Owner: Eastern CT Real Estate Blog URL:http://blog.ctrelocation.com Join Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:15:46 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Eastern Connecticut's first Real Estate Blog offering trends, market conditions and industry information from the perspective of a 30 year veteran of the real estate industry. Site statistics:Click here
Spotlight on Real Estate Blogs 2007-06-30 10:13:27 Blogs from outside Eastern CT offer advice for buyers and sellersIt seems that the debut of the iPhone was the big news this week in the blogosphere. You can't go too far on a blog tour without stumbling upon an iPhone story. But there was plenty of good real estate information too! Much of it is written by my blogger friends. Here is what I've been reading this week:Carole Cohen in Cleveland tackles the subject of contingency contracts in her blog called Real Estate
: Making an Offer to Buy a House Contingent on the Sale of your Current One. This is an excellent article about how the whole contingency clause actually works.Cheryl Grossman on Long Island presents National Association of Realtors® statistics to show how buyers find the homes they buy in a blog called How Will a Buyer Find My Home? Cheryl uses these statistics to determine how best to market homes in her area. My friend, Brian Brady, America's Most Read more:Spotlight
, Blogs
, Real Estate
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-06-29 06:00:28 Foxwoods Resort Casino from Lake of Isles Golf CourseI've played Lake of Isles golf course a few times. This was my best shot ever. Although you can search the internet for plenty of good photos of Foxwoods Resort Casino, you must be playing on the private North Course to take this shot. The course offers a magnificent ride through forested paths, over wood bridges and rolling hills. It's a challenging course and I have some nice photos of the island greens. The views are breathtaking but this one is my favorite because it is so unexpected. See AlsoLast Week - EasternConnecticutPhotoFriday
The Groton ReservoirFoxwoods Resort CasinoLedyard's Mashantucket Indian CasinoLake of Isles Golf CourseGolf Couse of the Foxwoods Resort Casino
Ledyard's Taxes Go DOWN! 2007-06-26 16:30:00 Budget approved and mil rate set in LedyardLedyard's mil rate was set last Thursday at 24.88, down from 24.98 mils in the current fiscal year. How rare is that?? Ok...so it wasn't a huge decrease but considering what is happening in other towns in Eastern Connecticut, we'll take it! I'm rather surprised this hasn't been reported in the local newspapers. I suppose reporters prefer writing on more controversial topics like the defeat of the East Lyme budget. Twice. Or how about the Town of Monroe where their town budget has now been defeated a fourth time?Ledyard's budget deliberations were relatively quiet and the subsequent vote was overwhelming in favor of approving the budget. And while a 24.88 is nothing to be happy about, it will do until that time when the Connecticut Legislature can sort out the mess of Connecticut's personal property tax. See AlsoWho cares?Ledyard public hearing draws 7 residents for budget proposalEastern Connecticut Photo Fri Read more:Taxes
What's up with Stonington? 2007-06-25 19:30:06 Listing inventory soars in the Town of StoningtonIf you have a million dollar home on the market in Stonington, there is good news and bad news. The good news: you own a million dollar home. The bad news: according to the Connecticut Mulitple Listing Service, only 18 homes sold for a million dollars or more in Stonington in 2006. More bad news - there are 48 homes priced over a million dollars on the market in Stonington today. This represents almost a 3 year supply. The news isn't all that good in the rest of Stonington either. According to the CT Multiple Listing Service, there were 197 residential home sales in Stonington in 2006. Today there are 211 active listings, more than a 1 year supply! Since a 6 month supply is considered a balanced market, Stonington is tilting badly. I'll say it now. If you are a buyer, especially one with a million dollars to spend, it is a great time to buy a home in Stonington!See AlsoEastern Connecticut Home FinderSearc
