Active Rain Brings Free Local Newspaper Exposure Active Rain ran a wonderful, inspiring challenge in December to help us all keep busy promoting ourselves through actively blogging.    I decided to jump on board and blog the daily blog post that was required, but wanted to put the posts to good use.   I wrote some of my posts to promote local businesses, and help our town pick up energy again.   One of the posts on Active Rain that I wrote for the "  31 Days in December Challenge"    was about Keelers Hardware Store here in Wilton, CT.   I decided to go all out and post videos, interviews, pictures, and lots of descriptions of their Christmas tree and decorations sale during December.   The Christmas trees were a new thing for the store, so it was fun to promote. A few weeks after Chris... 03/05/2011

Market Report for Housing Sales in Wilton CT 06897 2010 vs. 2009 There were 10 home sales in January in Wilton CT 06897. This is up 42.9% from 7 in January of 2010.    See Market Report for Homes over $1M.  The median price of homes in Wilton of $950,000 in January 2011 was up 34.3% from $707,500 in December and up 5.0% from $905,100 in January of 2010. The 3-month average sale price of $947,810 in January was up somewhat from $881,519 in December and up more from $846,279 in January of 2010.  The inventory of homes in Wilton of 145 in January was up 4.3% from 139 in December and up 5.1% from 138 in January of 2010. As is normal at this time of year, new listings in January moved up to 31 from 7 in December. The days on market of 100 in January was down substantially from 153 in Decembe... 02/14/2011

Real Estate Market Report 2009 vs. 2010 in Wilton CT 06897 in $1-2M Range The market definitely was feeling poorly in 2009.  We had 37 homes sold in 2009 in the $1M to $2M range.  In 2010 we had 46 homes sold in the same price range.  The average price in 2009 was $1,282,081 compared to $1,392,777 for the same price range in 2010.   These homes sat on the market for 133 days in 2009 compared to 122 days in 2010.   (More sold in 2010 for more money, and quicker.) Condos ran a different pattern.  In 2009, there were 19 condos sold for an average price of $407,460 compared to 26 sold in 2010 at an average price of 385,989.  These condos sat on the market for 110 days in 2009 vs. 127 days average in 2010.  (More sold in 2010 for less in more days.) Real Estate Market Report 2009 vs. 2010 in... 02/14/2011

Getting Rid of the Ice Dams in Wilton CT   We have had so much snow and ice dams here in Wilton CT this year - quite unbelieable!   So many blogs have posted about the huge CT snows, with a ton of pictures showing how tough it is to show homes in this environment. And, believe me, it has been hard!                               A home nearby in New Canaan, CT                             But, today I had our painter and a friend of his come to our home in Wilton CT to remove all of the snow and HUGE ice from our roof.  We had had two warm (35 degrees) days with sun, which loosened the grip of the ice.   We tried and it worked!!!! We got rid of all of the snow and ice on all roofs except the garage, which didn't have any ice.  It's going to rain all night, then snow tomorrow morning, and ... 02/07/2011

Living with Ice Dams in Wilton, CT and What to Do About it (credit to Ed Silva for this article and pictures) Larger issues are caused by ice dams. These are created by the escaping heat from the homes melting the snow, which in turn drops into gutters but re-freezes before it can get carried away. This water can also turn any snow already in the gutters into ice as well. As this ice accumulates, it will start to lift the roofing shingles and back into the attic. Once it's into the attic, the damage is caused by the water damaging the sheet rock and even causing it to fall, not to mention the possibility of getting mold. Heat escapes the living areas through the ceiling light fixtures, fans, and along the joining areas of the walls and ceilings. By conductance this heat rises through th... 02/06/2011

Spiced Up Open Houses in Wilton CT Do you think open houses are dull and boring?   Do you think the agents are usually dull and boring?  Would it be fun if you had children and the agents actually came down on their level and spoke to them?   or if the agent had balloons to give them to keep their little hands busy? What about some fresh straight out of the oven banana bread  - warm - for everyone that came through the door?   -- WOW --  would that smell great! Is it a party, or an open house, some would say?   Why NOT a party?   If a specific agent in town was always handing balloons to the kids, and warm yummy fresh breads to everyone, might you not think of stopping in the next time?    Everyone is curious about the houses around them, and if there is time, why not make it a treat fo... 01/20/2011

Our Local Keeler Hardware Store in Wilton CT 06897 Selling Christmas Trees and Wreaths Keeler Hardware Store is located in the center of Wilton, and the phone number is 203-762-3584. I found myself wanting to interview these owners of Keeler Hardware Store in Wilton, CT.   I have known one of the owners for over 20 years, and the other for almost 10 years.    Both are so generous and community minded.   I found it was a total pleasure interviewing Andy Eckman to find out all about their new campaign to sell Christmas trees and wreaths at the store.     They have teamed up with a local nursery, who provides the Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, potted trees, etc.   They also will do full service in that they will deliver to your home, set it up, do the lights, etc.  Later, when the seas... 01/17/2011

