Fab Real Estate Blog: February 2008

Once again, I tried to show a home to a ready, willing and able buyer, but I couldn't.

The home has a combination lockbox - you need the combination in order to get the key for the house.  The showing instructions say:  Call listing agent for lockbox combination, then go and show.

So, I called the listing agent on Friday.  I called again on Saturday.  The showing was for Sunday. 

I'm still waiting for the return call.  But, I showed other homes on Sunday.  I'll sell these buyers a home, but not a home that I cannot gain access to.

There is a reason combination lockboxes are not common in our area - our local Association of Realtors offices all utilize electronic lockboxes that are easily opened with our "e-keys."  Showings are simple and convenient this way.  No need to wait for that return phone call that may never come...

Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

I've been singing that Bonnie Tyler song since last night...Total Eclipse of the Heart...

Last night, just after 10:00pm, we woke up my eldest son so he could see the Lunar Eclipse.

We should have practiced taking pictures of the moon beforehand...or at least used a tripod...

My son thought it was pretty cool.  They had talked about it in school earlier in the day and he wanted to see it.

But, now I can't get that song out of my head. Turn around bright eyes...Total Eclipse of the Heart Moon...

Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

New Milford, Connecticut Real Estate Update
January, 2008

Closed home sales in New Milford, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 16 single family home sales closed in New Milford, CT.
List Prices ranged from $265,000 - $795,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $260,000 - $775,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in New Milford was $410,290.
The median closed sales price was $375,000.
On average, these homes sold for 95.7% of their final list price.
Days on Market ranged from 44 - 817 days, with the average being 280 days of market time.

This compares to 23 single family homes closed in January, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $424,232 and a median closed sales price of $355,000.

Condos:
There were 4 condominium sales closed in New Milford, CT.

The average closed real estate sales price for condos in New Milford was $187,000.
The median closed sales price was $166,750.
On average, these homes sold for 98.8% of their list price.

This compares to 7 condos closed in January, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $288,939 and a median closed sales price of $245,000.

Currently available homes for sale in New Milford, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 235 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT.
List Prices range from $159,900 for a bank-owned fixer to $4,200,000 for a restored 1800's home on 65 acres.

Condos:
Currently, there are 77 condos available for sale in New Milford, CT.
List prices range from $90,000 for a one bedroom unit to $539,900 for a detached unit in an active-adult community.

New Milford, Connecticut, is the southernmost town in Litchfield County and is known as The Gateway to Litchfield County.  The town borders the northeastern shores of Candlewood Lake.  Several lake communities surround its Candlewood Lake shores, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  New Milford enjoys a population of about 28,000 residents.

Brookfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update
January, 2008

Closed home sales in Brookfield, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 9 single family home sales closed in Brookfield, CT.
List Prices ranged from $249,900  - $1,675,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $242,500 - $1,500,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in Brookfield was $641,324.
The median closed sales price was $399,000.
On average, these homes sold for 94.8% of their final list price.
Days on Market ranged from 45 - 274 days, with the average being 140 days of market time. 

This compares to 8 closed sales in January, 2007, with an average sales price of $425,908 and a median closed sales price of $387,500.

Condos:
There was 1 condominium sales closed in Brookfield, CT.
Listed at $218,900, it sold for $212,000.


This compares to 5 closed sales in January, 2007 with an average sales price of $277,880 and a median sales price of $285,000.

Currently available homes for sale in Brookfield, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 132 single family homes for sale in Brookfield, CT.
List Prices range from $225,900 for a small 2 bedroom home to $1,595,000 for an expanded and renovated antique home on over 5 acres.

Condos:
Currently, there are 27 condos for sale in Brookfield, CT.  List prices range from $192,000 for a one bedroom unit to $639,900 for a newer detached unit.




Brookfield, Connecticut, is located between Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah, creating a multitude of water recreation opportunities in the town.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  Brookfield enjoys a population of about 16,000 residents.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Consolidated MLS and believed to be accurate.

Danbury, Connecticut Real Estate Update
January, 2008

Closed home sales in Danbury, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 27 single family home sales closed in Danbury, CT.
List Prices ranged from $177,888 - $879,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $168,556 - $870,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in Danbury was $394,654. 
The median closed real estate sales price was $342,500.
On average, these homes sold for 96% of their most recent list price.
Days on Market ranged from 25 - 487 days, with the average being 188 days of market time. 

This compares with 25 closed sales in January, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $374,928 and a median closed sales price of $350,000.