A Camera's View of Ledyard 2007-06-24 14:18:37 Sometimes you just need a special place to post photosThis is supposed to be a real estate blog, hence the name Eastern CT Real Estate Blog. I do tend to digress quite often but sometimes I just can't help myself. On Fridays, I go mostly off topic and post a photo for Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday. Usually I don't have to go too far to find a photo opportunity and as a result, I've found myself with more photos than blog. Posting a photo is a whole lot easier than writing most days. A lot of my photos are of Ledyard. I always have my camera with me. Sometimes I even get lucky and something happens, like in the photo above, when a couple of ducks wandered into my front yard. I'm not a photographer and don't have a real fancy camera but I really love capturing the sights of Ledyard. For that reason, I've launched Simply Ledyard, my Ledyard Photo Blog. It's just a baby blog but I suspect it will grow up fast. Stop by and visit. Read more:Camera
Ledyard Resident Appears on CBS Evening News 2007-06-23 16:00:34 My 15 minutes of fame as reported in 1989 I remember showing houses in Ledyard during the summer of 1981. Gypsy moth caterpillars were a problem throughout the state but Ledyard was one of the worst hit communities. Driveways were slick with caterpillar droppings and trees were defoliated. As a result, the following year, I became involved with Ledyard's town-wide gypsy moth spraying campaign. 6 years later I had my "fifteen minutes of fame" and appeared on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. Here is the story as written in the "Home News" by reporter Steve Adams on September 29, 1989. It's been said that in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. For Linda Davis, however, her interlude in the limelight was more like seven seconds. Davis, a Board of Education member and local realtor, appeared September 8 on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. She was featured during a report o Read more:Resident
, Appears
Eastern Connecticut Real Estate Snapshot 2007-06-23 11:56:18 Eastern CT Listings and Solds - June 22, 2007Listings have increased in almost every town in the area with the exception of Ledyard, Montville and Norwich. Stonington continues it's steady climb with 217 active listings, and a more worrisome statistic, only 85 closed sales. This indicates that Stonington currently has well over a one year supply of inventory.The following are the current number of active and sold listings by town, with last months active number in parenthesis.Ledyard - 123 (124) - 87 SoldGroton - 221 (205) - 131 SoldStonington - 217 (206) - 85 SoldNorth Stonington - 52 (50) - 26 SoldEast Lyme - 160 (150) - 91 SoldWaterford - 136 (120) - 84 SoldNew London - 125 (112) - 57 SoldMontville - 117 (117) - 97 SoldNorwich - 206 (221) - 102 SoldSee AlsoMay Eastern CT Real Estate
SnapshotEastern CT Listings, Pendings and Solds - May 15, 2007 Read more:Real Estate
, Eastern
, Connecticut
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-06-22 10:33:03 The Groton Reservoir in LedyardOne of the more scenic roads in Ledyard is the short drive on Sandy Hollow Road crossing the Groton Reservoir. For a number of years, the Ledyard Town Council has attempted to work with Groton Public Utilities on the use of the reservoir for passive recreation. Although there have been a few organized walks, Groton Utilities has been resistant to allow the property to be used for hiking, biking or fishing. It's really too bad, especially since the property is in Ledyard after all. See AlsoLast Week - EasternConnecticutPhotoFriday
Bank Street in New London
If I were a builder in Eastern Connecticut.... 2007-06-20 16:46:10 Baby boomers are looking for smaller quality built homes It happened again this week. A boomer client stopped in the office and described the home he was looking for. He didn't want a very big home, but wanted the amenities usually found only in the much larger homes being built in the area - central air conditioning, granite counters, a gas fireplace, hardwood floors, and fine finishing details like custom moldings and French doors. Many of the over 55 communites offer these amenities, but many boomers aren't enamored with the idea of an over 55 community.If I were a builder in EasternConnecticut
, this would be the ad for the home I would build: Quality built 2200 square foot 2 story home with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths offers the best of traditional styling with a splash of contemporary flair. This home features a gourmet kitchen with center island and breakfast nook with bay window. The formal living room and dining room are rich with moldings, hardwood floors and French doo