Village Court in Wilton, CT  06897   Grumman Hill Village -      is a beautiful community in South Wilton. This planned residential community named Grumman Hill Village is in South Wilton, near Route 7 for easy access to schools, easy commute, shops, train, etc.   It is beautifully landscaped, and has lawn irrigation for all of the homes.    Some of the homes, or condos,  are 3 bedrooms, and some are 4.   All have air conditioning, hardwood floors, fireplaces, garages, gas forced air heating systems, 9 foot vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets,  and fabulous storage.    Most kitchens have an eat in area, others have a dining area out of the kitchen.                      The community consists of small independent homes, or condos, with little land.    A wonderful spot for the very busy or ... 01/15/2011

Avalon Bay Apartments in Norwalk, CT 06854 The Avalon Bay Apartments in Norwalk, CT are just simply incredible!   I went to see them the other day with a client, and found them clean, new, well appointed, with all of the amenities that would be desirable in this town.   The new Norwalk Avalon Bay building is located at 26 Belden Avenue in Norwalk, where the old Pathmark shopping center used to be.   The spot has been under construction for many years now.    The phone number is (203) 840-9080, and they can be found also at www.AvalonCommunities.com or AvalonNorwalk@Avalonbay.com.   The apartments are located in the central area of Norwalk, near just about everything, or at least a quick bus ride to it.  I just had a tour with some clients of mine who are looking to rent next year,  and ... 01/14/2011

Things To Do In 2011 To "Seed" Your Business in Wilton CT 06897 1.      Write a Business Plan for the first 3 months of the year including all of the activities I plan to execute in that time and going forward 2. Do as many Open Houses as possible, especially in the spring market, and use balloons and signs in as many places as possible in increase exposure of not only the listing, but also of my business. 3.  Invite neighbors pre - Open House, so they see the house early. 4.   Commit to mail to SOI and farm area at least 6 times a year, and send e-newsletters at least twice a month. 5.  Add addresses and emails to database as they come in, so they immediately get newsletters and mailings. 6.  Use Facebook and LinkedIn and blog consistently to increase exposure. 7.  Meet with agents an... 01/11/2011

Scoops some Ice Cream and Specialty Candies in Wilton, CT 06897  Scoops, a local Wilton ice cream and specialty candy shop opened over 25 years ago.    It is located in the center of town, down below the Village Luncheonette at 92 Old Ridgefield Road.  Their phone number is 203-834-1100.   SCOOPS was opened by two local women who found a huge need for a place to go to take the kids for ice cream after soccer and baseball games.   Wilton had bookstores, florists, markets, banks, clothing and sports and hardware stores, but no "treat" stores.   So, these two very good friends of mine named Care Heeks and Shelly Lawson opened one.  What is it they say?  Find a need, and fill it!  That they did.      All of the kids' sports teams go straight to Scoops to celebrate their wins, or to drown th... 01/10/2011

Wilton, CT 06897 - A Great Town   TOWN OF WILTON, CONNECTICUT 06897 There are approximately 6,000 households in the Wilton community, according to the 2000 census.    The public school system is one that continually strives for perfection, in the arts, sports, and academically, consistently receiving awards for excellence. Wilton schools consist of one pre-K – grade 2 elementary school (Driscoll - Miller School,) one school for grades 3-5 (Cider Mill School,) one school for grades 6-8 (Middlebrook School )and one high school (Wilton High School.) Wilton is a rural/ suburban residential community of approximately 18,000 people, located approximately one hour by car or train from central New York City. Historical sites are represented throughout the town and the small downtown area has a ... 01/05/2011

Please Pay it Forward!  There are lots of  Green Alternatives & Asbestos Prevention in Wilton CT 06897 A while ago, I received an email from a fellow named Paul James at the Mesothelioma Center for the Connecticut Department of Public Health.  He is the National Awareness Coordinator (paul@asbestos.com), and was asking me to please pass on this information about asbestos in our homes in my blogs.   He had read my blogs, and said he thought that if I would put this information into my blog, it would be spread to a greater number of the viewing public.  That is just what they had been discussing at the event yesterday. How timely!   An absolutely wonderful opportunity to pass on some important and relevant information about the dreaded word "asbestos"  as we get further and further away f... 01/04/2011

