingle style of Victorian-era American architecture. Tarrywile Mansion now serves as a park and community center. It can be rented out for civic, private or business functions such as conferences, service club meetings, parties and so on. Picnics are popular and local schools have used some of the 14 restored buildings on the property for various school programs. The stately home and lovely landscaping surrounding it are ideally suited as a wedding venue, for which they are frequently used. Tarrywile Mansion itself and its picturesque lawns and gardens are an enchanting backdrop for any event.

At the Artisan Fair at the Tarrywile Mansion you will be treated to an interesting selection of items for sale, such as plants, folk art, goatboy soaps, handmade dolls, chocolates, hula hoops, jewelry, various dog treats and other unique gifts. Children can enjoy an early pre-Easter egg hunt on the beautiful Tarrywile Mansion grounds. Pet lovers can have a portrait of their beloved pet made by a Pet Portrait Artist, Sondra Bordes.

After running around or exploring the idyllic Tarrywile Mansion park, the children may want to settle down to read a very special and inspiring book based on a true story, Tails of Sweetbrier, about a young girls who overcomes a handicap to achieve her dream of becoming a champion equestrian. The award-winning author, Deanie Humphrys Dunne will be on hand at the Tarrywile Mansion to autograph her books.

The date again is March 31, 2012 - Spring Artisan Fair at the Tarrywile Mansion in Danbury, CT at 70 Southern Boulevard, Danbury. It is near the Danbury Mall, close to I-84 and other area attractions. As you are touring the area and become curious about properties available on the market or other area information, visit my website at www.greenbroker.com. Enjoy!

MARKET REPORT - DANBURY CT CONDO’S

MARKET REPORT - DANBURY, CT CONDO’S - at present there are 195 condo’s listed for sale in Danbury, at an average price of $238,000 and reported market time of 111 days thus far. Of those currently on the market, 14 are under deposit at an average price of $187,000 and average reported market time of 159 days. In addition, 30 condo’s are in contract (pending sale). Some of those in contract are short sales and have been waiting for approvals from their short sale mortgage banks since as long ago as July, 2011.

In all of 2011, 247 condo’s sold in Danbury, for an average price of $206,000, reported market time of 110 days, at a discount of 4%, that is at 96% of the asking price. The lowest-priced condo sold at $37,500 (Nabby Rd), the highest-priced sale was at Poet’s Landing on Candlewood Lake at $537,000.

As compared to 2010, condo sales in Danbury were more sluggish in the past year and sold at lower average prices, reflecting a general downward shift in values. In 2010, the number of condo units sold in Danbury was at 270, sold at an average price of $228,000, at a reported average market time of 102 days and at a slightly lower discount rate of of 3.5% (96.5% of asking price). If we adjusted the Danbury condo’s sold numbers to reflect those that should’ve closed, but are hung up in the short sale approval process, the annual numbers for condo sales in Danbury would be more even over the last two years, albeit the prices still lower.

Condominiums in Danbury have become more affordable, but financing them is more complicated. Banks have adopted more stringent owner occupancy requirements and have imposed minimum reserve tests for condo associations. Moreover, many associations seem to have allowed their FHA “approved” status to lapse, placing greater downpayment constraints on first time buyers. Brand new units are still coming on the market at more reasonable prices, competing with more seasoned complexes and putting pressure on their prices.

Overall, it’s still a great time to buy a condo in Danbury, CT - prices are low, selection is good and interest rates at historic low’s. Please feel free to search straight from this report or visit my website at www.candlewoodgreenbroker.com.

The western side of the Aunt Hack area of Danbury enjoyed rigorous real estate activity in 2011. Eight properties in this premier section of town were sold during the year; three were rented, seven are currently on the market; one is under deposit and three are available for rent.

HOMES SOLD:

10 Ironwood Dr $420,000 April 21, 2011

12 Ralto Ct $424,500 April 15,2011

22 Tiffany Dr $445,000 June 30, 2011

1A Maplecrest Dr $480,000 May 17,2011

19 Ironwood Dr $512,000 July 26,2011

4 Maplewood Drive $610,000 March 4, 2011

6 Catalpa Dr $630,000 December 29, 2011

26 Tanglewood Dr $640,000 February 1, 2011

RENTED:

5 Catalpa Dr @ $2.600/moMarch 1, 2011

104 Joes Hill Rd @ $2,600/moMarch 1, 2011

18 Maplewood Dr @ $2,999/moAugust 17, 2011

UNDER DEPOSIT:

18 Ironwood Drive Listed at $600,000

ON THE MARKET:

10 Timber Crest Dr @ $449,000

11 Autumn Ridge @ $469,000

9 Ironwood Dr @ $505,000

12 Tiffany Dr @ $519,000

130 Aunt Hack Rd @ $599,900

13 Maplewood Dr @ $649,000

24 Maplewood Dr @ $729,000

AVAILABLE AS RENTALS:

44 Aunt Hack Rd @ $2,100/month

23 Joes Hill Rd @ $2,250/month

20 Ironwood Dr @ $3,500/month

The tone of the overall real estate market in our area is good, as evidenced by activity in the Aunt Hack section of Danbury. The powerful year of the Dragon is beginning to show its strength,

THE MARKET IS COMING BACK! National employment numbers are improving, they are better than we have seen in the last three years; current unemployment rate is down to 8.3%, inventories of homes are lower, prices are lower and mortgage interest rates remain extremely favorable. There appears to be pent-up demand among home buyers. It’s a good time to have your home on the market!

MARKTET REPORT, BROOKFIELC CT - HOMES SOLD IN JANUARY, 2012

The inventory of single family homes in Brookfield increased from 106 on January 1st to 111 on February 1st. The home prices ranged from $190,000 for a fixer-upper ranch to $1,995,000 for a Candlewood Lake waterfront. The average market time, per MLS, was 126 days. Of those homes, 5 were under deposit and in addition, 8 were in contract, which is a positive note and should be reflected in the sale numbers in the next Market Report for Brookfield. Four homes sold during the month of January for an average sale price of $298,000 and at an average discount of 5%.

This Market Report for Brookfield, CT is consistent with results for other neighboring communities in the Candlewood Lake area of Fairfield County - inventories are rising after a seasonal low during the holidays; average sale prices are low, reflecting distressed properties moving through the system; list prices are moderated by negotiations.

Below are details of homes sold in January in Brookfield, CT:

	Street Name		BR's	Full Bths	1/2 Bths	Sale Price	Market Time
13	BLACKWOOD	RD	3	2	0	$267,500	164
22	MEADOW BROOK	RD	4	2	0	$260,930	49
10	HIGH RIDGE	RD	3	2	0	$295,000	209
17	OLD WOODS	RD	3	2	1	$368,650	137

The tone of the overall real estate market in our area is good for 2012. The powerful year of the Dragon is beginning to show its strength, the feeling is that THE MARKET IS COMING BACK! National employment numbers are improving; they are better than we have seen in the last three years, current unemployment rate is down to 8.3%; inventories of homes are lower, prices are lower and mortgage interest rates remain extremely favorable. There appears to be pent-up demand among home buyers - they are out and looking! It's a good time to have your home on the market.

For more information regarding available homes and other market statistics concerning Brookfield Real Estate and the surrounding Candlewood Lake region in Connecticut, visit www.candlewoodgreenbroker.com.