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Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR

How is Buying a Home Like Running a Marathon?

How is Buying a Home Like Running a Marathon? Let us count the ways! It's amazing how two such diverse activities can follow a similiar cycle of emotions. Here's how we see it:

  • When you first start your home search or your marathon, you experience a sense of excitement
  • Next, you're working toward your goal (finding the right home or finishing your race) - setting your pace
  • Somewhere along the way, you start to feel restless
  • Then you begin to doubt that your goal is achievable
  • Your mindset changes and hope begins to shine through again
  • Finally, success is in sight
  • Lastly, you cross the finish line - new home purchased or marathon finished.

It sounds kind of corny and perhaps, it is. But think about it. This cycle of emotions holds true for most goals we work towards. They don't necessarily follow the order of emotions laid out above and some of them may repeat - like in a loop. In the end, if you don't let the pressure or self doubt keep you from accomplishing your task, you'll cross the finish the line.

So, buying a home is like running a marathon. Go the distance. Stay the course. Ready, set, go!

Buy a Home, Newtown, CT

Feel free to email us if you are interested in purchasing a home in the Greater Danbury, CT area (Danbury, Bethel, Newtown, Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar, Lake Lillinonah).

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Recap of Short Sales in Newtown, CT for 2011

Recap of Short Sales in Newtown, CT for 2011 Over the course of 2011, we posted several blog entries about the status of short sales in Newtown, CT. With the advent of the New Year, we thought a recap of this segment of this local real estate market would be in order.

In the table below, we have provided both 2011 and 2010 short sale information for a comparison.

2010 2011
Sold Throughout the Year 25 14
Pending Sale At Year End 4 5
Actively Listed at Year End 17

25

It's interesting to see that the number of sold short sales decreased in 2011 and the number of actively listed short sales increased. The numbers pretty much flip flopped. We attribute this change to buyers being less willing to wait an indefinate period of time for banks to approve the short sale. Depending on the lender, the approval process can take a few months or a year - you never know.

Check out last year's recap of short sales in Newtown, CT.

We hope that you found our Recap of Short Sales in Newtown, CT for 2011 to be informative.

If you would like a list of the short sales in Newtown, CT, just email us and we'll forward you our Excel report.

Need to seel your house and think it might be a short sale, please contact us. WE CAN HELP YOU. We are experienced with short sales and we are also SFR Certified. Anything you tell us will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone else.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Comparison of the Newtown, CT Real Estate Market: 2000 to 2011

Comparison of the Newtown, CT Real Estate Market: 2000 to 2011 People ask us all the time, "How is the market doing". Many people still believe that the real estate market in our town is in a free fall and some believe that their home has not lost any value at all.

We decided to do a comparison of the average sale price, days on market and number of single family homes sold for each year from 2000 to 2011. All information was pulled from the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (GFC MLS). Here is what we found:

Year Average Sale Price Days on Market # of Homes Sold
2000 $ 362,616.00 108 481
2001 $ 371,666.00 89 448
2002 $ 437,898.00 91 517
2003 $ 468,523.00 93 505
2004 $ 528,425.00 89 503
2005 $ 556,075.00 91 461
2006 $ 591,672.00 102 347
2007 $ 554,860.00 112 342
2008 $ 505,341.00 112 228
2009 $ 457,417.00 134 212
2010 $ 457,134.00 126 243
2011 $ 422,551.00 118 250

The greatest number of sales in Newtown, CT happened in 2002 and the fewest number of sales ocurred in 2009. Starting in 2006, the days on market increased with 2009 having the most number of days on the market. What surprised us the most? The number of sales in Newtown has increased two years in a row.

So, where are we with prices? The average sale price decreased once again in 2011 by 7.6%. This change puts the average sale price back in the range of 2002! Overall from the high point in 2006, real estate market values have declined almost 30%.

What does this mean to you? If you purchased a home in Newtown, CT after 2002 or have refinanced your home since 2002, there is a good possibility that you could be under water. Under water means that there is more owed on your home than what its current market value is.

Like in life, change is constant and it applies to real estate, as well. The comparison of the Newtown, CT real estate market: 2000 to 2011 clearly shows the ever changing real estate market.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Food Donations to Local Food Pantries

Food Donations to Local Food Pantries It's been a while since we've posted a blog. Business has been good and the holiday season has kept us busy. We do have a recent event that we feel is blog-worthy.

On Tuesday, December 26, 2011, Bob received a phone call from the Big Y, a local supermarket here in Newtown. In the past, we have blogged about the F.A.I.T.H. Food Pantry and Newtown's Victory Garden, which provides fresh grown produce to the food pantries. With the help of Google, the Big Y found us!

Seems that they had some left over bakery goods to donate to the local food pantries. The F.A.I.T.H. Food Pantry is closed this week and Newtown Social Services was closed on the 26th. After learning what the Big Y had to donate, Bob told them to "bring it all to our office" and boy, did they did! This is what we found when got to the office:

Food Donations to Local Food Pantries

We made some phone calls, rounded up the troops (our friends, Paul and Cris Fadus) and distributed the food on Tuesday, 12/27, to Newtown Social Services and Dorothy Day in Danbury.

A big thanks goes out to The Big Y!! All the local food pantries are in need of food. They need it all year long - not just during the holiday season. Please feel free to drop off your donations to our office at 84A South Main Street, Newtown. We'll make sure that your donations get to those who are in need.

Now, don't you think Food Donations to Local Food Pantries was blog-worthy??

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Public Open Houses - Newtown, CT - 11/13/11

Public Open Houses - Newtown, CT - 11/13/11 Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR will be hosting two (2) open houses this Sunday, November 13, 2011. Both homes are in the same price range, but are very different from one another and in very different locations.

Home Photo Details
4 Currituck Road, Newtown, CT Open House Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Directions: Route 25 to Currituck - Look for sign on right

List Price: $325,000

Description: In town Antique Colonial built in 1868. 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms. Loads of charm. For more info: www.4Currituck.com

44 Turkey Hill Terrace, Newtown, CT

Open House Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Directions: Route 25 to Pecks Lane to Turkey Hill Road to Turkey Hill Terrace

List Price: $329,900

Description: 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom raised ranch with newer gourmet Kitchen and vaulted ceiling in Living Room. For more info: www.44TurkeyHill.com

If you are looking to purchase a home in Newtown or if you'd like to see how your home compares to others, please stop by to have a look. Public Open Houses - Newtown, CT - 11/13/11

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818