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

Waterbury, CT at Christmastime   Decorating during the holidays is a part of many towns’ tradition. I have been through many towns at Christmastime during my short life, and the displays I’ve seen range from quaint to simply majestic.   Waterbury, CT at Christmastime is beautiful. I was remarking to a friend of mine the other day how absolutely spectacular Hubbard Park, in Meriden, is at this time of year. I winced at the time that I couldn’t say something like that about my hometown, and then I took a second look. Along the main streets in downtown Waterbury, every light pole is decorated with green garland and a lighted wreath and red bow. The trees are strung along with lights, and the monuments and statues have various Christmas decorations surrounding them. Waterbury, CT at Christm... 12/20/2009

CHFA Mortgage Program interest rates are remained steady for the week of December 17th with the CHFA homebuyer program at historical lows of 4.375%. The current rates for CHFA are in effect until Thursday, December 24, 2009 : _____________________________________________ Homebuyer Mortgage ProgramInterest rate:  4.375 % (APR range 4.475 - 4.875 %)Term - 30 years, fixed rateDownpayment Assistance Program (DAP)   Interest rate:  4.375 % (APR range 4.475 - 4.875 %)Term - 30 years, fixed rate Urban Rehabilitation Homeownership (UR Home) ProgramInterest rate:  4.125 % (APR range 4.225 - 4.625 %)Term - 30 years, fixed rate Pilot Homeownership and Downpayment Assistance Program for ManchesterInterest rate:  4.375 % (APR range 4.475 - 4.875)Term - 30 years, fixed rate Homeownership Program,Home... 12/17/2009

Mortgage bond prices were near unchanged last week holding Connecticut mortgage rates steady. Trade was extremely volatile with swings of 1/2% in discount points common. The Treasury auctions were not as well received by foreign accounts as traders were hoping. The US relies on foreign central banks such as China to fund our deficit spending. If China were to decrease or cease purchasing US bonds and notes, rates would rise. Interest rates finished the week near unchanged. The inflation data will be the most important releases this week. Inflation erodes the value of fixed income securities causing prices to fall and Connecticut mortgage rates to rise. The Fed meeting will also take center stage. While no rates changes are expected the wording of the release will be very important. LOOK... 12/15/2009

  WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE – MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2009 Let's see what happened in the Waterbury, CT real estate market in terms of the active listings: Active Listings 450 New Listings 0 Average List Price $166,822 Median List Price $159,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1881 Median Sq. Ft. 1431 There are450 homes for sale in the Waterbury, CT real estate market, with 80 of those homes being listed in November in the Waterbury, CT real estate market as of November 30, 2009. Here's the breakdown of the prices of homes for sale in Waterbury, CT as of November 1, 2009: List Price Houses % < 100,000 53 11.8 100,001-150,000 156 34.6 150,001-200,000 148 32.9 200,001-250,000 63 14 250,001-300,000 17 3.8 >300,001 13 2.9   You can search for homes for sale in Waterbury, CT by visiting William’s Places!   H... 12/13/2009

MERIDEN-WOODTICK WATERBURY, CT REAL ESTATE – MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2009   Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury East End real estate market: Active Listings 27 New Listings 0 Average List Price $163,670 Median List Price $149,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1412 Median Sq. Ft. 1351 There are 27 homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury CT’s East End community, 5 of which were just placed on the market in the last month. Here's a breakdown of the prices of homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick Waterbury, CT neighborhood:     List Price Houses % < 150 ,000 14 52 150,001-200,000 6 22 200,001-250,000 6 22 >250,001 1 4   And these are the new homes for sale in the Meriden-Woodtick section of Waterbury's East End: Address L/Price ADOM 267... 12/13/2009

East Mountain Waterbury, CT Real Estate - Market Update December 2009     Here’s a look at what’s been happening in Waterbury's East Mountain real estate market: Active Listings 20 New Listings 0 Average List Price $176,820 Median List Price $172,450 Average Sq. Ft. 1522 Median Sq. Ft. 1440 There are 20 homes for sale in the East Mountain neighborhood of Waterbury, CT;  of those, five were listed in the last month. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the East Mountain-Waterbury, CT neighborhood:                  List Price Houses % < 150,000 7 35 150,001-200,000 10 50 200,001-250,000 1 5 >250,000 2 10     These are the newly listed homes for sale on the market in the East Mountain neighborhood in November:     Address L/Price ADOM 1182 HAMILTON AVE $159,900 22 204 HARWOOD ROAD $204,900... 12/13/2009

