I had a couple of transactions this past year where the good intentions a a family member came back with less than ideal rewards. As the mortgage industry amends lending requirements and tightens up the system, home-buyers with issues look to family members for assistance. Specifically, getting a family member to co-sign a mortgage to allow the loan to go through. One of my clients had done a good turn for her mother a few years back and co-signed the mortgage , as she wasn't ready to buy a home and her credit was excellent. When we went to get her qualified, the outstanding note appeared and for a while it looked like she would not be able to get her own mortgage. Her answer came when the lender requested proof of payment of the mortgage in the form of cancelled checks, coming from he... 01/08/2010

WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE - MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2010 Let's see what happened in the Waterbury, CT real estate market in terms of active listings: Active Listings 432 New Listings 0 Average List Price $158,800 Median List Price $149,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1863 Median Sq. Ft. 1390 There are 432 homes for sale , with 97 of those homes being listed in December in the Waterbury, CT real estate market as of December 31, 2009.   Here's the breakdown of the prices of homes for sale in Waterbury, CT as of January 1, 2010: List Price Houses % < 100,000 69 16 100,001-150,000 149 35 150,001-200,000 132 31 200,001-250,000 55 13 250,001-300,000 15 3 >300,001 11 2   The housing market varies from neighborhood to neighborhood in Waterbury, CT , so you can get a better idea of what’s happening in the Wat... 01/06/2010

MERIDEN-WOODTICK WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE - MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2010   Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury's East End real estate market : Active Listings 29 New Listings 0 Average List Price $165,507 Median List Price $157,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1437 Median Sq. Ft. 1388 There are 29 homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury CT’s East End community, 6 of which were just placed on the market in the last month. The average size of the homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick neighborhood has remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices of homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick Waterbury, CT neighborhood:     List Price Houses % < 100,000... 01/06/2010

East Mountain Waterbury, CT Real Estate - Market Update January 2010     Here’s a look at what’s been happening in Waterbury's East Mountain real estate market as of December 31, 2009: Active Listings 18 New Listings 0 Average List Price $165,233 Median List Price $167,400 Average Sq. Ft. 1413 Median Sq. Ft. 1360 There are 18 homes for sale in the East Mountain neighborhood of Waterbury, CT ; of those, two were listed in the last month. The average size of the homes for sale has remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the East Mountain-Waterbury, CT neighborhood:   List Price Houses % < 100,000 2 11 100,001-150,000 5 28 150,001-200,000 10 55.5 >200,001 1 5.5         These are the newly list... 01/06/2010

BUNKER HILL-WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE - MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2010   Here's a look at the recent data for the real estate market in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury,CT as of December 31, 2009: Active Listings 59 New Listings 0 Average List Price $171,344 Median List Price $169,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1500 Median Sq. Ft. 1377 There are 59 homes for sale in the Bunker Hill-Waterbury, CT area, of which 11 were just listed in the last month. The average size of the homes for sale in the Bunker Hill section of Waterbury has remained the same in comparison to similar neighborhoods relative to the prices being asked for them. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury, CT :     List Price Houses % < 100,000 6 10 100,001-150,000 11 19 150,001-200,000 28 4... 01/05/2010

Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT Real Estate - Market Update JANUARY 2010 Here's a look at the Bucks Hill real estate market as of December 31, 2009: Active Listings 19 New Listings 0 Average List Price $176,447 Median List Price $178,800 Average Sq. Ft. 1550 Median Sq. Ft. 1506 There are 19 single family homes for sale , 5 of which were just listed in December in the Bucks Hill neighborhood of Waterbury, CT . There are some rather decently sized homes in the Bucks Hill neighborhood. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT neighborhood: List Price Houses %   1 5.3 100,001-150,000 5 26.3 150,001-200,000 9 47.4 >200,001 4 21 And these are the latest homes for sale to join the market in the Bucks Hill area: Address L/Price ADOM 229 BUCKS HILL RD   154,900 20 535 BUCKS HILL... 01/05/2010

We have all done it at some point, made a list of 'I Wills' at the beginning of the New year with the best of intentions, then withered from our devotions in short order. My primary resolution was shot after 5 days. I have made the typical resolutions we all put into our minds:  Be a better person, diet, exercise, blah, blah, blah. The  fact that I only know where my treadmill is, is a testament to that type of resolution. I had made a point of trying to make this, my first real full year as a blogger more productive and to post daily material that would keep me at the top of search engines for my capabilities, and to also follow and comment on my fellow blogger's posts to help them move up also. Well, after just a mere 72 hours, yep, that's right, Monday, I had already failed. My Mond... 01/05/2010

