In today's market, many are scared of buying a home. They are worried about where the market is going and what is going to happen in 5, 10, 15 years when they want to sell. So instead, people continue to rent and wait to take the big leap to buying a home. Did you know that, in today's market, buying beats renting in 98 out of 100 metros? It's true! So why rent when you can buy? Renting vs. buying is a big topic right now, and the numbers show buying is better than renting in Fairfield County. Rental prices are steadily increasing while home prices are decreasing. When you buy a home, you lock in your payments for up to 30 years while rental prices can increase each year. There are also the other benefits of home ownership such as: having your own space to decorate, paint, renovate, and... 04/19/2012

It's Spring and the real estate market is moving forward.  As the trees and flowers bloom, houses are going on the market and being sold.  Here's a look at our current market. In March, there were 42 single family homes sold...the lowest sales price was $220,000 for a foreclosure having 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath.  And the most expensive home sold was a great property in North Stamford, 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 half baths, sold by my office Keller Williams Prestige Properties. Currently there are 467 single family homes available for sale in Stamford.  The lowest listed price is  $199,000 for a 2 bedroom/1 bath home and the island at Wallack's Point stands at $15,400,000 a very good price for your own piece of serenity and Long Island Sound! Currently there are 90 homes under cont... 04/12/2012

Stamford, Connecticut Real Estate Report 1st Quarter 2012. April 9th, 2012. The first quarter real estate market statistics for single family homes in Stamford, Connecticut show an increase in homes sold compared to last year along (2.2%) along with an increase of new listings year to date up 95.95%. The report also showing the year to date median sold price is down 2.55%. Currently the number of single family homes for sale in Stamford is at 469 with the lowest listing at $199,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch and up to $15,400,000 for 3.5 acre waterfront property with 14,149 square foot home. Below is the housing statistics report for the city of Stamford provide by WPSIR monthly “Local Market Trend” watch newsletter.       Stamford is the fourth largest city in Connecticut coveri... 04/09/2012

Recently we had the pleasure to work with a wonderful investor who brought a worn down house, located close to the beach in Stamford, back to life. The house was beautifully remodeled and Connecticut home stagers Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors were brought in to stage this vacant property. We fell immediately in love with it and saw the huge potential to further enhance the property with our unique staging design. Because of the proximity to the beach, where the new home owners will also have private beach rights to, we used blue and yellow tones to bring these summer colors into the house. The reclaimed wood adds another layer of sophistication to the staging design. As all our staging designs, this was a custom design that does not just appeal to the target buyers, but also presents... 04/05/2012

We frequently represent clients in federal IRS criminal tax investigations in Stamford, Connecticut.  In it worthy to note that the IRS released its 2011 statistical data today. In 2011, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division initiated 4,720 criminal tax investigations.  Of those investigations initiated, 3,410 were referred for criminal prosecution.  These 4,720 cases included: 1,922 legal source crimes; 1,810 illegal source crimes; and 988 Narcotics-related financial crimes. When we handle these situations for taxpayers our focus is usually to try and have the criminal investigation killed and the case returned to the civil exam division.  The reason is that, the longer the IRS works the case and the more man hours logged on the investigation, the harder it will be to convince the IR... 03/27/2012

http://www.myprospectmortgage.com/NRezvan/article.asp?articleID=1438 Pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 2% in January after a revised 1.9% decrease in December. It was the highest reading since April 2010. On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales are up 8%. Orders for durable goods — items expected to last three or more years — fell $8.6 billion or 4% to $206.1 billion in January. Economists had anticipated a 0.7% decrease. This follows a 3.2% increase in December. Excluding volatile transportation-related goods, orders posted a monthly decrease of 3.2%. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index — on a non-seasonally adjusted basis — fell 1.1% in December after a 1.3% decrease in November. On a year-over-year basis, ... 03/19/2012

We frequently represent taxpayers involved with IRS tax issues in Stamford, Connecticut and elsewhere.  The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers by taking steps to provide new penalty relief to the unemployed and making Installment Agreements available to more people. The changes include: Certain taxpayers who have been unemployed for 30 days or longer will be able to avoid failure-to-pay penalties.  A six-month grace period on failure-to-pay penalties will be made available to certain wage earners and self-employed individuals. The request for an extension of time to pay will result in relief from the failure to pay penalty for tax year 2011, but only if the tax, interest and any other penalties are fu... 03/12/2012