Groton and Ledyard Revaluation Process Broken 2007-06-17 12:45:33 Moderate taxpayers face the largest tax increasesIt is not surprising that Groton's revaluation process turned ugly in the end. I applaud John Scott, a member of the Groton Town Council for trying to fix what is clearly broken. His efforts ended about the same way mine did over a year ago. In both Groton and Ledyard, revaluation dealt a heavier blow to moderately priced homes.John wrote an editorial piece in the New London Day entitled "Groton's Phase in Decision Wrong and Blatantly Unfair." Due to a decision to phase in the 2006 revaluation, John points out that the "middle-of-the-road taxpayers" will end up paying more to subsidize the tax break. In Ledyard, when the mil rate was set last June, taxes increased disproportionately for the average taxpayer. In some of Ledyard's highest priced neighborhoods, taxes were actually decreased, while in some moderate priced neighborhoods, taxes increased by over 20%Revaluation is the process of esti Read more:Process
, Broken
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-06-15 05:52:42 Bank Street in New London One of the fun things about EasternConnecticutPhotoFriday
is that I have nice people willing to help. Today's photo was taken by my client care manager, Kerry Tetreault, who saw these pretty flower baskets hanging from lamp posts on Bank Street in New London. Considering the reputation Bank Street had a few decades ago, it really is a nice addition to New London and to this blog.If you take a photo you think would be a good candidate for Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday, send it my way! See AlsoA girl can never have too many hostaLast Week - Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday
The signs are there for ice cream in Gales Ferry 2007-06-12 17:55:52 Cows and Cones coming soon to a location near me!I know I seem obsessed with the subject of real premium ice cream coming to Gales
Ferry. If you are reading this in Ohio or Iowa, you need to understand this is huge. Besides, I pass the new location for Cows and Cones at least twice a day, so I can't help myself. I was so excited to see the cows. The cones can't be far behind.See AlsoIce Cream Facts and News"Ordinary People in Search of Extraordinary Ice Cream" Read more:signs
Sneak Peek at Something Sweet 2007-06-10 14:01:47 Gales Ferry Ice Cream Stand Opening Soon! On Friday, I stopped by to see the progress of Cows and Cones, on Military Highway in Gales Ferry. Farmer Pete gave me the grand tour of the place. The machines are in, and work was progressing as we walked through the building. I hesitate calling it an ice cream stand since it comes complete with heat, a bathroom and a second story. I was most amazed to discover there was a basement. I'm not sure how I missed the foundation going in, since I drive by at least twice a day on my way to and from work. Pete shared with me his future plans for the place, which were all good for the town of Ledyard.Cows and Cones expects to have its grand opening for the 4th of July but you may be able to buy a cone a few days earlier than that. Besides a variety of hard ice cream favorites, there will some unique soft ice cream concoctions! And there will be smoothies, which we joked could be considered healthy, since they have some actual fruit in them. Owne Read more:Sweet
FOR SALE: Any house in Eastern CT 2007-06-09 12:08:43 How important is newspaper advertising in getting a home sold?The 2006 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reports some interesting statistics on how buyers find the home they purchase. Despite what sellers may think, buyers are not very likely to find the home they buy by searching ads in the newspaper. In fact, they are more likely to find a home for sale by spotting a yard sign. 36% of buyers say they first heard of the home they purchased from a real estate agent, 24% from the internet and 15% from a yard sign. Only 5% of buyers find their home from newspaper print advertising. If buyers don't use newspapers to find homes, then why do agents invest in print advertising when it is clearly not the best investment for getting a seller's home sold? Most agents do print advertising to appease their seller. After all, doesn't every seller expect to find their home advertised in the newspaper? Regardless of what they e Read more:Eastern
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-06-08 06:28:36 A girl can never have too many hosta.Blame it on the Ledyard Oaks. If your yard is like mine, it is shaded by oak trees. While the branches certainly keep my house cooler in summer, I'm limited to plants of the shade loving variety. Hosta are my favorite. I have more than a few. Way more than a few. Today's photo Friday
is one of the big guys. By the way, this has nothing to do with real estate in Eastern
CT. Photo
Friday doesn't have to be about real estate. My blog, my rules.Edited to add: He is a Tokudama Aureonebulosa. I call him TA for short. See AlsoLast Week - Eastern Connecticut
Photo FridayConnecticut Rock Landscaping