Condos:
There were 19 condominium sales closed in Danbury, CT.
The average closed real estate sales price for condos in Danbury was $261,863.
The median closed sales price was $219,000.
On average, these homes sold for 96% of their most recent list price.

This compares with 31 closed sales in January, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $261,594 and a median closed sales price of $235,000.



Currently available homes for sale in Danbury, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 204 single family homes for sale in Danbury, CT.
List Prices range from $79,000 for a summer-only as-is cottage in a lake community to $4,400,000 for an 1840's home on 55 acres.

Condos:
Currently, there are 222 condos available for sale in Danbury, CT.
List prices range from $85,000 - $850,000.

Danbury, Connecticut, a former military depot during the American Revolution, is a diverse community of about 78,000 residents that borders New York State to the west and the southern shores of Candlewood Lake.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  Danbury enjoys a convenient commute location to lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, New York.  Danbury is situated just about an hour by car to Hartford, Connecticut and New York City.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Consolidated MLS and believed to be accurate

Sherman, Connecticut Real Estate Update
January, 2008

Closed home sales in Sherman, Connecticut:

There were 2 home sales closed in Sherman, CT.
List Prices were $479,000 and $479,900.
Closed Sales Prices were $440,000 and $465,000.

One home was on the market for only 75 days, while the other was on the market for only 94 days. 

This compares with 5 closed sales in January, 2007, with an average sales price of $936,400 and a median sales price of $600,000.

Currently available homes for sale in Sherman, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 42 homes for sale in Sherman, CT.
List Prices range from $299,900 for a small cottage with beach rights to $3,250,000 for an 18th century colonial on 37 acres.

Sherman, Connecticut is a small semi-rural community of about 4,000 residents that borders New York State to the west, New Fairfield to the south and hugs the northwestern shores of Candlewood Lake.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  The northernmost town in Fairfield County, Sherman is often cited as being the fastest growing town in Connecticut per capita, yet still retains its rural roots and charm.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Consolidated MLS and believed to be accurate.

New Fairfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update
January, 2008

Closed home sales in New Fairfield, Connecticut:

There were 9 home sales closed in New Fairfield, CT.
List Prices ranged from $129,900 - $1,395,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $135,000 - $1,200,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $503,944.
The median closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $417,500.
On average, these homes sold for 92.3% of their final list price.
Days on Market ranged from 59 - 566 days, with the average being 211 days of market time.

This compares with 12 closed sales in January, 2007, with an average sales price of $610,091 and a median sales price of $583,750.


Currently available homes for sale in New Fairfield, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 97 homes for sale in New Fairfield, CT.
List Prices range from $189,900 for a small, older colonial home  to $3,660,000 for a two-home waterfront compound.

New Fairfield, Connecticut is a small community of about 14,000 residents that borders New York State to the west and Candlewood Lake to the east.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  New Fairfield enjoys a convenient commute location to lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, New York.  New Fairfield is situated just over an hour by car to Hartford, Connecticut and New York City.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Consolidated MLS and believed to be accurate

This past Tuesday, I voted in the primary elections.
As I left the polling place, they gave me one of those "I Voted" stickers.

So, of course, I put the sticker on.  On my jacket.  My suede jacket.

Did you know that stickers don't like to come off of suede?
I learned that this morning when I went to wear that jacket again.  The sticker just didn't want to come off.  Some of it is still on the jacket.  I guess it will wear off eventually...

You learn something new every day.

Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

This past weekend, I was showing homes to a wonderful couple.

We arrived at the first home to find a handwritten note on the front door:

I am out of town
Home Security Alarm is Armed

Of course, there was no alarm information with the key, nor was there any alarm information on the MLS.  I had already logged in with the listing office and left a message for the homeowner, as was directed in the showing instructions.

I called the listing agent's cell phone.  No answer, so I left a voice mail message.
I then called the listing agent's office to see if they knew anything about the alarm.  They didn't, but they were kind enough to call the listing agent at his home.  Unfortunately, they also could only leave a voice mail message.

We didn't view that home.  We weren't about to set off the alarm system.

The next day, the listing agent called to tell me the alarm isn't really on, so just ignore that sign.  Well, it was a little too late - we finished viewing homes the day before!

It's a shame they didn't get to see this home.  It may have worked for them.  But, we found them another home that they are now considering buying.  This homeowner may have lost out on a sale.

Alarm systems can be a deterrent to home showings.  I know...I've set them off before.
False notes stating that the alarm system is armed will most definitely prevent showings...thus preventing a sale.

Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
CT Home Group
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale