So, you have moved out of the Mansfield Storrs, CT area and have been renting your home to these very nice tenants.  Life has been good with them! They take good care of your charming home, and they even want to purchase it from you!  Sounds great, right? 

Reality hits, and you discover that they are not qualified to purchase the house. So even though they WANT to buy it, and love the CT lifestyle they have while living in your greater Hartford, CT area home, they simply cannot afford to buy it. (more…)

As greater Hartford area real estate agents, Tom and I deal with home inspection issues on a daily basis. When we navigate and negotiate through this complex part of a Connecticut real estate transaction, I often wonder why home buyers and sellers get so bogged down in this process. 

Real Estate is Emotional

I think the answer is pretty simple – real estate is typically an emotional process.  Remember, we’re dealing with homes (definition: the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered; emotional attachment)  not houses (definition: residence for human beings; no emotional attachment). This is the part of the negotiation where the home seller may be leaving a long loved residence and a buyer may be excited (and yet nervous) about the decision they have made to purchase “this” home.   (more…)

With Connecticut summertime unofficially upon us (the solstice isn’t until the 21st), all kinds of activities are kicking off summer fun tonight throughout the Mansfield Storrs area with a wide array of activities:

• Need a laugh? Jim Breuer from SNL is at Catch a Rising Star at the Marriott in Stamford.
• Need a musical? The Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents “Crowns” – part of the Nutmeg Summer Series in Storrs. Kicking off tonight and running through June 21st in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Call 860-486-4226 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for tickets & additional information.
• Need schnitzel? The semi-annual German Night Dinner at La Trattoria in Canton is the place for you with Helmet Goetz (formerly of Edelweiss in West Hartford) crafting culinary delights! Reservations & more info: 860-673-5000. 
• Need a cause? AND enjoy a good time out & about in Hartford? The festivities begin at 6 PM tonight at Spris with a fundraiser for Mercy Housing and Shelter. Portions of drink proceeds and a raffle help Mercy Housing and Shelter fight homelessness. (Bonus – no cover charge.)

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Take a Swing  at Real Estate in CT!

Spring is really in full swing! We sponsor  Mansfield, CT Little League,  AAU Team Connecticut Baseball, and sell a lot of homes throughout the year, but Spring is typically the busiest real estate (and baseball) season. It seems like hundreds of CT kids are swinging bats and yelling “heads up” when the ball goes flying!  The CT real estate market is in full swing, too…and what about the similarity between a pitcher trying to get a batter to take a swing and a home seller “pitching” to a buyer hoping they take a swing!  

CT Real Estate Optimism?

For real estate, we have a cautious and yet optimistic outlook by the National Association of REALTORS economist, Lawrence Yun. He states:  ”Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market.  Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchases by November 30th to get the credit, we expect greater activity in the months ahead and that should spark more sales by repeat buyers.” (more…)