Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR

Prudential Connecticut Realty (PCR) is a very technology forward company and all the Realtors are encouraged to be "up" on technology as PCR readies itself to attract the younger generations: Gen Y and the Millennials. Keeping that in mind, Prudential has just released a new mobile application called, "Homes for Sale", which will let users search all local property listings from their iPhone or Blackberry.

"Homes for Sale," will enable consumers to view detailed home information at the touch of a button. The GPS technology in the mobile phone, where available, locates the user and pulls up addresses and information on property listings in their immediate area. Sales price, square footage, tax information, beds/baths, interior and exterior features, and pictures are all available through the application, according to the company.

Consumers can also search by city, ZIP code, address or community name when GPS is not available, or if they want to search for real estate in a particular area other than their current location.

A "Call to See" feature within the application will connect users to an agent if they have further questions or want to schedule a tour of the property.

Be the first to sign up - click here - there's even a video!

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

OK, so you're trying to find a home to buy and you're going out every weekend. You search Realtor.com so much, you know the inventory better than your Realtor. You've memorized the multiple listing service (MLS) numbers of the homes you absolutely love, you know what every home looks like - based on the photos posted on-line and when a home shows up that you are familiar with you, your heart skips a beat ... "is this the one???"

You speak with your Realtor every day - some days, you talk with to your Realtor two or five times about homes for sale. You want to buy a home so badly, that you can focus on nothing else in your life.

You've ruled out homes because they don't meet your criteria or the photos aren't great or it's not located in the part of town where you want to live.

You are frustrated. So what do you do? You schedule an appointment with your Realtor - you're not really sure why, but you've scheduled the appointment.

What do we tell our buyers when they are at this point in their search for a home? "Sometimes, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a Prince." Why would we say this? How does it help you? Lets take a look at what it means.

How many frogs are there in the world? Millions. How many Princes are there in the world? Hundreds.

It reminds you that you have to check every home in your price range - whether it fits your criteria or not. It means that to find the home you want, you might have to look in the next town over. It means that you need to go to every home in your price range (whether you previously ruled out based on what you've seen on-line) and see it for yourself. It brings into focus that it could take you longer to find the right home than you had initially thought. It also has a touch of "be patient - you'll find it".

So buyers - start kissing those frogs!

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

Summer has finally arrived. And summer = ice cream!

There are many places to go for ice cream in the local area. There are Friendy's restaurants, Carvel Ice Cream, Dr. Mike's in Bethel & Monroe, Haagen-Dazs and Rich Farm Ice Cream in Oxford (which many people say is the best ice cream in the area).

In Newtown, there are 3 places you can go to for ice cream:

1. Cold Stone Creamery: Located at 255 South Main Street (Route 25), this is the "IT" ice cream chain. Select your ingredients and watch it being mixed together on the cold stone.



2. Ferris Acres Creamery: Located at 144 Sugar Street (Route 302), this is located on the Ferris family's farm. Sit outside at a table or bench & watch the cows while you eat your ice cream. Ice cream is made on site and specials are available daily.



3. Ice Cream Shop: Located at 51 Church Hill Road, this is the oldest ice cream shop to town. It's located next door to the Teen Center (the Garage) and is close to town. It has a large gravel parking lot & tables to sit out at. Service is always good and the ice cream is made on the premises.

Arrive early - lines can get long. Try a different flavor everytime you eat ice cream at one of these places. Say hello to everyone from town that you see.

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

Back in September 2008, we posted a blog titled "Short Sale - What is It?". We think this is useful information as we frequently explain what a short sale is to both buyers and sellers. Our intention is to update you every 2 months about the short sales activity in Newtown, CT.

The number of possible short sales in Newtown has increased 200% from our last short sale post. This is the largest increase we've seen since we first started posting about this subject. As of today, there are 15 (fifteen) actively listed homes that are identified as being a "possible short sale" on the multiple listing service (MLS). They range in price from $169,900 to $729,900.

Please note that of the actively listed short sales:

• 14 are NEW to this list
• 2 REMAIN from our last post
• 8 have been REDUCED

Of the homes that are no longer on the list:

• 1 sold in December 2008
• 1 sold in February 2009
• 1 expired in December 2008
• 1 expired in February 2009
• 1 was withdrawn from the market in February 2009
• 1 is pending sale as of February 2009
• 1 was canceled in April 2009
• 1 sold in May 2009
• 1 was canceled in May 2009

In our last short sale post, there were just 5 homes that were identified as being a possible short sale on the multiple listing service. One home still remains from our original September 2008 post and it is still pending sale after all these months.

Interested in seeing a list of the actively listed short sales? Email us!

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

OK, this is NOT an exciting subject, but one that we are asked about quite a bit.  Both buyers and sellers ask us about property taxes and how the Town of Newtown determines the amount due for each property.

Basically, the tax amount for a property is determined by multiplying the Assessed Value by the Mill Rate - but what does that mean?

• Assessed Value:  Every 10 years, the Town of Newtown performs a re-evaluation of property values in town.  The town hires an outside appraisal company who actually goes to every property in town.  This company gives a current market value to the property.  70% of this value becomes the Assessed Value for the property.



• Mill Rate:  The Mill Rate, is the dollar amount charged per thousand dollars of assessed value.  The Mill Rate for the 2008/2009 is $23.20.  The projected Mill Rate for the 2009/2010 tax year is $23.43.

So, to determine your property tax amount, multiply the Assessed Value of your property by the current Mill Rate and that is your property tax amount.  Here's an example: 

Every year, the residents of Newtown vote on the Town Budget.  The Town Budget sets aside funds to pay for the different Town programs, departments, etc and the new mill rate is put into effect once the new Town Budget is passed by the town residents.  One of the ways the Town Budget is funded is through property taxes.  In advance of voting on the Town Budget, it is printed in the Newtown Bee and the projected mill rate is also printed. 

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from the Tax Assessor's webaite.  Curious about what your new property tax amount will be when the new Mill Rate goes into affect?  This will help you.

If you have any questions about this blog post, please feel free to either email us or call us at the number below.

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