Waterbury, CT Real Estate Market Update in Zip Code 06710   Here is the most recent information on the real estate market for single family homes in Waterbury, CT 06710. This area includes the following neighborhoods: Historic Hillside, Historic Overlook, and Willow/Plaza.   Homes for Sale 27 Average Listing Price $149,185 Average Sq. Ft. 1869 Months of Inventory 5.1   Home Sales (December 2009) 6 Average Sale Price $110,967 Average Days on Market 102   The real estate market in Waterbury 06710 seems to be headed toward a seller’s market with only 5.1 months of inventory remaining, but prices still seem to be declining somewhat. We’ll see what happens in the months ahead. 01/03/2010

Waterbury, CT Real Estate Market Update in Zip Code 06708   Here is the most recent information on the real estate market for single family homes in Waterbury, CT 06708. This area includes the following neighborhoods: Brooklyn, Bunker Hill, Country Club, Fairmount, Town Plot, and Western Hills.   Homes for Sale 128 Average Listing Price $185,244 Average Sq. Ft. 2824 Months of Inventory 7   Home Sales (December 2009) 8 Average Sale Price $141,704 Average Days on Market 46   The real estate market in Waterbury CT 06708 continues to look like a buyer’s market, with 7 months of inventory. Average prices in these areas tend to be on the high side due to the Country Club neighborhood, which boasts the most expensive homes in Waterbury. 01/03/2010

ÁMI’s Hot Bagels, Inc.   Want a hot, fresh bagel early in the morning with a cup of coffee? ÁMI’s Hot Bagels is the place to go. Located next to San Marino ’s Ristorante in Waterbury , CT ’s Colonial   Plaza , ÁMI’s Hot Bagels is an excellent place to pick up the most important meal of the day with a delicious choice of cream cheeses or butter.   ÁMI’s Hot Bagels   is the sole remaining bagel shop in Waterbury , CT.   Opened in 1994, owner Frank Choku and his assistants Jim Karameta and Dile Hoxhallari have been serving Waterbury residents and beyond with not only great bagels, but friendly service and pleasant conversation. I went into ÁMI’s Hot Bagels one morning, and was admonished by Jim to go light on the butter…it would clog my arteries!   ÁMI’s Hot Bagels offers a variety of bag... 01/03/2010

Waterbury, CT Real Estate Market Updates in Zip Code 06706   Here is the most recent information on the real estate market for single family homes in Waterbury, CT in the 06706 zip code. This area includes the following neighborhoods: East Mountain, Hopeville, Mohawk Park, Platts Mills, South End, and Washington Park.   Homes for Sale 51 Average Listing Price $147,871 Average Sq. Ft. 1333 Months of Inventory 6.5   Home Sales (December 2009) 8 Average Sale Price $130,863 Average Days on Market 52   The real estate market in Waterbury, CT 06706 is seeing a return to normal levels of activity, and the trend appears to be headed back towards a seller’s market within the next several months, with inventory just above 6 months worth. 01/03/2010

Waterbury, CT Real Estate Market Updates in Zip Code 06705   Here is the most recent information on the real estate market for single family homes in Waterbury, CT in the 06705 zip code. This area is the East End of Waterbury, CT and includes the following neighborhoods: East Farms, Fairlawn, and Mill Plain (Meriden/Woodtick)   Homes for Sale 103 Average Listing Price $155,130 Average Sq. Ft. 1383 Months of Inventory 7   Home Sales (December 2009) 11 Average Sale Price $143,800 Average Days on Market 126   The real estate market in Waterbury, CT 06705 remains a buyer’s market with 7 months of inventory, but the trend points towards a flattening out of both prices and amount of inventory over the next several months. 01/03/2010

Waterbury, CT Real Estate Market Updates in Zip Code 06704   Here is the most recent information on the real estate market for single family homes in Waterbury, CT in the 06704 zip code. This area includes the following neighborhoods: Bucks Hill, Crownbrook, Fairmount, Lakewood, Long Hill, North End, Upper Fulton Park, Walnut-Orange-Walsh(WOW), and Waterville.   Homes for Sale 113 Average Listing Price $135,449 Average Sq. Ft. 1425 Months of Inventory 10   Home Sales (December 2009) 16 Average Sale Price $116,475 Average Days on Market 55   The real estate market in Waterbury, CT 06704 is definitely a strong buyer’s market, with about 10 months supply of inventory. The amount of sales varies from month to month between the various neighborhoods. 01/03/2010