I Lost Another Listing 2007-07-02 19:49:18 Unrealistic seller expectations contribute to rising Eastern Connecticut Real Estate InventorySeveral months ago I did a comparative market analysis on a lovely home in Groton. The seller had an idea of what the home was worth, which was significantly higher than my recommended price. I'm sure the seller felt insulted. She listed the home with another agent who told her exactly what she wanted to hear. It still has not sold and probably won't, unless there is a drastic price reduction. This isn't the first time this has happened to me this year, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Unrealistic expectations have become a common occurrence in the area and is a major cause of the oversupply of listings we have in Eastern Connecticut. It seems that some sellers just don't get the big picture. The picture is not very pretty but it isn't downright ugly either. This is not 2004 when homes sold at a record price and in record time, probably with multiple offers. Homes are still moving, ho
Ode to a Raised Ranch 2007-07-07 20:31:27 What's wrong with raised ranches anyway?"I'll look at anything but a raised ranch". How often have I heard those words in my 30 plus years of real state in Eastern CT? Raised ranches are seemingly the most unpopular of floor plans but if you drive through Eastern CT, you will find just the opposite. It seems that raised ranches, a major product of the 70's, are prolific here especially in moderately priced subdivisions. Pricing is the key to their popularity, even though they are not exactly popular. People buy them because of the "bang for the buck" phenomenon. Raised ranches usually offer more square footage per dollar than any other floor plan. Counting the above ground square footage in the lower level, a 2000 square foot raised ranch will cost significantly less to build in Eastern CT then an equivalent sized ranch or two story home. Builders also find raise Read more:Ranch
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-07-06 05:49:48 Buoys at Ford's Lobster in Noank My favorite summer meal is lobster and corn on the cob. I prefer to cook them at home so there are no worries of who's watching as drawn butter drips down my chin. My favorite place for lobster is Ford's Lobster on the Mystic River in Noank. Ford's is famous for more than great lobster. Their lobster shack has been featured in paintings, photographs and was even shown in the movie Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts. The attraction for artists and photographers is this collection of decorative buoys.See AlsoLast Week: EasternConnecticutPhotoFriday
Foxwoods Resort Casino from Lakes of Isles Golf Course
Media Consumption Meme 2007-07-04 10:50:37 More than you ever wanted to know about an Eastern CT Real Estate agent and how she uses the new media.Bonnie Erickson, one of my favorite real estate bloggers, has memed me. Her blog Real Estate Snippets is creative and well written. I'll forgive her for causing me to have to do this. The term "meme" (rhymes with dream) seems to have evolved from a book by Richard Dawkins in 1976. As it relates to blogging, I rather like the definition provided on The Daily Meme. Here ya go, Bonnie:WEB - I live here most days. My first real estate website was in 1996. I have a paper copy of it that I printed out for history. It is surprisingly not all that bad for a homemade website created in Microsoft Publisher. I'm not sure anyone actually found it, except my other techie real estate friends. SEO wasn't in the picture for me yet. There also were not any template sites or many web designers for real estate agents back then. Front Page was Read more:Consumption
Responsible Real Estate Blogging 2007-07-10 06:07:53 Because sometimes you just want to have funBeing a member of the real estate blogging community comes with responsibility and I take that responsibility doggone seriously. Every day I visit and comment on other real estate blogs that I appreciate. I realized as I was out visiting today, that I tend to gravitate to the blogs that make me laugh. One of my favorite real estate bloggers (and sock puppet) is fellow Connecticut blogger Athol Kay. Athol, a serious blogger, who is fun, has been running a series called "Bad MLS Photo of the Day". Today he is on Bad Photo #89. The photos make me smile. Athol's comments make me laugh, sometimes out loud. But he isn't all fun and games when it comes to bad photos. He is serious about improving the quality of real estate photos nationwide and states that intention in his Reagent Manifesto. I've signed the manifesto because bad real estate photos are really a disservic Read more:Responsible
, Estate
, Blogging
This is Connecticut 2007-07-08 13:02:31 Website features everything Connecticut
