Archive for April, 2008
6 Reasons Why Buyers Need a Strong Agent on Their Team
April 29th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Talking Real Estate
Here a quick rundown of why today’s real estate buyers need a strong agent on their team.
Question: What is a Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: The law in Connecticut requires us to be your agent. This is a very good thing. As a Buyer’s Agent we work solely for you and have absolutely no legal or other responsibilities to the seller.* Our fiduciary responsibility is to you. When working with a Buyer Agent, you have the benefit of personal representation, independent counseling, loyalty, confidentiality, and trust.
*In a case where the property your agent is representing you to buy is also that agent’s listing, dual agency applies. Talk to us for more information.
Question: Will a Buyer’s Agent disclose more information to us?
Answer: Yes indeed. Because a Buyer Agent’s fiduciary responsibility is to you, he or she can be more forthcoming with any negative aspects about properties that you are investigating for purchase.
Question: Does a Buyer’s Agent make decisions for us?
Answer: No. As your personal ally, advocating your best interests, a Buyer Representative is obligated to provide you with maximum information about buying a home, each step of the way. That means disclosing specifics about location, property values, offering price, negotiations, counteroffers, contingencies, financing, and the entire closing process. Armed with such vital and detailed information, you’ll be thoroughly prepared to make decisions that are right for you and your family.
Question: Why is it important to choose the right Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: Since we work for you, we are required by law to look after your best interests. This means that we will work as hard to make certain that you buy the best home for the lowest price.
Question: Who pays the fees for a Buyer’s Agent?
Answer: The Buyer’s Agent is compensated by the sellers sales commission. The buyer is generally not responsible for any of these fees.
Question: What did you mean by “confidentiality”?
Answer: Since a Buyer Agent is legally obligated only to you, he maintains absolute privacy with regard to financial and personal information. This means that we keep private any facts about your situation that might signal to the seller your position in a price negotiation (things like why you might need to buy quickly).
Question: Can you answer more questions?
Answer: We can give you more details and answer all of your questions. Just post in the Comments.
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5 Ridgefield CT Homes That Will Sell Now
April 25th, 2008 categories: Talking Real Estate
If you read yesterday’s Ridgefield Press (unfortunately the Real Estate article has not been published on-line) , you saw that in Q1 there were 28% fewer home sales in Ridgefield. But you also read that the real estate market also experienced an uptick in home prices. There’s no denying that it’s a sluggish market but I gotta tell you that Ridgefield homes are selling. Which ones? The ones that provide buyers the most value.
In this market, buyers are shopping for value. They are looking long and hard on-line and driving around looking for the best combination of price and condition of home… value. “Today’s buyer expects more for the same and the same for less”. For every Ridgefield realtor and home seller that truly wants to get a house sold, the only word we need to know is value.
Price reductions are the best way to increase your home’s value to potential buyers. Current inventory is 255 homes for sale. 98 of these homes have reduced their price to become competitive. Combing through the MLS I found 5 homes that truly want to be sold. No one is giving their home away but these folks have realigned their value proposition by listening to what the market is saying and making some of the most significant price reductions.
Ridgefield Real Estate: Homes That Really Want to Sell
Buyers take notice! These sellers are ready to sell their homes now! Make offers!
(These are all listings of other agents.)
159 NORTH ST Price Reduced 22%
25 KETCHAM RD Price Reduced 16%
15 LAKESIDE DRIVE EXT Price Reduced 14%
7 MULBERRY ST Price Reduced 14%
27 COOPER HILL RD Price Reduced 9%
Click Here to see these 5 PRICE REDUCED Listings
Contact us to learn more about these properties or any other home on the market.
Related Posts:
- Ridgefield, CT Real Estate Market Report: Home Sales April 2008
- Home Sales Roundup - Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT Real Estate - March 2008
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How One Ridgefielder Beat the Tax Man and You Can Too
April 22nd, 2008 categories: Ridgefield, Talking Real Estate
You CAN fight town hall and WIN! I spoke to a longtime Ridgefield home owner about 2 months ago. He questioned the latest tax assessment - the one completed by Ridgefield’s Tax Assessor, Al Garzi, in 2007.