We frequently have taxpayers in Stamford, CT contact us for help because they have filed several years of missing tax returns (on the advice of their preparer) jointly, and now the IRS collection division is pursuing them and their spouse. I will be the first to agree that, in most cases, filing a joint tax return with your spouse can save federal taxes.  There are some instances, however, in which you DO NOT WANT TO FILE A JOINT RETURN! A real life example that came into our office was the following: husband was self-employed and wife was a stay-at-home mom.  The couple had not filed tax returns for 6 years.  They owned their home, in which they had $160,000 of equity, and the wife had an IRA she had put away when she worked before they had children with $120,000 in it.  When contacted... 03/01/2012

We frequently represent taxpayers before the IRS during routine audits in Stamford, Connecticut, as well as criminal tax investigations and eggshell audits (civil audits where tax fraud exists but the IRS has not found it yet).  I am often asked what causes an IRS examiner to send a case to the criminal investigation division (“CI”)? The Internal Revenue Manual (“IRM”) states that an IRS tax auditor should refer the case for criminal investigation when there are “firm indications of fraud.” Great: so what does that mean? There are a number of items that may raise an examiner’s suspicion of tax fraud: failure to report specific income items or entire streams of income/bank accounts.  Significant underreporting of income, or overstatement of expenses may raise badges of fraud.  Also odd t... 02/25/2012

We frequently represent taxpayers before the IRS during routine audits in Stamford, Connecticut, as do many CPAs or EAs.  Having your CPA or EA handle your audit may be a costly mistake if there are potential tax fraud issues involved with the return. Accountants, defined as anyone allowed to practice before the IRS (CPAs and EAs) enjoy a privileged relationship with their clients in routine tax matters.  Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 7525 creates a confidential relationship for accountants similar to that of attorneys with their tax clients in civil tax matters. Unlike the attorney-client privilege, the 7525 accountant-client privilege ceases once the issue becomes criminal. I can assure you that this means that your accountant may become the star witness against you if the IRS... 02/25/2012

 Dr Suess is on the loose in Stamford CT this Saturday!  You are invited you to join ou Stamford Target store tomorrow (on Broad Street) this Saturday, February 25th from 9-11 am for story time with Dr. Seuss. Sponsored by NEA (National Education Association) and Target. This event is another way Target promotes the importance of reading for all ages.   Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to relax, and enjoy readings of The Lorax, a classic tale written and published by Dr. Seuss in 1971. The story introduces children to the importance of the environment and how changes can affect many, if not an entire population.  In addition to reading The Lorax, the celebration of reading will also include goodie bags, special activities, and more. This is truly an event that your ch... 02/24/2012

I guess when you drive as much as we all do for our jobs, you are bound to run into lots of car challenges.  For those that have followed my blog, you know I've had more than my fair share of challenges. Last night, I went to Stamford to help a friend with her carpeting. We used to work together years ago.  She told me where to park and explained that the "doctor" spots are fine to park in after 5pm. Towards the end of the appointment/dinner/catching up, I went to my car to get samples...and good thing I did.  There were 2 tow trucks there.  One of them was "in proces" of towing someone's car while the other one blocked the driveway so no one could get out.  I guess the people in the car they were trying to tow jumped in the car and called the police...thank goodness I guess...for me. I... 02/14/2012

Three years ago in North Stamford traces of pesticide pollution were found in the drinking water, identifying a potential health risk for residents in that area. The town got into action and has been investigating the situation. One of the results is the offering of well water testing by the Health Department.  As of this week, 1,258 residents have signed up for the new city-run private well-water testing program sponsored by the Stamford Health Department.  The registrations put the department well above the 750 tests it is required to provide this calendar year and leaves about 500 spots open on the 2013 waiting list. If you reside in North Stamford and have a private well, you may sign-up for Stamford's well water testing program by calling the Stamford Health Department's hot-line a... 02/09/2012