with calendar, photos, links and a blog.NBC Channel 30 in Hartford, featured This is CT on their 10AM news show this week. I actually found this wonderful website before Channel 30 did. This is CT is good reading for anyone living in Connecticut, but is also an excellent resource for my clients relocating here. The site really conveys the flavor of Connecticut through photos, links and its regularly updated blog. I was initially attracted to the site because of the tons of Connecticut photos they display there, but the blog is what kept me going back. I subscribed to it by email this week, probably about the same time Channel 30 made their discovery. There are pleny of good blogs in Connecticut but many of them are not updated regularly. I know how much hard work it takes to keep blogging on an almost daily basis - and that's another reason I'm sen
Light Winds From the Southwest 2007-07-15 10:46:23 30th Year of Fireworks by Grucci in New LondonI thought there would be a photo of fireworks on this post. I wasn't counting on light winds from the southwest that had their own ideas about fireworks. Several hundred people gathered in the parking lots near the Submarine Veteran's Memorial in Groton. Thousands of others were on the banks of the river along Thames Street. Over 100,000 people come from all over New England to view the event as part of New London's Sailfest event. Our spot was seemingly perfect. I've watched fireworks from the same vantage before. It was 9:25 and the very first of the shells exploded. It was a spectacular start as we've come to expect from a Grucci performance. But those southwest winds blew the smoke from the fireworks in our direction and stubbornly drifted between the fireworks and thousands of people watching. For about 10 minutes there was silence from the spectators in our parki Read more:Winds
, Southwest
The Grucci's Are Coming! 2007-07-14 12:26:54 Spectators are now arriving by land and by seaTonight is THE night - The 30th year of Fireworks by Grucci on the Thames River. I remember the very first year of the event, when I showed up at Washington Park in Groton with family, friends, blankets and Kentucky Fried Chicken. We arrived around 6:30PM, thinking we'd be there early to get a good spot. HA!Thousands of others had the same idea! Tonight, I have friends who will be viewing from beaches on both sides of the river, the railroad tracks, the parking garage in New London, their own boats and even the Groton Stop & Shop parking lot. I've watched from both New London and Groton but tonight I'll be at a parking lot on the shoreline in Groton. We need to be there by around 5:30PM because Thames Street will be blocked off to traffic at 6:00PM. Not long after, the first cheers will go up as the barges head up the river to get in position.&nbs
What were they thinking???? 2007-07-13 20:41:03 Buying a home without a real estate agent pays dividends.The Iowa Association of Realtors sent an email to some of its members today, urging them to support RPAC, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. The letter went on to detail the Association plans for the Iowa State Fair. The Association's booth will recognize major contributors with a banner. So far, so good. RPAC is a good cause and giving major supporters recognition seems worthwhile. But here's the rub. "Also at the booth we will be giving away one gift of $4,000 in downpayment assistance money if the winner purchases a home through a REALTOR® before December 31, 2007, $3,000 if they purchase without a REALTOR® being involved or $2,000 if they decide not to purchase." Ok, let me review, the Board of Realtors is giving away $3000 to a member of the public if they don't use a REALTOR®. Call me confused. See AlsoIowa Associat Read more:thinking
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-07-13 05:53:39 Gales Ferry Village Historic HomeEasternConnecticut
has plenty of history and I don't have to travel very far from my office to find it. Gales Ferry Village, along the Thames River, has a number of homes which grew up during the days when the ferry was still an active form of transportation in this community. This Greek revival home was built in 1846 by sea captain Austin M. Lester. I chose it for my Eastern Connecticut PhotoFriday
because I love the architecture along with the fan shaped windows and the extended porch. If you would like to own it, it is currently listed by Masha Robarts at RE/MAX Property Consultants. I'm sure Masha would appreciate hearing from you.See AlsoLast Week: Eastern Connecticut Photo FridayBuoys at Ford's Lobster in Noank