FIDO'S FOOD BIN HAS CLOSED AS OF DECEMBER 2010   FIDO'S FOOD BIN, a Pet Supply Store, in Wilton CT 06897, is an absolutely amazing pet supply store, and has an extremely loyal following for miles around.   As I looked around, I realized what they were referring to.....   there were no dog food brands that the average person is used to seeing.  All were natural, and free of all chemicals, etc.   There were bags and cans of food from WELLNESS, BLUE BUFFALO, EVO, and MERRICK.     All looked so healthy, so I had to ask about it all.  Skip stepped in and explained that they screen all the foods to make sure that they are from farms that are organic, and free of the chemicals, and even check that the factories are clean and do not add anything.   Blue Buffalo is a local dogfood company that i... 01/03/2011

  Wilton, CT 06897 Has a Thrift Shop - The Turnover Shop, and is located just around the corner and below the Wilton Village Market (best food store in town!) and next to Fido's Food Bin.    It's phone number is 203-762-3160.  The address is 98 Old Ridgefield Road. The staff is 100% volunteer, and most have been working there for at least 20 years, if not  a lot longer.   They know everyone in town, and all that is going on in town, and are super nice!   There are always fabulous treasures to be found-  if you go in on Tuesday or Thursday during the consignment times, you will catch the better items as they arrive.   Many folks in Wilton go in and browse the racks during the consignment drop off times, as that's when the pricier items will come in.         The Turnover Shop gives all of... 01/02/2011

A Gorgeous Milestone Birthday Present - A Portrait by artist Sean Keating   This year, my husband is celebrating a major milestone birthday.  So, what to buy that really marks this event, beyind the usual types of gifts I could buy? Well, it just so happens that, in my Wednesday morning BNI (Business Network International), our landscaper, Sean Keating, let us know that in winter, although his landscape business provides snow plowing and firewood, he spends his down time with his passion, which is painting incredibly beautiful watercolors. Sean is particularly gifted at portraits. And so began the lovely journey of sorting through appropriate photos of Herb so that the portrait - a surprise, naturally - would be the painting I imagined in my mind's eye. Now, Herb is not a true art lover... 12/23/2010

Do you Know What Makes a "Ripe" Lime in Wilton CT?   Do you think the ripeness is related to color, size, texture, or small? Do you think it matters whether it is a dark color or a light color?  What is juiciest? Does it matter if you buy them in Wilton CT? Some are bumpy all over, and others smooth - what's the difference? The darker the color, ----    the younger they are, so they are not ripe! Limes are similar to bananas - the yellower, the juicier and riper they are.    The lumpy skinned ones have a thicker skin. I just learned this at the market  in Wilton CT this morning, and thought that I would pass it on!   Do you Know What Makes a "Ripe" Lime in Wilton CT? 12/23/2010

What Happened to My Veggies?   Won't be any in Wilton CT soon! Are you enjoying your cucumbers and salad today and tomorrow in Wilton CT?   Have you already gotten your string beans from the market in Wilton CT for the New Year's party you are throwing?  Tomatoes suddenly jumped in price in Wilton CT!   Why all of this crazy stuff going on?   We had a tremendously hard cold snap in Florida a week ago - all of the fruits and vegetables there were picked ahead of the freeze and put into warehouses to sell to us now.    Can't get a good "  snap"   on your snap peas?   The fact that they were picked so early and then stored will make them not quite so fresh as we are used to, and a little "old" to the feel.    We also had a huge 2 days of rain in California, affecting another large group of... 12/23/2010

Hats off to Dagny Eason of Wilton, CT.  I finally got a chance to meet this fellow Active Rainer.  We had spoken on the phone a couple of times.  You can tell from her picture and her blog posts and her comments on everyone's posts how kind and giving she is.  I have so much respect for her.  She listens to her customers and tries to get to know them and give back to them.  She is geniunely interested in what you have to say adn you can tell that she puts her clients' interests first. Dagny lives in Wilton, CT which is prob. about 40 mins from where I live in White Plains, NY.  But, because I'm always driving all over the place to my customers (remember, I "bring the store to your door."), I'm in the Stamford area usually at least once a week, so I'm only 10-20 mins from her.  So, meeti... 12/20/2010

Portofino's Restaurant Burns in Wilton CT Portofino's Restaurant, in Wilton CT had a very large fire this morning.   The little town of Wilton was full of fire engines and ambulances and paramedics.    Portofino's Restaurant is a very  popular place for the town folks of Wilton to pop in and have dinner, and is a customary celebration hangout. The little Old Post Office Square was blocked off with all of the equipment.  I arrived at 9 am, too late to see the smoke, but early enough to still see the activity..  I was heading in to the office to work for the morning.  The office is directly across the street from Portofino's Restaurant, so I was in the "  catbird seat"    for watching the activity. I headed down to the CT Coffee Connection, next door to Portofino's Restaurant, to see if a... 12/13/2010