The home owner felt that his property was over-valued and that the town was demanding that he pay more than his fair share of the tax burden. I researched his property in Town Hall and determined that he was probably right. When Brad and I viewed the property, we agreed that the assessment was indeed too high for that particular house in that particular Ridgefield neighborhood.
Since we are the market experts, we offered our professional opinion on the property’s value and suggested that an appeal would very likely be successful.
The appeal succeeded and the property’s assessment fell by 6.5% which means these folks just saved 6.5% on their tax bill!
The State of Connecticut requires that each town revalue all real property every 5 years. This maintains real estate tax equity amongst all Ridgefield property owners. Since last year’s revaluation, we have answered so many questions from people looking to better understand how the the process works and whether their actual reassessment is fair.
Whether you are an existing client or not, don’t ever hesitate to call us for help. We’d love to discuss your new assessment or anything real estate. We are always available to help in any way possible.
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Daycares and Preschools: Find Some of the Best in Ridgefield, CT
April 19th, 2008 categories: Keep Your Kids Busy, Ridgefield, Schools
“It takes a village to raise a child”… well, maybe not a whole village but every parent does need some help. Ridgefield’s parents rely on a network of reliable providers for preschool education and daycare assistance.
As a Ridgefield realtor, home buyers often ask about our preschool and daycare options. Parents need to trust their daycare to provide educational and social opportunities for their youngsters. Knowing you have “the right” early education situation for your child will keep your mind at ease. Your kids will benefit as well by making friends and participating in learning and physical activities that enhance early childhood development.
Preschools and Daycare Facilities in Ridgefield:
Almost Home
Ridgefield Community Kindergarten
St. Mary’s Early Education Center
Ridgefield Montessori School
St Stephen’s Nursery School
Creative Children’s Korner
Growing Tree
Methodist Nursery School
The Children’s Corner
All For Kids
Kaleidoscope Kids
My Nursery School
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Ridgefield, CT Real Estate: 3 Reasons Why the Luxury Segment Remains Strong
April 14th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Market Data & Statistics, Recent Transactions, Ridgefield, Selling Your House, Talking Real Estate
When you look at the numbers it’s clear that the high end of the Ridgefield, CT real estate market remains strong. Over the last several years, housing stock priced in the over $1.5M bracket has grown due to new construction as well as price appreciation.
Taking a look at all Ridgefield homes that sold for over $1.5M transaction volume has remained stable for the past 3 years (see table). So far in 2008, we are tracking 2007 exactly. Demand remains high in the luxury segment of the market for several reasons including:
- Ridgefield continues to offer an extremely desirable mix of small town, country, great schools, culture, entertainment, proximity to NYC, value and more