SL Handwash Detailing LLC             It was the worst possible day that it could have happened. My van, given to me by my grandfather, ran out of gas…for the final time – on my son’s birthday. I thought it just ran out of gas, as it had done time after time since he had given it to me at the end of June.             Nope. It was much, much worse…but I had no idea why. I put enough gas in it (thank God there was a gas station right nearby) for it to start, but it wouldn’t even turn over. Then I thought it was the battery. Called AAA to come and tow it to my usual mechanic….             But in the waiting, I think I found a new mechanic. I was in the middle of traffic, stalled, holding everyone up. Someone stopped and asked me if I needed a jump, so I put the car in neutral (and almost r... 01/03/2010

Let's cancel the appointment, it's snowing is something we New Englanders hear all too often this time of year. Common sense says it's the right thing to do especially as we live in an area of numerous hills, narrow streets with lots of cars parked on the streets and road crews that can't be everywhere at once. Many New Englanders are well prepared for this snow and know that the best response is to wait it out. I have had visitors from Venezuela for the last 10 days and they are forever out shopping. One of the things I cautioned about in the snow is driving too fast. They had a rental so I was sure that it was in condition for the season, but for those that are not sure here are a few winter reminders. Have the vehicle checked early to make sure all the hoses and belts are fine; brake... 01/03/2010

Connecticut mortgage rates moved higher last week for refinancing, and home purchase. The bond market took a beating as stocks surged despite mixed data. Existing CT home sales in November rose a surprising 7.4%. However, revised gross domestic product figures showed the economy only grew 2.2%, which was weaker than the expected 2.8% mark. Personal income and outlays data came in weaker than expected helping a bit. Unfortunately, the thin trading conditions magnified the earlier losses and made it difficult to recover. For the week CT interest rates rose by about 1 3/8 discount points. The Treasury auctions will take center stage next week. If foreign demand falters we will likely see Connecticut mortgage rates head higher. The bond market will close early Thursday in advance of the New... 12/28/2009

The other morning while getting ready for work, my wife commented that the house seemed exceptionally dry. Ours is a warm air heat system and at the end of the last heating season the humidifier went. I immediately went out and bought a new humidifier, but didn't put it in right away. Over the summer I forgot to finish the job.   As my wife was commenting on the still not repaired humidifier, she ended the conversation with the comment, "I suppose it will have to wait until we sell the house. Isn't that when sellers fix things so they will be right for the new owners?" Aside from the obvious dig, the truths to her words were prophetic. I know that I often recommend pre-listing inspections for homeowners that have had the house for a long time so that they can get a non biased report on ... 12/26/2009

Wilby H.S. Basketball 12-18-09   Wilby Freshmen Basketball Win over Holy Cross     Wilby High School's Freshmen basketball team won their season opener on December 18th in a 69-47 blowout of Holy Cross. The game was a first for me on many levels…the first basketball game that I have ever gone to, ever...the first time I’ve gotten to watch my stepson, Daquan, play basketball for his school team, the first time that my youngest son, Jr., went to a basketball game...and watching the performance of the freshmen Wildcats against the Crusaders was nothing short of exhilarating.     The Wilby Wildcats were led in scoring by Ezra Coleman, who scored 28 points, followed by John Mitchell and Daquan McDougald, who both rounded out the team’s effort with double digit scores.     12/25/2009

Waterbury, CT Neighborhoods at Christmastime     There is nothing more fun at Christmastime than decorating around the house. How do I know this? There are more houses decorated around various neighborhoods in every city than you can possibly imagine.     But who has the time to travel around a city or even a small town to look at the Christmas decorations? I know I don’t. However, that doesn’t mean that the houses can’t be seen. So, as I go through town on my way to here and there, I bring my trusty little camera and click away. Thus, I present to you, Waterbury Neighborhoods at Christmastime.       Editor’s Note: I will be adding pictures of various neighborhoods as time permits. I will most likely repost this again next Christmas, with more photos of the neighborhoods that I was una... 12/25/2009

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY Sometimes we wonder why the press doesn't take the time to enlighten the public about the Christmas tradition at Arlington National Cemetary   Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.       Know the line has held, your job is done.           Rest easy, sleep well.                Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held..                      Peace, peace, and farewell...  Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help ... 12/23/2009