Eastern Connecticut Sunflowers for Wishes 2007-07-12 15:01:55 Buttonwood Farm in Griswold Gearing Up for the Main Event! This is a heads up blog post before the official blog post about my upcoming July 2007 visit to Buttonwood Farm in Griswold. Last year around this time, I blogged about my adventures at Buttonwood where the skies are blue, the ice cream is superb and the sunflowers are just waiting to be photographed. Each year since 2003, the good folks at Buttonwood Farm have planted 10 acres of sunflowers providing about 300,000 blooms to be sold in bunches, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year the event will be held July 21th - July 29th. This is probably one of my favorite photo opportunities of the year and the fact I can eat ice cream while doing it makes it even better. I plan to make my annual trek next week. I won't be able to share any ice cream but I'll have plenty of photos!See AlsoMore on Buttonwood FarmJuly 2006 Post on Sunflowers
for Wishes
Back to Button Read more:Eastern
, Connecticut
The Lessons Of Ledyard 2007-07-17 18:45:52 Massachusetts's Towns Have the Advantage of Hindsight. Having the world's largest casino in your hometown and being a real estate agent comes with some privileges, if being interviewed by the press is considered a privilege. When the idea of building an Indian Casino crops up in neighboring states, the reporters need to find someone to give them the scoop about life in a small town with a casino. They also like to know how casinos effect real estate and that is where I come in. Several towns in Massachusetts are considering being host to a resort casino built by the Mashpee Wampanaoag Indians. They have questions,and Ledyard, having been there and done that, has answers.Alan Segal from WBZ News Radio in Boston paid a visit to Ledyard in May. He is not the first reporter that has contacted my office and I doubt he will be the last. My interview at Ledyard Town Hall, along with Mayor Susan Mendenhall and Connecticut State Read more:Lessons
Eastern Connecticut Real Estate Snapshot 2007-07-22 08:32:26 Eastern CT Listings and Solds - July 22, 2007There is finally some good real estate news to report, as overall listing inventory has remained steady in New London County in the past month. Despite that good news, most towns have more than a 6 month supply of inventory while Stonington faces over a 1 year supply. During the second quarter the median sales price in New London and Windham Counties increased by almost 2% but the number of single family homes sold decreased by over 16%. The following are the current number of active and sold listings by town, with last months active number in parenthesis.*Ledyard - 123 (123) - 120 SoldGroton - 218 (221) - 150 SoldStonington - 217 (217) - 102 SoldNorth Stonington - 50 (52) - 31 SoldEast Lyme - 152 (160) - 129 SoldWaterford - 131 (136) - 114 SoldNew London - 133 (125) - 74 SoldMontville - 117 (117) - 123 SoldNorwich - 208 (206) - 124 Sold*As Reported by members of the Connecticut
Multiple Listin Read more:Eastern
, Estate
, Real Estate
Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday 2007-07-20 06:16:37 Ledyard's Eagle Has Landed In her almost 4 years as Mayor of Ledyard, Susan Mendenhall has worked hard at dressing up the dreary looking exterior of Ledyard Town Hall. A couple weeks ago, I paid a visit to the mayor's office and saw this brass eagle in a box on her office floor. It seems that the eagle had been at the public works department for about 7 years collecting dust. I think the eagle looks mighty handsome in his new home. See AlsoLast Week: EasternConnecticutPhotoFriday
Gales Ferry Village Historic HomeTown of Ledyard ConnecticutOfficial Website of the Town of LedyardSimply LedyardPhotoblog of Ledyard Connecticut
Running in Ledyard 2007-07-24 06:33:23 Views from the Ledyard Campaign TrailI've been involved in real estate for the past 30 years but I've been involved in politics almost all my life. I started as a 6 year old in my hometown of Pittsburgh where I licked stamps for the Adlai Stevenson campaign. Although as a child, I preferred the little "I Like Ike" buttons, my big Italian Catholic family were all staunch Democrats. Since I became eligible to vote, I've been a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent and a Republican again. I currently serve on the Ledyard Town Council, having previously served as Chairman of the Ledyard Board of Education. My first term on the Town Council will be over at the end of the year. Last night was the Ledyard Republican Caucus where I sought my party's endorsement for reelection. The Ledyard Republican Town Committee decided to hold this years caucus at Colonel Ledyard Park, once called "Ledyard's B
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