- virtually all new construction is at the high end
- interest rates remain at historic lows
Click here to view all luxury Ridgefield CT homes currently for sale
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Q1-07 | Q1-08 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgefield Real Estate: # Homes Sold Over $1.5M | 42 | 43 | 42 | 4 | 4 |
Ridgefield Transactions >$1.5M Since 1/1/07
| Street Number | Street Name | Bedrooms | List Price | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 162 | OLD WEST MOUNTAIN RD | 7 | $7,200,000 | $5,500,000 |
| 110 | SOUTH SALEM RD | 5 | $4,595,000 | $4,200,000 |
| 599 | BRANCHVILLE RD | 3 | $5,000,000 | $4,100,000 |
| 8 | HAWTHORNE HILL RD | 5 | $4,200,000 | $3,843,500 |
| 154 | RIPPOWAM RD | 7 | $4,100,000 | $3,500,000 |
| 396 | SILVER SPRING RD | 5 | $3,250,000 | $3,150,000 |
| 41 | PEACEABLE ST | 5 | $3,100,000 | $3,050,000 |
| 282 | BRANCHVILLE RD | 5 | $2,600,000 | $2,400,000 |
| 105 | NOD HILL RD | 6 | $2,495,000 | $2,300,000 |
| 10 | SAW MILL HILL RD | 5 | $2,179,000 | $2,200,000 |
| 122 | NOD HILL RD | 5 | $2,250,000 | $2,200,000 |
| 4 | SPECTACLE LN | 6 | $2,275,000 | $2,200,000 |
| 24 | MARKET ST | 5 | $2,195,000 | $2,175,000 |
| 91 | GOLF LN | 5 | $2,195,000 | $2,150,000 |
| 10 | LEE RD | 5 | $1,950,000 | $2,125,000 |
| 8 | SAW MILL HILL RD | 5 | $2,179,000 | $2,100,000 |
| 216 | FLORIDA HILL RD | 5 | $2,250,000 | $2,062,500 |
| 44 | KING LN | 5 | $2,150,000 | $2,060,000 |
| 225 | SOUTH SALEM RD | 4 | $2,250,000 | $2,050,000 |
| 3 | GOLF CT | 5 | $2,195,000 | $2,025,000 |
| 77 | GOLF LN | 5 | $2,134,750 | $1,985,000 |
| 2 | MAIN ST | 5 | $2,199,000 | $1,975,000 |
| 8 | GOLF CT | 6 | $2,199,000 | $1,962,500 |
| 178 | OLD BRANCHVILLE RD | 5 | $1,969,000 | $1,900,000 |
| 23 | FLAT ROCK DR | 5 | $1,790,000 | $1,840,000 |
| 36 | SAW MILL HILL RD | 3 | $1,950,000 | $1,825,000 |
| 20 | SILVER SPRING LN | 5 | $1,799,000 | $1,799,000 |
| 27 | NOD WEST DR | 4 | $1,875,000 | $1,787,500 |
| 26 | OVERLOOK DR | 5 | $1,895,000 | $1,765,000 |
| 110 | NURSERY RD | 5 | $1,839,000 | $1,728,750 |
| 119 | BRANCHVILLE RD | 4 | $1,775,500 | $1,725,000 |
| 106 | GREAT HILL RD | 0 | $1,950,000 | $1,725,000 |
| 70 | NORRANS RIDGE DR | 5 | $1,799,000 | $1,720,000 |
| 16 | GREAT ROCKS PL | 5 | $1,699,900 | $1,680,000 |
| 20 | BELVEDERE CT | 5 | $1,575,000 | $1,600,000 |
| 7 | ELEVEN LEVELS RD | 4 | $1,690,000 | $1,600,000 |
| 76 | GOVERNOR ST | 4 | $1,599,000 | $1,599,000 |
| 78 | CANTERBURY LN | 4 | $1,685,000 | $1,599,000 |
| 89 | SILVER SPRING LN | 4 | $1,620,000 | $1,585,000 |
| 596 | BARRACK HILL RD | 4 | $1,639,000 | $1,575,000 |
| 214 | WILTON WEST RD | 4 | $1,699,000 | $1,562,500 |
| 97 | OLD WASHINGTON RD | 4 | $1,579,000 | $1,555,000 |
| 38 | SILVER SPRING RD | 5 | $1,599,000 | $1,530,000 |
| 53 | SAW MILL HILL RD | 5 | $1,525,000 | $1,525,000 |
| 16 | KIMBERLY CT | 4 | $1,615,000 | $1,525,000 |
| 61 | BARRY AVE | 5 | $1,545,000 | $1,517,500 |
| 279 | NORTH ST | 5 | $1,579,000 | $1,510,000 |
Related Posts:
- Ridgefield, CT Real Estate Market Report: Home Sales April 2008
- Home Sales Roundup - Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT Real Estate - March 2008
- All Luxury Ridgefield, CT Homes Currently for Sale
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