BUNKER HILL-WATERBURY CT REAL ESTATE – MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2009   Here’s a look at the recent data for the real estate market in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury CT: Active Listings 65 New Listings 0 Average List Price $183,240 Median List Price $184,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1595 Median Sq. Ft. 1518 There are 65 homes for sale in Bunker Hill-Waterbury CT area, of which 12 were just listed in the last month. Here's a breakdown of the prices in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury CT:    List Price Houses % < 150,000 13 20 150,000-200,000 33 51 200,000-250,000 17 26 >250,000 2 3                                           You can search for homes for sale in the Bunker Hill and surrounding neighborhoods of Waterbury CT by visiting William’s Places!   Now, for a look at what has ... 12/13/2009

Tis the season and there are celebrations of Christmas all over the world. Here are a sampling of some of the trees that are displayed around the world.   The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.                            A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.                            Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.             The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of M... 12/13/2009

Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT Real Estate – Market Update December 2009 Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the Bucks Hill real estate market in the past month: Active Listings 18 New Listings 0 Average List Price $193,772 Median List Price $184,900 Average Sq. Ft. 1578 Median Sq. Ft. 1546 There are 18 homes for sale, 4 of which were just listed in November 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 % < 100,000 3 17 100,001-150,000 9 50 150,001-200,000 4 22 >200,001 2 11                                             And these are the latest homes for sale to join the market in the Bucks Hill area: Address L/Pri... 12/09/2009

Mortgage bond prices fell last week pushing CT mortgage rates significantly higher. We saw selling pressure almost the entire week as housing and factory orders data was stronger than expected, the Fed Chairman mentioned rate hikes, and weekly jobless claims beat estimates. To top the already negative week, the employment report came in stronger than expected causing rates to spike even higher Friday morning. Interest rates finished the week worse by about 1 and 1/2-discount points. The continued Treasury auctions will gain a lot of attention this week. If foreign demand for the debt is weak we could see rates head higher. The first portion of the week is light regarding economic releases but the trade data Thursday and retail sales data Friday have the potential to result in mortgage i... 12/08/2009

A great 5 bedroom Colonial, ideal for a large family; 3 full baths; formal living and dining room; 1 car garage; everything gutted and redone within the past 5 years updated electrics new furnace; raised patio deck at rear of house; end of street location convenient to shopping!   Property Type: Residential Annual Taxes: 5214 Style: Colonial Exterior: Vinyl Roof: Asphalt/Glass (Shingles) Level(s): 3 Floor: Carpet, Vinyl, Tile Living Areas: 1 Dining Areas: 1 Basement: Unfinished Garage: 1 Car Attached Garage Parking: Off Street Heating: Baseboard, Oil Cooling: Window Unit(s) Appliances: Refrigerator, Oven/Range Electric, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer 12/06/2009

Mortgage bond prices rose last week pushing Connecticut mortgage rates lower. The economic data continues to be mixed. Personal income, outlays, and PCE inflation data were stronger than expected. Trading was thin and erratic. Thin trading conditions, news of the looming debt crisis in Dubai and a continued influx of Fed money into the mortgage bond market helped rates improve. Connecticut mortgage rates finished the week improved by about 1/2 of a discount point. The employment report will be the most important release this week. This is one of those weeks where there are many economic releases classified as very important or important. The potential for market volatility is increased when these types of reports are released. Be alert throughout the entire week. LOOKING AHEAD EconomicI... 12/01/2009

Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT Real Estate: Quarterly Market Report November 1, 2009   The grid below gives the type of house, sizes, sales prices and days on market for the homes that have sold in the Bucks Hill, Waterbury CT area over the last 90 days.   Address Style #Bd #Bth Sq . Ft . L/Price S/Price C/Date DOM 475 CHESTNUT HILL AVE   RAISE 3 1.0 1132 176,900 158,000 08/14/2009 187 72 MADERA DR   RANCH 3 2.0 1700 154,900 149,900 08/28/2009 8 25 MEADOWLAKE RD   RANCH 3 2.0 2100 174,900 180,000 10/09/2009 35 184 GRASSY HILL RD RANCH 4 2.5 1750 189,900 189,200 10/14/2009 46 72 FIELDWOOD RD   RAISE 3 2.0 1044 123,250 120,250 10/22/2009 18       Bucks Hill-Waterbury, CT Market Statistics: Average Listing Price: $163,970 Average Sale Price: $159,470 Average Days on Market (DOM): 61   Some obse... 11/25/2009

East Mountain Waterbury, CT Real Estate Quarterly Market Report – November 1, 2009 This grid below gives details on the type of house, size and number of bedrooms/bathrooms of the properties that have sold in the East Mountain neighborhood of Waterbury, CT in the last 90 days. Address Style #Bd #Bth SqFt L/Price S/Price C/Date DOM 79 BATESWOOD RD RANCH 3 2.0 1276 163,000 158,000 09/01/2009 272 116 PROSPECT CAPE 3 1.5 1212 69,900 65,000 09/10/2009 254 3 COTTAGE GROVE LN SPLIT 3 2.1 1152 104,000 121,000 09/18/2009 12 25 EASTSIDE BLVD RAISE 3 2.0 1178 89,900 89,000 10/08/2009 3 54 GAYFIELD RD RANCH 3 1.5 1281 150,000 150,000 10/14/2009 7 23 GATESWOOD CIR RANCH 3 1.0 1291 149,500 138,000 10/30/2009 44 Market Statistics East Mountain , for 8/2/09 to 10/31/09:   Average List Price: $121,050 ... 11/25/2009

Meriden\Woodtick-Waterbury, CT Real Estate: Quarterly Market Report November 1, 2009   The grid below gives the type of house, sizes, sales prices and days on market for the homes that have sold in the Meriden\Woodtick, Waterbury CT area over the last 90 days.   Address Style #Bd #Bth SqFt L/Price S/Price C/Date DOM 89 COURTLAND AVE   RANCH 2 1.0 1024 90,000 85,000 08/07/2009 211 300 BETH LANE   RAISE 3 1.5 1650 186,000 170,000 08/17/2009 87 52 MUNSON AVE   CAPE   3 1.0 1312 154,900 145,000 08/24/2009 57 1038 MERIDEN ROAD   CAPE   4 2.0 1440 149,900 148,400 08/26/2009 128 257 MILL PLAIN AVE   COL   3 2.0 1787 174,900 169,000 08/31/2009 74 26 TOWNSEND AVE.   RANCH 3 1.0 1040 123,500 121,000 08/31/2009 52 146 WOODTICK RD   COL   3 1.0 1456 126,500 110,000 08/31/2009 331 72 WINDY DR RANCH... 11/25/2009

Bunker Hill-Waterbury, CT Real Estate: Quarterly Market Report November 1, 2009   The charts below compare the quarterly performance of the real estate market in the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury, CT over the last 12 months:       Bunker Hill -Waterbury, CT Market Statistics for the last 90 days: Average Listing Price: $ 152,828 Average Sale Price: $ 145,956 A verage Days on Market (DOM): 7 4   Number of Homes Sold: 31 An observation on the Bunker Hill real estate market in Waterbury, CT : The average prices of homes that have sold in the Bunker Hill neighborhood have remained fairly constant for the last three quarters of 2009 . Combined with the fact that the number of home sales has increased, this indicates that home sellers in the Bunker Hill area of Waterbury, CT have a ra... 11/25/2009

Mortgage bond prices rose last week pushing CT mortgage rates lower. Mixed data resulted in up and down trading but within a relatively narrow range. Things were going well the first part of the week with CT rates improving until Wednesday when the consumer price index and the core came in higher than expected. Inflation, real or perceived, erodes the value of fixed income investments causing prices to fall and rates to rise. We saw some of that mid-week. Despite this, CT mortgage rates finished the week improved by about 1/8 to 1/4 of a discount point. The US Treasury will continue the record Treasury auctions with a $44 billion 2-year note auction Monday, $42 billion 5-year note auction Tuesday, and a $45 billion 7-year note auction Wednesday. The bond market will be closed Thursday f... 11/23/2009