We are tracking the  latest real estate statistics for residential properties, last week was Thanksgiving, and typically a slow time for home sales in Connecticut, but there is always some activity in the real estate market and this is what happened in real estate for the following eastern Connecticut towns.

Tolland Ct Real Estate

One new listing came on the market, priced below $300,000.  Three home listings expired, 2 were priced below $300,000 and one priced above, two homes went under deposit, one priced above $300,000. 

Willington Ct Real Estate

Willington Ct did not have any homes come on the real estate market as new listings, and did have one home go under deposit that was priced above $300,000.

Coventry Ct Real Estate

Coventry Ct had two homes come on the market as new listings last week and both are priced below $300,000 – one of these new listings is a short sale, meaning that the seller owes more on the mortgage than the current market value of the home.   Tom and Elaine Burns are short sale specialists, if you are a buyer or seller and need help or have questions about short sales or foreclosures, please give us a call.

Columbia Ct Real Estate

Columbia Ct did not have any new listings come on the market this week and there were 3 homes that has their listings expire, one was priced above $300,000.  Two homes went under deposit and both were priced below $300,000.

There are Currently 285 Homes For Sale in Tolland, Willington, Coventry, Storrs, Mansfield and Columbia Ct, Compared to 299 Homes One Week Ago.

146 of the homes are priced above $300,000.  Six homes in these towns went under deposit from 11/22/09 – 11/30/09,  two were priced above $300,000, compared to 3 homes priced below $300,000 going under deposit the week before.  n homes expired, (meaning the homes did not sell during the time they were  on the market and the listing has now expired), five of the expired listings were priced above $300,000.

Four new listings(compared to 15 the week before) came on the market and 1 is a short sale.  We will check in again, in about 7 days with more updates, in the meantime, call us at 860-429-2852  and let us know if you have any questions!

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.  

Selling a long loved home only to hear that the buyer’s home inspector has written a whole report detailing  problems with your home is disheartening. After all, you have taken good care of the home:

• The roof is new.
• The exterior is freshly painted.
• The kitchen has been remodeled.
• You even put in all new windows a few years ago!

It is hard to hear that the new buyer thinks something is “wrong” with the house. The first response may be, ”Well, if they don’t want to buy the house, then we will just have to start showing it again.”  Our job is to help the Connecticut home seller understand what (if any) of the concerns are realistic and need to be addressed, or if the home buyer is over the top with requests for repairs that are unrealistic. 

Correction or Upgrade? Deciphering Your Connecticut Home Inspection

Buyers in this market are more cautious and tend to worry about whether or not they are making a wise decision. Combine that natural instinct with this truism: most everyone they know is telling them some sort of home buying horror story. The home buyers are excited to make this important move, but also nervous about it…and the home inspection becomes the point in the process that can really increase their nervousness.

So – what should a buyer really expect from a home inspection? Things like safety issues – if there is a hazard in the house it should be taken care of.  Big ticket items are also typically addressed - either in the price of the home or a repair made prior to closing.  The roof, the well or the septic system can be expensive to replace or repair and will be a big concern to a buyer if they do not function properly. Doors that are squeaky, scuff marks on cabinets, replacing outlet covers – not so much.

Things like asking a seller to paint the entire interior of the house because the buyer does not like the colors and requesting that the 3 year old carpeting be replaced because the buyer saw a few marks on it in a house that is otherwise in pristine condition……………….. right, way over the top. 

Remember, home inspections are not meant to tell you how great the house is; the home inspector is there to point out any and all issues -  large and small. There is a difference, however, between a well, roof or water problem and asking the seller to upgrade the house for you.

Staying Realistic Keeps Connecticut Home Buyers & Home Sellers Happy

This is why it is important to be realistic in your expectations as both a home buyer and home seller. And when issues come up, hopefully you have an experienced Connecticut Realtor guiding you through the process and helping you achieve your Storrs Mansfield and surrounding towns in CT, real estate goals!

We hope that you & yours enjoy the warmth & spirit of this holiday season!
~ The Burns Real Estate Group

Stop by www.CoolSavings.com to browse their offering of manufactuers coupons that you can click & print at home. Grocery savings aren’t the only cool thing on the site…it’s chock full of coupons for all kinds of merchandise and services, consumer tips and more!

If clicking & printing is too much effort, check out www.ShortCuts.com to preload your grocery store loyalty card with grocery coupons! How? After signing up for a free account, simply select the manufacturers coupons you want to use. Then the next time you shop that store with your rewards card and purchase an item with a preloaded coupon, you automatically get that discount! Currently partnered stores can be found here.

