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Newtown, CT Real Estate News

By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Berkshire Hathaway is Our Name  Today, September 26, 2013, Prudential Connecticut Realty is no longer.  Our company branding has changed and we are now Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties.  What is Berkshrire Hathaway?  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a new brokerage network that is among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name.  The new brand is built on Berkshire Hathaway's core values of: Trust Integrity Stability Longevity Who is Berkshire Hathaway?  Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is a worldwide holding company based in Omaha, NE.  It's chairman is a name you may have heard:  Warren Buffett.  Berkshire Hathaway employs nearly 300,000 people and owns more than 55 companies.  Have you heard of: GEICO Fruit of the Loom Dairy Quee...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
2013 Newtown CT Labor Day Parade  It was humid.  It was overcast.  There was a short rain shower.  Then the sun tried to pop out, but it never quite got there.  Despite weather unbecoming of a parade, the residents of Newtown turned out in droves to see the 2013 Newtown, CT Labor Day Parade.  As in the past, everyone was looking to see who they knew marching in the parade.  Those marching in the parade looked for friends and family amongst the spectators.  The night before, chairs were set beside Main Street - spaces to watch the parade were claimed and roped off.  There was some talk amongst the town residents about whether or not the 2013 Newtown, CT Labor Day Parade would be mobbed by the media.  Thankfully, it was not.  We were all able to enjoy the parade - like we have in years pa...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Short Sales in Newtown, CT - as of 8/9/13.  Back in September 2008, we posted a blog titled "Short Sale - What is It?". We think this is useful information as we frequently explain what a short sale is to both buyers and sellers. Our intention is to update you every 2 months about the short sale activity in Newtown, CT. As of today, the short sale market in Newtown looks like this: 15 are Actively listed for sale 16 have taken price reductions 6 are under deposit 15 are pending sale 4 have closed in 2013 8 have been withdrawn or canceled 7 were re-listed for sale 5 have expired The price range of the actively listed short sales in Newtown range from $140,000 to $925,000. As you can see, short sales in Newtown, CT have been selling, despite being difficult transactions. All data was pull...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
What's In A Name?  The agency we are affiliated with is Prudential Connecticut Realty.  As of September 26, 2013, that will change.  Our name is changing to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties.  A mouth full, huh?    We're very excited about our name change.  Warren Buffett purchased our company last year.  This is Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, NOT Jimmy Buffett, the Parrothead.  We will be in the first wave of companies changing over to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand.  So, what's in a name?  Let's have a look: Our new brand is known for undisputed financial strength it is strong, discerning and genuine, and will soon be the most recognized real estate company in the world Bob and Richelle Ward will be with an extraordinary company and still offering...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Sandy Hook School Shootings & the Newtown, CT Real Estate Market  The shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School happened on December 14, 2012.  Like most Newtowners, we were paralyzed by this tragedy and the events of that day.  The aftermath of those shootings will be long lasting and far reaching.  Newtown and Sandy Hook are both on the world's radar. As local Realtors, there is one question that has come up for us repeatedly:  "How have the Sandy Hook School shootings affected the local Newtown, CT real estate market?"  Sellers ask us.  Buyers ask us.  People that we meet socially ask us.  As soon as people we don't know, learn that we are Realtors - Newtown Realtors, they ask us. The answer to this question surprises most people and to be honest, us at first, too.  The Newtown, ...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Real Estate Market Update for Newtown, CT - 4/15/13  The second quarter of the year has just begun and we thought it time to provide you with a real estate market update.  Here we go! 235 homes actively listed for sale in Newtown - which is a little low for this time of year 46 homes are under deposit 34 homes are pending sale 59 homes have sold so far this year in Newtown   Of the actively listed homes, 4 are bank owned/foreclosures and there are 15 homes listed for sale that are easy to identify as short sales.  There could be more short sales, but not all Realtors properly identify them with the appropriate code.
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Mortgage Lemons to Mortgage Lemonade  We have met with many people over the past few years that are “under water” on their homes, or are behind in their mortgage and need to short sell.  We always get the short sales done, but they can be very problematic and stressful for everyone involved.  You definitely have to think outside the box when your client has a short sale to sell.   Recently, we met with a young couple who live locally.  They came in talk with us about their home and helping them to develop a plan on either getting them out of their home or keeping them in their home.  They had already approached their bank and had a forbearance agreement in place.  Basically, the bank allowed them to take the winter mortgage payments and put off paying them until April 1st.  April 1st wa...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Median House Sale Price in Newtown, CT 2000-2013  Prudential Connecticut Realty is always innovating and bringing us Realtors new tools.  One of those new tools is Collateral Analytics (CA).  CA develops real estate analytic products and tools to support financial institutions, institutional and retail investors, as well as property capital market activities. We now have the ability to pull a wide array of graphs to visually show what is happening in any local real estate market.  One of our favorite maps is one that shows the median house sale price for Newtown, CT between 2000 and 2013.  Here it is: This graph clearly demonstrates how the Newtown, CT real estate market has performed since 2000.  What do you think?  
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Ben's Bells has come to Newtown, CT!  On Wednesday, February 13th, Richelle and her friend, Frances went to Ben's Bells in Newtown to help out.  What they were going to do and they were going to help was unknown to them.  Frances had found one of Ben's Bells and was very excited about.  It was so much fun and both Richelle and Frances left Ben's Bells Newtown feeling great.  It was contageous - just being there.  What is Bens Bells Newtown?  Ben’s Bells Newtown is a chapter of the larger Ben’s Bells non-profit out of Tucson, Arizona. Bens Bells Newtown was created to help spread kindness and remind everyone to pass it on. The smallest act of kindness may make the biggest impact on a person’s day. You just never know. So be kind!!! Bens' Bells Newtown will begin to give the community opp...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Snow Removal and Road Maintenance in Newtown, CT  Many of our past clients have asked us about snow removal in Newtown, CT.  Especially, if they are moving from the New York metropolitan area ... you know, because this might be Podunk.  Being from the New York metropolitan area, we get this.  We always tell our clients that Newtown is great on snow removal and they are.  We had 18 inches of snow on February 9, 2013.  We were out and about, driving around town in our car the very next day.  We probably would have been out before, but we had to wait for our driveway to be plowed.   Snow Removal and Road Maintenance in Newtown, CT is not a problem. 
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Evil Came to Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012.  My name is Richelle Ward and I have blogged about life in Newtown, CT for several years now.  I blog about local happenings, my observations of the town and I sprinkle in real estate happenings such as homes I’ve listed for sale and real estate statistics.  I post items that present Newtown in a positive light and that show the beauty of my town.  For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to put a positive spin on the tragic events that occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I feel that as a Newtown blogger, that I have an obligation to post about this subject, but I don't really want to. The media has done a wonderful job in portraying Newtown as a nice place to live, a place with a sense of community.  They’ve even talked about...
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By Mona Gersky, GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.
(MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC)
  I wish the cure was as easy as a few rounds of “Kumbaya” and really… if everyone hummed a few bars mentally together once in a while it would make a small difference but that’s a pretty unrealistic solution to tragic events like the horrific loss of life in Connecticut on Friday. Once the initial reporting occurred, the talking heads and pundits proceeded to do what they do best…saturate us with blah blah blah non stop. I have to believe on a personal level, everyone speaking to the matter initially wrestled like we all did with the horror of the situation. But then, chatter matter took over. The eventual star of the show, naturally, was gun control. I’m no expert on gun control…far from it. I’m willing to bet though that if 1 million gun owners exist, the madmen who pull off these ma...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Sandy Hook Elementary School  December 14, 2012 was a very bad day in Newtown, CT.  A person entered the Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 20 children and 6 staff members.  The outpouring of love and support for our community has been overwhelming.  People from all over the world have reached out to Newtown and asked how they can help.  Our town will never be the same - we have lost our innocence.  The shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School has changed Newtown forever; however, the spirit of Newtown has not changed.  We are a small community with 27,000 residents.  We know each other and care for each other.  Newtown will pull itself through this tragedy and continue on. We have been contacted by so many people who want to express their love, caring, concern, thoughts, etc t...
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By Keith Stonehouse, Franklin Title Agency
(Franklin Title Agency, LLC)
What happened in Connecticut took a little piece of America's soul... somehow someway I feel that we've all been affected more than ever before. I know I have and cannot express it in words. I have felt cold, confused, and sick since I heard about it yesterday morning. I hear so many people say/ask "what was he thinking?" ...people, that's the scariest part of it all - You don't know and don't understand and hopefully NEVER will - You cannot prevent crazy. You cannot prevent that of which has never been imagined before. If this is not a time to come together (not as just Americans) but, as a human race - I don't know what is. This has been a amazingly honest eye opener for us. I cry when I think about those kids in this situation, that teacher that shielded her students and died a hero,...
