Im writing this blog thanks to Karen's inspiration of making a Fellow Foodies group.  I love to cook and eat too.  What a challenge at the gym!  lol!  Anyway, my son and I are true critics of good wings and have even helped a couple of new restaurants get them right.  So where are the best wings in town?  After a little restaurant burned down 2 years ago, my son and I agree, it's hands down Bobby Valentines Restaurant.  Yes the baseball player opened his first joint here over 20 years and after expanding then downsizing, it's the last.  And still going strong.  The wings are on the small side and always crispy and their sauce is just right bringing the right amount of sweat to the brow.  Where's your favorite wings? 01/22/2011

Here is another golden opportunity.  Where in Ct can you get a great 3 bedroom townhome with a garage and a 30 foot dock? On Shippan Point in Stamford, CT is where.  This new to the market home is in turn key and almost 100% remodeled with a slight nautical flair. It offers an open floor plan for the living room, dining room and kitchen with a deck, fireplace and built-ins that include a wine cooler. Each bedroom has soaring cathedral skylit ceilings and the marble master bath even has a steam shower.  Deeded seperately this home has a garage and a 30' unresticted boat slip which means you could rent it if you don't use it.  Just listed at $560,000. Click pic for more! 01/21/2011

Now this is living!  150 feet of sandy beach, pool, spa, expansive lawn, outdoor shower and a fully renovated home as of 2010. Just listed at $4,750,000, this home is set on .91 of an acre with incredible views over Long Island Sound and to New York City.  The home offers soaring high ceilings in mulitple rooms to capture every opportunity for enjoyment througout the year.  It features a 2 story living room open to the dinig room and wall of glass, a new gourmet kitchen, fabulous family room and even a first floor Master suite with its own private deck. In the summer you can swim from your own beach and even moor a boat just of it.  Set in an upscale waterfront community and only 45 minutes ride to NYC.  Come see how you can live like you are on vacation every day!  For more information... 01/21/2011

A mortgage broker I know sent me an email today, that I figured i would share:   MI Tax Deductibility Extended Through 2011 The President has signed the bill extending Mortgage Insurance tax deductibility through December 31, 2011. This makes it a great time to tell your customers how they can use MI to buy a home sooner and enjoy predictable payments, while benefiting by deducting the premiums from their income taxes. And MI can be canceled once the home buyer builds enough equity.   Details on Tax Deductibility for MI Remain Unchanged • The home purchase or refinance loan must close between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011; • Household income must be at or below $100,000 for a full deduction of premium; • The premium deduction is reduced 10% for each $1,000 of income over $100,00... 12/22/2010

Both of these homes closed in 2010!  And I found buyers for them who absolutely just love them completely!  They actually sought out this specific community and an agent who thoroughly knows the market and the community there.  2267 Shippan Ave is a gracious old Victorian home with stunning waterviews out over the point and a detached 3 car garage. The new owner plans some wonderful renovations.  47 Ralsey is an nicely updated home with great flow and character with a deep yard and detached 2 car garage.  If you live in Shippan, welcome your new neighbors. If you want to live in Shippan and currently don't, call me so that I can find the perfect home for you too! 12/14/2010

Single Family Residential Properties Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $0 - $100,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $100,000 - $200,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $200,000 - $300,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $300,000 - $400,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $400,000 - $500,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $500,000 - $750,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between $750,000 - $1,000,000Single Family Residential Properties for Sale in Stamford, Connecticut Between... 12/09/2010

Looking for something fun to do on Thanksgiving weekend?  Go to Stamford's annual boat parade!! This is always so much fun.  Last year horrific winds cancelled the parade but still, some boats came out. This year it will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 6pm. Below is the boat parade route. Enjoy!!! For more information or to sign up your boat, go to http://www.stamfordboatparade.com 11/17/2010

A Dignified Alternative to Foreclosure... Millions of homeowners today are having trouble paying their mortgages and don’t know what to do next. If you or someone you know is in this situation, a short sale may be your best solution. A short sale is a dignified solution to foreclosure and can have a lesser impact on your financial situation. This includes your future eligibility and timing to secure a loan for a home. Compared to short sales, the consequences of foreclosure are significant. To learn the benefits of a short sale and what this means for you, read my free report available here: http://www.NicoleHelps.com As a CDPE-designated agent, I have extensive training in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure.For a personal consultation on all of your available options, I’m just a call... 11/12/2010

Stamford, CT.                                                                                                                                                                                                      Just put this on for a friend of mine. It is a 550 sqft apartment with a newer kitchen, newly done wood floors and new windows with private laundry.  It is walking distance to a train station and loads of shops and restaurants. Asking $1200 Pass it on! 11/10/2010

The long awaited grand opening of Fairfield County and Stamford's newest super market, The Fairway,  has happened today!  I could not understand all the talk about it until I ventured in myself and WOW!  Never have seen anything like it.  High piles of every kind of fresh produce, over 300 cheeses, every kind of olive, every kind of olive oil and venegar, incredible butcher, hot food, bakery, Kosher sections, glueten free aisles and more.  It was like bumper carts in there since everyone was walking around in amazement.  Ahhh the west side of Stamford continues its transformation!!! 11/03/2010

If you live in Stamford CT and you're looking for hardwood flooring, you are in luck.  Never before has it been so easy to find the right hardwood flooring for your home.  Why go to the Store, when we can "bring the store to your door?"  It's so much easier and more importantly, it's critical to see the samples in your own lighting because it does look different in your home. Our experts will find the best hardwood flooring options for you and your budget.  We'll show you different hardwood species such as oak flooring, brazilian cherry hardwood and bamboo flooring. We'll help advise you on the right type of hardwood flooring and right look for your home, your style and your budget.  It's so much faster and easier when you have someone helping you one on one.  We'll even give you free d... 11/01/2010

  If you are looking for a Stamford CT rental, and you are a renter who is tired of paying someone else's mortgage and want to own your own home, there are many ways to buy a real estate; one of them is Rent to own (RTO) option, a means of acquiring ownership over time without taking on debt. The renter agrees to lease the home for a pre-determined time usually from one to three years. There may be an up-front consideration fee. The seller allows the buyer to lock in a monthly price for the property till it is paid off. This is a way to settle on something that is right for you even if you are not in the position to make an immediate purchase. A lease purchase can make your rent money work for you instead of making your landlord rich.   Similar to a rent to own for a TV you can have a r... 10/29/2010

We all realize that it is not the ideal time to try and list your home, but if you are buying in the same area, say, Stamford CT for example ;) then your lowered house price will also be reflected when you buy your replacement house. Nothing is lost therefore - or is it? Sometimes we can become aware of the fact that we really must move. Maybe the children are too big and we really need to move for that extra bedroom; perhaps there is a need for a bigger rec room, or an extra bathroom.  Many circumstances make house-moving come to mind, but have you worked out the cost of remodeling as opposed to the cost of moving? When we think about moving, we often think of all the irksome things about our home, but we do not remember all the conveniences that might not be available in the next hom... 10/25/2010

                                                                   Sat. Nov. 20 3-6pm Giant balloon inflation party on Hoyt St. Sun. Nov. 21 at noon! UBS Spectacular Balloon Parade from Summer to Broad to Atlantic Sun. Dec. 5 4:30 Landmark Square and Latham Park Heights and Lights 10/01/2010

Not on MLS yet!  Your chance to scooop up this updated Colonial in cul-de-sac setting across from private beach.  .31 acre with huge fenced yard.  Large LR, nice DR, Eat-in semi updated kitchen adjacent to FR w/fireplace and large Mahagony deck overlooking yard framed in perennials. Master with full bath and walk in closet, 3 additional bedrooms and a bath, large lower level family room, office/exercise room, workshop, storage and cedar closet.  This one won't last. The recent others under 1 mil didn't either! 969K.  For appointments, call Victoria at 203-249-2693. 22 Ralph St. SHIPPAN!!! 06/12/2010

Currently there are 33 homes listed for sale in Shippan Point, Stamford, CT.  Of those, there are 5 recent accepted offers (all under 1million), with 5 contracts also under 1 million waiting to close.  3 contracts between 1 and 2 million and 1  over 2 mil waiting to close.  In the last 3 months there are only 4 recorded sales.  So what does that tell you? Under 1 mil in Shippan priced right, is going to sell.If you are a Shippanie thinking of selling or know someone who is, call me! 203-324-9600. I can also help you if you are looking to buy in this area.  I just helped my clients buy on Ralsey their dream home and we secured it under 12 hours! 06/07/2010

Technology has improved our lives over the last ten years, but it’s also caused some problems along the way for Stamford real estate buyers.   As a buyer, you naturally want to take advantage of every tool and service available to make it easier to find the home of your dreams. However, the Internet, which is one of the most common places for people to shop for Stamford real estate nowadays, has also become a place where the unscrupulous hang out.  You can’t believe everything you read online, even when it comes to shopping for homes online.   If you’re trying to find a home, here are two things you need to be aware of:   Home Valuation Sites Many potential buyers find an interesting home and then research the home value. This is commendable and just plain good sense. You want to make s... 05/31/2010

I have fully qualified buyers who are very anxious to buy in Shippan Point.  They were bidding on a short sale but that fell apart because of the seller.  While they were waiting, they bid on a home on Downs Ave, they went over asking and still got out bid.  If you know of anyone thinking of selling in this range, please let me know asap!!!  They want a house now!!!!!  Or at least a contract for one. 05/20/2010

Ever dream of living on the water??  This weekend the newspaper is showcasing the waterfront and we will have 2 of our waterfront listings open for viewing on Sunday May 23 from 1 to 4 pm. 131 Dolphin Cove Quay How would you like this dock in your back yard?  This updated home offers more than 3200 square feet of living space and with all rooms but one with water views!  The dock with a hold up to a 55 foot sailboat and 2 additional boats as well.  For more on this home, Click Here!     200 Dolphin Cove Quay This fabulous home has wonderful views over Stamford Harbor and beyond into Long Island Sound.  Over 4000 sqft with a 1st floor master and wonderful open floor plan.  For more on this home, Click Here!   Both of these homes are located in a private association known as Dolphin Cove.... 05/19/2010

Fabulous opportunity for downsizers or anyone desiring one floor living. Over 1600 sqft. and nicely updated with wood floors and a new cherry kitchen.  There are 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths with loads of closet space and garaged parking for 2 cars!  Located in a luxury 24/7 doorman building with 2 fitness rooms and a pool, all just walking distance to so several restaurants and in route of public transportation.  Reduced to $410,000!!!  What an opportunity! View more details by clicking here. 05/19/2010