Don’t forget to check your favorite newspapers and magazine for regular coupons and grocery store circular for store coupons, too. If you don’t want to wade through the coupon offerings without a game plan, consider using www.TheGroceryGame.com for maximizing savings on your next grocery run. The site matches newspaper coupon inserts to local grocery store sales, eliminating a lot of the guess work of “is this really a good deal” when you’re shopping.

If you’re looking to buy a home, remember that everywhere you can trim expenses will help you as you shop for a new mortgage. For more money saving ideas, check back every Thursday or contact The Burns Real Estate Group today!

Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens & Shelters
Your local food pantry, soup kitchen & shelters are always in need of donations…food, money and volunteers! The Burns Real Estate Group supports FoodShare & the Windham Food Bank locally. You can check out their websites for further ways to help or stop by www.CTFoodBank.org. Get your family & friends together and have an outing that is rewarding to everyone involved!

Click to Support Causes…for FREE
Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus…even online! Through sponsorhips with advertisers, several charities offer a “support us with a (free) click” donation system where just by going to their website and clicking on a link or button, you can make a contribution to that charity. Want to support literacy? Cancer research? Feed an abandoned animal? There are sites for virtually every cause you can think of. Here are a couple to check out: www.GiveClicks.com and www.TheAnimalRescueSite.org.

Support with a Search…for FREE
Wouldn’t it be great to help raise money for your favorite charity just by using a search engine? Guess what – you can! Stop by www.GoodSearch.com and pick your favorite charity…then start searching! Every time you search, 50% of the revenue generated from advertising goes to the charity of your choice. You can even download their toolbar so searching is as easy as opening your browser and using the search box!

Got Points? Spend ‘Em!
You’ve used your credit card all year. Or travelled enough where you have miles to spare on your airline rewards program. Some will probably be expiring soon. So why not donate them if you’re not going to use them? Check your credit card company’s website or your frequent flier account to see what programs may be available to receive your unused points or miles. Organizations like Make a Wish accept airline miles & hotel loyalty points.

Simiarly, there are brands that offer points you earn by purchasing their products that can be redeemed for community or charitable causes. The Coca Cola Company, for example, lets collectors of their My Coke Rewards points donate their points to Toys for Tots and Toys for Teens, turning money already spent on soda pop into toys in the hands of children who would otherwise go without this holiday season.

Need a Cause to Support? Or Not Sure How “Legit” a Charity Is?
Get more information on a specific charitable cause – or discover one – by checking out www.CharityNavigator.org.

Don’t Forget Your Regular Charities…or Your Family & Friend’s
Non-profit groups are always in need of your support. You donate or volunteer throughout the year, so why not give to them this holiday season? A small monetary donation to your aunt’s favorite cause in her name, an afternoon at your co-worker’s food drive, or using a web search tool that sends money to your favorite cause while you look up fruit cake recipes all are gifts for more than just the recipient.

If you’re interested in sending care packages, check out www.americasupportsyou.com for details. The site includes links to several organizations offering different methods of showing support for our troops.

You can also support our troops during the holidays (and year round!) through the USO. For ways to show your support from sending phone cards to welcoming soldiers arriving back home, visit http://www.uso.org/.

Happy Holidays!

Cutting Edge Secrets to Stay Healthy & Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays

Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Anti-Diet Expert to Give Tips for a Healthier Holiday

STORRS MANSFIELD, CT (November, 2008) – The Burns Real Estate Group will be hosting a Free Wellness Seminar at their office on Tuesday, December 9th from 7 to 9 PM. Cathy Barber, Certified Holistic Health Counselor and Anti-Diet Expert, will discuss a unique & personal eating insurance plan for the holiday season that is a completely different and dynamic approach to gaining health.

“The holidays can be stressful enough without worrying about what you’re eating this time of year,” said Elaine Burns. “This fun and informative seminar – packed full of useful information – is the strategy party for the holiday parties! The seminar will help you find key nutrition in the foods you love and help you find foods that satisfy your body and soul. We’re always exploring new ways of helping our community, and this Free Wellness Seminar will be the first of several over the coming months.”

Seating for this free event is limited, so please call 860.429.2853 to reserve your seat or request more information.

The Burns Real Estate Group wishes everyone a great holiday season! Successful marketing in the real estate market has changed as the Internet has become the leading resource for both buyers and sellers. The Burns Real Estate Group has custom designed, cutting-edge websites that give both buyers and sellers the information they need to help them succeed. To work with the area’s leading professionals in real estate, call The Burns Real Estate Group at 860.429.2853 or visit www.ConnAreaHomes.com.

See you soon!

We will let you in on the best kept secrets about trick or treating in Mansfield, Storrs next year – some of the most fun neighborhoods and where to find the best candy – great fun can be had if you just know where to go!