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By Steven Roantes, "Ensuring Your Insurance!"
(Mutual of Omaha)
I pray the blessings of Our Almighty Father to be upon the families of this most horrific tragedy.....I just cannot fathom the Valley of Hell they are walking through as they recount their day and their last memories with their loved ones.. ...I am so heartbroken for these people!! WHY OH WHY? JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!! 20 +/- people are dead, dreams shattered, lives changed forever of those that survived or lost a loved one....and for what? We may never know as the shooter is dead as well............ HEAVENLY FATHER, please be with the families of the victims and PLEASE LORD, OH PLEASE, comfort the children that will carry this scar with them for many years to come!!! Newton, CT:  MOBILE, ALABAMA STANDS WITH YOU IN SUPPORT, CONDOLENCE, AND SHOCK!   GOD BE WITH YOU!http://news.blogs.cn...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
I Want to Buy a DEAL  A common conversation that we have with buyers is about “deals”.   Many buyers, whether investors or home buyers, want a “deal” on the home they will purchase.  Buyers will tell us that “I want to purchase a foreclosure, because that’s where the deals are”.  Our response is always along the lines of “Not so much” and then we explain. Back in 1992, we bought a foreclosure home.  Bob gave his social security # right to the bank and they approved the mortgage within a few days.  We got a “deal” on the home and were thrilled.  Banks back then priced homes based on the balance of the mortgage of the foreclosed owner so that they could recoup their loss.  That’s not how it works today. Today, banks want fair market value for the foreclosure homes.  What this means, is th...
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By Olga Simoncelli, CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management
(Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate)
LAKE ZOAR HOME SOLD - MULTIPLE OFFERS 107 EDGELAKE DR, NEWTOWN, CT 06482 RECEIVED MULTIPLE OFFERS WITHIN A MONTHView Map Step into a world of peace and tranquility, your own waterfront paradise retreat! This adorable renovated ranch offers modern comfortable amenities in a rich, gorgeous natural setting of mature trees, perennial flower gardens and fruit trees on the shore of beautiful Lake Zoar. Enjoy the hammock by the water, canoeing, boating, water skiing, or just relaxing in this tranquil hideaway. Your own dock and convenient boat house with track and dolly make it that much easier. Only 90 minutes from NYC and a few minutes from I-84. Great value! Adorable, affordable, accessible! Make it yours today!   Details SALE Price: $265,000 MLS: 98544623 Sq. Feet: 748 Lot Size: .17 Bedro...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Real Estate Market Statistics for Newtown, CT - 11/1/2012  It's been a while since we've provided you with market statistics for Newtown, CT.  We thought that a nice table showing the number of sales and the average sale price for all of 2011 and for the first 10 months on 2012 would be an interesting comparison. You can see in th table that average sale price, as of October 2012 is greater than the average price for all of 2011.  Also, if you add up the total number of sales through October 2011 (294) and compare that to the number of sales thus far in 2012, you can clearly see that the number of sales have increased - in fact it's a 4% increase!   Month # of Sales Average Sale Price   Month # of Sales Average Sale Price Jan-11 18 $208,286   Jan-12 18 $275,906 Feb-11 17 $289,544   Feb-...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Sorry, We're Not Open Now  Yesterday, Richelle took our grandson with her to buy him a "big boy seat" for the car.  Richelle decided to try one of the local second hand stores as we don't have our grandson often.  So, they get to the store, Richelle unloads our grandson from the car & they make their way across the parking lot to the store - pocketbook in hand & ready to purchase a new car seta.  They step up on the curb right in front of the store to see the employees dragging items out of the store for display outside.  One of the store employees looks over and says, "Sorry, We're Not Open Now"  It was 10:35 am and the store opens at 11:00 am.  So, Richelle and our grandson went to Target and purchased a brand new "big boy seat".   This got us thinking ... Sure, Richelle could have st...
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By Bob and Richelle Ward, Realtors, Moving you HomeWARD
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
3rd Annual Coats for the Community Coat Drive  Daniel Patti of DMP Asset Management along with Bob and Richelle Ward of Prudential Connecticut Realty are kicking off their 3rd Annual Coats for the Community Coat Drive.  The Coat Drive runs from October 10th to December 22nd.  New and gently used coats can be dropped off at DMP Asset Management, 84C South Main Street, Newtown, during the week and at Prudential Connecticut Realty 84A South Main Street, Newtown, on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm.  The coats will be given to Newtown and Danbury residents in need.    
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