This series started as a way to shine a brighter light on local merchants and businesses who offer unusual and thoughtful options for holiday gift-giving. Three things became quickly apparent: First-we give gifts year-round, for different occasions. Two-sometimes we are the most deserving gift candidates we know. Third (channeling Sally Field now) you really, really liked it! So now, going forward, this is a year-round, on-going series. Valentines Day is coming...so are birthdays, anniversaries, baby and bridal showers, etc. Please make this a favorite, and consider coming here first for you gift-giving inspiration.   For a number of years, I have been drawn to what I THOUGHT yoga was about, but got intimidated by all there was to KNOW: Intense yoga, hot yoga, gentle yoga? And oh yes, ... 02/02/2012

There is always something very cool about Stamford CT and the activities available to the children during school breaks.  This Winter break, beginning February 20 through the 24 I've found some really great things you and your children can take advantage of....   There is a fierce program at SoundWaters called Science Stars.  SoundWaters is an environmental educational organization looking for girls in grades 3-7 interested in science. During this program young women will have exposure to careers in science through hands-on activities and presentations from women scientists. Everyday is a new experience that will show them science is not confined to the classroom. It's a full day program, dealing with live animals, lunch is provided and it's free!  Visit www.soundwaters.org or call 203-... 01/31/2012

The city of Stamford CT, began distributing free smoke alarms in the lobby of the Stamford Government Center on Thursday. The next opportunity for Stamford residents to obtain a FREE smoke alarm is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at the Yerwood Center located at 90 Fairfield Avenue in Stamford from 4-6pm.  The program was inspired by the Christmas Day fire in Stamford which resulted in the death of five individuals.  City officials are working with First Alert, which donated 1,000 alarms.  Click here for more information. Additional dates will be announced and will appear on the city of Stamford's website.  01/28/2012

Just a heads up as mentioned in The Stamford Advocate on Wednesday.  The data collectors from the consulting firm Vision Government Solutions will visit Stamford properties throughout the year as part of the city's property revaluation project. The collectors will confirm the exterior measurements of each building, and document location's, topography, utilities, zoning and construction quality, office of Assessment and Collection employee Sue Greene said in a news release. The data collectors have begun their inspection route on Monday in North Stamford and will work their way south to the shoreline. The data collectors will also take a photographer of the home which will be filed with the tax assessors's office. Vision Government Solutions workers are required to register with the Stam... 01/26/2012

Stamford, Connecticut Year End Housing Report 2011. Jan. 25th, 2012. Stamford is the fourth largest city in Connecticut with a population of 122,643 (2010census), the city covers 52.1 square miles with 37.7 being land. Stamford is a 45 minute train ride (non-stop) on Metro-North to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Currently the number of single family homes for sale in Stamford is at 312 with the lowest at $189,900 and up to $18,900,000 and 267 Condominiums for sale. Below are the housing statistics for the city of Stamford along with Homes Sold by Price Range Chart provide by WPSIR monthly “Local Market Trend” watch newsletter.         If you would like to sign up for the WPSIR real estate e-mail newsletter please send request to e-mail dpopoff@wpsir.com and mention if you like the... 01/25/2012

A few months ago, my daughter came to me and said those words. My little princess was ready to wear that precious pink tutu and ballet slippers.  This is the conversation that most parents with daughters will come across. So off I went to investigate options for a dance school. I looked in Stamford and the neighboring towns of Greenwich, Norwalk, and as far a Westport. I looked online and made inquiries of friends, parents at school, family and came up with many options. Then I visited and looked at schedules. The time and location had to work with "our" after school schedule.After narrowing things down to three schools, I chose the Ballet School of Stamford. Why? Let me share....Great teachers with experience- what I found helpful on their website was the biography of the dance instru... 01/25/2012

The start of the Christmas Tree Pickup Program is Monday, January 23rd, 2012. Specific locations will not be vitiate for a period of time after the start date due tonthe size of the city. The programs will begin North ofnthe Merritt Parkway and the crews will work their way South. The Program will progress as quickly as the weather allows. The calmer the winter season the faster the crew will make it through the city. Please take those trees to the curb. 01/24/2012